View Full Version : First paid portrait session
I did my first paid portrait shoot yesterday after one of the mums at my sons school asked me to photograph her family, with three kids I didn't think it would be too difficult....:shake:
I turned up to see a buffet laid out and for her to tell me the rest of the family would be there shortly, about eighteen of them in total! It was absolute bedlam, kids running everywhere, some big dogs following them and all the dads getting ****ed. Luckily I'd put in my wide backdrop so at least I was reasonably prepared.
The shoot went quite well and they all seemed to enjoy it. As usual all C & C is welcome.
This first image is Abby who is fostered, unfortunately she has to have a major operation in January to have rods inserted into her spine and it is not known if she will survive - quite a humbling experience.
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f273/HackerUK/Emma124.jpg
This is Abby with David who is also fostered:
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f273/HackerUK/Emma100.jpg
A few more shots from the day.....
#3
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f273/HackerUK/Emma2023.jpg
#4
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f273/HackerUK/Emma2017.jpg
#5
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f273/HackerUK/Emma2012mono.jpg
#6
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f273/HackerUK/Emma067.jpg
#7
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f273/HackerUK/Emma048-Edit.jpg
#8
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f273/HackerUK/Emma044-Edit.jpg
h.r.ford
04-12-2006, 15:42
WOW! those are some pretty great shots especially taken in a not so easy environment. Hope you enjoyed it.
some excellent stuff their Hacker, you must be really pleased.
Pitty the middle kid in 5 wasn't looking at you though, I guess he was making your life difficult.
These are brilliant. You are coming on in leaps and bounds! :thumbs:
Some of the white backgrounds are looking a little bit pink to me.....unless its my monitor.
Really nice shots there. I'm sure the family will be pleased.
Excellent!
That dog looks huge!
How are you lighting these?
............AND...............what lens did you use?
Thanks for all the comments! Lighting was one studio light with a softbox just to my left with a second light through an umbrella to my right at an angle of somewhere between 45 and 90 degrees and powered down slightly. I wanted to use a third to light the backdrop but I forgot my slave.
Lens was the Nikon 18-70mm kit lens at f/8.
Thanks for that.....I bet youre pleased with them arent you! ;)
namllihs
04-12-2006, 17:03
Nice work.
Warspite
04-12-2006, 17:27
Nice shots, agree some of the backgrounds seem to be inconsistent, but the images are good nonetheless :clap:
Must have taken you ages to shoot with so many subjects to organize, eighteen you said :lol:
:thumbs:
nice set of shots there colin:thumbs:
HIMUPNORTH
04-12-2006, 20:40
Wayhay! Great set mate! Are you pleased or just relieved that you got something in the bag for them? :)
Hope they shared the beer!
Really impressive, which lights are they?
Keltic Ice Man
04-12-2006, 20:50
Really like these shots alot. Well Done
How do you get the backdrop to not have creases in? Is that photoshop work? I take it that it was one backdrop that was big enough to come forward on the floor a bit?
Venomator
04-12-2006, 20:55
You should be rightly pleased with every one of those Colin ... a great start to a budding other bow to your growing quiver m8 ... :thumbs:
And you have treated a couple of them very sensitively too ... respect ... ;)
Looks like you are finding yourself a great new vocation Col ... and you is liking it right ... :thinking:
:p
The lighting on all of these is really spot on :)
Quick tip for making your backgrounds white (if that is how you want them) with no creases......
Go into adjustments, levels and choose the white eyedropper at the bottom, and just click on your background.....you will get this:
still enough shadow to stop them looking like he is floating on air!!
http://www.janicehobbs.com/edit.jpg
Janice, Janice, Janice, where were you yesterday!!! I could have saved myself so much time if I'd known that, I've just experimented on a few other shots and they look fantastic, I really appreciate that tip, thank you! :clap:
That is what makes this site so good, positive feedback and critique and top class tips like the one above.
Really impressive, which lights are they?
I went for a set of lights from ebay, Sam's Photoflash is the name of the shop, IIRC they are also known as www.viewfinderphotography.co.uk (http://www.viewfinderphotography.co.uk/acatalog/) based in Leicester. The kit I bought wasn't that expensive, I think about £265 for two Interfit EX150 flash head, two stands, one softbox and an umbrella although he doesn't appear to have that kit on his website at the moment.
How do you get the backdrop to not have creases in? Is that photoshop work? I take it that it was one backdrop that was big enough to come forward on the floor a bit?
The backdrop is a Colorama paper roll about eight feet wide, it didn't have any creases in it to begin with but by the time I had finished there were a few along with plenty of muddy dog footprints everywhere. :bang:
I was doing some PS work on the background, on some images it took some time due to inconsistent lighting (my fault, I know:D ) but Janices processing titbit is well worth remembering. In saying that, I didn't want them all to look the same in order to give the clients a wider variety to choose from.
