Family Portraits

[sahsjenny]

A coworker of mine asked me to do some portraits of her and her family. I have done portraits of my family but never for anyone else. My coworker is aware I have never done anything like this and she says it's fine. I don't want to waste her time and not be prepared. She also wanted to let her know how much I would charge. Since it's my first time and I know her I don't want to overcharge. What would you suggest I charge? What would you suggest I need to do photos on location at a park or beach?

I think I start by searching "family and group" photography to get some posing ideas. That has always been the hardest part for me is knowing how to set people up.

If you are good, charge $40 for your time and get a release allowing you to use the images to advertise your services. YOU select a few of the best images and offer them as watermarked proofs. Mark up your cost for the prints about 4 times your cost to recoup some of the time you will spend on the computer getting them ready.

[windrider86]

Park or beach? Well, talk to your clients and find out what they like, what they like to do in their spare time. Do your photos based on what their interests are. Then scope out the area and decide what time of day would be best. ie: is the background going to look best with morning sun or evening sun?
Then position them where they all line up with triangles. For instance, based u pon on how they are situated, you should be able to see the shape of a triangle in between them. Say you have 2 taller people on front and a smaller one in front, that would create the shape of a triangle. Make sense at all?

[SusanH1970]

All good advice given before, but what equipment do you have?

[cc3078]

I would assume somewhere around $60-$80 for your time and I like the idea of charging about 4x, or more, for the cost of the prints.

[Tanya Kurnik]

i was just asked the samething yesterday. im charging $50 and i tripled the cost of the photos for my time and photo touch ups. as i get better with more experience, i will charge more. i bought a studio kit off ebay for $120. came with a black backdrop with the backdrop frame, 2 umbrella lights with bulbs and the case for the frame. just basic stuff. i will be doing photos outside in the natural light also. those are always the best. do you have a good photoshop program? i got CS3 and CS4 and i love them both.