Help with free or cheap location for indoor family shoot?

[MoriEndi]

hi all!
First post, so please don't eat me
I have several shoots scheduled the weekend of the 13th and I am worried about the weather, so I am looking for some indoor locations for family shots, anywhere between carrollton and allen. I need free or cheap as I can't afford the 75.00-150.00 fees some places like to charge. The only place I can think of is the Gaylord and I know some of ya'll have had some iffy experiences there.
I would love to have a studio set-up but its just financially not possible for me right now. Also, i have searched the forum and i keep seeing the gaylord and the old stone mill, both of which are too expensive.
Thank you all so much in advance for any help.

[CallMeAl]

I'm not sure on the free locations, but CowboyStudio.com has studio space that you can rent by the hour and it would be close to your location. You would just have to inform the client and pass that expense on to them.

[MicWayWal]

Mori,

Why don't you use their home? 40% of my family portraits are done in their own home. It works well especially with small children.

Most people will say they don't have a good house for shooting. Well I make it nice.
Option 1: I take all the good furniture, plants, area rugs, well decorated walls with windows and create a set there in the house. They love it. Many have rearranged their furniture because they like the way I put things vs what they already had. You will be surprised what people will go buy if you say you need something (see last line of this post).
Option 2: Create a background from their stuff. I have suspended area rugs and curtains from my background stands to shoot in front of for small groups.
Option 3: Clear out a room that doesn't have a lot of furniture. Setup your background and shoot away.

It may mean you have to go by beforehand to check it out. But you have to do what you have to do.

[texxter]

Originally Posted by MicWayWal

Mori,

Why don't you use their home? 40% of my family portraits are done in their own home. It works well especially with small children.

Most people will say they don't have a good house for shooting. Well I make it nice.
Option 1: I take all the good furniture, plants, area rugs, well decorated walls with windows and create a set there in the house. They love it. Many have rearranged their furniture because they like the way I put things vs what they already had. You will be surprised what people will go buy if you say you need something (see last line of this post).
Option 2: Create a background from their stuff. I have suspended area rugs and curtains from my background stands to shoot in front of for small groups.
Option 3: Clear out a room that doesn't have a lot of furniture. Setup your background and shoot away.

It may mean you have to go by beforehand to check it out. But you have to do what you have to do.

+1. Terrific advice.

[J Eddington]

+2 Clients homes are the best place. Just plan on doing a little re-arranging and being creative! Use as much natural light a possible and it will be special because it is their home and you took the time to make it beautiful for their photo.

[the kid]

You can use my home and lighting. Just bring beer.

[MoriEndi]

lol @ the kid! If you are serious, I have excellent taste in beer...

I had thought about using their homes, but both clients weren't too keen on it and I don't have a strobe set up. (all I have is my camera and my Quantum pz-1 dsz) so I'm worried about lighting. I will run it by them again though. I will also check out Cowboy Studio. i have seen them on ebay but didn't know they also had studio space. Has anyone been up to the Frisco heritage museum? all the photos I have seen of it are outdoors, but it looks like a neat location....
Thanks everyone

[WarrenG]

Originally Posted by MoriEndi

lol @ the kid! If you are serious, I have excellent taste in beer...

I had thought about using their homes, but both clients weren't too keen on it and I don't have a strobe set up. (all I have is my camera and my Quantum pz-1 dsz) so I'm worried about lighting. I will run it by them again though. I will also check out Cowboy Studio. i have seen them on ebay but didn't know they also had studio space. Has anyone been up to the Frisco heritage museum? all the photos I have seen of it are outdoors, but it looks like a neat location....
Thanks everyone

You can shoot indoors but they do charge the admission if you do. Some pretty colorful spaces though.

W

[thatsridiculous]

FYI, the gaylord is not free - it doesn't even allow shoots (unless you have a hookup).

[MomTog]

MicWayWal had awesome advice. I'd also use the fact their kids would be more natural/comfy in their home when advising the client to use their home.

Another thing, last time I needed a place-I used my dining room, lol! I would've preferred otherwise but like it's been said, "you have to do what you have to do". I'd use any extra money in renting lighting equipment if needed.

Re: The Gaylord, the only place free is in the hotel and atrium. Call them to make sure but that's what they told me last week...trying to get a Christmas shoot set up.

Let us know what you end up with - Happy shooting!

[MoriEndi]

Thanks Momtog. They pretty much ixnayed using their home, and I am actually sorta homeless atm, so no dining room to use. (my hubby and my job situation kinda fell apart at the same time we were supposed to be moving, so we are living with a friend and there is no room between our two families).
I will check out the Gaylords policies and i have a friend who has worked at a couple of area hotels and e if he has any ideas.

[MomTog]

Sorry to hear about your situation :( I will keep on the lookout for indoor locations and will contact you as soon as I learn of any! Keep smiling =)

[eager2learn]

Originally Posted by thatsridiculous

FYI, the gaylord is not free - it doesn't even allow shoots (unless you have a hookup).

I haven't ever had anything said to me, but then again i'm not going in with a hundred different pieces of equipment...

[MomTog]

Originally Posted by eager2learn

I haven't ever had anything said to me, but then again i'm not going in with a hundred different pieces of equipment...

I've heard the same from others, Eager. Although, I called them a couple of days ago and was told that shooting in the resort/lobby area including atrium = free. Guess I'll have to try it sometime!