Hi Lea, After shooting for over 30 years and countless situations just like this, I have come to one conclusion. Shoot the groups first, and shoot fast. Between the ages of 2-6 kids figure out that THEY can say no, and love to prove it. Attention spans are short and most have had Mom and Dad dress them to the 9's before you got there. If you shoot the groups first and then there is a problem w/ a single subject, than you can go on and shoot the rest of the individuals and shoot the trouble maker <VBG> as a reshoot. Generally speaking, I may or may not charge for the reshoot depending on who the problem lies with. Also I avidly suggest that the parents not give candy or soda before the shoot and use something other than bribes to get them to sit for the pictures, it rarely works. I do however have a boatload of kids toys that I bring to each shoot. I let the kids pick through the toys for something to hold, and keep there little heads busy while I get set up and it can work wonders. Sometimes it is difficult to get your toys back though... When I shot for PCA we went through what is called Child's Play. It teaches you to work with the different age groups, their attention spans, and there main physical capabilities. An 8 year old will not laugh if you put a stuffed toy on top of the camera and tell them to blow it off. However many 4 year olds will eat it up. If it's on me then of course I won't charge, but if the kid is cranky or just does not want to cooperate then I will charge an additional fee. I also let the customer know that there may be extra charges for time and materials if the fault does not lie with me. And of course all of this info, reshoot, usage, COPYRIGHT, print prices, sitting fees, etc. are spelled out in the WRITTEN contract with the client. I do this mainly because there is a good chance the kid will not cooperate a second time as well. Multiple reshoot can be expensive you cannot schedule anything else that day and extra supplies, rentals or assistants will eat up profits quickly. I hope this helps, Les ----- Original Message ----- From: "lea" <lea@whinydogpress.com> To: "List for Photo/Imaging Educators - Professionals - Students" <photoforum@listserver.isc.rit.edu> Sent: Friday, June 20, 2003 10:46 AM Subject: reshoot suggestions, ideas > I have a question for those of you doing portrait work for hire. > > I recently branched out and am offering family portrait work as an > addition to my children's portrait work. Most of this is done on > location either at the client's home or at a park. > > I've had a couple of occassions where the client has been very happy > with individual portraits but not pleased with the full group...either > not everyone is looking at the camera, kids are getting tired/crabby, > kids aren't participating, nothing turned out well, etc. And when I say > kids I mean little ones...usually 5 and under. > > I offer a reshoot an no fee of just the family group. What are others > doing in this situation? > Lea > > > Lea Murphy > Whiny Dog Press www.whinydogpress.com > New images www.whinydogpress.com/new.html > Picture a Week PAW http://www.whinydogpress.com/paw.html >
