First Job with a stranger

[Picture.Of.Obedience]

I have my first portrait job with a friend but i am doing a job with a real person

Ok so I have been hired to shoot a contract signing.
It will be this man and his publicist signing their contract and them together and him and his wife and some other people.

First of all I have NO CLUE what to charge. How do I determine that? I am a beginner, never had these kinds of jobs and things before.

Second, what kind of equipment do I NEED? I am thinking of buying a flash for my camera before this, I have about $200-250 to spend on one, is that enough? I have a kit lens and a 50mm f/1.8. Will those be ok? There is no way I can buy a new lens, but what kind of flash should I get? Of course a tri-pod right, I have two batteries, and a good memory card. It isnt a huge even just a contract signing.

 

[Picture.Of.Obedience]

double post

 

[Picture.Of.Obedience]

I found this flash
www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=product&A=...

Does it go on the camera? What do I need to buy with it??? Is it good for this kind of thing?

 

[Boss_BlueAngels]

Well, my area of expertise is not in this type of photography, BUT... I would say try to avoid the tripod as that's just going to be awkward and get in the way of things. Also, if you're going to have a flash, that will eliminate the need for the tripod as it (should) provide lighting necessary for a faster shutter speed. The link you sent to B&H only came up as a main menu and didn't have anything about flashes.

So, regarding the flash, what kind of camera do you have, first? I have Canon equipment and went with the Canon 430EX and absolutly love it. (But a bit spendy) You can either mount it on your camera, or get all kinds of extra gizzy's for fancy mounting. Since I use an ultra wide angle lens, I also purchased a LumiQuest Bounce for the flash. (My 10-20mm lens takes a wider picture than the lighting of the flash itself provides and I get a round shadow around the corners without the bounce to diffuse the light) This is an awesome little kit as it velcros onto the flash and kind of looks like a tent. It also comes with a silver and gold reflector to fit on the back, and a filter to go on the front to diffuse the light even more. Looks kinda like a big tent on the flash. I use that all the time for interior/cockpit shots and when photograhing my niece and nephews.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/544387-REG/LumiQuest_LQ_101_Pocket_Bouncer_for.html


As far as price to charge, that's where things get really tricky. You have to consider what they're going to use the images for, for how long, and your own experience. That's all I can say about that. I haven't done a lot of commercial work as most of the time I'm working with aircraft owners who just want some nice prints of them flying.

Good luck, congratulations, and I hope someone else can provide you with more appropriate information. I don't deal with living creatures as much as I deal with machines.

 

[DanC922]

If I remember right, you shoot Canon, so I second getting a 430EX flash. I'd suggest getting it from buydig.com. I bought mine from there a week ago, and it's the best price at $235. I can vouch for their credibility as I've ordered from them several times.
http://www.buydig.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=CN430EX

Also, if you haven't been there before, I'd HIGHLY suggest joining this Canon forum. You can learn a lot there. Post your question about pricing in their Business forum. They'll give you an idea of how to figure pricing. Also, it'd be good to have a contract for your client to sign. Bad stuff can happen when you don't have one. You can ask them for a sample contract there too. http://photography-on-the.net/forum/

 

[Picture.Of.Obedience]

I was thinking on getting a Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto EF 28-90mm f/4-5.6 III Autofocus Lens and a 430EX Speedlit.

Someone from another forum told me that I am not capable of doing a good job at this shoot and need to back out now. He said I dont have the proper equipment. Now Im stressing out.

 

[Picture.Of.Obedience]

and yes i have a canon rebel xti

 

[DanC922]

I was thinking on getting a Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto EF 28-90mm f/4-5.6 III Autofocus Lens and a 430EX Speedlit.

Someone from another forum told me that I am not capable of doing a good job at this shoot and need to back out now. He said I dont have the proper equipment. Now Im stressing out.

That's the same lens as your kit lens. Only difference is it's EF, and your kit lens is EF-S. With the 1.6x crop factor of the XTi on EF lenses, you get 1.6 x 18-55, which equals 28-90. On all EF lenses, you need to multiply the focal length by 1.6 to get the actual focal length of the picture that the camera takes. EF lenses project a large enough image behind the lens to be used on a full frame sensor like on a 5D or 1Ds. EF-S lenses are made specifically for crop sensors and the focal length is what the lens says on those cameras.

The 50mm f/1.8 is a fantastic lens. It's about as sharp and fast as you can possibly get without going into the higher L lenses. You'll be hard pressed to find a zoom lens that's as sharp and fast as a prime lens.

If the client has seen your portfolio and decided to hire your services because of that, you're capable of doing the job. It's the client's satisfaction that matters, not other people thinking you're experienced enough. Everyone has to start somewhere, and lots of people will get jealous if newcomers are actually doing a good job.

 

[Picture.Of.Obedience]

That's the same lens as your kit lens. Only difference is it's EF, and your kit lens is EF-S. With the 1.6x crop factor of the XTi on EF lenses, you get 1.6 x 18-55, which equals 28-90. On all EF lenses, you need to multiply the focal length by 1.6 to get the actual focal length of the picture that the camera takes. EF lenses project a large enough image behind the lens to be used on a full frame sensor like on a 5D or 1Ds. EF-S lenses are made specifically for crop sensors and the focal length is what the lens says on those cameras.

The 50mm f/1.8 is a fantastic lens. It's about as sharp and fast as you can possibly get without going into the higher L lenses. You'll be hard pressed to find a zoom lens that's as sharp and fast as a prime lens.

If the client has seen your portfolio and decided to hire your services because of that, you're capable of doing the job. It's the client's satisfaction that matters, not other people thinking you're experienced enough. Everyone has to start somewhere, and lots of people will get jealous if newcomers are actually doing a good job.

Im glad i found that out before i ordered the lens. lol. I want to get a new lens that wont break the bank. I guess i look some more THANKS!

 

[DanC922]

Im glad i found that out before i ordered the lens. lol. I want to get a new lens that wont break the bank. I guess i look some more THANKS!

Just use your 50mm or 18-55mm and get a flash.

 

[Cotmweasel]

I know of TONS of pros that use the nifty (50mm F/1.8) to do shoots. even for weddings. Just get the 430EX and I think you're good to go. And remember. Take as many shots as you need. Don't let them rush you. Good luck! You're gonna do awesome!