I had so many examples that I doubt I’ll fit them all into one post
But you can see a gallery of 200+ here
And if you ask for a password you can see all the 650+ that made the cut.
There are also two galleries on facebook - 2
You’ll notice there isn’t one focal picture in the bunch. There’s not one that is the pinnacle of perfection… but to this family there are many many that represent each person and will be fun to them.
Here are some examples:
I’m not to into taking family portraits…
There’s a lot of stressing out going on in portraits.
Feeding Each other STRESS
Parents get stressed because they want things to go perfectly.
When kids get grumpy or distracted… the parents start to freak.
Which in turn makes the kids freak out more… which in turn…
I’m sure you get the picture.
Not “Good” Money
Besides family pictures aren’t really good money (comparatively)
It’s my opinion that the price structure for family pictures was based on buying prints.
This mindset of wanting mainly prints is largely disappearing for most families.
Prints aren’t as “big” as photographers would like
Heck I personally would rather have the disc than a print on my wall… specially since I move more often and I use blogs, websites and facebook mostly and I can print stuff up myself just fine.
So people don’t want as many prints but the sitting fee for portraits has largely stayed the same.
Then there’s the people who think that because a CD costs $1 (which it doesn’t more like .15 cents) that charging them $100 for a CD is next to highway robbery.
Personally I don’t like being in charge of printing… I want to be paid for what I do (photograph) I don’t want to push products (like prints, albums etc)
I understand that the market and the abundance of new photographers will push prices down for photographers as some raise their prices (like I do all the time)
Not For me
All I’m saying is Traditional Family Picture sessions are not worth it for me.
I put up with boring weddings because they’re a lot of money and they’re very important.
Go to a studio for the traditional Shots
But i think if people are looking for good prices for family pictures they should go to studios, that’s their thing.
The Exception
That being said I have actually had a couple of families that were all right and enjoyable experiences
And in down times I’m sure I’d say yes because the money is nice… I’m just saying I don’t like it much.
But I like a “real” job…. way way less!
Continue reading about Family Portraits Suck… for photographers.
