Prom Photography

MDalby

Do any of you have any experience shooting HS prom? What have you worked out for a prom photo package and price? How do you handle things? I won't have a printer on site.

Any sample galleries that I can look at?

Thank you!

MD

Dooginfif20

I dont have any sample stuff to look at, but I can tell you how we did it the last few times. The packages you dont want to be over $75-100. Our packages started with 1) 1 8x10, 2) 1 8x10 and a 5x7, 3) 1 8x10 and 12 wallets and 4) 2 8x10s and either 2 5x7s or 12 wallets. We added in there for an additional $5 we would email them a digital copy for Facebook, Myspace, Twitter and all that jazz. Most of the kids going to prom are either A) paying for it themselves or mom and dad want an 8x10 to frame up and put on the wall or shelf. What we did was ask what the theme was, build a "set" around that theme, and then set up a LCD TV and computer straight to the camera. Set up the whole set how you want it, put a piece of tap on the floor where you want the girls front toe to be and fire away. We would take 2 images of 2 different poses (4 in total) and display them right on the TV for them to pick. You shoot, have someone run the comp, and 1-2 people taking orders. Once you get it down things start to flow right along. If you havent already I would set up a metting or phone conference and talk to the planning commity and see if they suggest anything. Most of them are parents of children going to prom and they will tell you what they are looking for and for how much. I hope that helps.

MDalby

Thank you for the help. A couple of questions though...

1- PACKAGES: If I wanted to simplify the whole ordering and pricing, what do you think is the best package to offer. I just don't see anyone doing packages of up to $75-100. I would really prefer to just have 2 packages. Do most orders want the wallets? Do you mind if I ask what you charged for option 4: 2 8x10s and either 2 5x7s or 12 wallets. That seems like the best package.

2- DIGITAL COPY: What is your aspect ratio and file size that you use for your digital copy? Do you provide a 300 Pixels per inch and full file size JPEG shot?

3- SET: What did you do for lighting? 2 strobes on the background, 2 umbrellas for the subjects? I was really planning on just a nice background in the set and nothing really theme oriented.

4- PROCESSING: I would only have my wife helping out with the orders and I would be handling the shots. I wasn't planning on having a monitor and post processing on site. I was thinking of just making the judgment call on the best shot to include in the package.

Thoughts?

Thanks,

MD

divamum

Tim Kappinen here at dgrin did something like this a coupla years ago - see if you can find his threads....

Dooginfif20

MDalby wrote: »

Thank you for the help. A couple of questions though...

1- PACKAGES: If I wanted to simplify the whole ordering and pricing, what do you think is the best package to offer. I just don't see anyone doing packages of up to $75-100. I would really prefer to just have 2 packages. Do most orders want the wallets? Do you mind if I ask what you charged for option 4: 2 8x10s and either 2 5x7s or 12 wallets. That seems like the best package.

2- DIGITAL COPY: What is your aspect ratio and file size that you use for your digital copy? Do you provide a 300 Pixels per inch and full file size JPEG shot?

3- SET: What did you do for lighting? 2 strobes on the background, 2 umbrellas for the subjects? I was really planning on just a nice background in the set and nothing really theme oriented.

4- PROCESSING: I would only have my wife helping out with the orders and I would be handling the shots. I wasn't planning on having a monitor and post processing on site. I was thinking of just making the judgment call on the best shot to include in the package.

Thoughts?

Thanks,

MD

All good questions. So here we go for the answers:

1. Pricing is all based on where and who the customer is. I live in a small city in Washington. Our packages started at $20 and the most expensive was $50. If you want to offer 2 8x10s and either 2 5x7s or 12 wallets look at your cost to create. If you have to have someone else print them figure in the amount of time it takes to take, retouch, print, and package. If you own a studio you should be somewhere in the range of 3-4 times that amount in pricing. This is a prom so you can cut that back a bit. I look at proms as an chance to show what you can do and possibly snag up some seniors for senior portraits. We sell mostly 8x10s because thats what the parents. I would say the majority purchased package 1 or 2. One question I have is are you getting paid for the gig on top of selling pictures?

