Your Opinions on a Photoshoot, Please.

by SixofNine 39 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  purplesofa

  OK, after reading the comments, I went back and looked at the pics. I don't know this little girl, but her mom surely will have fun picking out pics that fit the different personalities of her child, I think there is enough there.

  I like the pics that are not super photoshopped. I want a pic of my kid that looks like my kid, warts and all. reference to softening photo from vinny.

  I suppose it is each persons individual likes, I am not huge on a wall full of posed kids with props and fake backdrops. I had years of photos like that of my kids, and much prefer the spontanious snapshots I have of them.

  I did go back and look at the B/W of the last pic. Although, initially I liked it the best, I would not say it's the best photo. I did not know I could enlarge the pic either. The same color photo before the B/W is very good IMO, the color of the little girls eyes, lips and hair are beautiful.

  I guess getting a photo of my child, I don't want something that is going to be considered a work of art, but to capture a time in their life, and what they looked like and who they were, for a keepsake and memories. The best photo without changing them completely, Am I repeating myself????

  I think whoever took the pics did a great job with the girls personality without glamourizing it.

  purps

  edited to add: I think the prices are fair. After pricing around to get some of my drawings printed, yeah, but I have not a clue if the prices are competitive.
• 

  Vinny

  Purps said:..."I want a pic of my kid that looks like my kid, warts and all." and..."I don't want something that is going to be considered a work of art"....
  
  
  **** Artistic photos of a child are still photos of 'the child'. There is obviously nothing wrong with taking creative images. The subject is still your child.
  
  But today, many do like creative, professional portraiture. Personally, I like both. And you don't need smoke and mirrors to do that.
  
  The point I am making is that it's important to create a diverse body of photos anytime you do this professionally. The images presented were all too similar, IMO.
  
  It also makes the shoot more fun and allows the photographer to be more artistic/creative which is usually considered a positive thing.
• 

  purplesofa

  I understand Vinny,

  I love the pics at the two sites you posted.

  there is so much to do now as far as photography is concerned. There is something for everyone.

  purps
• 

  Vinny

  Purps:..."there is so much to do now as far as photography is concerned. There is something for everyone."
  
  
  **** Digital has revolutionized the world of photography today. I still use film, since nothing from Nikon has been able to beat what I can do with film. But now Nikon has just come out with the D3X, which creates 24 megapixel sized files. Which can compete with medium format in terms of large print quality. Easy to print 40x60 sized works of art with that new Nikon. Just amazing.
  
  
  And with that, I'll finally be finally jumping into the digital world too.
  
  
  All the best,
  
  Vinny
• 

  jamiebowers

  I really liked the black and white ones.
• 

  kurtbethel

  I do mostly outdoors and landscape photos, and do not do many portraits. I could see something interesting with the lighting of those, and there was certainly something going on to have her attention at the camera lens that got some real winners in the batch. I would prefer to have some background and step away from her, just to get some variety from the "subject hanging in space" look.
  
  I have no idea what the going rate for a portrait shoot is.
• 

  SixofNine

  Brinjen:

  Some of the shots are of the child smiling, the others are the child's reaction to a toy... or someone pulling faces perhaps?

  Thanks for the comments Brinjen. As mentioned below, the kiddo can see my face in the spot where the lens is. In her case, I could just interact with her and get these photos, because she was very into being photographed, and was comfortable talking with a stranger. Towards the end of the shoot, we put some video of animals playing into the lens, and she was reacting to that.

  With a toddler, I wouldn't spend too much time trying to interact personally, since they will respond to a video of Barney or somesuch better. But we can also get mom or dad or brother/sister to show up in the lens too.
• 

  SixofNine

  Thanks for the feedback, Purps.

  I much rather have a photo like this that captures the childs personality, not a frozen in time fake smile.

  And that's what this technique is all about delivering. It keeps the kids relaxed and engaged. Sometimes parents can give off such a negative vibe that it is hard to overcome, but this technique certainly helps get around that.
• 

  SixofNine

  Thanks for the feedback, Coondawg.

  I'm not sure about the technique other than getting her to have fun and catching her at candid moments.

  I've said more about the technique (eye-contact w/the lens) down-thread.

  It's funny what you mention for cost; my friend tells me that that figure seems to be his average sale.
• 

  SixofNine

  Now that's what I love to hear. Make a trip to Texas! :) I do think if I were doing it, I'd edit the shoot down further before showing (it's hard when you have tons of good expressions) just so the parent wouldn't be so overwhelmed with choices.