A friend asks you to take baby photos then says they like the style of Anne Geddes!

I wouldn't compromise for money.

But I would for friendship.

You could do your take on her style, and one of your own - you never know, he might prefer it.
 
Ideally do a mix.
It won't kill you to try and do some similar or inspired Goddes. Then mix in what you think will do well as well.
Your friends will love the variation.
Win/Win?

Keith said:
As a matter of interest this person has always been there when I've needed him and I would probably rate him as the closest male friend I've had in my life. He has bailed me out emotionally at some of my low points over the last few years.

You're a cold lot at times! :p
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Well, as has been suggested, you could do it with an Ozzie twist. Maybe use a koala bear?.....or put the tyke in a crocodile's mouth....
 
Photoshop your friends' baby's head where that pumpkin is in the Geddes shot (the baby from the Geddes shot atop your friends' kid's head). Then, Photoshop a tailfin or bumper from a 1960's American car just beneath the kid's head. Claim the whole thing was the work of Richard Prince. Charge the friends $800,000. Then, move, leave no forwarding address.

Alternatively, take a gritty B&W shot, preferably out of focus, of lonely, forlorn pumpkin sitting in a field with a dingo eyeing it hungrily. Tell your friends, "This is art." Charge them $800.00.
 
There is a big difference between compromising and doing what you know you can produce good work. If you don't feel comfortable giving them what they want, I'd be up front about it and ideally point them at someone else you know who does it well.

I've gone two shoots for my friends of my wife - a maternity session and a baby session. Each involved a few hours of shooting, followed by a much, much larger time in photoshop touching up details (including work like tattoo removal, etc). I probably spent about 30 hours in total between the shoots as they wanted a significant number of photos and as I didn't want to give them shots I felt were subpar (some they choose were but I did what I could to recover them).

They paid me a small amount - enough to cover transportation and materials - but it was done more for my wife to as she is highly tolerant of my hobby. That said, if they wanted a style of shooting I wasn't interested in doing or didn't feel like I did well, I probably would have passed. Its too much work, time on their parts, etc to end up with mediocre results.
 
Don't forget to restrain the kangaroo. It would be somewhat awkward if it ran off with the baby still in the pouch.

I strongly dislike Anne Geddes' work, but it is not sour grapes, just an opinion. I do not begrudge her her great success at all, only the posters in book shop windows advertising her books that I cannot avoid seeing if I wish to enter the store. They hurt my eyes. I cannot think of any other photographer whose work causes physical revulsion, so it is unique alright.

Paddy C said:
Keith, just get a kangaroo and put the baby in the pouch. Add a backdrop, some good lighting and you're golden.
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I am a grumpy git when it comes to people wanting me to do things like weddings or portraits, its my way or the highway. I told my mother in law who is marrying an asshole that it would cost them £5k for wedding shots. I will only do them on 10x8 and I will only do the group shots, they past (which is what I wanted). Now I would not do a single photo of a baby like Geddes work, I do not want to take any photograph of a child that they may detest when they are older. I guess there is nothing wrong with her work and she is certainly clever in creating something people want, just not for me. If you feel really uncomfortable about doing the shoot explain how it makes you feel and perhaps look around the web for articles where those that were the sitters hate the photographs as adults. Work on the idea that their baby is too beautiful to be placed in a photograph with fruit, animals or silly outfits. I know how it is difficult to deal with people who are not photographers, who may not have the same taste etc. I have got my brother to write up a piece of paperwork for my wires family and some of our friends stating they will not use a camera phone to photograph Victoria, basically if they break it it will cost them a fortune. I side track but I am sure with a bit of gentle persuasion you can change your friends mind, if not look for something that will look good and not so enbarasing in later life for the child
 
al1966 said:
I do not want to take any photograph of a child that they may detest when they are older.
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I think such photographs are necessary. The negatives must be held in a secure location.

Parents need all the leverage they can get when it comes time for their children to chose the nursing home.

...Mike
 
I would not be able to do it, personally, even if I wanted to. That work is repulsive. You need someone with the right (or wrong) frame of mind, I would say.
 
Fascinating mixture of helpful informed suggestions, funny comments and precious negativity in this thread.

All interesting though! :D
 
That's what professional photography is about. If you believe "professional" means deriving the majority of your income from photography, then more power to you.

Visiting last eve from our monthly TCPPA get together, one pro was lamening his biz but telling me about officiating at around 50 sport gigs paid. I wonder if he spent an equal amount of time developing his biz if it wouldn't bear larger fruit.

Each to s(he)'s own.

Check out the Dean Collins ditty with this post.

Best.
 
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