Very First Time...

[dennybeall]

Kwenami, in case you haven't picked up on the undercurrents in the previous posts, let me touch on just a couple of points.
Photography is a complex effort and most of the professionals have spent thousands of hours practicing and learning their trade. They also have invested many thousands of dollars in equipment.
They expend all this effort and money in order to get work taking photographs to make a living.
There are many, many photo hobbyists and they are happy to assist anybody with photography.
Help with photography is well received but help with taking bread from professionals tables is not.
But that's just my opinion.

 

[tirediron]

Kwenami, in case you haven't picked up on the undercurrents in the previous posts, let me touch on just a couple of points.
Photography is a complex effort and most of the professionals have spent thousands of hours practicing and learning their trade. They also have invested many thousands of dollars in equipment.
They expend all this effort and money in order to get work taking photographs to make a living.
There are many, many photo hobbyists and they are happy to assist anybody with photography.
Help with photography is well received but help with taking bread from professionals tables is not.
But that's just my opinion.

I don't really think that a person doing one shoot for a rescue animal is going to cause any of us not to eat tonight. While you're point is a good one, it's important to keep things in perspective.

 

[tirediron]

...Is it common for photographers to switch lenses in the middle? Depending on distance I may want to use a 50mm or telephoto. I have a fill flash I can use, but depending on the snow level the reflections from that may be sufficient.

Absolutely... in a 90 minute session I may switch lenses a half-dozen times. Try and plan your sequences so you're not continually switching lenses, but there's nothing wrong with it.

 

[Forkie]

Here's an example of the one I'd like to print for myself If anyone has suggestions, I'd be open to that as well. I know this isn't perfect but I'm pretty happy with it

https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net...=53fe26d7eec0f8037bd413e0d12d9229&oe=5524F01D

Actually, that's very nice shot.

I'm certainly not offended by you wanted to charge - I think anyone who wants to charge for their work at whatever stage they're at, they should just go for it if they're confident in their ability.

The only reason I would err on the side of caution in the beginning is that payment brings with it added pressure. The more you charge, the better your photos need to be for them to be worth it. If you charge more than your current ability would seem to be worth, you can build a reputation that you don;t want before you've even got off the ground.

I can't offer any advice about how much to charge - I have no idea of the market in Canada, let alone your local area but having seen the photo you posted, with a little more care about the background so the image is a bit cleaner, I say good luck to you and I look forward to seeing what you do on the day!

 

[robbins.photo]

I don't really think that a person doing one shoot for a rescue animal is going to cause any of us not to eat tonight.

Ok.. granted, but would it be ok if I lost sleep over it instead?

 

[tirediron]

I don't really think that a person doing one shoot for a rescue animal is going to cause any of us not to eat tonight.

Ok.. granted, but would it be ok if I lost sleep over it instead?

By all means Banana-breath; lose all the sleep you want!

 

[robbins.photo]

I don't really think that a person doing one shoot for a rescue animal is going to cause any of us not to eat tonight.

Ok.. granted, but would it be ok if I lost sleep over it instead?

By all means Banana-breath; lose all the sleep you want!

Woohoo! It will be just like New Years Eve. I'm putting you in charge of the parade btw.. lol

 

[JerryVenz]

Hello!

I'm wondering if any of you have advice or tips for me....

I recently got a DSLR (2 months ago) and have been practicing a ton. Today, I was asked to do a paid shoot for a foster dog! I would love to help these guys out.

How much did you charge your first ever client? Cost of doing business would be crazy high right now, since so far it's only the one person. I'm not sure where this is going to take me, but I'd like to explore I have *no* clue what to do in this department, so any tips would be great.

Do you have any tips regarding being professional during a shoot? Things that will help, things that won't? Tips for posing, selecting a space, set up in general? I typically practice with my own dog who has a ton of training, so it will be very different I'm sure. I'm only just beginning to use flash, so I may or may not use it in the images.

Any advice at all would be wonderful. Thank you!!

I really don't think you're ready to be charging people for your work. The image of your dog is just not up to professional standards. However considering how long you've been doing this it's better than I expected!

I've been competing in state, national, and international print competitions for over 40-years, been a full time professional photographer for over 25-years (portraits and weddings) but I did not even consider charging individuals for my work until I had over 10-years experience in general photography. But that's just me!

In answer to your most important questions--I can't TELL you HOW TO BE PROFESIONAL. You learn these things through experience--making mistakes (the best teaching method) and improving with each attempt.

Learninng these things cannot be done in a vacuum. Some kind of formal education or at least targeted workshops with a mentor are necessary so that there are fewer gaps in your knowledge. Don't expect to get this education for free, either! ALL of the best photography education I have received I paid dearly for and was money well spent.

Best of luck, Jerry W. Venz M.Photog.Cr.CPP

 

[vvcarpio]

I'm one who'd say take payment. Then be honest. Let client know he/she is your first. Taking payment (no matter how small -- no one has to know -- but hopefully commensurate) puts you in that league of "paid photographers". The confidence you'd get then is priceless which you can then build on and I'm sure use wisely. You sound honest. I'm sure you would do everything to make the client happy and then some, so everyone will end up happy.

