Thanks Steady. Always a well thought out response from you. I'd love to see the article you mentioned before.
I think we can put this thread to sleep... it amuses me that my threads that get the most attention are the ones with controversy. My original posted set of this kid garnered no attention. Fight a little though and everyone wants a part.
I love hearing from the other amateurs on the site. Sometimes it feels like you're the only one.
Getting good shots of babies and children depends on the mood of the kid, the weather, the outdoor location that you choose, and your speed, and the ability to setup your camera for each shot depending on the exposure you are going to get. (I shoot manual to have more control)
I think that getting really very good shots is difficult. You can give the parents 50 or 200 pictures that they will love all of them. But you really know inside that if your are selling those shots professionally you probably will give the parents only 15 or 20 extraordinary shots which are only possible with the equipment that you have, and your skills.
If you give the parents good shots mixed with so, so, shots, they probably will start thinking "Oh, I could have taken the same shot" and that is when they start thinking that is not worth to pay a lot for someone taken photos of their kid if they can also do the same thing.
I just recommend that if you are charging for shooting kids, just give the parents photos you know they will never be able to shoot with a point and shot camera, and also don't charge too much. But sharpen your skills so you don't have to waste many shots in order to give them 20 shots.
Shooting babies and children is difficult but so far your are in the right track as far as you continue practicing.
Here some shots I have taken of my grandaughter Sofia for fun. She is always in the mood for photography which it helps. (Taken with Canon 70-200 F/4 IS)
northern nurse wrote:
thank you Steady for a thoughtful and considerate response to the OP. I am always a little surprised by the rather harsh comments aimed at the newbies (and as I am in that position, I felt myself cringing when I read some of the "advice"). I belong to other forums (horse and doll, my other hobbies) and new people are NOT treated that way at all, those with more experience offer words of encouragement and helpful suggestions, that is what should be happening on this forum as well (and some people do indeed do just that). The OP asked a simple question, what would be a fair price for someone in their position as a self proclaimed hobbyist to charge. My thoughts are there is a place in this world for many levels of expertise and expense, there is a whole population of people out there who can not afford a true "professional" photographer with the resultant high fees, but at the same time would like to have a chance for a "photo shoot" and maybe get a few decent shots out of it. They will probably realize that they are getting a "beginner" but that is the choice they make, doesn't mean they should get it done for free, a photo shoot and editing can take a fair bit of time, especially when you are starting out. As long as the photographer makes it clear that they are in the learning phase and the price reflects that, I don't see it as a terrible sin to accept a token of appreciation for the work put into the job. Just my two cents as a fellow newbie also trying to learn the ropes....Show more →
I think you must expect frank answers when you are asking these kinds of questions.
Are you sure you want to be putting your work out at this early stage. but on the other hand I think doing stuff for friends is great, if someone asks you and they have seen what you do, then it can only help you gain experience.
I would consolidate your skills, maybe join a local club to see what you can learn form other photographers. Put images into club competitions and listen to the judges responses. I think you may be surprised a what standard the local amateurs are working at.
I first worked for charity and doing some free stuff, now I charge £150 for a shoot plus extras for prints and books plus charge for high resolution images. I have taken it very steady and hardly charged at first because I didn't have much experience. It is a very small sideline for me. Photography is my main love for its own sake.
I am still learning , my last shoot I just put on the forum yesterday and I have a lot still to learn about handling a group and co-ordinating the glances towards me. It was my first time I had shot such a large group of a older age range.
I think the fact that you were out in such harsh light suggests that you should work more on understanding light. this is key.
I know my location very well and this helps a lot. get to know the places that can work in harsh light, although I prefer to choose later afternoon to increase my chances of getting better light..
My main interest has been in landscape and my experience with looking at light and how it shapes the landscape has helped me a lot.
yes kids move fast, kids always stop to look , you can slow the pace if you take things gently.. I've got some kids pics on my web site or on the blog link if you want to take a look
