Portrait shoots - How many photos?

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Slvrbck

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Hi all,
I was wondering how many photos you take/give to the subject when you do a studio style shoot.

I have been doing a lot of portrait shoots the last couple of months, only with friends that I can bully to get them in front of the camera :lol:

Most of the shoots have lasted a few hours (with outfit changes etc), I am taking about 500 photos and after PP, I have about 40 that I am happy with/happy with others seeing.

I have never charged any of the people because it's good practice and the are only using the photos for things like MySpace/Facebook or to give to boyfriends/girlfriends/moms & dads etc....

Just after opinions I guess :shrug:
 
It all depends on the person, the location, the object of taking them in the first place and how happy I am with the results. Have I achieved what I set out to do?

It could be 2, it could be 50 but it usually ends up in the 20's from about 300 shots. That seems to be representative with position and outfit changes. I'll take the best one from each "batch" and include some with pp work too.
 
Cheers AliB,
Well I think I am on the right track.
I did a shoot with 2 girls last weekend, 3 outfit changes, about 500 shots all in all.
I have just got done with the PP and I have 50 images that I am happy with.

They where all shot in my living room with w white backdrop.
 
we normally average around an hour with max 2 costume changes and about 150 to 200 shots. i try to average out around 50 to 70 images for them to view in their gallery.

if its baby and toddler stuff it can last a little longer with a few more changes and around 100 extra shots and about 30 keepers after all the dribble and snot is removed :)
 
My shoots rarely last more than 15-20mins with kids of all ages

Up to 100 shots are taken, and anywhere from 50-75 make it onto their DVD

This morning I shot 5 girls (as a group and individually) in 7 basic poses each then some fun groups shots - in all, 158 images of which about 130 are easily good enough for their DVD

Oh, and the full shoot lasted just 30mins dead

DD
 
What sort of prices do you charge people for studio style pictures printed? and how much for a CD/DVD?
Do you charge per hour? Do you also charge for the time it takes to PP?

Many Thanks
Matt
 
mattchewone said:
What sort of prices do you charge people for studio style pictures printed? and how much for a CD/DVD?
Do you charge per hour? Do you also charge for the time it takes to PP?

Many Thanks
Matt
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You really do want it on a plate don't you !!!

They get a shoot & DVD in the fee, PP is minimal from me as it's all run through actions. The most time goes on the DVD cover, image for the disk & putting it all together

So what would you think is a reasonable charge?

DD
 
Sorry if i ask lots of questions. Just trying to gather as much information as possible. I really dont know what people charge or how much is reasonable.
A friend had a leaflet through the post the other day about photo's and they was charging about £120 for family portraits. But it doesnt say what it includes prints or dvd wise.
 
Wow! I must be doing something wrong!! I've taken quite a few Model portfolios, and most last around 3 hours with various clothes and makeup changes. If I am working with an inexperienced model, it gives them time to relax and get into the swing of things, it also gives me chance to build up a rapport with the model and try out different lighting techniques etc... At the end of it all and after PP, they take away a CD with approx 50 -70 decent, useable images.
That's just the way I do it!
 
I shoot until we run out of ideas, which depending on the model, the outfits and the location can be between 50-500 shots, and half an hour to half a day.
 
Yer, I'm thinking I must be way off the mark.

I wouldn't dream of charging anyone, I just do it with friends fro the practice.
Most of my shoots have lasted 3/4 hours with about 500 photos taken.
When I have done all the PP work, I have about 50 good ones left.
 
The wedding I did last week, I took over 700 shots (rather too many than not enough ;)) and I have about 60 keepers :)

For friends and family, I am giving them about 20 decent images on a CD for £20. They have all been happy customers so far :)
 
If you're keep rate is about 10% then I think you need to spend a bit more time thinking before pressing the shutter. Look back through the other 90% and ask yourself why you took the shot in the first place. There's probably a few lessons to be learned from that.
 
100% agree pxl8,
For the most part, a lot of the disgarded shots are no better or worse than the ones I keep, just little things that make me lean more towards one shot than another.

