Shooting at Quincieneras....What to expect

[eric_hansen1]

This morning I was asked to do a Quincinera for a young lady by a friend of the young ladies family. I

just have one problem, I have never been to a quincinera and I have really no idea what to expect. I

have read multiple posts on this website that talk about it being like a wedding. (Super I've done that).

I have the equipment to do that, but I don't really know what the parts of the quincinera are, and I really

have no idea how much work is involved. She asked me how much I would charge and I responded by

asking how many hours the event would last. She being the family friend didn't know and would get

back to me. Forgive me if these questions are already answered in other posts, but in my search of 30

threads I didn't really find the answers. What should I expect? Do most photographers shoot getting

ready shots? Is it just usually a set of formals? Do you concentrate more on the party/reception? What

is the mass like? Anything that's very special that I don't want to miss? What does one charge for such

an event. My typical weddings go for about $1400. (I'm in a very small town, and I'm a school teacher

by profession) I'm really not questioning my photography skills, I'm just faced with a new adventure

that I think could be a great opportunity. I expect since it's a Catholic church I will be shooting without

flash which I don't envision as a problem, I've shot weddings in the same church and have loved the

results. Anybody out there with some helpful advice?

 

Thanks in Advance.

 

Eric

[andykowalczyk]

A lot of parishes have tried to have joint <italic> La Quinceanera </italic> (maybe if you use this spelling you will get more hits) since separate private Masses for each family gets to be a scheduling problem with the reduced number of priests these days. So the event becomes more of a cotillion.

<p>

That's all I know - I was at a parish with a significant Mexican community but I didn't pay attention to that part of it except to note the tension around this development.

<p>

But of course there is a magazine that covers it all - <a href =

 

"http://www.quincegirl.com/TRADITIONS/Mass/In_Thanksgiving/" > Quince Girl </a>!

[eric_hansen1]

Thanks, I spelt the word right when I searched, but then I proceeded to misspell it every

time I typed it.... oops. Shows you how much I know.

[jayme wier]

I shot one last summer. The parents wanted a formal session in a garden with all of the attendants. I shot individuals of her, she and her date, family, attendants etc. I took a few details shots. She received a ring and necklace from her parents- and an embroidered Bible. There were all part of the service earlier.

 

I think you need to ask the parents if they want coverage for the whole event or just formal pictures.

[cliff_henry]

This may help a little:

 

 

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00FMjs

[savagesax]

I was gonna make a few comments, but Cliff's post really says it all. We almost always try to sell a large album as the profits are sometimes limited in reorders.

[picturesque]

Like bar and bat mitzvahs, quinceaneras do vary in different locations across the country and even from community to community and church to church. Also how Americanized the family is. If you get this job, try to attend a quinceanera at that church before you shoot, even if you find out more about what is expected. Nothing like being surprised and unprepared. And many of the services are conducted in Spanish only.

 

Since the whole event is a "coming out" celebration for a young lady--her introduction into her community and church as an adult, you want to of course, take many images of her alone and with her escort (could be her boyfriend but also could be a cousin or other young man of the right age) and "party" of young men and women. In that sense, it is like a wedding. Parts of the reception are like a wedding, especially the dancing. Getting ready shots are not usually taken, although the more Americanized families might do so. Taking family shots at the girl's home with her parents and siblings and possibly her party may be included, but then again, the photos may be taken at the church or in a park somewhere. If at the home, don't forget those images that include her room and that show her passage from girl to woman. Formals are very important, although PJ style images may be requested by younger folks or more Americanized families. Shots of a more religious nature may be requested, or not.

 

The ceremony/service is very important to most families. There is a processional like a wedding, and the girl may have special bible bearers and train bearers like a wedding (if you've ever been to a Hispanic Catholic wedding) although there is less emphasis on smaller kids and more on the kids her own age. There may be "sponsors"--other adults that "stand up" for her, who also are in the processional. Sometimes the processional couples come down the aisle quite fast, and you won't have time to get full lengths between couples. Obviously there is no ring exchange or wedding vows, but the girl may be required to make a speech, also possibly her parents, and may be presented with her own bible or other religious items. Many Hispanic Catholic churches I have photographed in do not have restrictions on flash or position--some of them welcome photographers (pro and amateur alike) to come up and take pictures--others are stricter. It is best to check. There is usually communion and a recessional like a wedding, plus the usual formals session. There may be a mariachi band playing during or after the ceremony. At some point, it is important to get the band with the girl.

 

The reception may include announcements and a special waltz of the girl with her dad and/or a choreographed dance involving the entire party (also the mariachi band again or a modern Hispanic band). Lots of food with a big crowd of guests, of course, and probably modern dancing combined with more traditional music. Sometimes there is a slide show and there is usually a cake, but the cake may or may not be formally cut. There might also be some other "skits" such as the girl formally giving her dolls to the younger girls, although this kind of thing isn't too common. There may be more speeches and formalities.

