Charging for amateur portraits..

[Village Idiot]

Im 16 and offered some of my friends senior picture shoots. Lots were interested. Im thinking about talking some into a general portrait shoot. Charge maybe $20 with a CD. Bad idea? What do you think? Do I have other options?

No one cares how old you are, just if you can produce.

 

[LiquidGrace]

Personally I'd take this as an opportunity to hone your skills. I think with the prospect of payment looming over your head you will feel nervous. Remember there's more to photography then the equipment. It's the knowledge of your camera.

With senior portraits you now get into posing. Are you comfortable with posing and know what angles work best?

If they'll pay you for it by all means. But If this is something you really want to enter into why not see their payment in the form of experience? If you are going to charge, what I'd do is take out a friend of yours and practice with your camera. Gain some experience before going right into an overwhelming situation of having someone pay you and you having to perform. Not to mention I can gather it will be their parents paying for it so I'm sure they would have the final say.

Mind you this is only my opinion on the matter. I just think if you literally only have one shot to work from you will need to brush up on some things and it's not always going out and buying equipment.

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