Challenging Shoot - Suggestions/Advice?

[kirbym2]

Hi Everyone,

Did a Christmas mini-shoot on the weekend with a family of four. Both children were young - one probably around 3, the other, newborn. Unfortunately the toddler was just not having any of it. Parents said they woke him up on the car ride over. He was in tears, or scowling from the moment he came in.

Pulled out all the stops to make him smile, but couldn't even get him on his own to take a couple of solo or sibling shots.

I took several shots of the newborn that I'm happy with, and I have some of the whole family that I'm okay with. Unfortunately just wasn't able to get any of the older sibling on his own.

The mom had asked about a discount for the session, and while I sympathized, I said that unfortunately I wasn't able to, but could certainly offer a discount for a future session with the family when the child was up to it.

What's your take on this? I really feel for the family, and I do feel that as the "professional" it's my job to do everything possible to make things work. That said, there are some elements that I feel are a little out of my control.

Appreciate the feedback, thanks!

 

[The_Traveler]

I think your response was correct and generous (and that the mom was out of line).

 

[Steve5D]

I think you handled it perfectly...

 

[kathyt]

I think your response was correct and generous (and that the mom was out of line).

I agree with this. You can only do so much for people.

 

[kirbym2]

Thanks so much for the responses. Also helps that the general sentiment is that I did the right thing. Any tips or suggestions for the future? Have any of you come across a similar scenario with a subject? I really would have loved to get him distracted enough to stop the waterworks, and maybe even eke out a smile.

 

[CCericola]

I've sent home families and rescheduled. You did fine. You also want to go over a lot at consultation. Not just clothing and location or backgrounds but how to prepare the kiddos. What to do and what NOT to do. You just phrase it in a way that does not sound condescending. At this late in the game its hard to do a reshoot. Everything also depends on your schedule, your lab's schedule etc... I always give insensitive for holiday photos in October and November. Gives me time to reshoot if I need to.

 

[robbins.photo]

Hi Everyone,

Did a Christmas mini-shoot on the weekend with a family of four. Both children were young - one probably around 3, the other, newborn. Unfortunately the toddler was just not having any of it. Parents said they woke him up on the car ride over. He was in tears, or scowling from the moment he came in.

Pulled out all the stops to make him smile, but couldn't even get him on his own to take a couple of solo or sibling shots.

I took several shots of the newborn that I'm happy with, and I have some of the whole family that I'm okay with. Unfortunately just wasn't able to get any of the older sibling on his own.

The mom had asked about a discount for the session, and while I sympathized, I said that unfortunately I wasn't able to, but could certainly offer a discount for a future session with the family when the child was up to it.

What's your take on this? I really feel for the family, and I do feel that as the "professional" it's my job to do everything possible to make things work. That said, there are some elements that I feel are a little out of my control.

Appreciate the feedback, thanks!

Ok, she expected you to refund part of her money based on the fact that she has zero control over her own children? Interesting. I'd say the fact that you didn't go postal on her is a big feather in your cap really. It was very nice of you to offer her a discount on another session. I understand you feel bad for these folks and that speaks rather highly of what sort of person you happen to be, but seriously she shouldn't expect a partial refund for being unable to properly discipline her own child. Just my two cents worth of course, YMMV.

 

[vintagesnaps]

Toddler+lack of a nap? that'll do it! LOL The type of work I've done - not in photography - has been working as an EI specialist w/birth to 3 yr. olds. At that age sometimes juice, a break etc. can help them regroup but there are days no matter what you try they're just out of sorts (having to wake him from a nap in the car might have been it for him).

I know a photographer who does family portraits and on occasion he's done the same as Christina and rescheduled; I think being able to adapt is part of working with young children. If you'll be doing portraits involving young children maybe you'll need to think about what policy you want to have in place for such situations. Seems like the offer you made was reasonable but I agree with Christina, if you can give them guidelines such as trying to schedule at a time after nap/snack time, etc. that might be helpful.

 

[Hrgrace21]

I have had a session like that where the mom wasn't happy with the photos (wanted sleeping baby, but baby wouldnt sleep). I think you handled it better than I did lol might use your technique next time! As for single pics of the unhappy child, I have found that when you take mom and dad away from an already upset child it only gets worse. In one of my Christmas card mini sessions I actually had mom and dad sit on the floor with their backs to me and the child poked his face between theirs facing me. We got a great shot that looked like the child had fallen asleep in their arms waiting for santa by the tree. You could also have mom and dad tickle him in that pose too to try and get a smile. Hope that helps!

 

[hirejn]

Then you get crying shots and they sell as cute. Or, you schedule a free reshoot. This is something out of your control. Instead of taking money off of a purchase, offer a product. If you take $50 off the purchase, you lose $50, but if you give them a product valued at $50 that costs you only $10, you continue to promote your work while saving money. I like extra products rather than discounts. You want them to have your work.