90-Minute Photoshoot Singapore

How I Switched to 90-Minute Photography

I've been doing portrait photography since 2012. When I first started taking freelance photography jobs, I quoted by the hour, requiring each booking to be a minimum of two hours. As a result, I ended up rejecting quite a number of jobs.

As I gained more experience, I decided to tweak my pricing structure. I increased my rates but started accepting one-hour jobs. This new approach appealed to more clients, who saw one hour as a convenient option for their portrait sessions.

However, I soon discovered that one-hour shoots were too rushed. The pressure of limited time often prevented me from delivering my best work, which was incredibly frustrating. Clients frequently needed to extend their sessions, disrupting my schedule and causing inconvenience.

Eventually, I made a significant change. I set the minimum booking time to 90 minutes or 1.5 hours. From my experience, this has proven to be the optimal structure. It allows me to provide the best possible service, ensuring my clients receive high-quality photos that truly capture their essence.

Why 90 Minutes is Best for Portrait Shoots

Timing is everything in photography. While 45-minute or 60-minute sessions might seem appealing, they often aren't worth it. These shorter sessions can feel rushed, leaving little room for natural interaction and creativity. A 90-minute photoshoot, however, strikes the perfect balance.

Why 90 minutes instead of 45 or 60? The answer is simple: it takes time for both the photographer and the subject to get comfortable with each other. This connection is crucial for capturing natural and expressive photos. A rushed session can result in stiff, unnatural shots. With 90 minutes, there's ample time to stay calm, experiment with different poses, and let creativity flow without feeling pressured.

Think of it as a first date—awkward at first, but eventually, you're laughing and posing like best friends. Plus, who doesn't want a few extra minutes to fix that one rebellious strand of hair?

More Shots for a Richer Gallery

A 90-minute session also gives the chance to take a variety of shots. Different angles, lighting setups and outfit changes can add depth to your photo gallery. This variety not only shows your personality but also ensures you have a range of options, whether for personal keepsakes, professional use or social media. And let's be honest, who doesn't want a few extra options when choosing the perfect profile picture?

Behind-the-Scenes Preparation

A lot of work happens before the actual shoot. Scouting the location, setting up the equipment and planning the shots all take time. By choosing a 90-minute session, you ensure that the photographer has enough time to prepare and adjust settings perfectly, resulting in higher-quality images. Remember, Rome wasn't built in a day and neither are perfect photos.

Client Comfort and Confidence

Photos turn out best when clients are comfortable and confident. Rushing through a session can leave clients feeling stressed. With 90 minutes, there's plenty of time to build a comfortable connection, discuss preferences and ease into the shoot. This naturally leads to better, more genuine expressions. After all, who wants a photo that looks like it was taken during a fire drill?

Perfect Lighting Conditions

Lighting can make or break a photo. With a 90-minute session, there's flexibility to adjust lighting setups for different shots. Natural light changes throughout the session and having extra time allows the photographer to adapt to these changes, ensuring each shot is perfectly lit. Because nobody wants to look like they're auditioning for a vampire movie.

Flexibility for Unexpected Delays

Life is unpredictable. Whether it's a wardrobe malfunction, unexpected weather changes or a last-minute location change, having a 90-minute session provides a buffer for these unforeseen issues without compromising the quality of the shoot. Let's just say, you'll have enough time to recover from that unexpected downpour or the runaway dog that photobombs your session.

Perfecting Photos in Post-Processing

A longer session doesn't just mean more shooting time; it also means better post-processing. The more variety and quality in the raw shots, the better the final edited photos will be. A 90-minute session ensures there are plenty of high-quality images to choose from, allowing for meticulous post-processing that enhances every detail and makes each photo shine. Consider it like giving your photos a spa day—more time means more pampering.

Cost Efficiency of Longer Sessions

Shorter shoots tend to be more expensive per hour. This is because photographers invest a lot of time in preparation, travel and setup. These tasks require almost the same effort regardless of the shoot's duration. By booking a longer session like 90 minutes, you're spreading these fixed costs over more shooting time, leading to a lower hourly rate. Extending a short session often turns out to be much more expensive than booking a longer one from the start, making 90 minutes not only a practical choice but also a cost-effective one. It's like buying in bulk—more bang for your buck!

Even for One Perfect Photo, Time Matters

Even if you need only one perfect photo, a longer session is necessary. Creating that perfect shot often requires trying different backgrounds, poses and props. The extra time allows for experimenting and refining until you get that flawless image. Every minute spent contributes to the quality of the final photograph, ensuring that every detail is perfect. Because let's face it, that perfect Instagram shot doesn't happen on the first try—unless you're a unicorn.

Testimonials and Case Studies

Hearing from others can be very convincing. Including testimonials from happy clients who enjoyed 90-minute sessions can show its value. Sharing stories where the extra time made a big difference can also help convince potential clients of the benefits. Who doesn't trust a glowing review from someone who looks amazing in their photos?

FAQ

Why don't you set a minimum of 2 hours instead of 90 minutes for your package so that you can earn more? I'm all about creating the most useful photography package for my clients, not just making more money. I charge according to my effort, and as long as my 90 minutes of effort are properly compensated, I'm happy to do it. A clear conscience matters most to me. I don't need to earn extra at the cost of my clients when they don't need it.
Why is a 90-minute session better than a 60-minute one? A 90-minute session allows more time to build rapport, experiment with different poses and settings, and ensures a relaxed atmosphere for natural, high-quality photos.
Is 90 Minutes Always Enough? For most portrait sessions, 90 minutes is ideal. However, for high-end shoots needing many photos and lots of lighting setups, more time might be needed. Professional lighting adjustments and testing can be time-consuming. For those scenarios, longer sessions might be better. But for your everyday shoot, 90 minutes is the sweet spot—like finding the perfect pair of jeans.
What happens if we run over the 90-minute time slot? If the session runs over, additional time will be charged at an agreed-upon rate stated in the packages.
What if the shoot ends earlier than 90 minutes? That's good news for both of us. I'm glad my effort is able to help you achieve the goal within a shorter span of estimated time.
Can I book a session for less than 90 minutes? Unfortunately, the minimum booking time is 90 minutes. This ensures that I can deliver the best possible results without feeling rushed.
Can the 90-minute session be split into two shorter sessions? No, the 90-minute session is designed to be continuous to maintain momentum and consistency, and so that I don't have to make an extra trip.
How much does a 90-minute photography session cost? The cost varies depending on the specific requirements of the shoot. Please look at the packages for the type of shoot you are considering and contact me for a detailed quote based on your needs.
How do I book a 90-minute photography session? Booking is simple. Just contact me via my website or phone, and we'll schedule a consultation to discuss your needs and set up the session.

Conclusion: Embrace the 90-Minute Session

In conclusion, a 90-minute photography session provides the perfect balance between efficiency and quality. It allows time for rapport-building, creative exploration and capturing a variety of shots, ensuring you receive the best possible results. When investing in professional photography, it's essential to prioritise quality and value, and a 90-minute session is a wise choice to achieve both. Think of it as the Goldilocks zone of photoshoots—not too short, not too long, but just right.

You may be interested in:
- 1-hour photography photoshoot price and package
- Casual portrait photoshoot photographer in Singapore
- Why can't professional photographers take up cheap jobs
- How to judge a photographer
- Quality and quantity of photographs - Contributing factors
- Misconceptions and myths in professional photography

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