In progress pictures

§How often?

Weekly?

Monthly?

Quarterly?

§What information would you want included?

Date?

Weight?

Weight loss?

Measurements – arms, chest, waist, thigh, other?

§Would you want prints?

§Would you want a version to post to the Web?

§Would you be interested in a composite of several pictures to show your progress?

§Would you like to use the same location, same clothes, etc. for comparison purposes?

§Would you be interested in a more formal session when you have reached goal?

§What do you think such a service should be priced?

Do you have any other photography suggestions?

gk

I am planning of doing that, not weekly though. We (read as my DH and myself) are debating once a month, or twice a month. At first I will be the one recording the progress, then when he gets home he will take that over. I will be recording weight and measurements with each set.

I am by far not a professional photographer but its a immense hobby of mine. I love it, and when the weight comes off I hope to expand it.

Judging by the lack of responses, I thought I might give this a little bump. A few words of explanation. I am not a professional photographer at this point, but I am learning and wondered if this might be a worthwhile option. I'm planning on having lapband myself soon, my paperwork just went to the insurance this week. So I have a much different view of a person with lapband than someone that doesn't. Thanks for any input.

Glen

I'd love to help you out but frankly, I'm very confused. Is the premise that this is a potential business for you, and you're wanting input from potential customers? (just got that from your follow-up, but don't get that from your original) Or is it you asking us what we do? Or you wanting our input on what you should do?

Assuming it's the business thing:

In progress pictures

§How often?

Weekly?

Monthly?

Quarterly?

I take mine monthly, in the nude. So for me, hiring someone to do this is out of the question. I think the best progress pics are in the nude because clothing - even restrictive clothing - hides so much of the real transformation. Weekly is probably not going to show a difference, and quarterly might lead you to miss some of the nuances of what's happening.

What information would you want included?

Date?

Weight?

Weight loss?

Measurements – arms, chest, waist, thigh, other?

I'd want the date, but I'd know that, so I wouldn't want it on the picture. Id' also know the loss, which is something I'd be more comfortable tracking myself than having a "photographer" track for me. Privacy is big with me. Same with measurements, I use one of the free online services to do it for me.

Would you want prints?

§Would you want a version to post to the Web?

§Would you be interested in a composite of several pictures to show your progress?

§Would you like to use the same location, same clothes, etc. for comparison purposes?

§Would you be interested in a more formal session when you have reached goal?

§What do you think such a service should be priced?

If I didn't have a way to get prints myself, I would probably want one print for my own records. I wouldn't necessarily want it posted to the web, and if I did, I could just scan the print. I do make composites of my loss, so that might be something I'd be interested in, but I'm not sure it's something I'd be willing to pay for (so many people offer to do it free). I always use the same location so I can see my changes related to the environment. E.g. in front of a door, and look how much less of that door I cover up. So unless you're really willing to travel far and wide for not much money, again - not sure it would be a practical service for me. Not terribly interested in a formal session, no offense, of your own accord you're not a professional photographer and if I'm going to pay/want a formal photography session, I'm going to have a professional do it. Most of us hide from the cameras for most of our lives, so when I reach the point that I'm proud to do it, it's going to be a full-blown studio event.

The pricing is where this gets sticky. I would say not a lot, because it's something most of us can do for free, and probably many of us prefer to do it privately/on our own anyway. Theoretically if I were interested, then the price I would pay would depends on things like: (please don't feel the need to answer these, they're just criteria I would consider to determine the value of the service) What exactly is your experience? What technical media would you use? Do I have to travel to you, or do you come to me? What is included by default, vs. what has to be purchased additionally? Do you offer data recovery/backup if I elect to have you host my web pictures? Do you ownt he rights to the negatives or do I? Can you use my image without permission? How many years' experience do you have? How can you ensure my privacy if you're doing things like tracking my weight/dates/measurements? What if I'm not satisfied with the pictures? (i.e. refund issues)

If you advertise to do progression pictures---I would offer the idea of monthly weight loss, or monthly pregnancy progression, or construction progression....I would put a few ideas out there, and then if the weight loss is something they are interested in....they can contact you in that regard. Otherwise, no offense, but it might come across as some sort of fetish thing.

Personally, no one is going to see my pictures, so I do not want nor need professional quality. I use the door as a backdrop, and a digital camera with a timer, and I am good to go!!

I do my picture, then do my measurements, and weight----then I store it and usually never do anything with it, until I add the next month.

This is NOT something I would ever pay another person to do for me. It is highly personal---and not something I would trust another person to guard as closely as I do, nor would I print them anywhere but home.

Kat

Thank You Wheetsin & Kat both. I'm afraid you are right about a) most people don't care to involve another party, seems that most are using pictures for private tracking. and :tongue_smilie: with the prevalence of digital camera, a professional is not really needed, at least for weight loss.

Pregnancy is a different question I think & I will be pursuing that later. I'm still learning photography, but I hope to be professional by the time I reach 30 years with my company (8 more years).

Thanks again for the input.

Glen