Family Shoot- They only want one photo for Christmas card. What to charge?

John Hill , Nov 23, 2009; 01:55 a.m.

A family of 18 (ughhhh) claim they want one photo for Christmas card. My minimum charge for a family shoot is $200.00 with X amount of images on CD and that is for up to 6 people. 7-10 people add $50.00 and a few more images and so on. With my formula for shooting an 18 people shoot would normally be $350.00 with many more images on CD of course.
Looking for input on what would be a fair price to charge for a 1 photo shoot.
I am thinking $200.00 is too much but I have to factor in drive/shoot time involved and minor computer time. They say they only want one photo but either we would have to be very clear about that or have some price options. For one photo I can see shooting at least 25 images because I would want to try some different poses and we know how hard it is to get 18 people not blinking and there are small children involved so I can expect chaos.
I was thinking of charging $150.00. Too much? Not enough? Suggestions welcome.

I shoot on the beach in late afternoon and the sun sets fast in the winter. If they decide they want to go with my usual routine I cannot imagine getting all the combo shots in the hour or so of sunset light unless I do basic assembly line poses. I prefer candid shots and working with a family, but large groups in limited time present a problem when trying to get those special shots. Thanks for any advice or tips. I need to give them a price tomorrow.

Responses

Hector Javkin , Nov 23, 2009; 06:33 a.m.

I don't know what you should charge. I do know that using ughhhh as a comment about your clients in a public forum is very risky. These clients, or potential future clients, can now find your comment on the web and wonder what else you might say about them.

Luis G , Nov 23, 2009; 07:01 a.m.

With 18 people, you're going to have to make dozens of exposures to get them focused on the camera & without blinking. Per pose. This is going to take more work than you think, and you'll probably end up having to do a fair amount of post-processing (love those head transplants!). You're unlikely to get candid shots, but you may be able to get them loosened up & laughing (with at least 2-3 blinking).

You should be clear about what they're getting, because you'll have a contract with them that specifies it, right?

I don't know your market, or how busy you are, but $150 seems like the minimum.

It sounds like a challenge and a fun shoot, John.

John Hill , Nov 23, 2009; 01:04 p.m.

Hector -lol Good point you made, but if I wanted to take it out now then you and I both would have to edit our posts:) For now on I will say shooting 18 people is my favorite group shot. Anyway, I think many folks realize what shooting large families with children entails and I even joke about it with them most of the time.
Luis- Not busy at all this week. I don't want to lose the business but I figure I should not undersell myself. She added that this shoot is just a casual Christmas card shoot with one person missing and they will be back next summer for the big shoot. That could mean that this photo is not a big deal and I would think one of them might have a camera and they could grab someone on the beach to take a photo or they could be saying that to get the low price for the one shot. I also need to consider that lots of families will be coming in for holiday and I could get another booking if it does not work out. A funny candid would be the kind of Christmas card I would want but that is just me. Come to think about it, 18 people on a card might be difficult to see their eyes that well.

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