Senior (citizen) portraits?

I've been trying to think outside the box of places to take my new photography business and thought why not bring a portrait session to a retirement home or assisted living facility? Do you think families would be interested in high quality well lit portraits of their elderly loved ones against a nice clean black or white backdrop, especially considering (this sounds mean but it's true) they might be the last nice pictures of them that are ever taken? I could invite families to the place and include them in the pictures too.

If it were me, I'd find someone who has a relative living there & get permission to take some shots of them in the activity room. Give them a handful of proofs which they'll show their children & friends. Answer questions, & see what comes of it.

I think it's an outstanding idea. I'm a big believer in encouraging people to make sure they've got at least one great recent shot of the people they love. .... They each have a rich history of experiences and would probably enjoy telling someone about them.

I have done a several projects related to senior citizens and can speak with some experience on this subject. I also work at one of the largest retirement communities in the area. First, it won't be as easy as walking in and telling them you want to do pictures. There is more that one person that will have to sign off on the idea. Here's one from a nation wide project that our community was involved in. However, it won't be an impossible task. Here are some thoughts that I hope will help.

1. Give back. Nothing greases the wheels of an organization like some free pictures to hang up of their residents. There will be those who think you're only in it to make a buck off of the residents.
2. Don't think you're going to talk to them on Monday and get shots on Wednesday. They will want it laid out what you plan on doing with the pictures.
3. You might want to offer to do a special activity first before trying to just get portraits. This might work best around Christmas time. We have a large Christmas "party" for the staff and families and I do all the pictures with Santa. This might be a better way to open the door than just offering to do portraits.
4. I can't think of anymore. My brain no workie.

Good luck with this. I agree that it is a good idea, if executed properly. I would go in and ask more questions as to what they would like you to do than telling them what you're going to do.

Good points, Kevin. I was planning on "paying back" the retirement home with free 8x10 headshots of each of the residents to hang on the doors of their rooms, where currently they just have stickers with their names. I've volunteered at one of these places before years ago in high school, so I have a bit of an in with the management.
Can I see some more of your work on this subject?

Mike Jag wrote in post #12662687
I've volunteered at one of these places before years ago in high school, so I have a bit of an in with the management.

That will definitely help. However, nursing home management has a very high turn-over rate. Don't be surprised if it's all different now.

Mike Jag wrote in post #12662687
Can I see some more of your work on this subject?

I'll dig them up from my old drives and post a few.

Mike Jag did you end up pursuing this - senior citizen portraits? I am looking into something similar at the moment and am having trouble finding any other photographers who are.

asysin2leads do you still work with seniors? Your notes above are good.

Thanks both, and fingers crossed for a reply so many years later!

I would be interested to see if this was successful at all. I am currently working with a local senior community center to offer a low priced class for the seniors. They have already asked about my willingness to do an after class portrait session. They said they would not expect the portraits to be done free, but were hoping to do a lower cost option since most of the seniors are on fixed incomes. I told them I would do that for the seniors, but reprints for family would have to be at a higher rate.