1ST Portrait Session

[mrclark321]

Today I did my first portrait session, parents did not want them displayed so that is there choice. I took pics of the two kids together and seperate. They turned out great and the parents were very pleased. Being my first session I did not charge much but the path seems to be heading in the right direction. :)

[thenimirra]

Congratulations! If you have any tips from your session that you picked up, or tools of the trade, I would be interested in hearing what you learned.

I did my first family portrait session this week with some friends. I didn't charge them, they were my guinea pigs for my new home studio lighting kit. I'm glad you had subjects that were willing to cooperate. The children I was photographing made me want to string them up by their toenails.

Other than that, I'm finding that portraits are my favorite kind of photography, although I've only been shooting since April.

[jpwone]

Children don't have the patience for a photographic session and really cannot see what they are getting from it. To get them involved you can set up a cheap point and shoot on a small tripod. I usually then haggle a deal with them. For each 4 images I take they can take one. Once they are involved with the process it is surprising how quickly they settle down. It does add time to the session but at least it is keeping the session moving without the sulks and general misbehaviour.

There is of course always a risk that they might get a better shot than I do :-)

I put their efforts on a CD for them at the end of the session.

[schmoelzel]

Hey Dan.......you're a pro now so all those gear purchases can be a tax deduction!! Way to go.........

[mrclark321]

Thanks guys, slowly but surely getting there. :)

[MikeI]

Congrats on your first session!!

Although I only have a handful under my belt, the one thing about children is they can be VERY restless. I always spend some of the time letting them be kids; running around, playing, and exploring. Some of my best images are candids when they have no idea I'm sniping them with the 70-200!!!