[olavf]

Since we’re asking: Is this ‘air’ enough? http://www.follandfamily.com/TF/farktography/110518.elements/8549-crow_flying_sm_web.JPG

I don’t *think* the mountains make it too ‘earthy’…

[olavf]

Two months ago would have been perfect for Big Bear, but yeah. Barring some sweet shots from Taiwan that would be perfect.

[olavf]

Yeah, that’s why I was suggesting the minimal markup on prints. One way or another your name is going to be associated with them, and if he takes a CD and goes down to Rite-Aid, they’re still going to be associated with them 😛
/Nothing goes out from this house that I haven’t at least printed before, even.

IIRC if he were to take the kids someplace to get portraits done, $35-40 is going to be an absolute minimum, and he’s going to pay a lot more in print markup. But, the money up front ensures he’s serious, and that you’re serious, and yeah, one gets what they pay for, but worst case you can offer to give the guy the sitting fee back if he’s not happy, right?

[olavf]

Lake Arrowhead isn’t that far North, either….

But I’ve been everywhere in SoCal from TJ North. I don’t remember the stretch along 8 so well, but I seem to remember some really stark hillsides that would be pretty cool in the right lighting. Mind you, it’s been…18 years so I’m going off geographic memory (which is one of the few things I can remember lol)

Good heavens, I’m getting old.

[olavf]

I think working out a deal where he gets a set number of prints is generally better. You control the masters, and where (read: the quality of) the prints that get made from your work. It’s not a hard and fast rule, but it’s what I would do were I doing portraits.

As far as props and things, I’d talk to him and see what things the kids have that represent their personalities. The people that are going to see the shots will identify the items, and plus, the kids are going to be more comfortable with their own things. Kids are funny like that 😉

As far as cost goes, don’t sell yourself short. You know your way around the camera, and that’s going to show through in the final prints. A modest sitting fee and a reasonable markup is customary for these things. Presuming you’re going to their house, and hauling your equipment around, it’s fair to say your should be compensated more than what they’d have to pay if they went down to the local JC Pennys, you know? I don’t think that $75-ish plus a 10% markup on print costs is out of line – on the low side, really. Mark up or down based on what you think they’re willing to pay, your confidence, and how much you want to do the job, but I don’t think I’d go lower than that unless it was for a (not close) friend.

I don’t do this for a living either, but another thing to be mindful of is the people that *do* do this for a living – I mean the good ones. Undercutting them too much cheapens the profession as a whole, and keeps the real pros from being able to do what they do. Look at all the (shudder) $300 wedding photographers out there.

[olavf]

What about the Mts along I-8 on the way to nowheresville? They seemed pretty steep when I drove them in a Ford Ranger with a Pioneer drone engine in the back 😛

[olavf]

I think in general you should try for straight-out-of-scanner with normal rules. There should probably be a little more give, but I’m not sure where the line should be drawn.

[olavf]

D’oh. Forgot I can do that now =P

[olavf]

MADNESS I say!

/awesome

[olavf]

I’m sure you guys have a tripod and wireless trigger around there somewhere. If not, $5 says orionid can MacGuyver something out of a couple of tin cans and a busted iPod in 30 minutes 😉

[olavf]

At least one of mine is going to be straight out of the box. But in the other way.

Beer?

You’d think so, knowing me, wouldn’t you…

/not this time

[olavf]

At least one of mine is going to be straight out of the box. But in the other way.

[olavf]

Sweet. That just reminded me of the Bansky statue I have in my archives. Doesn’t look like I’ve used it either. Thanks orionid 😀

[olavf]

Yeah, scanned photos or negatives are fine, so long as you took the picture. Photos of photos or other ‘flat’ art pieces are not, unless they’re part of a larger composition.

[olavf]

I think the idea is more non-professional art, if you will. So, the guy down the street that has a bunch of oil barrels and found scrap metal all welded together and decorating his front yard, yes. The Rodin garden, not so much. (Think urban/folk art, not gallery pieces)

[Author]

Posts