giggles

I've been asked to give a price quote for a church directory. The church is a

small rural church with approximately 70 member families. I need to find a soft

cover book printer - problem is that the minimum pages I am finding is 20

pages. Does anyone know a company that specializes in church directories or a

printer that does not have a minimum page requirement?

 

Another question is what type of price quote should I give them - per book, per

family or just do ala carte sales per family?

 

Any help would be very appreciated as I am at a lost but would like to help the

church out.

I would give discount certificates to the boutique owner to hand out to their customers after they make a purchase. It will get your name out there and also give the store owner something special to give their customers. Just a thought...

I think the pose is great as is - I would just crop it in more off the top and maybe the bottom. The main thing is capturing the baby's face/expression. In this pose you use the mom as a prop, which I do often, but the viewer can still see the joy in her face as well.

I always have my subjects slightly facing my main light. I just think the lights wraps around them better and lights up there eyes. My main light is always to their right so my subjects mostly face right. Interesting questions and answers though...

When I started, I set my prices close to the competition in town and then I gave a 50% discount to my first few sessions until I was comfortable with my results. Once strangers started calling, I nixed the discount and left the prices as is. It is so hard to raise prices once you set them but it is easy to give a discount. People see it and will appreciated that way as well. Good Luck!

I shoot 80% children with some senior and families. I use an Alien Bee 800 for my main light and a 400 for my fill. I have been very pleased with the results and price.

I agree with Gary and love black on black with a naked baby. It draws the viewer right into the newborn with the parents being the props. Very classy and it will stand the test of time.

Is that a blu site? I like it! It is easy to get around and the images you have showcase give your customers a wide array of options from classical studio portraits to fun on-location options. BTW - I LOVE #14 in your portraits folder. It took my breath away.

 

I normally prefer music when looking at kids portraits. I don't know why - maybe it's because I am just used to it when normally looking at other children sites.

 

I put prices on my website so people know from the start whether or not I am in their budget. I know that is just a personal business decision.

I tend to take about 100 shots per session and I will show as many as turned out. I have tested where I number my top twenty and keep a list - I then give the entire session to the parents to look at. In many cases they order photos that I would have deleted. I do online proofing so it doesn't cost any more for me to show them all versus limiting them. It doe however take a little longer for my customers to place their order. Just my 2 cents:)

Put the 7 month old in a large easter like basket with the 5 year standing beside it - or give them both a chocolate bunny. I would let the five year old go after it and keep the wrapper on the baby's bunny. You could also borrow a real rabbit from someone or just do a simple classic portrait of them in their easter outfits (my favorite).

 

Good luck

VR stands for vibration reduction. It helps stablize the lens. I love it when shooting weddings or full length shots.

 

I believe the aperature on the lens is 3.5-5.6. Someboady please correct me if I am wrong.

It is very difficult to get a sharp focus shot with a 50 1.4 when shooting an active child. I only use that lens when I am certain my subject will remain still or if I shoot pretty open but then you lose the great DOF you enjoy. I use my 18-200VR lens 90% of the time and LOVE it. The DOF is not as good but it is very easy to get nice crisp photos of active children.

I like the bw version better as the cheek doesn't look as overexposed (hot). Maybe bump the contrast a tad for a little more depth. As far as the yellow cast, are you shooting in RAW? If not, I suggest you start. It gives you so much more control and editing options. I have never used the expodisc so I don't have any suggestions there.

Hi Janae - Darling baby and hat! I think the right side of the baby's face is a tad hot and on my screen the tones pick up a yellow cast. Beside the hot spot, the catchlights are in a nice position and highlight the baby's brown eyes. If you haven't already post this is the children's critique forum and see what types of ratings/responses you get. Good luck.

Believe it or not, I use my 18-200mm lens about 90% of the time when I am in my studio. My studio is small and I like the flexibility it gives me when I am not able to move around myself.

I have been very happy with Big Black Bag for my hosting and template. There is plenty of room and they have a proofing option as well. My site is www.gigglesngrinsphotography.com if you are interested. They also give you a week free to set up a site and play around. The referral program is nice as well so if you sign, let them know it was me who sent you there:)

 

As far as people without internet access, I do a 20-30 photo proof book. The number of proofs they see are limited but many clients like the old fashion way of having proofs in hand to show family members. I usually charge a $50 deposit when the proofs go out and then with a minimum order, I will sell the proof book to the client at a reasonable rate so I am out nothing.

 

Good luck!

If you use the 50mm make sure you have the lens pretty wide open. My 50mm is very touchy but I usually shoot around 2.8 with it. The 50 would get the full body of a child pretty easily though. The project sounds like it will be fun - If I were doing it, I would use my 18-200mm and get full body shots along with some fun facial close-up capturing goofy expressions. Good luck.

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You could also check with Micheal Company as they have some reasonable prices on presentation materials.

I agree with Catherine on the focus issue. Your DOF in the after shot is way to shallow and has caused much of the photo to be out of focus. You lighitng is nice and helps with the definition of her hair. Your sister also did a great job and most regular people would be very impressed with the results from both of you instead of us picky photographers:)

I use a large octabox positioned about 5-8 feet from my subject and usually at a 45 degree angle to their left. I then sometimes use my highlight brush to brighten them a tad.

On a maternity shoot, I would pick out your very best 15-20 proofs and present them to your client. I have learned over time that by limiting many duplicates and choices, the clients order faster and are less overwhelmed. By limiting your images, you are also able to show your very best work according to your standards. I have heard the saying that you are only as good as your weakest image. Nice photograph by the way. I am doing a similar maternity shoot next week that I am anxiously awaiting.

I typically shot about 100 shots in an hour sitting. When I started out I would show them any one that was in focus and their eyes were open - way too many. I have now learned to limit it to about 50 but I am thinking of limiting it even further to 30 of my favorites. Sometimes, I think the client gets overwhelmed with too many choices.

Have him stand sidewide to you looking slightly over his shoulder and turning a tad at the waist. You'll get his face this way and a slimmer profile of his body. I would shoot a few full body, a few waist up and a few headshots. Good luck!

I prefer Alien Bees - I started with one AB400 with the large octobox and a large reflector positioned on the opposite side. I worked well and was fun to learn on. I just recently purchased an additional AB800 and use that as my main light with the 400 as my fill. They are reasonable priced light company with good customer service. They also offer packages and many accessories to go with their lights.