Help, I'm way out of my league

[Cars0n]

My sister-in-law is on the planning committee of her class reunion. Knowing that I enjoy taking pictures, she mentioned to my wife about me taking pictures at the reunion. I don't know all the details (I have a meeting set up with her tomorrow.) but I know she wants a group shot of about 60 people. She thinks it'd be great if I could then sell that picture at the event, or as a second choice I could put them on my Exposure Manager site for later ordering and hand out cards, but that obviously would end up in less orders. She also wanted to know if I could take some posed shots with either the individual couples or groups of friends that haven't seen each other in a while. Again either selling them there or from my site. I think the individual/small group shots is kinda silly since everyone has a digicam, but whatever.

The problem is I've never done anything like this before. The closest I've come is taking our family picture while on vacation, and that was only 18 people. I only have my 28-75mm lens that would be close to acceptable, but on my crop camera I think it'd be too long for a 60 person group. I'm also limited by having one 550ex flash. Obviously, I think I'd need to rent some stuff.

How wide of a lens would I need? Would just flashes on tables or stands be ok, or do I need to look at umbrellas or soft boxes? How big? Would IR slaving them work or do I need to rent Pocket Wizards? Obviously I'm out of my league, but I'm also apprehensive about just saying no. I'd love to find a way to monetize my photography and this would be one way to do so, even if it is just a little bit of money.

So she's going to ask how much for my time and how much for the equipment I'll be renting. If you give me a list of stuff I need, I can come up with the equipment part, but do I charge a flat rate or just make money from the prints? Or do I just pass all together? She has a meeting tomorrow night with the planning committee to tell them what she found out, so I need some solid answers tomorrow. I know she doesn't want to lay our a bunch of money (does anyone?). Then I'll have 1 1/2 weeks to learn how to use everything.

Thanks all,
Ben

[breal101]

A 60 person group shot would make a seasoned pro shudder a bit. If you can find an elevated location to shoot from or bleachers to put the people on you might be able to pull it off. I don't know much about your camera but faces get a bit small in a large group. my guess would be try for natural light if possible because it takes quite a bit of strobe power to match outdoor light for fill. You can also use a set of stairs for your bleacher. One tip, in a large group it is helpfull to have an assistant to help set them up and keep an eye out for the ones who want to hide.

[Mark_Cohran]

I think I'd just turn this gig down. I would agree to do candid shots, small group shots, individual portraits, etc, but even with my light kit (three strobes, two softboxes, lots of umbrellas), I wouldn't touch a 60 person group shot.

Mark

[cdifoto]

I'd try to get everyone outside. Either shoot up at them in a bunch of bleachers, or down in a parking lot (from a ladder or some such). You wouldn't see much detail in anyone anyway in a normal size print.

[Cars0n]

I think I'd just turn this gig down. I would agree to do candid shots, small group shots, individual portraits, etc, but even with my light kit (three strobes, two softboxes, lots of umbrellas), I wouldn't touch a 60 person group shot.

Mark

That's what I'm thinking. She had to cancel our meeting, so we're going to do it on the phone today. But I really think I don't want to try the 60 person group. Outside isn't really an option. It'll be dark and there aren't any bleachers or even mounds at the catering hall. I could set up some raisers inside, but the lighting seems like such a problem. Plus having to try to cope with all the people.

I'll probably tell her that I'll do the small group/couple shots and some candids though if she wants.

[Sp00ks]

60 people indoors? forget about it.

[cdifoto]

60 people indoors? forget about it.

I agree. This is when you look down, turn your head slightly up and towards the one asking and say, "Are you kidding me?!?" or "How much is it worth to ya?" :)

[tim]

60 people? Piece of cake. Arrange them as close together as you can, in a regular shape, whack the people on the edges until the shape is regular. Get yourself above them, 1-2 stories is best, a ladder is ok. The single on-camera flash will be fine. Use the flash as fill, not the main light. Be assertive.

[cdifoto]

60 people? Piece of cake. Arrange them as close together as you can, in a regular shape, whack the people on the edges until the shape is regular. Get yourself above them, 1-2 stories is best, a ladder is ok. The single on-camera flash will be fine. Use the flash as fill, not the main light. Be assertive.

Good luck with that indoors Tim. :)

[tim]

Good luck with that indoors Tim. :)

One word: churches!

If you're in a single level place with a low roof... well that's a problem. Bounce the flash, group them together (front to back), and hope for the best. Try for F8.