I could really use a few tips

[martha36]

Today I volunteered to take Christmas card pictures for families at my daughter's preschool as a fundraiser for some cabinets her teacher wants to buy. I am very comfortable taking pictures of the children at school, as I did yearbooks last year, and I'm doing them again this year. But this is the first time I will actually be taking pictures that people are paying for and may have expectations about, and I'm petrified. I am planning on doing these photo shoots at people's houses because I do better at a photojournalist approach, but I'm assuming some people might want a more traditional portrait. I don't have a lot in the way of lighting - just one flash that i never really use! Should I rent more stuff, or just go with shooting the way I'm comfortable with? And can anyone share some easy pointers on how to do this sort of thing? I'm not looking for any trade secrets here, just a little guidance. Thanks!

[AnneWynne]

Have you considered asking the preschool (since you are doing it as a fundraiser) help you set up a "studio" at the school, setting up a Christmas tree or other holiday setting in the lobby or other large room and having a weekend photo op for the parents to come to? Or set one up in your home or garage. Or consider a Saturday in the Park where parents and children can gather and you shoot the photos.

It is great that you are willing to go to the homes, but that could eat up more time than you anticipate. If you do the studio at either the preschool or your home, you can use some simple lighting hacks that are reasonably inexpensive, all things considered. If you do it at a park, you can get by with reflectors (silver car windshield gards or foamcore covered with aluminum foil or silver paper). If you have a speedlight, then you can get a diffuser for it to soften the light and reduce harsh shadows.

DIYPhotography.net is running a home studio thread that includes some info on lighting with different types of lights. You can actually do a lot with a stick in a can and some clamp-on work lights with good CFLs.

PS, act like you know what you are doing, shoot in RAW if you can, and plan on doing some postprocessing.

GL,
Anne

[PnwGuy]

I would suggest not changing a thing. It sounds like your approach has been working for you. Trying to change things at the last minute could likely throw you off and cause you to wrestle with equipment and trying to remember flash tips etc, rather than taking shots.

Forget that people are paying and just do your thing and see what happens. Worse case a few refunds are offered and you learn where you need improvement. Best case everybody is happy, and that will probably be the case.

Just approach it like any other shoot you've done and I'm sure you'll be fine.

[sybren]

First of all: an uncomfortable photographer will have unfomfortable models, and it's going to show. So whatever you do, make sure you're comfortable with it.

Having said that - if you don't use your flash (and please only use it if you can get it off your camera) make sure there is enough light to make a sharp photo. Anne is right in that going to people's homes will eat up your time faster than you can say peanutbutter, but I do think it's a wonderful idea. Shooting them at home, I mean, not saying peanutbutter. Hmmm... peanutbutter. Anyway, I think it would be boring to have everybody in the same studio setting with the same tree, same lighting etc.

[martha36]

Thanks for all the great input. I really appreciate it. I will definately act like I know what I'm doing - I'm good at that! LOL! I think setting up something at the school is a great idea - I don't know why I didn't think of it, it seems so obvious! And I bet I can do something that is a compromise between a more formal set up and something more casual. Also, the children are comfortable at school and are used to me being there taking pictures, so I think it would work as far as them being comfortable.

[equilution]

Martha...if you don't want to invest in a great deal of studio lighting, one of the best tools I have is a Gary Fong Light Sphere. It completely eliminates the harsh lighting of a flash. I highly recommend it and it's only about $40 on eBay. The results were immediate from the first picture I took with it. Here's the one I have:

Gary Fong Lightsphere II P2 Flash Diffuser CLEAR AF-540 - eBay (item 370269108193 end time Oct-09-09 10:48:55 PDT)

The before and after pics are very accurate. Just make sure you specify the flash you need it to fit on.

[martha36]

Originally Posted by equilution

Martha...if you don't want to invest in a great deal of studio lighting, one of the best tools I have is a Gary Fong Light Sphere. It completely eliminates the harsh lighting of a flash. I highly recommend it and it's only about $40 on eBay. The results were immediate from the first picture I took with it. Here's the one I have:

Gary Fong Lightsphere II P2 Flash Diffuser CLEAR AF-540 - eBay (item 370269108193 end time Oct-09-09 10:48:55 PDT)

The before and after pics are very accurate. Just make sure you specify the flash you need it to fit on.

Thanks for the link - in the past I've used the bottom of a rubbing alcohol bottle over my flash. Same principal, I would assume, but very low tech!

[equilution]

Originally Posted by martha36

Thanks for the link - in the past I've used the bottom of a rubbing alcohol bottle over my flash. Same principal, I would assume, but very low tech!

I also have a diffuser that fits over the flash, much like the alcohol bottle, but there was a distinct difference in the lighting and how the lightsphere dissipates the light. Good luck with your Xmas gig...you've got every right to be very confident!!!

[sybren]

IKEA also sells some really cheap diffusers

Strobist: Cheap, Soft, 360-Degree Light