Pre-Ball/Pre-Prom Photography

[Aimee04]

Just wondering if anyone can help me?

A family friend asked if I could take photos at their pre-ball gathering (like a before the prom get together - they're quite popular here in NZ, not sure about anywhere else in the world) of all the kids in their dresses and all that. All up there'll be about 120 kids, plus parents, families etc. I wasn't gonna charge for my services because I'm just starting out and I thought it would be great exposure. I was going to just burn the final images to multiple cds, to give to the kids after I've edited them all, if they provide their own cds. I know editing will take me a while with that many people there but just wondered what people think? And whether I should be charging something, whether thats per person or not?

I did this a couple of weeks ago for my sister but it was on a much smaller scale and I just took photos and gave them to her when I was done editing. All up she got about 30-40 photos, which didn't take too long to edit, but I know this job is much bigger.

Any help would be appreciated!!


Thanks,
Aimee

[alexsimpson]

read 12 Excuses for Shooting Photos for Free — and Why They’re Bogus | Black Star Rising

I have shot a few pre-ball type parties / gatherings here in our awesome little corner of the world. Charge them something to cover your time, editing time & expenses.

[candleman]

is there going to be 120 people gathering at your family friends house? or is this person the organiser and you're being asked to shoot at the door of the event.... i dont understand how a "pre ball gathering" translates to that many people... normally its only small groups of frends that meet at a "mates place" before the limmo picks them up, right?


anyway,
IMHO, dont give out CD's.

Whenever i do events, I sell prints of the images.

so, basically you shoot the portraits.. delete the rubbish like blinks etc.
then, post them to a gallery on your website, and then people can order prints of the images they want from there.
Naturally print prices are based on size

(you get the picture)

then you only have to edit the ones they order. (you could tell them thats what you're going to do, and show a "before and after" as an example of how you will edit the image they choose.

when they have paid... get the prints done and send them off.

If you have someone that demands a CD, sell them images individually.. i sell mine at $80 per image.

all the best.