First Event Photography

[Gina9942]

A co-worker, who knows that I am very into photography and trying to build my business, asked me to take pics at her daughter's first birthday party. We haven't talked about prices or anything yet, but it's going to be 4 hours at least, in a restaurant. I told her I don't really do event and this would be my first and she said that's fine, let me be your guinea pig, I am doing a friends wedding next July, just her getting ready, so I think this will be good practice. I figure I am going to treat this almost like a wedding, I am going to get the details, the cake, decorations, balloons, maybe I will try for a group shot, but it's a huge party so I doubt that will happen. Any advice or pointers? I am taking my D80, I will most likely use my 50mm primarily, but I might also steal my sisters 18-55 and I have a wide angle. I have a sb-600 which I am going to use on camera, and bounce, if possible, if not I have a cute little softbox that goes over the flash that should help.

I guess my real concern is pricing and pointers for a first birthday party, are there shots that you "have" to get, like in weddings? It's really a huge affair that they are doing, and I am excited to do it.

TIA for any advice, pointer, tips, tricks, or even random thoughts about first birthday parties and why they are so great to photograph

[BCampbell]

Make sure the restaurant will let you use flash.

For a four hour shoot, have at least one spare camera battery and a spare set of batteries for the flash.

I think on a cropped sensor body the 50mm will not be as useful, and you'll end up using the kit lens and flash. Practice with that now so you don't waste 30 minutes dialing everything in.

You should be find just using a bounce card with the flash, that will be an easy and manageable setup.

[CrAcKSTim]

If you can, arrive early or visit the location the day before at the same time. It's important to get a feel for the location and what the conditions will be like. This way you can get dialed in on the settings you'll be using for the shooting.

It will be good to get as many pictures of the different people that are there as you can. The reason for this is to have a business card (event card) specially made for this event with your information on it. On the business card you'll have the information on where you're going to be uploading the images so that potential clients at this birthday party will be able to view them, order them, and contact you for more business.

There's lots to consider when dealing with pricing. Are you only getting paid for your time at the event and you'll hand them over the images? Are you offering to create an album for the client? How about slideshow? Prints? All these things you'll want to take into consideration. Possibly take some time and create different packages that they can choose from. Include in those packages your standard hourly rate at the event and time in post processing.

Good luck!

[mlee]

If it's an indoor event, your wide angle lens and 50mm would do a good job.
As beautiful as still life shots are, clients prioritize buying prints that has more of the portraits shots. Like a family picture at the party, the celebrant -

Take pictures of:

- the venue,
- the preparation details
- The celebrant (lots and lots )
- The parents with the celebrant
- Family pictures (if the celebrant has siblings)
- Everyone having fun ( like a full scale, wide angle shot of the party)

My advice would be, go with the flow. Take pictures as the event unfolds. Capture shots of the kid interacting with other kids. Moments that seem fleeting - take pictures of them!

My experience with taking pictures of kids is that - having a plan is great but it's also helpful to be flexible and imaginative during an event session. Events may not always give you the chance to take the shots you expect or have planned - but it's a wonderful opportunity to "live by the moment" as you follow through the event.

[candidrachel]

Here are a few ideas:

How to Photograph a Child’s Birthday Party

[Gina9942]

Thanks for answering!

I love shooting candids, and I was going that route, I was just wondering if there are go-to shots that every parent wants. I was going to do the cake, the venue, I am even hoping to see them before the party and get in a few portraits, with just the immediate family.

[chris123]

Nice you should go in the part and trying to rake some snaps which became more popular among them.It is nice time to get good career.Don't miss them.Treat as professional.

[BigVinnie]

Go to the restaurant and check out the lighting. Specifically the color temp.

The last thing you want is photos that look like snapshots. You want good light on your subjects but you also want ambient. Gel your flash to match the lights, drag the shutter to keep ambient about 1 to 1 1/2 stops below the flash. It is a kids party so you want it to be bright and fun, not dark and harsh.

Take a look at this DIY Reflector-Diffuser. It is my favorite tool for run and gun shooting. Mount it on the narrow side of the flash so you can orient it correctly for vertical shooting.

[Gina9942]

Big Vinnie: What do you mean the narrow side of the flash?

[Swisstony10]

I'm guessing that means mount it so that it's rotated through 90 degrees from the way it's shown in the picture on that link.

If you look at the business-end of your flash, you'll see that it's rectangular - two wide sides, and two narrow sides.

When you turn the camera on its side to shoot in portrait orientation, you also turn the flash on its side (assuming you keep the flash on-camera). If you think about the light that your flash chucks out, it's not really a circle, it's more of an oval, which matches the orientation of the camera.

Russ.