Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

DAMN STRAIGHT, SKIPPY!

You sound like a great photographer with a great deal of common sense and professional experience to boot!

Your post was spot on and very informative. Even though I'm a hobbyist, I learned more in one post that 40 plus years of playing with a camera.

The next time I'm in your part of Canada or if you come to New York City, we should meet up, share some coffee and a few stories.

Thanks for the post.

LCD

I just recently did my first paying gig as a photographer. Well, he paid for my admission to the conference and the hotel and the food anyhow. I learned so much doing it for a client rather than for friends and myself. Go for it, charge a minimal amount, gain that experience.

geezer76 Loc: Prineville, Oregon

Jaackil Loc: Massachusetts

Here is how I got started in Senior portrait work. My youngest son needed his done and I was fed up with the lousy ones my 2 older sons had gotten. So I decided I would use my own photography skills even though I had never done portraits I was primarily a sports shooter. Anyways I went online studies a bit about portraits and I looked at a lot of senior portraits. I also got a yearbook from the previous year and went through that. I couldn’t believe how bad the majority of images were once I started really looking at them. Most were very over processed. In my area when all is said and done between sitting fee and prints the average cost ends up being between $600-$800. I shot my son in several locations including some traditional shots with a plain backdrop. Those were my portfolio. Had him post them on social media and let his friends know I would be happy to do theirs also for an unbeatable price. Here is what my pricing was. I made it clear to people I was not experienced in portrait photography. But I would shoot their son or daughter for $150 with a 100% money back guarantee. That included a thumb drive of the images with basic editing. There would be at least 10 images. If they did not like the images they pay nothing but get no images. If they like them they get the thumb drive for $150. If they wanted additional editing like removing braces or fixing skin beyond simple blemish removal that would be $50 an hour 1 hour minimum. When I talked to the parents I made it clear they were under no obligation to buy the pictures as I was happy just to get the practice shooting portraits. I would not be offended if they did not like the results. I also suggested they pay for a sitting with the schools photographer as a backup plan. Some did some didn’t. I am happy to say all 11 bought my images. All 11 used my picture as their yearbook photo. Some did an additional shoot with a “proffesional” but still like my photos better. My sons girlfriend at the time mother paid $800 to another photographer and ended up using my images. Some even asked me to do the prints which I did through a professional lab at a very good mark up but still less than what other studios were charging. So long story short I would suggest you give her the same deal. Set a price that is reasonable $100-$150 depending on your area and tell her she only pays if she likes the images. If not she doesn’t pay and you don’t deliver any images. The only risk is time for both of you. Make sure there is a clear understanding so they know what the deal is. I put it all in writing before hand and made them sign it. Good luck.

Silverman Loc: Michigan

Remember; LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION, that will have a strong impact on how your Portraits are enjoyed by your client. Is it a small room in a house? A open field with no trees? A beautiful, quiet Park with some nice Shade trees?
If outside, early morning or late afternoon will offer you the best natural light.
There are many other things you should be aware of concerning " Portrait Photography.
The right or wrong Clothing will effect the finished Portrait too.
Just some of my thoughts, hope it goes well and successful.

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

I also believe that no fee should be charged although any expenses you incur should be covered. Let her pay for your lunch if you eat with them aftward if she cares to.

The camera does most of the work for you. Pay attention to the lighting and shadows and all should be well. I find that posing is the most important part of senior portraits and there are a vast number of examples on Google to look at. It would be wise to have the senior and mother look at some that they would like to have for them and your work will be done for you.

Carnpo Loc: North Carolina

I just want to comment again based on responses I have seen. Senior Portraits are not the mug shots in the Annual (Yearbook). It is now a collection of who/where the young lady or Man is at this time. Do they play sports, play a musical instrument and what is their favorite hobby. Kind of like a time capsule. Are they going to college? If so have them wear something from the school they plan to attend. Go to You Tube!

zucco

The next time you go to the doctor and look for a magazine, I hope you come across one that shows the best "dentists" or others . . and study the way they are posed. You will learn a lot. This may help you if you plan to do more portrait work

BlueMorel Loc: Southwest Michigan

My takeaway is that you refer to this person as an acquaintance, not friend or close acquaintance. I'm hoping this person has seen photos you have done and liked them, not just noticed your fancy camera. If you don't have a relationship with this person or son, then if you don't charge you lay yourself open to everyone assuming you are a pro, with expectations that they will get a pro result.
It sounds like this person is just trying to get by with minimum dollars spent. I feel sorry that she isn't even planning on buying her son a yearbook for his senior year!
So it is up to you whether to charge a modest amount for the time and supplies, or to donate your services except for actual costs.

