Family Portrait Questions

[Rahsum]

Hi, my name is Robert

I was asked to take a family portrait for two separate occasions and I need as much advice as everyone is willing to give, I have been researching online, but I would like to get some more advice. Things I would like to know the most is about lighting and how much to charge.
Sorry my questions are so vague, I just was never good with asking.. =/

This will be my first paid job and these are friends and family so I know they don't expect much, but I want to show them I can do it just as well as anyone else.

[DFphoto]

Both are very vague questions.

Lighting, ourdoors? Indoors? Studio?

Lighting requirements will be very different for each scenario.

My self I prefer family photos done outside, using natural light, and occasionally a reflector or fill flash, but this is my comfort level. I am just learning studio and indoor lighting technics.

As far as what to charge, what are you worth? Myself I am just starting out and the first several shoots I did, I didn't charge, I wanted to build a portfolio.

I was very upfront at my skill level. The first shoot I did I took over 750 photos in a 1 1/2 hour session and ended up with 61 keepers. I was trigger happy. Which made editing very difficult and because I was shooting so quickly I lost what would have been great shots to camera shake and not taking the time to set up and focus.

I also look at other photographers in my area, craigslist and kijiji type sites are great to see whats out there and what they charge, or just Google photographers in your area.

Currently I charge $100 for a 1 hour session, which is in the middle for my area. This gives the family roughly 40 high res edited images, I do run deals from time to time. and have gone as low as $50 for the same session.

This is a hobby for me so really it is just my time.

Remember people expect more when they are paying and the more they pay the more they expect.

I didn't charge when I started and sure I missed a lot of great shots, but no one gets up set when they get free family photos. Now I have a great portfolio I can take to paying clients and show them what I can do.

[Rahsum]

1 is going to be indoors and the other they haven't decided yet. Thank you for your advice!! appreciate it greatly!

[zona5101]

What is the max number of people to be in one shot?
What lens do you have?
Have you seen the location they want to use?
Lots of Windows?
Shooting in daytime?
What lighting gear do you have?

[phaither]

you might want toconsider using some type of backdrop if indoors. houses can be very cluttered...

My best advice is to stay away from family portraits. They're just not worth it.

Errhhmm.... Don't suck?

[Jim Bryant]

True! You need to know when, where and what time. Don't let the family railroad you into a location. Scope one out ahead of time.

[NathanFranke]

Don't do anything that would land you here.