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Anyone shoot a Quinceanera?
I've been asked to photograph a co-worker's younger sister's Quinceanera next month. This is a first for me. From what I understand, it's a cross between a sweet 16 party & a debutante ball with some of the same ceremonies as a wedding thrown in. (Toast, cake cutting, waltz w/escort, etc.) I'd appreciate some tips from any photographers who've ever worked one. What are some traditional poses and groupings I might be expected to do? For any of the models who've had their own Quinceanera, what shots are particularly appreciated? Are there any particular social customs or circumstances I should be aware of? I don't want to make a cultural faux pas and embarass myself or the family and guests. I was told that no photographs are allowed during the Misa de acción de gracias. She wasn't certain if that meant no flash pictures or no cameras, period. I'm not Catholic and am not familiar with Catholic Masses. Any help is certainly appreciated. This event takes place in a month. Jun 16 06 04:48 pm Link treat it like a wedding; make sure you get pics with parents and especially Pops This is his proud day. Simpy ask, what they want shot, what is allowed. Dont take any pics with her and BF, she is supposed to be pure! Jun 16 06 05:10 pm Link UnoMundo Photography wrote: Is the boyfriend usually the quinceañera's escort, or is the escort usually someone else? Jun 16 06 05:50 pm Link treated like a wedding..... stay away from kissing shots...... remember that her and her parents are the focus.... Jun 16 06 05:56 pm Link Perez Imagery wrote: Jun 16 06 05:57 pm Link I've done 3-4 of these; still not any expert, but ... 0) case the church before hand! see where the shoot angles will work (and on which side!) 1) treat it somewhat like a wedding. there will be the birthday-girl & her escort, and 3-7 side-girls and side-boys ... all in formal attire. 2) check with the church, they usually have a co-ordinator (or ask officiating priest). some will allow shoot-with-flash, some shoot with-no-flash. in one shoot I was allowed to be shooting with flash, another shoot with no flash ... during the mass. I -was- allowed to be at the side right on the side-edge of the alter-dais so that I could get decent images of the birthday girl and the priest, as well as some nice shots of a audience. 3) get shots of her in front of priest, kneeling in front of priest, presenting her flowers to the Virgin Mary, each person who comes up to read text. there may be scene(s) of her reading text. note: as she gets to the priest, stand in isle, get combo shot of her & priest & alter area. 4) afterward, of course ... pix of her and escort, her and all boys and girls, her and her parents, her and family, her and other relatives/special-friends/etc. (church may have an outside area suitable for this ... or the family wants a nearby park/etc for such. 5) then comes the party!!! ... there should be a special dance corriagraphed for the girl & escort make sure you get some shots of this. also: girl will dance with father and special people; get these 'cause you never know which will be wanted! 6) general pix of the people at the tables ... these usually sell. also the cake-cutting, and the presents. ... and the girl dancing in the middle of everyone dancing. hmmm ... msg me if you want more info. my head hurts right now. Jun 16 06 05:58 pm Link do your homework...lots of traditions you may not know about...will you be at the church AND the party???...will there be sponsors???...they are BIG $$$ here in the Alamo City. Jun 16 06 06:00 pm Link Harry Young wrote: Thank you, thank you! I've cut and pasted your whole post and am going to print it out and stick a copy in my gear bag for reference. Jun 16 06 06:09 pm Link UnoMundo Photography wrote: Thanks. I found that one when I was first approached about this gig. :-) Jun 16 06 06:10 pm Link Jim Ball wrote: Jun 16 06 06:14 pm Link BCG wrote: I hope there are sponsors! (potential future customers!) I got this gig from doing an outdoor portrait shoot of the big sister & her daughter. Big sis is the co-worker I mentioned in my OP. I'm going to be at both church & reception. The reception is being held 6 blocks from my house. :-) Jun 16 06 06:17 pm Link I had my Quinceanera party at a Royal Caribbean cruise throughout the Caribbean basically a 7 day party but I have been to many Quinceanera parties. Sometimes, it is the custom to have 14 couples and actual birthday girl with her date dance - it is basically a whole choreagraphy. Otherwise, you might just have the Quinceaneara, first dance with her dad and then with her date. It is basically the same you would do at a wedding. About the mass, it all depends on the priest and that specific church regulations. I do not see why they won't let you take pictures in the church. It is like a wedding and baptism. Sometimes, quinceaneras have a whole photoshoot prior to the actual party (just as