2 yr old birthday party?? at DVinfo.net

Tyson Yoder · May 12th, 2011, 03:27 PM

Has anyone ever recorded small kids birthday parties? Any tips or anything to really make a good impression? I usually do Weddings but had someone contact me about capturing their 2 year old's birthday party? Any suggestions would be very much helpful!!

Steve Bleasdale · May 12th, 2011, 04:13 PM

Tyson i did this not long ago and i usually do weddings maybe some pointers. steve

Tyson Yoder · May 12th, 2011, 05:52 PM

Thanks Steve. I didn't know if there was anyone out there doing any of this or not. How do you charge for something like this? By the hour or a set fee?

Nathan Allard · May 12th, 2011, 06:11 PM

This would be a challenge, you could shoot a music video with the kids.
I shot a 1 year old cake smash and asked for some suggestion, one of the replies was to have a theme party, have the kids dressed up all as Transformers, Gobots, or smurfs....and act out some dance moves....

Steve Bleasdale · May 13th, 2011, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyson Yoder

Thanks Steve. I didn't know if there was anyone out there doing any of this or not. How do you charge for something like this? By the hour or a set fee?

dont do many but i charged £450.

Noel Lising · May 13th, 2011, 08:58 AM

I've done 1-2 year old birthdays, basically it's just documenting the party. I usually ask for baby pictures ( on a disc) and include a growing up photo montage to start the video. Shoot details, cake, invitation, giveaways. I charge $ 500.

Roger Van Duyn · May 13th, 2011, 10:32 AM

The only suggestion I have for video recording small children also goes for photography of small children: the camera needs to be at the eye level of the child, not at your eye level. It gives an entirely different perspective.

Of course, it can be very hard on the old knees. One trick I use to save my knees is to put my XH-A1 on my heavy monopod, then shorten the monopod to match the eye level of the kids. I work the camera using the handle on top, along with the second record button that is also on top.

Another trick is to put the camera in a low, inconspicuous place and work it with the remote control. Don't forget to turn off the record light function or cover it with electrical tape. That little red light coming on will blow that stealthy trick.

As for what to charge, I'd mention what my normal half day rate is, and then see if the parent accepts or makes a counter offer, and go from there. Unless they're a friend or relative... ; )

Tyson Yoder · May 13th, 2011, 03:25 PM

Thanks for the help guys!! Gonna try it out next thursday night! :)

Kyle Root · May 13th, 2011, 05:04 PM

I've shot several bday parties over the years. I usually charge about $150/hr with a 3 hour max on location time. That also includes some editing, titiling, and a DVD of course. If you do it right, there really isn't much to clean up.

As mentioned make sure and shoot at kids eye level. You can almost treat it like a wedding reception, in that you'll have major events: cake cutting, gift opening, party games etc.

Most of the ones I've done have been 2 to 3 hours, but I just shot an 80th bday party last weekend. It was an hour.

Good luck!

May 12th, 2011, 03:27 PM	#1
Tyson Yoder Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Montgomery IN Posts: 124	2 yr old birthday party?? Has anyone ever recorded small kids birthday parties? Any tips or anything to really make a good impression? I usually do Weddings but had someone contact me about capturing their 2 year old's birthday party? Any suggestions would be very much helpful!!

May 12th, 2011, 04:13 PM	#2
Steve Bleasdale Trustee Join Date: May 2010 Location: England liverpool Posts: 1,343	Re: 2 yr old birthday party?? Tyson i did this not long ago and i usually do weddings maybe some pointers. steve Capture-ur-moments films on Vimeo

May 12th, 2011, 05:52 PM	#3
Tyson Yoder Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Montgomery IN Posts: 124	Re: 2 yr old birthday party?? Thanks Steve. I didn't know if there was anyone out there doing any of this or not. How do you charge for something like this? By the hour or a set fee?

May 12th, 2011, 06:11 PM	#4
Nathan Allard New Boot Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Thunder Bay,ON Posts: 22	Re: 2 yr old birthday party?? This would be a challenge, you could shoot a music video with the kids. I shot a 1 year old cake smash and asked for some suggestion, one of the replies was to have a theme party, have the kids dressed up all as Transformers, Gobots, or smurfs....and act out some dance moves.... Felix 1st Birthday - Cake Smash on Vimeo Last edited by Nathan Allard; May 12th, 2011 at 06:13 PM. Reason: miss embed

May 13th, 2011, 08:58 AM	#6
Noel Lising Major Player Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 789	Re: 2 yr old birthday party?? I've done 1-2 year old birthdays, basically it's just documenting the party. I usually ask for baby pictures ( on a disc) and include a growing up photo montage to start the video. Shoot details, cake, invitation, giveaways. I charge $ 500. __________________ Noel Lising

May 13th, 2011, 10:32 AM	#7
Roger Van Duyn Major Player Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Lakeland Florida Posts: 690	Re: 2 yr old birthday party?? The only suggestion I have for video recording small children also goes for photography of small children: the camera needs to be at the eye level of the child, not at your eye level. It gives an entirely different perspective. Of course, it can be very hard on the old knees. One trick I use to save my knees is to put my XH-A1 on my heavy monopod, then shorten the monopod to match the eye level of the kids. I work the camera using the handle on top, along with the second record button that is also on top. Another trick is to put the camera in a low, inconspicuous place and work it with the remote control. Don't forget to turn off the record light function or cover it with electrical tape. That little red light coming on will blow that stealthy trick. As for what to charge, I'd mention what my normal half day rate is, and then see if the parent accepts or makes a counter offer, and go from there. Unless they're a friend or relative... ; ) __________________ Roger My YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAp...2AHr_pHFID5LDA

May 13th, 2011, 03:25 PM	#8
Tyson Yoder Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Montgomery IN Posts: 124	Re: 2 yr old birthday party?? Thanks for the help guys!! Gonna try it out next thursday night! :)

May 13th, 2011, 05:04 PM	#9
Kyle Root Major Player Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Decatur, AL Posts: 881	Re: 2 yr old birthday party?? I've shot several bday parties over the years. I usually charge about $150/hr with a 3 hour max on location time. That also includes some editing, titiling, and a DVD of course. If you do it right, there really isn't much to clean up. As mentioned make sure and shoot at kids eye level. You can almost treat it like a wedding reception, in that you'll have major events: cake cutting, gift opening, party games etc. Most of the ones I've done have been 2 to 3 hours, but I just shot an 80th bday party last weekend. It was an hour. Good luck! __________________ Kyle KR Productions; www.kyleroot.com