 

[Forkie]

Some kind of formal education or at least targeted workshops with a mentor are necessary so that there are fewer gaps in your knowledge. Don't expect to get this education for free, either! ALL of the best photography education I have received I paid dearly for and was money well spent.

This is not true and a formal education in photography is neither required nor necessary.

 

[Kwenami]

I realize I'm not a professional-I was toying with the idea of improving to that point instead of working in my chosen field (which has everything to do with light, since my specialization is in microwaves/photonics) and had not made the decision to charge. This was a REQUEST/OFFER. She knows I'm a hobbyist, and haven't done anything professionally. I refereed her to some younger professionals in the area, and she said she'd prefer if I did it. I don't like the amount I would make would in any way change the lifestyle of the people around me-she already had a photographer help, and disliked the photos, and I don't think she would spend a 200$ sitting fee for someone better for a dog that she's trying to help find a home. That could easily go to vet fees for another dog. I really do think she wants to help me out, and just happens to also like what I've taken so far.

As for professionals charging-you had to start somewhere. Sure, it's a bit out of the ordinary to start so soon, but this is the opportunity I was given. I doubt you love every single photo you take, too, even if on average they are still much better. I'm currently job hunting and accepting anything that falls in my lap, so I will happily take on the extra pressure when she knows the situation fully and still wants to do this

Also, I think the advice I was looking for wasn't so much how to be professional, but how to organize a shoot in a way that makes more sense. This may very well come from experience and trial and error only, but that's why I asked-someone with more experience may be willing to offer a tip or two that would help me significantly. I think in general, professionalism is a learned quality. I know that I can take classes, but I don't have that ability at the moment due to travel and income. Her offer to pay me will go towards my future learning (or student loan) and help me continue to pursue this, rather than drop out thinking all my images are horrible. I may not love them, but if she does then it's worthwhile to help her out. I don't want to be changing lenses awkwardly, especially with the -30 degree weather and snow we've been getting. I don't plan on going somewhere unprepared, free or otherwise.

Forkie-I'm not sure why it won't let me quote you! Thank you for the kind words I have a feeling this will be done outdoors, so background will likely be overexposed snow (black dog in foreground). I do have some that are similar I've liked of my own, but I don't love her expression in them. I should be able to replicate the effect, but I'm not really certain that's the ideal background either. I'm working with what I have; I can be resourceful. The point you bring up about overcharging is exactly why I wanted to ask-the shoots we did for charity were 15$ for one image, and the lowest paid professional in the area is a 200-300$ sitting fee. The professionals I would go to if I wanted images of my dog are closer to 500-1000$ for a package fee, with some prints included. I don't want to charge anywhere near that. Not even close. Not even a dream of being close. But I would like to do have more than one image at the end to give her, so I'm not sure what an appropriate middle ground is. I think the message earlier in the thread-to have it donated to the charity we volunteer for together, or to do dinner together, or something similar is what I will go with. That way, she gets to choose the amount based off what she can afford and what it's worth to her to support a friend.

Robbins.photo - I hope you don't lose sleep over this! I really can't emphasize more that this is a friend offering. I would never have asked for money or about the topic without her insistence. I've been very lucky and there's no need for you to stress-I won't be taking any money away from you or any professionals, and I certainly am not going to let this go to my head. It's a kinda gesture on her part and I in no way think I'd be ready to offer paid work yet.

 

[runnah]

First time or not I would turn down the money as most animal welfare programs aren't exactly flush with cash.

Chalk it up as a free learning experience that is helping some animals find a home.

 

[Kwenami]

First time or not I would turn down the money as most animal welfare programs aren't exactly flush with cash.

Chalk it up as a free learning experience that is helping some animals find a home.

It's not the rescue offering to pay-it's a friend. I've done volunteer events many times before.

 

[robbins.photo]

Robbins.photo - I hope you don't lose sleep over this! I really can't emphasize more that this is a friend offering. I would never have asked for money or about the topic without her insistence. I've been very lucky and there's no need for you to stress-I won't be taking any money away from you or any professionals, and I certainly am not going to let this go to my head. It's a kinda gesture on her part and I in no way think I'd be ready to offer paid work yet.

Well I'll do my best - lol. No way you can take any money away from me because I'm not a professional photographer, nor do I have any desire to be. But if you're really feeling bad about it you could always alleviate your guilt with a small donation toward the parade.. lol

 

[imagemaker46]

I'd charge a flat $100, give the client a cd of the images and keep practicing. Don't worry about what anyone else has to say. You mentioned not working, so I assume you can use the cash. A shoot like this is not going to affect anyone else, just have some fun, don't stress, hope the dog is calm. As for being, or acting professional, the client already knows that you're not doing this for a living, so just show up on time, ready to go, spend a little time letting the dog get comfortable around you, maybe take along a few dog treats to get the dog to settle down.

Personally the only animals I work with are professional athletes, they like treats as well.