All-Day Photo Shoot

[lonni]

I would approach it like i would a school poto shoot and charge for hours travelling, shooting and pp.

I would also include a limited license along with the photos specifying how they can use the images, simmilar to a stock photography license.

The logistics will be hell on this one, as other people said not long per person, presure to get a usable shot, back ups etc. You will probably do well to have an assistant to help, which will need to be added to the price, you might be able to find one locally so they dont have to travel.

HTH

[misschips]

Thank you. I think I'm going to go ahead and put together an estimate. I will find a way to tactfully include certain conditions/requirements (how should I word that?), including a larger shooting area (tiny hotel room just can't work--at least a suite or a conference room), travel down and lodging the night before the shoot (preferably at the same hotel, or at least very close), access to the shooting location/room by 7am for setup, lighting, etc. Hmmm... Did I miss anything?

I can explain to them the foreseeable challenges (time constraints and location size) and recommend that they either begin shooting the afternoon before, or continue shooting into that evening. Either way, I'll stress the fact that 7.5 hours will be tight. I will show them the calculations of minutes/person. If they won't budget, I can only work as fast as I can.

I would have a backup camera, three strobes, and lots of batteries. I don't have a laptop, but I think it's about time to invest in one.

If they can't be flexible on the location, travel time and lodging, etc., then forget it. They can give the job to someone else. I'm not going to kill myself over this.

Thank you again and again!

Reanna

[misschips]

Trying to express my concerns and recommendations for the shooting space. The hotel room they want to use is only 275 square feet. That includes the bathroom, vanity, entry, and space consumed by furniture. I don't see how anyone could possibly get a decent headshot with a backdrop, subject, photographer, plus key light, hair light, and background light. Even if we squeeze it in.

Any recommendations on how to work within a limited space? What do you think the smallest area is in which someone could pull this off? I'm thinking 18'x18'...?

[faeriegodess612]

Again, I need to stay out of this forum because I literally know nothing about this. But,...I saw a thing in this book I have. Its how to set up a temporary studio. The book is The Photographer's Studio Manual by Michael Freeman. Pages 28 and 29 show how to take an ordinary room (looks kinda like a normal 10x12 foot room in the pictures) and turn it into a studio. You can find it fairly cheap on Amazon.com. I picked mine up at a used book store. I dont know if that'll help at all. Good luck!

[misschips]

Thanks! Yeah, I've been looking at some various setups and I think it would be possible in a 12x12 area. However, that doesn't include an area where folks can check in, or seating or standing room for other staff. They're gonna have to reconsider this hotel room thing...

[Jim Poor]

If you're only doing head shots, you don't need a whole lot of space side to side. You can get by with long and narrow.

What sort of BG are you using? The way I see it, this would be an ideal time to go for white, but that's largely because formal white on white is my specialty.

[Mike367]

Here is an article about a similar gig. To be sure, much of these articles are sales pitches, but that doesn't mean there is no useful information. You will have to register with an email address.

ShootSmarter.com - Corporate Head shots on Location

[BigFuzzy]

if you have time, please please please visit strobist.com so you can learn to do the lighting quickly and easily and to vary your background with very little effort. Make sure you get the lighting right and they'll be really happy (as will you).

It also shows you how you don't need lots of space or equipment to do a good job. Just make sure you don't overlook the basics like having lots of batteries and memory cards!

PS also wouldn't touch it for less than 1500.. euros (since I live in EU).

Good luck and post results!