brides do). I guess you should meet with the girl and ask her what specific pictures she wants, otherwise, just treat it as a wedding. Good luck Erica R Jun 16 06 06:18 pm Link Jim Ball wrote: What Harry wrote you is pretty accurate. I've shot a few, but I'm no expert either. I can tell you from being raised Catholic that each church can have different policies. Most do allow pictures to be taken but without the flash. Don't be surprised if you do see others pull out their digitals and take snapshots, you just do your job! I like the available light pictures I get during the ceremony anyway! I would add one more thing ... shoot lots of pictures of her with her girls, but with the couples, don't spend too much time on those because many don't stay "couples" for long. So get those pictures back as quickly as possible. Jun 16 06 06:40 pm Link ask about the doll and other "gifts"...if there are sponsors, DO take many photos of them!!! Jun 16 06 07:19 pm Link What you could also do is go to her house or wherever she's going to get ready and take pictures before mass. For example, you could have her look in a mirror and have her pretend she's putting on lipstick and take a picture of her reflection in the mirror. Take picture of mom putting it on for her, or of mom helping her get ready. Might sound corny but a lot people like this. Just little ideas like that, but don't spend too much time on the before pic.'s. If she has her friends coming out in it too, they are usually paired up so take pictures of the pair together and some of them alone. Their parents might want a picture of just their child so it's more of a convenience for you ($). (Do this after mass). Jun 22 06 01:50 pm Link What you could also do is go to her house or wherever she's going to get ready and take pictures before mass. For example, you could have her look in a mirror and have her pretend she's putting on lipstick and take a picture of her reflection in the mirror. Take picture of mom putting it on for her, or of mom helping her get ready. Might sound corny but a lot people like this. Just little ideas like that, but don't spend too much time on the before pic.'s. If she has her friends coming out in it too, they are usually paired up so take pictures of the pair together and some of them alone. Their parents might want a picture of just their child so it's more of a convenience for you ($). Jun 22 06 01:51 pm Link yes, pictures of the girl at home: looking in mirror, with mother 'fixing' hair/etc, with father. all good ones. take a look at my (being revised) website. some images from two quinceaneras there. also the advice for shooting a quinceanera (tho I claim no expertise). http://home.earthlink.net/~hyphotograph … sites.html remember: always take an extra shot; film or digital ... that dont cost much! and may save your **s. Jun 22 06 02:02 pm Link Just a couple of quick suggestions here. I have shot a few of thes parties and on each one, I do a photo shoot of the birthday girl by herself prior to the party date. I do a few indoor studio shots as well as few outdoor shots in a scenic location. This way, you don't have to rush on the day of the party to get "her" photos and most of the time the family wants a photo to display at the reception. This is pretty much like a wedding as most have posted so make a list of the shots you want. The best piece of advice I ever got is to have someone in her family set up the shots wanted by the family after the mass and at the reception. That way things move quickly and you don't have to pose people you don't know. Good Luck. Jun 22 06 02:22 pm Link I've shot 3 quinceaneras in the past, and personally, they're fun! The families go all out for their daughters. Just do like everyone else has said on here and treat that event as if it was a wedding. The most important shots are the parents, grandparents on either side (if possible) and the court (her girls and their escorts altogether). You also want to get some shots of the church and many candids. There might be a drunk uncle breakdancing on his butt! Those are some cool, tasteful shots! Good Luck! TB Jun 22 06 02:33 pm Link Treat it as a wedding. I have used flash in the church. Ask about using flash in the church before the shoot. Jun 22 06 06:02 pm Link Thanks to everyone for all the tips and suggestions! I met with the family last night and discussed what they want. Mostly as described by everyone above, plus a few extra things. I really appreciate the suggestion of photographing the birthday girl ahead. They've already expressed a desire to get a large 16x20 print of just her. Having that on the table at the reception could lead to some business! :-) Jun 22 06 06:16 pm Link I am glad the suggestion about photographing the birthday girl prior to the party was helpful. You will be surpised how many people will ask you for information or for a business card once they see your work displayed! Have some business cards at hand. Jun 22 06 08:05 pm Link |
