Do your own family photos?

[jnelson]

Do you guys do your own family photos? My wife wants some pics taken of the 2 of us and maybe our dog for the holidays. She wanted to pay a friend who is building her portfolio $50 to do them. My first response was "HELLO, pay ME $50 to build MY portfolio" lol. Actually I told her we should use that money to "invest" in a good tripod and I can take them (good idea, right).

I find it hard to pay someone to do something that I know I have the skills to do, but how do you do it when you need to be on both sides of the camera?

I thought I could get things set up of her and the dog and use my wireless remote to fire the camera or just a self timer. We couldn't get candids unless we faked it, which isnt a big deal I guess. It seems like its do-able but she says it would be "fun" to have someone else take our pictures.

Just wanted some input from fellow photographers, what do you do?

[ARKreations]

It's a lot harder to compose a portrait when you're trying to be in it yourself.
Why not approach the friend and offer to trade portrait sessions so you can *both* build your portfolios?
(Not to mention saving you $50 each.)

[candleman]

self portraits take five times longer... and with small kids its almost impossible.
but i'm still going to give it a darn good shot at Christmas.

mostly we just settle for snapshots other people take..

[SusanH1970]

I saw a thread about this very same thing on a Flickr group I belong to. Two photographers that were friends did each other's holiday portraits - they both admired each other's work. Apparently it worked out well in the end.

[Rolling Stone]

I think Krossk & Susan have great ideas.
I understand your need for getting a tripod, but I believe the missus is right here. You'll be staring at the camera wondering if everything is going to work and come out find. Having another person do it will get you in candid or pose mode a lot easier and effectively.

[windrider86]

I've always done my own holiday cards with portraits of my husband and me. Remote controls are very handy to have!

[jnelson]

I was thinking that it could go either way, be really fun and work out well or be a total disaster. I think with a tripod and remote release I should be able to frame a good shot of my wife, run into the shot, strike a few poses, maybe a kiss or two, blast off a few shots with the remote and see what happens. Im not looking for a full set here, just a few (maybe 3-5) good shots to pick from for a holiday card and/or a nice framed pic for our house. I think i might run out today to get my tripod so i can at least try. Its a win-win for me because either way i get my tripod

[diputs]

Does it really only cost $50 to get portraits taken? It would cost me more in travel expenses just to get back and forth.

[jnelson]

its a friend who is trying to build her portfolio so she said she would do 1 hour and a cd of images for $50. we are still talking about it but i bought a new tripod today (manfrotto 055xprob!!!) so im going to give it a shot this weekend and see what happens.

[Gonzo13]

Ever since getting my XTi almost 3 years ago I have been taking mine and my Wife's holiday card pictures. The 1st year was with the timer, the others I had a remote. The remote is so much better. We have the dog in the pictures as well and he kind of makes the candid shots. If you can trade shots with your friend I would honestly go that way though.