 

You price the event just like a wedding. Where your price lands in relation to other photographers who photograph quinceaneras depends on your market in your town. My one tip--don't try too hard to make Hispanic people smile big in the formal shots. They typically don't smile at all and no amount of trying will get them to smile--at least around here.

[eric_hansen1]

Thanks everyone for the advice. Thanks Nadine for taking the time to write such an elaborate response, it really helped. One last question...does anybody know of any great photographers with examples of photographs that I can take a peak at? Thanks

[angel_bocanegra]

I am a Mexicano, I can tell you what to look for in a quinceañera because I have shot my sister's friends quinceañeras and because my sister herself will have her quinceañera in November.

 

First a quinceañera will usually or traditionally have a court (chambelanes and damas)consisting of at least three guys and three girls. Much like Brides maids and grooms friends. So group portraits are always very important. I use a second flash in sync with an umbrella because usually they want formal portraits shot in a park with trees(alot of shadow). Ask her parents how many will be in her court because if its a ;arge group a second flash is a must.

 

Second, candids are not so important in a quinceañera, so forget pj style shots and focus in the quinceañera, the court and her immediate family. Mexicans love the formal "every one look to the camera shots". I learned that a portable studio (backdrop and strobe) is very popular with quinceañera because all guests want their pics with the girl to become a full woman.

 

Third, getting ready shots are also important like in a wedding. Pay special attention to taking pictures of her dress and accesories. Try and make her look like a little girl("childish poses") before her religous ceremony and shoot glamour shots after that to show the transition from girl to woman in an album for example.

 

Only two things are a must in quinceañera:

1. religous ceremony shots. I have learned that catholics churches are strict and flash is not allowed(need a prime of at least f1.4) and they will not allow you to shoot behind the priests back, so a remote camera is a must behind the priest. Rent a remote trigger like pocket wizard or something.

 

2.Her dance(el balz) is the most important in a quinceañera reception. It is where she dances with her court and presents her self to society as a woman. Take shots of her props like "la muñeca"(a doll), her crown and wand etc. I love how an 85 1.8 lens works with these shots.

 

Well if you have any more questions post a reply I can try and answer you.

[picturesque]

Wow Angel--what part of the country are you in? It was very interesting to see the differences from what I'm used to. Re the getting ready shots--I don't photograph these as much around here--at least not like the getting ready shots for weddings. Do you mean posed getting ready shots? The dress and accessories, yes, but not the actual getting into the dress, zipping up kind of shots, right? I only do those kind of shots for families that are pretty Americanized.

[angel_bocanegra]

I from Los Angeles. Well most families do not expect the "getting into the dress, zipping up kind of shots" but they love it when I show the final results and word of mouuth gets rolling from there with a good start :). And posed shots are always important for Mexicans.

[angel_bocanegra]

not just Mexicans ( I am sorry, other hispanic nations also have quincea�eras).

[don_white6]

I do about 20-30 Xv A�os per year i work almost on referral 0nly and i am twice as white as a person can get but i taught myself spanish and that helped me a lot, one thing that is very important is service, the first thing i do is meet the parents in the morning and tell them i will be at their service the whole day and i mean it!, i find most Latino photographers try and control the event and be the "big shot professional" and get done and go home early, I stay the whole event and enjoy the party and get to know the family and friends who are invited, you will find out after a day of taking photos of everyone the will want to know who you are and maybe book you for the next one. always be nice and follow your steps as to what photos need to be taken throughout the day, but remember each one is a little different. In the Church not all padres let you move around in the church so introduce yourself first and find out the rules are. You must know what is going to happen from the start to finish so try and find out when and what, when you do the contract. Always ask them if they are ready to do those group photos at a time that is convenient for them, always suggest and let the customer make the decision. Photograph everything if you are digital, do at least 25 to 30 poses of the quince closeup, sitting, turning, fashion, with ramo(flowers),and without them. I find most if not all of the girls really like a closeup photo with flowers behind them especially at eye level so put them in a position to get those shots. Get the group shots and individuals get the photos with her and the chambelane of honor. Remember she is now 15 and the damas and chambalanes reflect that 7 (Couples). find a translator if you dont speak spanish, you want to communicate with everyone. also remember that your primary clients the (XV court of honor) are kids from the age of maybe 4 thru 18 so treat them like adults or equals i find that they relate to me better that way, try to see things their way and with gentle persuasion and you should get great results.

 

If you need more help, contact me through

 

www.sendtoprint.net code:image

 

Don

[michelle_logan2]

simple enough just like a wedding. Shoot formals, try to get fun poses too because well they are kids. Shoot candids, if you go to the actual ceremony in the church get reactions/emotions from parents,familiy and of course the 15 yr old.