I am very much still learning so each shoot I am looking out for more and more things based on the feedback I get from here.
 
pxl8 said:
If you're keep rate is about 10% then I think you need to spend a bit more time thinking before pressing the shutter. Look back through the other 90% and ask yourself why you took the shot in the first place. There's probably a few lessons to be learned from that.
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My studio hit rate has never been less than 50% but then it's such a controlled environment, and I guess experience tells me when not to bother shooting

What you lot seem to be talking about is much less controlled and the perfect image is harder to capture - 'perfect' of a kiddie is a good expression rather than the arms in exactly the right spot or not

As for Weddings... last Saturday's one I took about 550 and the couple are viewing almost half, so that's not bad either I guess - but a 90% bin-rate is frankly shocking for anything other than sports IMO

DD
 
Yep, I'm the same. I'll keep the best from a batch so probably end up with 20-30 that I'll happily hand over. That doesn't mean the rest aren't keepers just that I've picked the best from the keepers.

My review process tends to be.

1. Look at everything, if it's obviously pants- bin it.

2. If it's a keeper it moves into a keeper folder.

3. From those I'll pick out the best and work on them, when done they go into a finished folder.

The keepers and finished ones get backed up onto HD. Done.

So while I'm only handing over 20-30 (What I think are the best) shots my keeper rate will be a lot higher than 10%.
 
pxl8 said:
If you're keep rate is about 10% then I think you need to spend a bit more time thinking before pressing the shutter. Look back through the other 90% and ask yourself why you took the shot in the first place. There's probably a few lessons to be learned from that.
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Sound advice indeed, there is usually more to be learnt from the ones you bin that the ones you keep.

I've stayed away from portrait shoots for the last few years but for a family shoot, I'd probably take about 150-200 frames over about an hour and then whittle down to the best 24-36 shots for the proofs.

I could let people have 100 shots or more to choose from but it's not going to increase the end order any, it just makes the choice harder. Besides, by only showing the very top images, you enhance your reputation of excellence and back up the very high prices you charge. :D
 
DiddyDave said:
a 90% bin-rate is frankly shocking for anything other than sports IMO
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I would agree if I where a pro dave, but given that my next shoot is only my 4th (2nd on with a lighting rig), I am generally happy that I have any that I am happy enough for others to see :shrug:

If I am still binning 90% of my images in a years time, I will give up :lol:
 
Slvrbck said:
I would agree if I where a pro dave, but given that my next shoot is only my 4th (2nd on with a lighting rig), I am generally happy that I have any that I am happy enough for others to see :shrug:

If I am still binning 90% of my images in a years time, I will give up :lol:
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:lol::lol::lol:

Then please do as pxl8 suggests and really analyse your bin-fodder to see where you're going wrong, and keep posting for advice

Just made a diary note for a year from today to see if some camera gear is posted for sale !!!

:D

DD
 
Cheers for the vote of confidence :lol:

Fancy offering some advice ready for my next shoot???

Some of the shots from my last shoot are on Flickr
 
If you're binning them for technical reasons then that will improve with practice. If you're binning them for other reasons then you really do need to ask why you took it in the first place. I used to shoot a lot of macro, esp. insects in flight and people would ask how many shots I took to get once in focus they were amazed my hit rate was 80-90% but it's simply because I didn't hit the shutter unless I knew it was in focus.

Look back through the 90% you binned and imagine if you were looking through the viewfinder, would you take that shot again?
 
Cheers pxl8, will look over some old photos and have a think about it.
 
As always, there are two ways of looking at this.

I do agree with the sentiment of actually looking through the camera and choosing the exact moment to fire the shutter for the shot you want.

Then on the other hand, nothing moves faster than the human expression and if you're shooting kids at play, well it can pay to have 20 good shots but still pick out the one that stands above as the belter.
 
I took 5 photos of everything last week, thats because you could bet your arse in 4 out of those 5 shots, someone would be blinking, or turning theirs heads or something :D
 
dazzajl said:
As always, there are two ways of looking at this.

I do agree with the sentiment of actually looking through the camera and choosing the exact moment to fire the shutter for the shot you want.