2. The digital copy is a low res slightly watermarked image to make sure they dont try to print it. Our stores in the local area are really good at not printing professional pictures without a release. We do offer from time to time a high res digtal copy for $20 on a case by case basis. That way if mom or dad wants to print it out later or more for family they can and we arent losing out on making our money.

3. The set will depend on theme. We usually do 1 or 2 on the background and a main light and fill light. Sometimes we gel the background lights.

4. As for the processing we really try to nail it SOOC so it reduces work later. If they need a little touch up we do a quick run through. Most of it is done in LR and we knock them out pretty quick. We dont retouch them on site we just give them a quick preview. Some girls (and guys at times) are picky about the way their hair was or what not, so its a good idea to let them see it first. If you dont plan on doing a preview its no biggie. Its just an idea.


Let me know if you have any other questions. I wish you luck! Events are up and down. Sometimes we really nail it and everyone gets pictures. Sometimes nobody wants pictures and we sit there for hours with nothing to do. They are a special beast.

Ryan

Brock62

I charge 50.00 for about 15 to 20 Pics, And all i do is Photoshop them and put them on a CD for them.

MDalby

OK, I am getting closer to this prom. I have a few more questions...

Should I use my 24-70 or my 70-200? I was leaning towards the 24-70.
What aperture should I shoot at? I was think f/8 so the background is focused?

Thanks

Dooginfif20

MDalby wrote: »

OK, I am getting closer to this prom. I have a few more questions...

Should I use my 24-70 or my 70-200? I was leaning towards the 24-70.
What aperture should I shoot at? I was think f/8 so the background is focused?

Thanks

All good questions. In terms of the lens it is based on a few things. If you are using a DX body (like I use) that increases the distance between you and the subject. If you have the space and are shooting on a FX body I suggest the 70-200. A friend of mine when he does events prefers to use the 17-55. My personal choice is the 24-70. By far the best lens I have ever used, and it works great in this situation.

As for the settings I would shoot at 7.1 or greater. Just be prepared to possible shoot some groups. There is always a few group of 234099 friends that want a picture together. What is your set looking like? Is there a theme? How many lights are you planning on using? Depending on the set we use either 3 or 4. 1 for main, 1 for fill, 1 for hair, and 1 for background. Hope this helps.

Ryan

MDalby

Thank you Ryan. I am kind of torn between what kind of background to use. Go with a plain muslin background with props or go with a painted background. The theme is very flexible, "Destination, the World". I was thinking about getting some trunks with shipping labels and bags. I could also go with a painted background of New York or Paris or something.

Plain with props or painted?

Any recommendations for a versatile and good background?

MDalby

Prom Frames
do any of you have a preferred source for the cardboard prom frames?

Dooginfif20

I like the idea of the trunks. Look on craigslist and see if anyone is selling any steam trunks or some of the old standup trunks. They have a ton for sale out here in Washington. One question I have for you is are you planning on doing the printing or are you going to out source? If you are planning on out sourcing I would see if they have any small frames like you are looking for also to save on shipping.

anonymouscuban

I read the title as "Porn Photography". :s85

MDalby

Dooginfif20 wrote: »

I like the idea of the trunks. Look on craigslist and see if anyone is selling any steam trunks or some of the old standup trunks. They have a ton for sale out here in Washington. One question I have for you is are you planning on doing the printing or are you going to out source? If you are planning on out sourcing I would see if they have any small frames like you are looking for also to save on shipping.

I am going to outsource the printing. I am still not sure if I will go with Bayphoto or a local lab. I will check to see if they have the frames.

Thanks for the help.

MDalby

anonymouscuban wrote: »

I read the title as "Porn Photography". :s85

Maybe I should have put "Porn Photography" in the thread title! I would have probably got more views at least!

Bryce Wilson

Here's my idea for you for what it's worth...

Go with a painted background with a very recognizable landmark, like the Eiffel Tower, as your background.

Then, use the trunks in the fore ground and maybe as props for subjects to sit on. Like they're waiting for the ship etc.

Looks good in my mind anyway!:D

MDalby

This is what I am thinking, a Paris background and steamer trunks.

I am leaning towards Paris option 1 background with Eiffel Tower. I was thinking less was more and I didn't want the background to be too busy.

Option 1


Here is another option: option 2