First engagement shoot

[KenRC51]

Hi, one of my friend is about to get married. He asked me to shoot his engagement photos.

I'm not sure how should I charge him. Should I Print out about 40-50 4x5 photo and a large one like 16x20? Do a photo book?

I was thinking of taking some shoot on and around the beach (pier, etc...) I was thinking around 11am - 1am would be a good time. What time is the best for beach shoots?

My gears: Nikon D90, Nikon 50 1.4, Tamron 17-50 2.8, Sb 900, thinking of renting Nikon 24-70 2.8 for this shoot.

Can this amateur kindly get some advice? Thank You

[OsmosisStudios]

Your charge depends on your costs and how much you'd like to make from it. General rule is Cost x 2 + profit.

[AnneWynne]

[QUOTE=KenRC51;946127]
I was thinking of taking some shoot on and around the beach (pier, etc...) I was thinking around 11am - 1am would be a good time. What time is the best for beach shoots?

QUOTE]


Bad time for beach shots...sun is high and harsh unless it is overcast and rainy. Shoot during the golden hours...between sunrise and 9am and between 4pm and sundown.

I hate to say it, but if you are asking this kind of question regarding technique you are not ready to charge for your services. Tell your friend you are learning and are willing to do the session in exchange for your best shots in exchange for the practice and photos to build your portfolio.

Good luck

[KenRC51]

[QUOTE=AnneWynne;946469]

Originally Posted by KenRC51

I was thinking of taking some shoot on and around the beach (pier, etc...) I was thinking around 11am - 1am would be a good time. What time is the best for beach shoots?

QUOTE]


Bad time for beach shots...sun is high and harsh unless it is overcast and rainy. Shoot during the golden hours...between sunrise and 9am and between 4pm and sundown.

I hate to say it, but if you are asking this kind of question regarding technique you are not ready to charge for your services. Tell your friend you are learning and are willing to do the session in exchange for your best shots in exchange for the practice and photos to build your portfolio.

Good luck

I'm not gonna make a profit and they know that but I just asked to get a figure if I would to profit how much can it bar charged for.

My friend know that I am basically using them for practice and building my portfolio and he and I just agreed on just paying for the cost to print the pictures.

[OsmosisStudios]

[QUOTE=KenRC51;946514]

Originally Posted by AnneWynne

My friend know that I am basically using them for practice and building my portfolio and he and I just agreed on just paying for the cost to print the pictures.

Then why ask us how much to charge? If theyre paying for prints, then you charge them for prints.

duh?

[AnneWynne]

[QUOTE=KenRC51;946514]

Originally Posted by AnneWynne

I'm not gonna make a profit and they know that but I just asked to get a figure if I would to profit how much can it bar charged for.

My friend know that I am basically using them for practice and building my portfolio and he and I just agreed on just paying for the cost to print the pictures.

Then let them review your images, choose the ones they want processed, then give them a set of negatives so they can print them out as they wish.

Or, you can all sit down at your computer and order the prints they want, putting them on their credit card.

No money needs to pass through your hands and they get what they want.

There really is no need to print all of the images you take...just focus on the keepers you then refine in post processing. If they want a photo book, just about every processing service offers them and the templates to work with.

If you/they are wanting to go with a "pro" photo lab like White Horse Custom Color or others, you can still order what you want with them footing the bill.

Good luck

[shphoto32]

I know you've already made this deal, but I would recommend trying to make some money while portfolio building. You are taking risks on your equipment when you do a shoot, plus the wear and tear on your equipment adds up especially in the beginning when you take like 10 times as many shots as you need to. I found most of my friends were willing and happy to pay for prints if the quality was good. I made enough money while I was portfolio building to buy my first "L" lens. Charging is a good habit to get into.