A large percentage of our portrait business is made up of anniversaries and family reunions. We understand there a lot of logistics involved in getting multiple families together and over the last 13 years have designed a three step process that takes into account the needs of the group as well as individual families within the group.
Daddy's girls are growing up
First is planning. Lets say we have a client whose parents are about to celebrate their 50th anniversary. In this example lets imagine we have three siblings with their families in addition to the parents celebrating their 50th. That means we really have four families.
Each family needs to be involved in the planning. This process takes time and energy, but pays off in the end because you determine what you want and establish the costs are so there are no surprises.
Most important planning makes you look at your walls and think about sizes before the session. Planning also lets us consider the clothing to be worn so the portrait completes the room rather than competes with the room.
It may be that one of your siblings recently had professional portraits done and is not interested in more of their family but is motivated to be part of the group image for your parents. We do not want to pressure siblings into having portraits created. Nor do we wish to take time away from members of your family that want to have portraits. When planning is done well, we know what sub families want portraits and make time to do everything.
Will the siblings be hiring the photographer and providing the session and a modest wall portrait as a gift to the parents. Has a plan been devised.
The second step is to do what we planned. We will meet on location and create the images discussed.
The third step is the image projection. This is where famlies see the images for the first time and place thier order. We suggest large families stagger the times of the progjection so there are only two-three families in the projection room at time. We can show you the portraits at the sizes you planned for as well as any other size you might want to see. We can also show different cropping . This way you know what to expect when your order arrives.
Portrait Planning Worksheet
Name:__________________
Family Members:_______________________________________ Address:_________________________________________________________________
Phone:______________________ Email:____________________________________________
When was the last time you had a professional portrait made?
What did you do with the portraits?
What did you like or dislike about them? What would you do different?
What is the primary reason having a portrait created now?
How many people will be in your family portrait?
Please list everyones name and the kid’s ages.
How many portraits do you want? For example, do you need a portrait of the entire family, another with grandparents & grandkids, and a third of just the grandkids.
Do you want formal or casual portraits?
Do you envision portraits with peoples faces looking at camera, looking at baby, looking off camera, looking at each other. Please explain your vision.
Do you want a portrait that tells the story of living in Hawaii, or do you want portraits that focus more on the people less of the environment.
If you could go anywhere you wanted to make the portrait where would you go? Will you need duplicates of any images as gifts for family members?
Do you know where in your home the portraits will be displayed? Would the space complement a vertical or horizontal portrait?
Are you familiar with coffee table books, paintings, collages, canvas portraits, and Kodak Prints?
Do you have an established budget?
Have you thought about what to wear?
IF looking for a fun family activity on Maui consider Maui Photo Tours. Learn photography while you see beautiful parts of the island.