The main photo advice I can give you, is notice what is in the background. I took this (not great) photo for my son's yearbook picture - his choice of expression and clothes, and had to spend a lot of time moving him from place to place to eliminate background distractions. This was ten years ago when all I had was a Kodak point-and-shoot zoom camera and no processing program.
You might sit down with your friend to show her what poses others have used for senior photos, too - she may have another idea in her head that doesn't match what you've planned.
Also, yearbook photos may require a certain file size for sending in. I had to crop this one and resize it considerably before sending it.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Thank you for your kind words, they are appreciated. Anytime you are in Ottawa, you are welcome to visit me. One day soon, before I leave this world, I'll have to take a trip through my old "hood" in Bedford-Stuyvesant and Williamsburg in Brooklyn.

I try NOT to get up on a "high horse" or becoming snobbish about portrait photography, however, after a lifetime in the photography business- mostly nowadays in the commercial end of the industry, FINE PORTRAITURE is still my first love. It was my entry-level into the business as an apprentice and I was fortunate enough to have had GREAT mentors and a through formal education it that specialty.

So here's my gripe: There are many photographers on this site that really know what the are doing technically as to cameras, lenses, digital technology, and also many who are great wildlife, bird and nature shooters and top landscape photographers. The study, argue endlessly about pixel counts, format differentials, optics, and all the science, math and even the artistic elements of their fields. Many do a fine job! When it comes to portraiture- truly good stuff, however, as we used to say in Brooklyn, except for a few like CaptainC (Cliff), there is "BUGGER ALL" and that's a polite way of putting it. Perhaps there is little interest in this field around here. I think many folks have a serious misconception of what it is all about.

I think the best bird photographers are enthralled with the beauty of their favorite subjects. Perhaps many are into ornithology- the know the migratory and nesting habits, they know the best ways to render their color and plumage, they know exactly how and where the fly. Ansel Adams was probably the worlds foremost landscape photographer because he had a deep love and respect for the environment and the natural beauty of the landscape. To be a great portrait photographer you gotta love people! If you think they are a vain bunch of fusspots and pains in the rear end- find another specialty. If you think that folks are too fussy, that brides are "bridezillas" and the active kids are little "rug-rats" you will not be successful in portraiture no matter how to good a technician you are or how great your gear is. Believe it on not- your attitude and approach show up in your pictures!

Technically and artistically speaking, you CAN NOT learn FINE portraiture overnight, by looking at magazines, online tutorials, or taking in a one-time class. Many, otherwise good photographers have absolutely no knowledge of the very BASICS, let alone sophisticated methodologies. Most will attempt to "run before the can walk" and plunge into all kinds of psychological and aesthetic approaches without a good foundation in the basics. Many reject "rules" or procedures in art but all I can say is that some of the best improvisational jazz musicians started off with classical backgrounds and training!

The dynamics of lighting in portraiture can fill a small encyclopedia, however, there is little or no literature that is easily accessible. If I had the incentive, time and addition energy to write a book on the subject, there would be 4 chapters on the angle of incidence theory. I'll bet at most casual portrait shooter don't actually know how to use an umbrella modifier.

Posing can not learn from a "posing guide" by copycatting pictures. it knowing about human body mechanics, weight distribution, line, and facial and body types and aesthetics. Some of the word's gratis photographic portraits were carefully posed and directed but they seem entirely natural. Many of the portraits I see around are badly "distorted", not in an optical way because of the wrong distance of focal length usage, but because they are no a true likeness of the subject, there are awkward places of limbs, facial features misrepresented and unnatural.

There is a serious misconception that classical portraits are stiff, cookie-cutter, overly retouched and boring. Wel- birts, nature, flowers, antique cars, wildlife can be all beautiful. Spots activities are exciting- all great grist for the photographer's mill! To my mind, however, there is nothing more beautiful, interesting, exciting, alluring and something downright glamorous and sexy than our fellow human beings. When they come to sit or stand before our cameras we have a kind of obligation to create something of beauty, texture, personability, memorability, and character to give them. It's not a job or even a hobby for the impatient, sloppy, lazy or reclusive photographer.

When you really get to know your onions and get all of the basics down pat you can certainly develop your own style. You will do many of the technical function as almost second nature so you can concentrate on the aesthetics, relating to your subjects and capturing characteristic expressions. moods and themes.

