Tomorrow is the first day I am paid to photograph...

<p>I've been an avid photographer for over a decade and believe I'm getting good enough to produce consistently marketable results. I am shooting a new family of three tomorrow in Seattle and it's the first time I've ever put a price on my photographic services.<br>

$50 for 2 hours of shooting. I'll edit the good stuff and send them anything worthwhile. I'll be using a canon and plan to bring a 50 1.4, 17-40L and a 100 2.8(as well as a 580 to fill). The location is Seattle center at about noon and I think it's going to be sunny (not my first choice for location or time but that's what they wanted)<br>

I'm comfortable shooting people I know and can always manage to produce shots at friend's weddings, friend's <a href="http://www.elphotographs.com/2009/waysouth/">shows</a>, <a href="http://www.elphotographs.com/2009/obx">family vacations</a>, etc. Shooting strangers is a new ballgame though and I suppose the question for the forum is how do I make this new family, my clients, open up to me as if I've known them for years? I have to admit it'll be a little different telling them how I want to them to pose/look rather than just capturing something that looks right naturally.<br>

I'm sure I'll be able to get them their money's worth but the bigger goal here is to start establishing a professional portfolio for future work. If anybody can remember back to their first photo shoot and share any pearls of wisdom gained since that day I'm all ears.<br>

Thanks for your time.</p>

<p>Even by the very generous standards of the Beginner Forum, this is pushing the margin for what can be accomplished in less than one day.</p>

<p>I'd strongly recommend you spend the night studying some basic techniques, rather than starting from scratch on discussion forums. Try the following:<br>

http://www.montezucker.com<br>

http://ny.webphotoschool.com/ (excellent illustrated tutorials)</p>

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<p>I'm sure I'll be able to get them their money's worth</p>

</blockquote>

<p>But are you sure YOU"LL get your moneys worth?<br>

By the time you travel there, that'll add time. If you've not added editing time, figure at least another hour on top. You're giving your skills away, which is fine if you want to build a portfolio, but make sure you tell your clients thats a special deal otherwise their word-of-mouth recommendation is going to be that you do a great job and are very very cheap - that makes it really hard to put up the price with other customers as they'll expect the $50 deal too.</p>

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<p>how do I make this new family, my clients, open up to me as if I've known them for years?</p>

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<p>Talk to them, joke with them, flatter them, but make them feel relaxed - that can be done by showing competence with your camera kit, not fumbling with it, also laughing with them, and just demonstrating honestly that this is an experience you really enjoy. A lot of photography is not about cameras and kit and f-stops, its about social skills and the ability to interact.</p>

<p>I think this is terrific. By charging them a small amount, less than what your services are worth is a great way to start out, better than giving it away free. At this price, nobody will complain too much if they aren't happy, you gain considerable experience and knowledge and they get a great deal. I agree with John Mac, about letting them know your situation completely. <br>

The biggest problem with the current set-up is that you are shooting in mid-day sun with harsh shadows and all. </p>

<p>Thanks for the responses. The shoot went well and the hardest part of the whole thing was probably just trying to get at least a few shots with the baby looking at the camera.<br>

http://www.elphotographs.com/lane<br>

I don't know if I'll get any further responses since this post is a little stale but if anybody has any critique I'm all ears. Thanks </p>