As a portrait photographer of 10+ years I would not offer 15min sessions. What a nightmare! My number 1 priority is making sure my clients are comfortable and relaxed and with some people that can take 30mins.I also do makeup and hairstyling, so that aids in setting the atmosphere and getting people to relax.
I do wonder what the motivation for newbies to do minis is. It seems that you do not feel confident in your craft and thus you need to charge as little as possible.
Photography is important and should be highly regarded - That starts with photographera themselves. It's not fast food. You are capturing and documenting people's lives, moment, milestones and creating images to cherish.
Here's a tip, photograph friends until you feel like you should charge properly. Offer a mini shoot session to a group of friends and their kids on the proviso that they share and recommend you. Gather Google reviews etc. Get good at your craft!
I'm much more a fan of newbies shooting for free rather than undercutting my profession.
Also mini sessions undercut you.
My sessions don't include any prints and my prints start at $200. I'm not even the most expensive, but I know my worth.
Here's the thing if you compete on price and discount your services you will attract complainers.
Your prices should be worked out based on what you need and want to make in a year, not by looking at what everyone else in your area charges and then undercutting because you don't think you are as good. Photographers need to stop doing that because at the end of the day, it's not real or sustainable. I guarantee those other photographer did the exact same thing with their pricing.
So offer them a reshoot AND give their money back. Make sure you win them over and they walk away living the experience and the photos. Don't set a timer, be there for as long as it takes. Connect with husband, he obviously felt uncomfortable. Make everyone smile and also don't forget how very important it is that the mother is present in the photo. So many women are invisible as they aew always the ones taking the pictures of the kids with dad.
What an incredible opportunity to learn!! Good luck!
As a portrait photographer of 10+ years I would not offer 15min sessions. What a nightmare! My number 1 priority is making sure my clients are comfortable and relaxed and with some people that can take 30mins.I also do makeup and hairstyling, so that aids in setting the atmosphere and getting people to relax. I do wonder what the motivation for newbies to do minis is. It seems that you do not feel confident in your craft and thus you need to charge as little as possible.
Photography is important and should be highly regarded - That starts with photographera themselves. It's not fast food. You are capturing and documenting people's lives, moment, milestones and creating images to cherish.
Here's a tip, photograph friends until you feel like you should charge properly. Offer a mini shoot session to a group of friends and their kids on the proviso that they share and recommend you. Gather Google reviews etc. Get good at your craft! I'm much more a fan of newbies shooting for free rather than undercutting my profession. Also mini sessions undercut you. My sessions don't include any prints and my prints start at $200. I'm not even the most expensive, but I know my worth.
Here's the thing if you compete on price and discount your services you will attract complainers.
Your prices should be worked out based on what you need and want to make in a year, not by looking at what everyone else in your area charges and then undercutting because you don't think you are as good. Photographers need to stop doing that because at the end of the day, it's not real or sustainable. I guarantee those other photographer did the exact same thing with their pricing.
So offer them a reshoot AND give their money back. Make sure you win them over and they walk away living the experience and the photos. Don't set a timer, be there for as long as it takes. Connect with husband, he obviously felt uncomfortable. Make everyone smile and also don't forget how very important it is that the mother is present in the photo. So many women are invisible as they aew always the ones taking the pictures of the kids with dad. What an incredible opportunity to learn!! Good luck!