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Question from Anna: “Question: does anyone else have this issue…you’re doing a family photo shoot with parents, their children and their children. When one of the daughters says “Could I just get a couple photos of just me? I’m graduating from college and would like one to use for that?” Or the other daughter says “Can we get some photos of just our family and a few of just my husband and me and some with just our kids together?” I always say “Sure!” because that’s my personality, then I get home and think (as I’m editing all these extra photos that I hadn’t planned on taking) that I really need to speak up, but what would I say. I certianly don’t want to make things uncomfortable or upset the client, I want to be friendly AND professional. Does anyone else relate to this? What do you do?”
LIssa: I’ve always wondered what to say too!! I’m like you and would just say sure! I guess if you had a contract that stated the limitations of the photo shoot that would help.
Meghan: For me, a family photo shoot always includes individual photos of each person so it hasn’t been an issue. I guess if outfit changes and other stuff started then it might be more tricky.
Brandi: I do this all then time, same boat don’t want to upset the client. I adjusted my pricing so go by the hour now, so I explain that to them when ever they ask. “oh yeah sure but i will have to charge you for an extra hour!”
Sasha: You set a time limit. For X amount of dollars you get 1 hour. If they don’y get many group shots in the amount of time because they wasted it on individuals, then the can pay for another hour or book another session if they aren’t satisfied.
Jen: With my packages I usually state that it is a certain number of images edited ( their choice from proofs) anything over that number there is a charge per edited image. I just make sure they know that when they are booking and there never has been any problems
Kendra: I can totally relate. I had a family session and ended up doing a mini engagement session at the end for a couple that was in the family. Like they brought a change of clothes. Ugh, I felt exactly how you felt. So I’m all ears on this one.
Julie: I base my sessions on a time limit and up to 6 people, so regardless of the subjects, I usually have a similar number of photos and plan for taking many different combinations and individual photos during their scheduled session time.
But, I also talk with the client *ahead of time* to really nail down what expectations for photos they have and to plan accordingly. There is an extra fee for more than 6 people or extra time.
I’ve learned that the more you can determine from talking to them first, the better. Ask questions on that initial consultation like, “What photos would you like? If we had time, are there extra poses you had in mind?” etc. Very rarely have I had a surprise when we talk in depth about the photos they want.
John: yes set a time limit and after that charge so much for the extra photos
Shatera: I agree with Meghan. I always allow for those things and as long ad the session is within the allotted time I planned for then I am pleased to do it. After the shoot is when they choose what items they want to purchase so that’s when those extras come into play. Example, just last weekend I had a newborn session and the grandmother asked if I could take just a quick few of her other grand baby. It took me approximately an extra five minutes so when the family ordered they ordered a 20 image cd and then 5 extra images of the other grand baby. It only took me five minutes and the editing probably about 10 minutes so in cases like that I don’t mind. In order to keep you from editing every single one of those photos that they may or may not purchase you could do all your basic adjustment and show them the gallery, let them order what they want, and then do your final edits…..just a thought. 🙂
Amanda: I have a different charge for group sessions. I charge my normal rate for the whole group photos of everyone together and then each individual family that wants there own session that day pays seperate but at a lower rate since I am there and have no travel cost. I let them know that before I get there so those who want seperate photos know they have to pay too. 🙂
Chad: I say “do to time we will have to schedule a seperate shoot for that.” 🙂
Alli: I set a limit of the number of edited photos & prints that a client receives with their package (of course I usually wind up giving the one or two more than what is stated in the contract).
I tell them that there is a charge for each additional image and print that are not covered by the package that was purchased…that is assuming they aren’t wanting to change clothes, etc. That’s something I’ve yet to encounter (thank god)…but if that were the case I would have to tell them that their package also includes a set amount of time and any time beyond that means being billed the a la carte hourly rate (which is higher than what I charge per hour in my packages).
You don’t want to be a hard ass but you don’t want to be taken advantage of either. The reality of the situation is that most people have no idea how much time & work our craft actually involves & therefor don’t understand why we have the conditions and terms in our contracts that we do…
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with charging what you’re worth & all that your work entails. Be kind and generous but don’t be a chump.
Tara: As long as I stay in my 1-2 hours (or however long we agreed on) I am up for anything. If I snap an extra 30-40 pics of a family I am thinking more money for me. They already paid for the entire session and however they chose to use that time is up to them. If you shoot the extra they will most likely end up buying prints from you. Don’t shoot no extra prints = no extra money.
Rebecca: I have encountered this many times too! Right now my session prices are the same across the board, just to be able to compete. But I do try to let folks know that I’m not there to do oodles of sessions all day long! But, I do feel that sometimes I’m being taken advantage of!
Corina: I have a time limit set as well. I take family pictures and for me that includes individual pics and Mom with the sons or daughters and Dad with the sons or daughters. As long as it stays within the time limit I do them. I do however feel like it can be ALOT of pictures at times.
Ann: ask them if they woud like to shedule a session and that you would be happy to take pictures then. It seems to me that when people do this it takes away the time from the people who actually are paying for you time
Kelli: The best way to avoid this is communication beforehand. If I am shooting more than one family, I always ask if it is expected that I get individual shots as well. If so, then that time is going to be in that one hour time frame.
Anne: I charge a flat fee for the first five people and charge an additional fee per person after that. I had a family of 26 who wanted to do a large family shoot….it was going to cost them $390….they decided against it but I don’t do it without being compensated. For that amount I would have been more than happy to plan on doing te families individually as well as individual shots.
Just try to plan ahead for the chance it could happen and make sure you and your client are very clear about what will be happening at the session.
Kayleigh: If I am doing a large family shoot, I just plan for those kind of situations. I am happy to oblige on this because it gives the clients a good idea of what their photos will look like when/if they decide to do a separate session in the future.
Cathy: Let them know you only have this time frame booked to take these photo’s, but they are more then happy to book you for your time another day.
Morgan: I talk with my client ahead of time and determine exactly what they want. If I feel we won’t have enough time, I tell them and they can decide to either extend the session or cut out some photos. When we are in the middle of a session and.something comes up I simply tell them that we well certainly get that shot at the end and if we have time. I do this because often times mom and.dad.sew the.ones paying and they in my opinion they call the shots. With that being said, I am not a stickler for the two hours…if we go ten minutes over I am ok with that.
Lindsay: I am with Anne Kelley. I charge per family (usually $50 per group above the initial session fee). This way you won’t be “giving” your services away but still going above and beyond when you oblige the requests. That being said, I like to go beyond the expectations. Word of mouth goes a long way and happily clients will spread the word 🙂
Cliff: Bring this up when discussing the contract for your services. You can and will do these, but at an extra cost. When the requests come in, address them with the person who contracted you and ask: “remember?”
Kimberly: I’m right there with you. I’ve just been doing it because I didn’t have the heart to ask for more money. I’ve really got to get with my contracts.
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