There is a Mexican restaurant that we go a lot that has a large banquet room attached and she has birthday parties, family gatherings, etc and she has asked me if I was interested in coming and taking pictures of guests, their kids, groups and so on. She said she might could pay me some just to be there but I would charge the guests individually for what they want for themselves. Quite honestly it sounds fun to me because I love photographing people and it would be good experience. I was thinking of asking the owner to pay me $50 to show up and charge individuals or families $20 for about 10-15 shots and that will includes a disc with hi res jpegs and also internet ready pictures. If they want prints they can take them anywhere or I will print them for a fee. there are as many as 100 people at some of these so if I can make something, have fun, gain experience, and maybe gain a setting for better pictures and more money it would be a good idea. If I try it and don't like it I can always not go back. Any thoughts or ideas?

Why shouldn't you just give away the images . . . it doesn't cost you anything to take them. Memory cards can be re-used . . . batteries are re-chargeable . . . you didn't buy the camera as a business investment, you bought it for your hobby of photography (otherwise you would have a pro-series camera and top-end lenses) All you are doing is going out for an evening's fun shoot, and hell . . . they'll even feed you![/color]

I shoot a D 300, not pro but a pretty good camera, I have 11 lenses 4 of which are pro and the rest pretty darn nice, 3 Nikon Flashes, quite a few soft boxes, umbrellas, snoots, grids, 2 different sets of triggers, etc, etc. I have been published twice, big deal, and have taken some really good images of about everything you can shoot. I am not a pro and don't profess to be, just someone who loves the field and wants to get better. I have seen your work and it is excellent, someday I hope to be 1/2 that good


Because some of them may have never had a photo taken by them except with a phone.

When you charge for your work you are entering the "professional" area of photography. If that is your plan then you'd better start to look and act like a "professional".
Not sure when we met so I guess you think I look like
a fat slob in cut off jeans and no shoes. I have been a "professional" in another field for 40 years so I guess I act OK, no one has told me otherwise.

If everyone that enjoyed their job did it for nothing . . . we would either have a population of poverty, or a population of extremely unhappy people. It shouldn't cost you your livelihood to like what you do.

]I am not soliciting anyone to shoot a wedding or anything even close. I am wanting to do something to gain experience, maybe help a friend, and possibly make a few bucks while doing it. If you or any other "Pro" got a call from a small Mexican restaurant asking you to come over some evening and maybe you could shoot some folks having fun at a birthday party I am quite sure you would not bust your rear getting over there, so I don't think I am infringing on any one by wanting to do this. Sorry if I offended anyone or made anyone feel threatened of losing business.

My 4 cents worth.

Just my 3 cents worth . . .

There is a Mexican restaurant that we go a lot that has a large banquet room attached and she has birthday parties, family gatherings, etc and she has asked me if I was interested in coming and taking pictures of guests, their kids, groups and so on. She said she might could pay me some just to be there but I would charge the guests individually for what they want for themselves. Quite honestly it sounds fun to me because I love photographing people and it would be good experience. I was thinking of asking the owner to pay me $50 to show up and charge individuals or families $20 for about 10-15 shots and that will includes a disc with hi res jpegs and also internet ready pictures. If they want prints they can take them anywhere or I will print them for a fee. there are as many as 100 people at some of these so if I can make something, have fun, gain experience, and maybe gain a setting for better pictures and more money it would be a good idea. If I try it and don't like it I can always not go back. Any thoughts or ideas?

There are people that do things for the love of the thing and not for the money. If you are doing it because you enjoy it, you gain experience, and the money doesn't matter all that much... then just do it.

I don't think your doing some shots on the "cheap" in a Mexican restaurant is going to ruin the pricing structure of any professional protographers nor will it take work away from them or make it difficult for any other "aspiring photographer" to charge a reasonable price for work.

No need for you to lug a printer with you or a trunk load of gear. Just you, your camera, and a decent off camera flash should be enough. Shoot jpeg, don't over do it with post processing beyond a bit of cropping. Give them a disc or thumb drive with a couple dozen shots and be done with it.

15-20 bucks sounds reasonable, not sure about the 50 to show up, but that's between you and the owner. You're not trying to make a living at it, so 20 bucks extra is 20 bucks you wouldn't have sitting at home posting on UHH.

I get what it is you want to do and I get why you want to do it. So... go do it! :thumbup:

Well i wish you luck , dont expect anything from the owners, unless there bottom line increases . But what is more likely to happen is nobody wants to pay 10-20--30$ in this day and age for pic in a restraunt unless its a real special famly gathering. Especaly when every one has a cannon elf or a phone camera in ther purse or pocket . It all sounds good but you will not make enough to pay for your expences. Been there taking pic and video of local pup bands . Spend hours down loading videos and pic off my camera. The only way i got rid of them was to give them away. I could not even sell them to the bands for a $1.00 a disk with 10 of there songs on each disk.

From WeddingGuy: "Add an inexpensive, portable, soft box and stand, take along the printer as suggested above, and give them no files on disc, but real prints. Want three prints . . . buy three prints."

To WeddingGuy: I like your idea of taking along a printer. Maybe I'll try that. I can set up a study table roped off from the customers so they can't spill drinks on my equipment and print away. Thanks for the suggestion. Well maybe not for then you may need to carry a paper cutter and picture folders?

Reminds me of my "old" days when I was shooting Polaroids and providing instant prints in folders. Say, where is Polaroid?