first poirtrait session just got much more complicated! HELP!

Okay so as I have posted before, I have a week before my first shoot, I am very excited, but my model (who is a friend of mine) just threw a big one at me, she wants her bf to be there. Ok I say, but as I have read, this is not suggested, as well as I feel it may effect me, I was honest and said I wish he wouldn't be there, but she wants photos of both of them together too... so now my situation is different... how do I keep him happy, but not "all up in mah grille". It would have been so much easier if he wasn't a part of this.. but I want to keep my model happy!
Any help is GREATLY appreciated!

forgive me, bf means Boyfriend, I was talking to her as I posted that and didn't realize most of you aren't of the "same generation"

Patiently explain to her that this is a business relationship between you and she and that you will NOT tolerate unecessary interuptions or input from anyone.

Failure to heed this is sufficient reason for immediate termination of the shoot and the deletion of all images.

You don't say if this is for pay or if it's TFP but if it's the former, you'd be within your right to drop a "second subject" fee on her. If it's TFP, you're within your right to charge for the portion where you're shooting them both.

She is going to pay for the portion of them both together, since she's dropping it on me and since she knows it may be more difficult on me. I just wish I knew what he could do while I am shooting my friend....
this is the issue of shooting people you know
I don't like the guy, so it will be difficult to keep my mouth shut haha!
Maybe I could be an A**hole in disguise and make him hold the bounce board? LOL

What is the problem with him being there? Why would he be confrontational? It's just pictures. If you act professional, nothing should go wrong, right?

Those are the words I need to hear qtfsniper, I agree, I don't think there would be any problems (I don't want to make any, thats for sure), I was just checking to see if there was anything any of the more experienced photographers had run into/experienced that could be of help

You're going to have to learn to separate your personal feelings from your professional dealings if you wish to make a business out of this.

I would suggest telling the model to keep the bf to not be in the immediate area of your shoot.

Don't worry too much about her bf being there, just keep that out of your mind and concentrate on the shoot.

cdifoto wrote in post #9644628
You're going to have to learn to separate your personal feelings from your professional dealings if you wish to make a business out of this.

I believe I understand what you are saying bu this, and I agree. I guess what I am going for is a worst case scenario, ie. I am working with the model, and he suddenly decides that what I am doing is not appropriate (why is beyond me) I guess I would like to know how I could handle this situation. Or do I have to deal with that situation?
What is he supposed to do? sit on the sidelines with his finger in his nose?

Communicate. Get everyone on the same page.

I will be talking to my model and maybe see if he can come for the part of the shoot he is participating in (coming "late") that would easily solve all the problem.
I will do my best to keep him out of my mind, the more I think about it, the less I worry, I guess most of it is first time jitters...
How does a payment of $20 sound to ya'll, form the portion of the two of them (I am guessing about 30mins).
thanks

jpbimages wrote in post #9644168
She is going to pay for the portion of them both together, since she's dropping it on me and since she knows it may be more difficult on me. I just wish I knew what he could do while I am shooting my friend....
this is the issue of shooting people you know
I don't like the guy, so it will be difficult to keep my mouth shut haha!
Maybe I could be an A**hole in disguise and make him hold the bounce board? LOL

As has been mentioned, your personal feelings are irrelevant. She's paying you.

There is nothing wrong with having the boyfriend hold a reflector. When I shoot young women, I always encourage her to invite a mother or friend (usually not a father or boyfriend, unless they will be in the picture). I always give them the job of holding a reflector or a gobo--that's pretty common practice.

Thanks RDKirk! I hope that all will go well, I have no intention of bringing my "feelings" to the shoot, it was just me giving some background on my model, it's not just some random girl with her random Boyfriend.
Thanks

I shoot a lot of belly dancers, and I have a home based studio. For the women coming out for their first shoot, there is usually a lot of nervousness and potential for "creep" factor.

So, I have to be really professional, super nice - and I always allow them to bring someone out. Either another dancer for a back to back shoot (which doubles up the sitting fee, time in the studio and works great for everyone involved), or a friend who is a non participant. I always try and involve the friend, in a non - model sense. They will help the dancers dress / makeup / hair - hold or move lights, stands, reflectors, gobo's. If there is nothing for them to do, I make it pretty clear (but politely) that they should keep out of the way, keep quiet and be an observer.

It works - if I get a pushy guest, or they are interfering, I'll wrap up the shoot in exactly the one hour scheduled (otherwise, I rarely stop at the one hour we schedule!). I don't get confrontational or argue with them - I provide the service they paid for, to the best ability I can in the circumstances, and nothing more.

Many thanks pcj, I don't think the "creep" factor will be a problem for me, most of my first shoots (just got another offer from another friend) will be pretty relaxed for me (and for her too I hope).

I need to ask what people think what a good "starting price" for hourly shots would be... I am a member of www.snapm.com and looking at their photographers, a lot of them are $50-$200 an hour, I am not sure whether I should follow the trend or undersell by half. The only other person within my zip-code search is $128 an hour...
I think this is a business section question though....