So today I was contacted about doing some maternity shots- I am very excited about this, but scared out of my mind at the same time. I don't have a lighting set up or off camera flash, or any idea as how to price a session of this type. Any ideas?
I like natural light for maternity shoots. So you've got no issues there! :) Get one of those 5-in-1 reflectors if you don't have one - they are cheap and will give you so much more to work with. If you're a starving artist, a car windshield reflector will do, or even a piece of white cardboard. You can lean your reflector on furniture inside a window to help ease shadows when using window light inside a house, or even against your camera bag if outside (if it's not too windy).
For prices, well, there are as many answers as there are photographers. A simple way to go is to not have a session fee (something I would have disagreed with myself a few months ago) and just charge for the prints they buy. You could work out some packages where they save money but, at the same time, are encouraged to spend more, but that is never easy to work out. I've said it a couple of times over here at 365, but I highly reccomend Alicia Caine's "Easy As Pie" pricing guide for photographers.
I hope it all goes great! I know you'll get some fantastic images for them.
@jinximages thank you so much Jinx- I agree about the natural lighting with maternity shots, so I will definately looking into buying some sort of reflector. I was contemplating not having a session fee and just charging for the prints they order. Do you typically watermark your pro shots?
Absolutely! I watermark everything so it can't be (easily) stolen or printed. I would never even give small resolution files to a client before they've paid, because they will try to print them, even though they'll look terrible. I don't often sell digital files (almost never, in fact) because I hate seeing what happens to them later. ;) So any previews, on a disc or a blog or whatever, make sure you've protected them! If they've already paid, it isn't so important anymore.
Congrats Rebecca.... I would totally go for the natural lighting... could end up quite moody.... and much more refreshing & natural than well lit studio shots.... am sure you will be successful in bringing out the natural beauty of the mom's to be....
@jinximages Thank you so much for all the pointers- I really appreciate your taking the time to give such thoughtful advice! @rudit Thanks Rudi for your continued support and vote of confidence!
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For prices, well, there are as many answers as there are photographers. A simple way to go is to not have a session fee (something I would have disagreed with myself a few months ago) and just charge for the prints they buy. You could work out some packages where they save money but, at the same time, are encouraged to spend more, but that is never easy to work out. I've said it a couple of times over here at 365, but I highly reccomend Alicia Caine's "Easy As Pie" pricing guide for photographers.
I hope it all goes great! I know you'll get some fantastic images for them.
@rudit Thanks Rudi for your continued support and vote of confidence!