I really should practice more with this set up, I've only used it twice since I got the kit so there was more than a hint of trepidation on Sunday, I also shot through the umbrella for the first time as opposed to reflecting, it appeared to give a better light.
Quick tip for making your backgrounds white (if that is how you want them) with no creases......
Go into adjustments, levels and choose the white eyedropper at the bottom, and just click on your background.....you will get this:
still enough shadow to stop them looking like he is floating on air!!
I like that tip - Thanks
:thumbs: great set there colin really well done mate . thats the kind of shoots i am aiming to go into. if i can get anywhere near them ill be well happy .:clap: well done again mate
pswillies
05-12-2006, 18:18
Blimey, that must have been hard work! Great results though... I'd be pretty chuffed with that lot. The subjects should be happy too! :clap:
Paul
:)
I've just had a fantastic response to the images from the family. I gave them the 6x4 proofs yesterday and I've just received an order totalling £833 :woot: and only two of the families have seen the pictures, apparently there will be another two orders later this week! :banana: I nearly fell over when she gave me the order.
Must try and do more of this!
As per the comments earlier .. the end result shows you are doing a great job.
:):)
I've just had a fantastic response to the images from the family. I gave them the 6x4 proofs yesterday and I've just received an order totalling £833 :woot: and only two of the families have seen the pictures, apparently there will be another two orders later this week! :banana: I nearly fell over when she gave me the order.
Must try and do more of this!
Result, well deserved :)
h.r.ford
06-12-2006, 09:37
Fantastic and well deserved!
DRINKS ARE ON COLIN.......!!!! :thumbs:
Catdaddy
06-12-2006, 09:55
Well done Colin - good shots there. Mind if I ask how you calculate your pricing? For the session and prints...?
Well done Colin - good shots there. Mind if I ask how you calculate your pricing? For the session and prints...?
This was a difficult one so what I did was get pricelists from the local studios who all appeared to be very expensive and I then came up with my prices based on around a third of what they were charging. They also charge a sitting fee of around £45 per half hour so I set mine at £35 for the complete sitting which I set aside a couple of hours for, it gives people time to relax and it also gives me a chance to get to know them and hopefully get some shots which will reflect their personalities. On any orders over £250 I waive the sitting fee which I did in this instance anyway as I know the lady from the school and she knows a lot of people there so hopefully some recommendations will come out of it.
This is my current price list, first price is print only and the second is mounted:
Print only Mounted print
Desktop range
8” x 6” £30 £35
12” x 8” £59 £67
Gallery range
16” x 12” £79 £88
20” x 16” £99 £109
30” x 20” £139 £153
Hope this helps.
I think Im gonna have to up my prices!! My 12x8 prints are £24 and I thought that was a bit expensive!! Perhaps I mix in the wrong circles! :D
Dark Star
06-12-2006, 11:16
Excellent set! Can I ask where you took these ? Do you have your own studio set up (ignore - answers above - I missed it!)? They are really great shots!
Thanks Darkstar, these were taken in the clients home, I took a backdrop and all my lights etc with me, luckily they had a reasonable large room.
photostar_1
06-12-2006, 11:29
Really great images, Colin. You must be sooooooo chuffed! Excellent news on the sale too...recouped your costs in one fell swoop. I'd be very pleased if these were my family portraits. Keep it up mate! :thumbs: :clap:
Congrats. don't let the surprise show so much on your face when you receive more orders! :thumbs:
Catdaddy
06-12-2006, 14:53
Cool, thanks for the info! (You got a bit of dirt on your sensor though - just noticed it - bottom right!)
HIMUPNORTH
07-12-2006, 12:28
I am sure they will see it as great value for money Colin.
Thanks for the pricing info - always useful! :thumbs:
Marianne
07-12-2006, 12:39
crikey! what did they order Colin?
Really lovely shots tho, no wonder they are pleased!
Colin,
Are you using a local printer or something like Photobox?
Photobox, Bob. I've always been pleased with their service and quality.
Venomator
13-12-2006, 22:29
I will second that about Photobox ... first class ... :thumbs:
:p
Warspite
13-12-2006, 22:45
Not had anything other than good results myself from Photobox, good quality prints and fast service :thumbs:
I've just had a fantastic response to the images from the family. I gave them the 6x4 proofs yesterday and I've just received an order totalling £833
i nice wedge colin, i bet you can feel a nice new piece of kit coming on :D
excellent pics mate, paricularly like 3,4, and 8 :thumbs:
i nice wedge colin, i bet you can feel a nice new piece of kit coming on :D
Don't know what you mean. :whistling:
vBulletin® v3.8.4, Copyright ©2000-2012, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.