First time portrait photographer

12/30/2009 02:45:15 PM · #1

I have been selling a lot of my landscape photo's recently and it's created sort of a buzz from friends and acquintances wanting portraits. The problem is that since I have never done this style of photography it scares me to think that the first one I do will turn out like garbage and the wrong word will be spread about my work. I was thinking about asking some willing friends to model for me first to get a feel for what I am doing but would really like to know if DPC can help me with some good tutorials on PP of portraits. Also, I don't have any lighting as of yet. Is there any affordable lights or alternatives to get started? Am I jumping into this to fast?

I think I can do well with outdoor portraits but it's the close-ups that scare me.

albc28

Canon EOS-50D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

12/30/2009 02:50:03 PM · #2

Having a couple of good friends model for you first is a great idea. That way you can refine how you do your shots before you move over to selling to other people. Post processing is difficult to give advice on without having a photo or knowing how you are going to shoot. Most times PP depends on the person. I think there are some people on here have auto actions that do all the work, but I go in and do each individual photo myself.

As for lighting. If you can't get professional lighting, consider Home Depot work lights. You can get 1000W of light for around $45...but you will have to change your White Balance to Tungsten or you'll have an yellow tinge to them. Also it will be difficult to use your flash with them. But they have worked great for me so far.

12/30/2009 07:14:11 PM · #3

How about pricing? The person is looking for 25-30 shots (indoor/outdoor), a disc of the images, and rights to the images (I would also keep rights to the images myself).

I have told the person that I would do the shoot but only talk pricing if they liked how it came out with no obligations to pay or purchase anything. I figured this would be a good idea so:

1. If they think they are not up to their standards they don't have to purchase and I won't have customer's complaining about selling them something they hated.

2. I can build a portfolio for my self in the process.

Do you think I'm on the right path here? I want to make sure to be very professional about it.

01/01/2010 02:45:21 PM · #4

Tez

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

01/01/2010 07:15:23 PM · #5

Originally posted by SEG:

1- you're giving clients a reason not to pay. I understand you're trying to be nice, but there are other ways around this: how's about something like if the client is not 100% satisfied then they have 7 days to reschedule another shoot at 50% of the price of the first one. You still get paid and there is a chance to make amends. I don't think its the best business practice to bust your ass doing the job and giving a client a way out of paying you.

2- good!

erm.. what do you mean by 'and rights to the images (I would also keep rights to the images myself)'... so you BOTH have rights? Sorry man, but you have to define this more stringently. You have to have this nailed down to avoid confusion later on if a client wants to give a picture away as a gift, or send it out as christmas cards, or use it as stock or whatever else. Set your stall out early and define the terms- when I do a shoot, I provide a low-resolution CD (700 pixels) for facebook, email etc and these are the edited images and are also watermarked. I give 3 or 5 free prints depending on the package with the option of buying the full res cd. If i give them the CD I make no money on prints as they can print ad infinitum themselves.

So no, I do not think you're on the right path. I think you're selling yourself short. And the rights issue needs to be resolved. I include 'Home Use Rights' with my top wedding package which sounds like what you need to do. I can email you the small print if you'd like?

As for pricing: well, that's a separate ball game. Someone else's pricing structure won't work for you. Don't do it per hour, I think that's a foolish way of doing things because when you become really good at a job and thus do it quicker, you'll get paid less- I find this nonsensical. The hourly rate is fine for event photography and extra hours at a wedding but not for every circumstance. I'd call it a flat rate of $200 which includes time, transport, processing, materials, CD delivery and turnaround within 1 week. You might not agree and think that's too much/too little but I charge more than this.

I suggest buying a reflector- the 5 in 1 things are great, cheap and portable. My 5 in 1 has been with me on every shoot and regularly makes an appearance. I do have 3 AB800s and all that jazz, but sometimes a reflector is all you need and it can seriously make a difference. You can find one for like $20 on ebay.

So you're not jumping into this too fast, I'd say you were just flapping a little bit :) I wouldn't recommend the Home Depot lights. They sound like a pain in the ass to me, and if you're outdoors then you need a generator. Also, you said you wanted to be very professional about it- if a guy turned up to take my pictures with home depot lights, i'd tell him to call a cab and wait outside. If I wasn't paying him then fine, but I'd expect better from someone I was paying my money for.

When I was starting out in portraits and lights and whatever else, I found great education can be had from pieces of fruit or Styrofoam heads.

I could write forever on this, but if you wanna PM me where I can be of more specific help then please feel free.

01/04/2010 05:18:38 PM · #6

I will be purchasing the 5 in 1's. For that price and something new to plactice with I figured I could not go wrong.

I have more questions for anyone that would like to help though.

1. What lens is best for portraits? indoor and outdoor? I know I will probably get a few different opinions on this but was wondering if my kit lens could do the trick. If not I may have to rent a lens for that weekend.

2. A coworker was explaining to me that I may be able to get a portrait setup of lights and umbrellas from Alienbees for around $500.00. Can anyone else shed any light on the truth behind this?