Should I do it? Baby photography...

OK since messing around with my two friends, Kayla & Christina, one of
Kayla's friends has approached me. She wants me to take her baby's 1yr
photos in April/May time frame. I've tried to discourage having me doing
this for such a important time, since I am still learning people photography.

But she is quiet insistent she would rather me take the photos.
Uggggghhh ok... So I told her I would most likely do it but not sure yet.
I don't even know what to charge for the shooting.
I really don't even have the equipment for it, with the Nifty-Fifty being my best lens...

Something like $50 with her pick of 10 images? Then $2/ea for additional?
Or is that too high/low? Blah this is intimidating.

Well the easiest way to get an idea of prices is by looking around at your local photography businesses that do 'baby' photography and see what they charge. Price accordingly...

This is a license to print money. All you have to do is keep the baby from crying, and tell mom n dad "they're only this age once". Your nifty will be fine but I'm not that hands on, so I prefer a 300 f2.8

Maybe you need to in turn ask yourself a few questions..

1. Is it your goal to open a business in portraits?

2. If yes to 1.
Will you specialize and/or frequently shoot babies?
(If yes study baby portraits.. a lot between now and then)

If your answer is No to one or both of the above questions..
please gently but firmly tell your friend you will not shoot the portraits.


I think you are correct in telling her that this is a very important milestone, and that she should have done as professionally as possible. So if you plan to do it yourself.. then study hard so you can give her a professional experience.. if not then please don't waste her and your time.

Sure you do! VERY simple "outdoor studio" It doesn't get any easier than this.

Baby Photography

Non-studio baby portrait/candid - request for tips

bildeb0rg wrote in post #4689056
This is a license to print money. All you have to do is keep the baby from crying, and tell mom n dad "they're only this age once". Your nifty will be fine but I'm not that hands on, so I prefer a 300 f2.8

Actually I've had the chance to use a Canon 300 F/2.8L IS USM that
belongs to POTN member 'fslshooter' - loved the lens! Briefly owned a
F/4L copy of that lens before getting my car

sonshine_rae wrote in post #4689092
Maybe you need to in turn ask yourself a few questions..

1. Is it your goal to open a business in portraits?

2. If yes to 1.
Will you specialize and/or frequently shoot babies?
(If yes study baby portraits.. a lot between now and then)

If your answer is No to one or both of the above questions..
please gently but firmly tell your friend you will not shoot the portraits.

I think you are correct in telling her that this is a very important milestone, and that she should have done as professionally as possible. So if you plan to do it yourself.. then study hard so you can give her a professional experience.. if not then please don't waste her and your time.

Honestly I am not sure. I would like to do small stuff on the side as a way
to earn extra cash, since my job is very very up and down. Lately I've been
struggling to bring home $150/wk (average is about $200-$225/wk).

I would like to be "skilled" - should I say? - in a verity of photography ways.
Even if it would be as diverse as people photography to selling single photos
of nature type pictures (landscape and/or wildlife) etc. I think I'm just abit
afraid of taking that leap. Especially with no tripod support!

Photosguy: As always, a life saver with your links

Here's a thought........ just a thought....... now

But how about offering a free shoot or two.. (of the same kid is fine).... before the 'big' milestone....... so you can practice and get an idea whether you want to pursue it further or not?

But.. I will comment that photography is the 'last place' I'd look if you need quick money.. or money to fill-in where another job is failing. Because it seems to take a lot of money plunked into it.. to truly make a profit. Granted.. you can make some money now and then.. with limited equipment.. if you know what your doing.

But..... I'm starting a small studio.. and thus far I'm way way in the red.. and little chance to get into the black for quite a while in the foreseeable future.

Photography is best pursued (IMHO) for the love of it.... and if you want to make money from it someday...... expect it to take time.. and lots of money .. to get there. BUT it can be done if you truly have a drive and desire to become a successful businessperson and successful Photographer (yes in that order).

I think you need to also ask what she is expecting. Does she want you to matte and frame or just provide the photo? You may just want to charge a sitting fee and then arrange some prices if she likes your work. I'm pretty sure she will because it sounds like price is the object here.

Do it for free and then charge if there is any shots she wants to order - then the pressure is off and you get paid if you get the results. It would be a great way to see if this is something you enjoy and want to pursue.

