Help from the experienced needed....

[NicolaB]

Hi guys

A friend asked me to take some photos at their nursery fundraiser. As a result four of the Mums are requesting family sessions - fantastic - but really - eeekkkkkk!

I am not yet friends with my camera. If I am thinking about say lighting, I forget everything else I have learnt. I am going to be a fantastic photographer like you eventually ;-) but not yet!!!

My question then, what should I do? I want to accept and use them as practice - they all know I am jso so their expectations are levelled such. I was thinking of charging (and they are asking how much) 1/2 of what I will eventually charge (and no I have no idea of what that will be yet either - but I will get there!)

What did you guys do before you felt ready to go pro?

Regards

Nic

[Essy]

Not a pro, so I really can't answer your questions...but just wanted to say that I checked out your blog and LOVE your pictures. Great job!

[ShantDotMe]

Telling them you are not a PRO yet, but would give it a shot will be the best way around.

If you are not sure abt charging, what about charging if they like/want to get photos from you? they will feel better, ie no chance they will loose money!! & the worse case senario will be that you will just gain practice!!

Thats how I did start, product photography tho. I asked the client to bring in some samples, I'll shoot, process some for FREE & if they liked the result we'll go "mass shooting". It helped me to be less "nervious" & they had nothing to loose!!

My 1.5 cents

[Jim Bryant]

Pro or not, you need to charge for your services, otherwise you'll get tons of request.
Apparently you don't have studio lights at the moment? Forget that dinky pop up flash, it's not worth the money they used to install in the camera. You'll most likely need to get an external flash or two, light stands, backdrop and stand, all that money is going to add up quickly. So in order to make money, you're going have to spend money......it's a viscous circle. One thing for certain, you best do a good job, as your reputation is on the line. Go to Barnes & Nobles, Border Books, library as check out books on portrait photography, photographing kids, adults and so forth. Good luck!

[NicolaB]

Go to Barnes & Nobles, Border Books, library as check out books on portrait photography, photographing kids, adults and so forth.

Oh Jim I have been at the books - ho ho - and I have NEVER bought books before! I have even read them (that should help right?) My husband is upset that he is having to make way for my ever increasing collection ;-)

I have my reflector (not out of the bag yet though!) - and you are right, no flash, not even a pop up, no lights and no studio. I am not there - yet. Only using natural light, but it is getting dark and miserable here in the 'sunny uk'.

My post isn't very well worded on a re-read. I fully intend charging but was thinking 50% of my fully trained fee - with a greatly reduced sitting fee to dissuade cancellations.

I am interested in hearing what others did on the way to going pro. There must be plenty like me who didn't feel ready to charge full market rate until their work was up to scratch?

Or am I abnormal (has been said!)

Nic

[Jim Bryant]

If it's going to be shot indoors, put the kids near the widow and use the reflector to kick some light back into the shadow area. Basically, have fun!

[faeriegodess612]

also, try searching the tutorials section for things on portraits here on DPS. There are a lot of great tips on here, and some of them are for what we call "ghetto" lighting.

[NicolaB]

There are a lot of great tips on here, and some of them are for what we call "ghetto" lighting.

Great thanks - off to have a look......

[BigFuzzy]

The two single most important things I can tell you going into something as a newby (which I still am) are this:
1. Know lighting (not necessarily just flash)
2. Have a plan


1. Know what you're going to do with the light that is there. Find out what the light is like where you'll be shooting so you can plan. Make sure you have at least a reflector and as Jim said use the windows best possible. Don't be afraid to bump up your iso a bit (depending on your camera of course) but make damn sure you get your images sharp. I always laugh a bit when someone sayd "I only use natural light" as it's simply saying "I don't understand flash".. it's not a criticism, really, but my point is you should make sure you know how to use both so that when you CHOOSE to use NattyLight, it's because you want to and the conditions allow it, NOT because it's your only option. Even simply buying a single flash and learning how to bounce it off walls/ceilings will open up a world of flexibility to you and won't limit you depending on the light conditions where you live. I live in Holland and it's dark now almost at 6pm! I NEED flash.

2. Have a plan means having ideas when you show up. Have a folder of of images you like or want to shoot like or a series of drawings (what I do) with reminders of set-ups or poses that I can always fall back on. NEVER EVER just show up and decide to ONLY wing it.. you'll waste time and look like an amateur if you sit around wondering "hmmm, what should we do next"... in those periods when winging it fails, fall back on your pre-planned ideas that way you're always shooting.

So, know your light, be flexible but also have a plan.

Good luck!

Al

[Eileen D]

Originally Posted by Essy

Not a pro, so I really can't answer your questions...but just wanted to say that I checked out your blog and LOVE your pictures. Great job!

I second Essy's comment! Beautiful black and whites on your blog, definitely something that a parent would be willing to pay for!