How long should the shoot last?

[CanonRebelz]

So I'm beginning to do more senior portraits as the weather is starting to warm back up and I'm thinking about coming up with a set-in-stone time limit. As of now I don't really have too much of a time limit and it hasn't been much of a problem. But I just thought I'd have a show of hands. So, if you do portraits(senior,child,family,etc) what is your time limit? Do you have a minimum amount of time or a maximum amount of time or how much do you charge on top of your sitting fee for additional time?

Also - I've made the poll multiple choice so you can select if you have an option to pay extra for additional time.

[sk66]

Originally Posted by CanonRebelz

So I'm beginning to do more senior portraits as the weather is starting to warm back up and I'm thinking about coming up with a set-in-stone time limit. As of now I don't really have too much of a time limit and it hasn't been much of a problem. But I just thought I'd have a show of hands. So, if you do portraits(senior,child,family,etc) what is your time limit? Do you have a minimum amount of time or a maximum amount of time or how much do you charge on top of your sitting fee for additional time?

Also - I've made the poll multiple choice so you can select if you have an option to pay extra for additional time.

I don't generally do portraits, but most fixed price services start with 1hr then extra.

[MrBeta]

I'd say an hour. If you can't get what you need in an hour, it probably won't happen. The only time I shoot longer than that is if we're really knocking stuff out or if the model has paid accordingly.

[gazsus]

I can usually (almost always) get what I want within an hour.

Exceptions are paid for.

[SusanH1970]

On my website, it states that I don't time sessions. But for the most part, I'd say pretty much 90% of the time they average about 1 - 1 1/2 hours. Some have only taken 45 minutes, some have lasted 4 hours (not straight shooting, with breaks). Works for me, might not be right for anyone else.

[CanonRebelz]

Originally Posted by sk66

I don't generally do portraits, but most fixed price services start with 1hr then extra.

Ok, that's what I was thinking.

Originally Posted by MrBeta

I'd say an hour. If you can't get what you need in an hour, it probably won't happen. The only time I shoot longer than that is if we're really knocking stuff out or if the model has paid accordingly.

Very true - I was thinking 1 hour, up to 1 hour 30 mins if needed was good.

Originally Posted by SusanH1970

On my website, it states that I don't time sessions. But for the most part, I'd say pretty much 90% of the time they average about 1 - 1 1/2 hours. Some have only taken 45 minutes, some have lasted 4 hours (not straight shooting, with breaks). Works for me, might not be right for anyone else.

Oh alright cool! Wow 4 hours haha nice!
Thanks for the replies everyone

[OsmosisStudios]

My shoots are generally scheduelled for 2 hours, but that only counts about an hour of actual shooting. The rest is setup/changing/teardown time.

[Jim Poor]

Time really is determined by the subject and goals of a shoot.

My longest private sitting was 8+ hours, but that was portraits for 17 dogs, 2 cats, and 3 horses.

My shortest has been about 30 minutes with a very cooperative dog that would do whatever I needed it to.

Generally, I plan 4 hours for a sitting though I rarely need that much. I also only schedule one per day other than mass events like fund-raisers.

If I had to guess an average, it would probably be right around an hour.

[Alexandra]

Like Osmosis my portraits are scheduled for two hours. One hour is for fixing up make-up, choosing the right clothes, discussing with the client, etc. Actual shooting time is one hour, but im billing for both.

[CanonRebelz]

Thanks for all the input guys. I'm going to set mine for only one hour.