So I just did my third group shoot this summer....and I think I have decided I don't like them (10 or more people).  I don't think it gives me much of a chance to be creative like I can w/ child and small family shots. (the group seems to tire out quicker especially if there are small children, each pose takes a lot longer, etc.)   I just really don't enjoy anything about it except doing the shots of the kids when we are finsihed w/ the group. I always have several setting ideas for poses but can never end up doing more than one, or two set ups.  Of course my orders have not come in....and from what I hear group shoots can be money makers.  I am thinking I am either not going to do them anymore, or I just won't post anything in my portfolio and take them if I feel up for it.   I do have the luxury of photography not being full time for me.....so I can stick to doing what I like.

I just wondered if anyone else had this experience or if anyone does not offer group shoots  If you don't---any regrets?

 Nope!  I had a less than pleasant experience with a group in December, and made the decision then that I will no longer do them.  I now have a policy in place that I only shoot children, and I will include parents in that, but the focus of the session is the children.  No more big groups, no more extended family shoots.

Big groups have never been a money maker for me.

I have no problem turning work away that I don't want to shoot.  I never want to burn out on this, and I want to shoot what makes me happy.  If it doesn't make me happy (seniors, big groups), I won't shoot it.

wendiandtravis:

 Nope!  I had a less than pleasant experience with a group in December, and made the decision then that I will no longer do them.  I now have a policy in place that I only shoot children, and I will include parents in that, but the focus of the session is the children.  No more big groups, no more extended family shoots.

Big groups have never been a money maker for me.

I have no problem turning work away that I don't want to shoot.  I never want to burn out on this, and I want to shoot what makes me happy.  If it doesn't make me happy (seniors, big groups), I won't shoot it.

 

Thanks Wendi!  That is kinda how I am feeling. I don't have to do this photography thing.  I have another job for my main income.  I hope to make some $$ w/ photography in the near future (a little bit to bring home to the family instead of reinvesting) but I never want to get to the point where I am doing stuff just for the $$. And like you I don't want to burn out on it b/c I am not shooting what I love.  The group shoots are just not fun.  Even w/ the kids...they are totally different in a group.  I think I would rather shoot weddings...that brings up another point though...don't you deal w/ groups at weddiings?  That is my main reason for not wanting to do weddings.

 

One of the toughest shoots I've had was a group. 3 sisters and all of their kids....nine kids total. One sister had 4 kids all with ADD. The best shot was the one that documented the shoot. All 4 of the kids running in different directions!

If I wasn't already bald, I would have been after pulling all my hair out after that shoot......I love shooting kids but large group shots can be frustrating! I have been thinking of not offering them myself........

I prefer couples or one on one sessions.

I don't see any problem with not offering a type of shoot you don't enjoy.  Personally, I find that if I do take on shoots that are not my "thing", the quality is less than what I want to give my clients because I am not enjoying myself.  I just politely decline with something like this "I'm sorry I don't offer newborn/children's sessions but XYZ photography does a wonderful job you should check them out!  Thanks for calling and I hope I can help you in the future."

 

Personally my I have two different session fees, standard and 4+ subjects/boudoir/animals. I love big group portraits, I think of them as a challenge. They are super difficult, but can be fun. I do try to take my time and make sure the client knows that the session can NOT be done  in 30 minutes or less, especially if there are small childre. I always do breakdowns of the individual families and get creative there and I do try to make the large pictures as interesting as possible.