The business? Well- all I can say is we are all consumers of goods and services. Nowadays, when you are in the market for any kind of personalized service, custom made a product, or the work of a skilled crafts-persons trades-person, professional or artisan, what are you gonna get for a $25. gift card some pocket change. There is absolutely nothing wrong with amateurs doing work for friends and low or no cost or ever professions donating there work to good causes or good folks in need, or doing some pro bono stuff.
If you want to start a business, however, do this in a profitable and business-like manner. If you need some incentive just have a peek at your last plumbing, electricians, auto mechanics, dental, or accountants bill. Been to an art-gallery lately? - SCARRY! $

grinch Loc: Euharlee, GA

I started with film in the mid 80s and found myself being able to compose good shots quickly, even with manual focusing. Several years ago (2005) I was asked to do a wedding for a friend. I charged them $250, and told them I would put the photos on a CD/DVD and also posted them on my web server out of my basement that they could send their friends to to view the photos. My camera was a point-n-shoot superzoom by Konica-Minolta, a Z5 for which I got an external flash.

After I got my first DSLR in 2006, I was voluntold by my wife to take photos at a local Christmas Tree Festival, taking photos of children with Santa or families with Santa or any background they chose at the festival. This has given me a lot of experience doing this type of photography. In the last 2+ years we (my wife and I) have taken on when asked various events for friends or friends of friends. First did a wedding and charged $250 (seems to be a magic number) with limited editing and put everything on two DVDs. (Also video taped the ceremony.) Did senior pictures for a neighbor and we charged them $50 putting the photos on a DVD. Both events turned out well, photos being well appreciated. BTW, Pinterist is a good source for posing positions for senior photos and other events. Just do a search.

At the end of the school year, 5th graders were moving on to middle school in a rural town near where we live and they had organized a "dance" with a DJ and pizza. They wanted someone to take photos so my wife volunteered us to take the photos. We created a photo booth in the corner of the dance hall, took spontaneous photos on the dance floor and anything the kids wanted at the photo booth. No charge for this.

This summer a friend of one of our good friends was looking for a photo shoot. It was an elderly couple and the wife didn't have many photos of her husband and he was undergoing cancer treatment. Their grandkids were in town and she used that as an excuse to get him to do the photo shoot. She had the location in mind and we charged $200. My wife is creative and positions the folks and I take the photos. Since this was a specific request, she also brought her camera and snapped spontaneous photos in between the posed photos. We made no promises on number of photos, but considering the request we were very prolific and handed them over 500 photos on a thumbdrive. These turned out to be some of the best I've ever shot.

Each event should be taken separately and considered for what it is. If you don't personally know your customer, try to find out as much as you can to get a feel for the event. Use your judgement to know what to charge. If you're expected to edit photos take that into account along with the time you spend taking the shots.

If you can have a creative helper it makes things go smoother and lets you concentrate on taking the photos. As I mentioned above, if you're not sure how to pose folks for the event, Pinterist is a great source for this kind of information. (for senior graduation photos, search for gender specific information and as somebody else mentioned, use their interest, band or sports, etc as props) It's always easier when you can control your lighting.

There has been a lot of good ideas entered here but my 10 years experience doing the festival has helped me gain the confidence I needed to attempt these other type events.

Good luck!

Tom G Loc: Atlanta, GA

Why don'tcha tell us how your "Really" feel?

al13

cygone Loc: Boston

I wouldn't charge anything. I'd feel like they'd be doing me a favor by being willing to sit for a Portrait session while I learn.

Stars

I have taken many Senior Portraits for money and some I have given away. Since this is your first, I agree with the folks who advised you to do it for the experience. If you agree to take money, you are putting yourself under more pressure and you don't need that. Also, I would look at poses on Pinterest. There are a lot of good ideas there and you can also get what today's kids are looking for. If you know this boy, try to find out what he is interested in. Usually kids have definite ideas of what they like and what they dislike. And it doesn't always coincide with what the parent likes. I try to take some of each i that situation. If you can do this session without the mom, so much the better, but if not, just try to be upbeat and positive. That's good anyway. Show the boy the photos after you take some and tell him he doesn't have to like them all, but he needs to like one and if he doesn't, no problem, keep shooting. It is also really likely they will just want files. That is all the rage these days and I have learned to just accept it. I still like prints, but I guess that shows my age. Good luck and have fun.