I agree this is really not that high pressure. Do it for the experience and only charge her for prints. If things turn out well get a signed releas so that you can use the photos to promote your business further. Charge enough for the prints that you will pay for your expenses and time and a little extra on the side. Practice people shots ahead of time. There are thousands on this site alone to look at and see what you like.

As long as you go in ahead of time with the understanding that this is your first attempt at something like this and don't charge her, what is the worst that could happen? She will go elsewhere to some mall studion and get what she wants. If she likes what you do, you're in! Then you have your first client and reference!

plattepro wrote in post #4700451
Do it for free and then charge if there is any shots she wants to order - then the pressure is off and you get paid if you get the results. It would be a great way to see if this is something you enjoy and want to pursue.

AdamJT wrote in post #4701083
I agree this is really not that high pressure. Do it for the experience and only charge her for prints. If things turn out well get a signed releas so that you can use the photos to promote your business further. Charge enough for the prints that you will pay for your expenses and time and a little extra on the side. Practice people shots ahead of time. There are thousands on this site alone to look at and see what you like.

As long as you go in ahead of time with the understanding that this is your first attempt at something like this and don't charge her, what is the worst that could happen? She will go elsewhere to some mall studion and get what she wants. If she likes what you do, you're in! Then you have your first client and reference!

I agree with both of you.

I think I'm going to take a mixture of the advise offered here
I'll try to arrange a "pre" shoot, sometime within the next month or so,
where I can practice and see if I like it / can produce anything decent.

Assuming so, I'll try to work out pricing. I think I'll try something like a "sitting"
fee (small, like $15-$20) just to mainly cover the gas to get to her house or wherever
we're meeting at. From there I'll process the pictures and offer a gallery of them
so she can pick which ones she would like to get printed (charge per print).

Any suggestions on per print pricing? Should it vary much by size? Should I offer
a "Package" deal? Eg a few 4x6, 5x7, and wallet sized photos? I'll probably use
either Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, or MPix.com for online printing...

EDIT - also, FuryMe, she said she wants a combination of "classic portrait" type photos and more
relaxed and informal. Eg, just at home or in a park. She thinks that while going to Wal-Mart's studio
(where she usually goes) is great for the portrait photos, she also thinks maybe her daughter will be a little
more relaxed / playful if its at her house or the nearby park she visits.

I recently did some baby photos for a friend and then some photos of another friends 'bump' as she is due in a few weeks time. Both of them have showed other friends and even mentioned it at anti-natal classes...there has apparently been a lot of interest which is a little scary I must admit as I'd never have thought about this type of thing normally..!!

plattepro wrote in post #4700451
Do it for free and then charge if there is any shots she wants to order - then the pressure is off and you get paid if you get the results. It would be a great way to see if this is something you enjoy and want to pursue.

I agree with that... Dont put so much pressure on yourself if you dont feel confident. Set the expectations lower and its easier to over deliver

JonathanSQ wrote in post #4703111
She thinks that while going to Wal-Mart's studio
(where she usually goes) is great for the portrait photos, she also thinks maybe her daughter will be a little
more relaxed / playful if its at her house or the nearby park she visits.

Very true.. I always do my baby photos in the comfort of their own surroundings.

Silverpenguin wrote in post #4703335
I recently did some baby photos for a friend and then some photos of another friends 'bump' as she is due in a few weeks time. Both of them have showed other friends and even mentioned it at anti-natal classes...there has apparently been a lot of interest which is a little scary I must admit as I'd never have thought about this type of thing normally..!!

That's how I got into it as well. I quite liked the idea of maternity photography - and offered on a baby forum to do some for free. I provided images on a CD and got them for a portfolio. Pregnant women often attend coffee groups etc, and so word got around and now I charge and have a good portfolio. The maternity then progresses into babies, children and families so its a never ending thing. I would never have imagined I would get into it though. I dont operate a studio - instead I choose to go to their home or an outdoor location

You will be fine - jump at the chance if they're asking..

Silverpenguin wrote in post #4703335
I recently did some baby photos for a friend and then some photos of another friends 'bump' as she is due in a few weeks time. Both of them have showed other friends and even mentioned it at anti-natal classes...there has apparently been a lot of interest which is a little scary I must admit as I'd never have thought about this type of thing normally..!!

Hey - if me, a very shy person - can decide to take the leap at this
then you should too! Let us all know if you do or not.