I got offered a portrait gig at DVinfo.net

Jeff Miller · September 22nd, 2006, 09:49 AM

A coworker asked if I could photograph and print the 'end of season' pics for a kid's soccer team. It would probably be around a dozen kids, the coaches and a couple group photos. They normally have a photographer for this but s/he can't make it, or something.

Technically, is there stuff I should watch for? I can photograph a lot of things fairly well but most of my portrait experience is run-and-gun, not sit down pose kinda stuff. I do have some sense of framing and composition, will probably just have each kid kneel with a soccer ball in front of a nice background or something, keep eyes on thirds, that kind of thing. Maybe with exposure bracketing. I have a 135mm and ponder renting a 200mm for more DOF but wonder if it's worth it.

Financially, I don't know what to charge hourly for cam+photographer. Will probably need $2 for each 8x10 to break even, I only use genuine ink and Ilford papers. I might offer 4x6 also although I've never worked that much. Edit and printing should be fairly quick I'd imagine unless people expect wallet sizes and stuff like that.

Anyhow if anyone has advice for my first pay gig I'd appreciate it :) BTW I'm using a 10D with a 28-135L, Sigma 10-20mm, Speedlite 430 where applicable, shoot everything in RAW and print with a Pixma 950.

Frank Granovski · September 22nd, 2006, 11:57 AM

If you're shooting action shots, the 200mm will be useful. Don't shoot into the sun---postion yourself so that the sun is behind you or at a rear angle. Hopefully it will be overcast so there won't be shadows. If you're doing group shots after, do it in the shade with no sunshine leaks and use the 28-135L lens for this. If you're shooting indoor portraits, use the flash and angle the camera upwards; don't do this against a wall because you'll get shadow.

Frank Granovski · September 22nd, 2006, 01:19 PM

Oh, and use a tripod and trigger cable if you can, expecially with the 200mm lens. Sharp is better than blurry. :-)

September 22nd, 2006, 09:49 AM	#1
Jeff Miller Major Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: St Louis, MO Posts: 227	I got offered a portrait gig A coworker asked if I could photograph and print the 'end of season' pics for a kid's soccer team. It would probably be around a dozen kids, the coaches and a couple group photos. They normally have a photographer for this but s/he can't make it, or something. Technically, is there stuff I should watch for? I can photograph a lot of things fairly well but most of my portrait experience is run-and-gun, not sit down pose kinda stuff. I do have some sense of framing and composition, will probably just have each kid kneel with a soccer ball in front of a nice background or something, keep eyes on thirds, that kind of thing. Maybe with exposure bracketing. I have a 135mm and ponder renting a 200mm for more DOF but wonder if it's worth it. Financially, I don't know what to charge hourly for cam+photographer. Will probably need $2 for each 8x10 to break even, I only use genuine ink and Ilford papers. I might offer 4x6 also although I've never worked that much. Edit and printing should be fairly quick I'd imagine unless people expect wallet sizes and stuff like that. Anyhow if anyone has advice for my first pay gig I'd appreciate it :) BTW I'm using a 10D with a 28-135L, Sigma 10-20mm, Speedlite 430 where applicable, shoot everything in RAW and print with a Pixma 950. __________________ (insert long list of expensive stuff)

September 22nd, 2006, 11:57 AM	#2
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	If you're shooting action shots, the 200mm will be useful. Don't shoot into the sun---postion yourself so that the sun is behind you or at a rear angle. Hopefully it will be overcast so there won't be shadows. If you're doing group shots after, do it in the shade with no sunshine leaks and use the 28-135L lens for this. If you're shooting indoor portraits, use the flash and angle the camera upwards; don't do this against a wall because you'll get shadow.

September 22nd, 2006, 01:19 PM	#3
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	Oh, and use a tripod and trigger cable if you can, expecially with the 200mm lens. Sharp is better than blurry. :-)