Ideas for: 5 mo old at the beach....

[Looony2nz]

I have an idea or two for a shoot I tentatively have set for 2 weeks, but would appreciate anyone's suggestions. This location is at the request of the client of course.....

thank you in advance.

[suecassidy]

That's an odd location for a five month old shoot. Baby probably doesn't sit up by itself unaided and will eat all the sand if not on a blanket. If you stand back far enough to take in the location, baby is lost. If you get in close enough to capture baby properly, you lose the location. I got nuthin'..... I live 1/4 mile from beautiful So California beaches and have been doing this work for many years, but nobody has ever once suggested a beach setting for a 5 month old ALONE. It's completely different if parents or sibs are involved. Can't wait to hear some creative ideas to make this work. That's what I love about this forum, realizing there is always lots to learn!

[Looony2nz]

I know...like I said, not my choice, but there will be, from what I am being told (not a confirmed shoot yet) that there will be two other children (4 & 6?) They can both hold her for those type of shots, but by herself...we'll have to do our best, I know what you're saying. I plan to have her on a boppy (covered with a big towel of course to prevent the sand eating fest) LOL :) I also thought of brining my wicker laundry basket , "set it up" and put her on her stomach figuring she'll lift her head.

:)
thanks!

[suecassidy]

If there are siblings present, that is an entirely different story. I was under the impression that it was a five month old all by itself. The six year old should be able to help a lot in that case so there should be a lot more options open for you, pose wise. And again, with 3 kids in a shot, when you back up enough to get three of them full length, you will get the location in the shot as well. completely different story. Most 5 month olds can sit up briefly WITH HELP. they are also fascinated with their toes at that age and like to lean forward and grab them, before they tip over sideways...ha ha. They are INCREDIBLY smiley and easy to make smile. I don't know how familiar you are with photographing kids that age, but be aware that if both you and the mom are trying to get smiles, the baby will be looking at you and then mom, you and then mom, as will the other 2 kids. It is best to either have YOU trying to elicit smiles, or the mom, over your shoulder, but not both of you simultaneously.
Also, I would suggest you try any sitting up shots first, while the baby is still "fresh" and then move to on the tummy shots to give him a rest. The boppy will be a great help. Even with the sitting up shots. You can have the two older kids sitting down on either side of the upright baby, heads leaning together to make the 3-head inverted triangle composition. The boppy will help support the baby in his sitting efforts, and the older two can use the hand they are not leaning on, to help as well. they can hold one of the baby's hands, or have the six year old, hold his hand on the baby's upright tummy, so he doesn't lean so far forward. He WILL be trying to grab his toes. have fun!

[Bodh]

My daughter is 5 and half months and I'm finding it tough for photo shoots. I can't wait for her to sit up on her own.

That being said, at that age they're pros at holding up their heads and upper bodies so you can do some nice portrait shots. If you can score a nice beach blanket that is always a fun detail. I did a shoot this past weekend with my daughter and we put her in a couple different baskets. An old picnic basket might be really cute for the beach!

[suecassidy]

Bodh, that is such a great idea! Or even have the baby crawling or peeking out from a giant beach bag, with the two older kids in the background making sand castles or something. Stroke 'a genius, Bodh.

[Looony2nz]

THANK YOU for the tips and encouragement.....
I do stand corrected however, (and the person planning this seems to be questioning that for 6 adults and 3 children that it could take more than an hour, therefore extra shooting time=additional $) anyway....the baby is 5 mo, a boy 9 months and a girl 3 years......it could be tricky but i'll make it work...IF this ever happens :)

thank you so much!!!!!!

[Looony2nz]

OH yes, and I do have a good basket...I even have a metal wash tub (just for the baby) to see if any of those might work.....thanks again.

[suecassidy]

With a 5 month old, 9 month old and three year old, you really need to make sure this happens in an hour or less....the 6 adults can deal with being on a beach setting for an hour, but even they will get antsy for any longer than that. The kids????? At that age, you will not get any more out of them. Perhaps you can plan it so all shots involving kids are done first, but you will really be pushing it to go longer than an hour in that setting. Sometimes you just have to take control. People do this all the time: they figure since they are hiring a pro photographer, they try to cram in as much as they can into it. Fine, but a shoot with three babies will run on the BABY rules and whims and I would hope that you are able to plan your shots down to a one hour maximum where they are involved. You might get lucky, but...I've spent decades photographing families and still won't rely on luck where babies are concerned. Hope it works out for you. Post pics! Have fun.

[Looony2nz]

Its funny you mentioned the hour time period.....which was the original plan....the plan (if she confirms and makes her deposit) is we will do our best to accomodate the 6 adults and 3 children in the one hour. If by the time an hour or so has gone by and we are then finishing up some of the adult shots (which, yes, they can wait) ...if its pushing closer to an hour and a half, I indicated I would charge her a little more.
I just want her to be open to this and not have to spring it on her then.
(my session fee for an hour is only $75 and my additional hour is $50, so I'm offering her $25 additional for the extra half hour)....might sound like a steal, and I think it will be for this particular group if she commits !!

I realize that most people (non photographers) don't realize whats involved in a 6 adult / 3 young child shoot). so I don't think I'm asking for much.

[suecassidy]

no, you are definitely not asking for too much. Especially when you consider that an hour of shooting will generate a LOT more time in post processing. I can't imagine you are giving them unedited photos, right? I find that most people understand THAT even less...

[Looony2nz]

thanks, no...not offering unedited photos....
Well, I think I scared her off, haven't heard back. I guess the extra $25 was too much for her....oh well....

And while we're on the subject of people not wanting to pay, got another request this evening for 2 hours at a family occasion at a residential area / clubhouse. They want a 2 hour shoot and a CD afterwards, unedited.

I'll make an exception with the CD in this situation (whatever) but I would remove all unnaceptable pictures (blinks, etc.) and charge my usual , plus $100 for the CD which will invevitably have at least 250 pictures on it......I tell her $250 and she says that this is double her budget ....AAAAACKKKKKKK !!