Then on the other hand, nothing moves faster than the human expression and if you're shooting kids at play, well it can pay to have 20 good shots but still pick out the one that stands above as the belter.
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YUp, its a must, surly taking 2-3 shots together and getting that all important wow shot is better than saying , 'i have a 90% keep rate'
not like your wasting any film is it :)
 
dazzajl said:
As always, there are two ways of looking at this.

I do agree with the sentiment of actually looking through the camera and choosing the exact moment to fire the shutter for the shot you want.

Then on the other hand, nothing moves faster than the human expression and if you're shooting kids at play, well it can pay to have 20 good shots but still pick out the one that stands above as the belter.
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True, but really you need to fire a burst anyway to make sure you get the right moment - something you're not going to be doing in a studio setting.
 
Betty said:
I took 5 photos of everything last week, thats because you could bet your arse in 4 out of those 5 shots, someone would be blinking, or turning theirs heads or something :D
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Again that's not a studio issue - which is what the OP was on about

That said, in 'portrait' mode, I often keep both eyes open to see if & when to shoot - you can see more (obviously) around the subject like that so you can predict interaction & distractions better - hence, not shoot

DD
 
dazzajl said:
have 20 good shots but still pick out the one that stands above as the belter.
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There's a real problem with this I find in that the 'belter' shot/expression is not always typical of the child - and parents want THE perfect expression of little Johnny much more than a technically perfect shot

Some kids just don't smile, others tilt their heads at odd angles, one gorgeous kid's smile was actually a gaping mouth even though she did have a lovely smile too, etc. - getting a straight & perfect smile may sell to magazines, but not families

Hence, if the shot is 'good' or better, the clients see them all

I pick the 'belter' for my use and they often pick the 'wrong' one - :shake:

DD
 
pxl8 said:
True, but really you need to fire a burst anyway to make sure you get the right moment - something you're not going to be doing in a studio setting.
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Totally, I'm not a fan of spray and prey at any time. I was more thinking along the lines that if you choose 10 moments to pick off and shoot, there will still be one best one and that's the one I want. :)
 
dazzajl said:
Totally, I'm not a fan of spray and prey at any time. I was more thinking along the lines that if you choose 10 moments to pick off and shoot, there will still be one best one and that's the one I want. :)
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Exactly, but if it's kids the one YOU want isn't necessarily the one THEY want - so if all 10 are technically good you show the client all 10 and let them choose

I think this point's dead now :D:D:D

DD
 
DiddyDave said:
parents want THE perfect expression of little Johnny much more than a technically perfect shot
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That's the one I mean. :thumbs:

You must get to know the kids that you shoot over the course of the session and recognise the one that is "just them". Picking out the shots that best show that little person as the individual they are is half the skill of being a great portrait snapper.
 
I think this point's dead now
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flog%20dead%20horse.gif

:thumbs::lol:
 
Nope - little kids can be in & done in under 15 mins, with 30-50 images good enough to view - often the parents aren't after a 'Killer shot' of little Johnny, but enjoy a record of the shoot via the 5-10mins DVD only & not buying a single print

Which is why we don't do the 'Free sitting' thing others locally do

All I know about them is whether they are little darlings or little sh*tz :lol:

DD
 
icon_redface.gif
 
Have you ever done a day in a studio with a pro slvrbck?

I shelled out a heap of hard earned to do one of Mark Cleghorn's seminars and I have to admit it was well worth it. I got more out of that than buying any amount of kit.

So when can we come and invade your's DD? :p :D
 
AliB said:
Have you ever done a day in a studio with a pro slvrbck?

I shelled out a heap of hard earned to do one of Mark Cleghorn's seminars and I have to admit it was well worth it. I got more out of that than buying any amount of kit.

So when can we come and invade your's DD? :p :D
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You're all welcome any time you wish to pay up as much as you did to attend Mark's :eek::eek::eek:

Oh, and providing 10 of you do so at the same time that is

:thinking::thinking::thinking:

That'll be a 'No' then :lol:

DD
 
Right I've got my flask and sarnies! :D

Actually, we did have some rather nice sarnies. It was a good day I have to admit and just the kind of springboard I needed. Despite my humour I'm serious about the usefulness of investing in training, not just kit.

If you saw the mess I can make with decent kit you'd see why! :cuckoo:
 
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