Has anyone ever recorded small kids birthday parties? Any tips or anything to really make a good impression? I usually do Weddings but had someone contact me about capturing their 2 year old's birthday party? Any suggestions would be very much helpful!!

Tyson i did this not long ago and i usually do weddings maybe some pointers. steve

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Thanks Steve. I didn't know if there was anyone out there doing any of this or not. How do you charge for something like this? By the hour or a set fee?

This would be a challenge, you could shoot a music video with the kids.
I shot a 1 year old cake smash and asked for some suggestion, one of the replies was to have a theme party, have the kids dressed up all as Transformers, Gobots, or smurfs....and act out some dance moves....

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Thanks Steve. I didn't know if there was anyone out there doing any of this or not. How do you charge for something like this? By the hour or a set fee?

dont do many but i charged £450.

I've done 1-2 year old birthdays, basically it's just documenting the party. I usually ask for baby pictures ( on a disc) and include a growing up photo montage to start the video. Shoot details, cake, invitation, giveaways. I charge $ 500.

The only suggestion I have for video recording small children also goes for photography of small children: the camera needs to be at the eye level of the child, not at your eye level. It gives an entirely different perspective.

Of course, it can be very hard on the old knees. One trick I use to save my knees is to put my XH-A1 on my heavy monopod, then shorten the monopod to match the eye level of the kids. I work the camera using the handle on top, along with the second record button that is also on top.

Another trick is to put the camera in a low, inconspicuous place and work it with the remote control. Don't forget to turn off the record light function or cover it with electrical tape. That little red light coming on will blow that stealthy trick.


As for what to charge, I'd mention what my normal half day rate is, and then see if the parent accepts or makes a counter offer, and go from there. Unless they're a friend or relative... ; )

Thanks for the help guys!! Gonna try it out next thursday night! :)

I've shot several bday parties over the years. I usually charge about $150/hr with a 3 hour max on location time. That also includes some editing, titiling, and a DVD of course. If you do it right, there really isn't much to clean up.

As mentioned make sure and shoot at kids eye level. You can almost treat it like a wedding reception, in that you'll have major events: cake cutting, gift opening, party games etc.

Most of the ones I've done have been 2 to 3 hours, but I just shot an 80th bday party last weekend. It was an hour.

Good luck!