HELP! Bad Photo Shoot/Gig: How to deal with the aftermath

[cgipson1]

So, one thing I never really gave thought to was a contract - especially for family and friends. 99.99% of the time, my friends and family are just so grateful for anything, so I never really thought of writing a contract. This is the one time that I wish I had something, but how do you get around doing it without it being awkward? I think I would feel weird asking for them to sign something.

None of my photoshoots are paid, at least by money. I always tell them that we're both doing each other a favor because they get their prints and I get some practice. I usually get paid in food - yum! Yesterday, I actually did an engagement shoot and was paid with lunch and dinner.

This is the first time that I've been pressed into a corner.

So instead of handing over the hard drive, I should ask her to sit down with me this weekend and we both can go through the hard drive together?

Thanks again everyone!!

HINT: Family and Friends are the WORST! Always do a contract! Even unpaid! Always go through and pick out the best images 10, 20, 100, whatever! Edit them to perfection, and deliver only those! NEVER (as stated in the thread several times) give out UN-Edited images to anyone! Never let them SEE the BAD ones! lol!

 

[runnah]

Everyone sees my sig right?

'Nuff said

 

[manaheim]

Everyone sees my sig right?

'Nuff said

Don't start, you...

 

[shelle24]

:thumbup: Got it!! Time to put on my big girl pants, haha! Hopefully it's just 5 awkward minutes of explaining why I won't give/show the unedited photos and then back to normal...hopefully.

 

[mjhoward]

I never really thought of writing a contract. This is the one time that I wish I had something, but how do you get around doing it without it being awkward?

Well from now on you can remember that it would be much less awkward than what you're faced with now!

 

[runnah]

Don't start, you...

Just saying.

 

[Mully]

There is an old expression that covers things like this " With friends like that you don't need enemies"

 

[runnah]

There is an old expression that covers things like this " With friends like that you don't need enemies"

Also, "keep your friends close and your enemies closer."

 

[nycphotography]

As a favor and now she's all cranky and pushy? I'd rethink if this is really the kind of person you want as a friend.

Then when you come to your senses... just tell her to pound rocks.

The nerve of some people.

 

[KrisztinaK]

I have to piggyback on here and agree with all of the replies so far ... I would never show any unedited images either. Not to a friend, and absolutely not to a client.

The only exception I've ever made to this rule is my sister with her baby, I occasionally her the best of the lot and she chooses what she wants me to edit for her, in addition of course to any I would have chosen. Even this I don't do often. I may have done this once or twice really.

I also feel that these are good images. Certainly good enough, for a non-paid favor shoot.

Personally, I think that if the photos were THAT important then she should have hired a photographer for the day. On top of it all, it sounds very much like she was not cooperative the day of the party either and now she's looking for someone to blame. Unfortunately for you, it's you.

I'm sorry you have to deal with this. It sucks when you do a favor for someone that does not appreciate it.

 

[manaheim]

There is an old expression that covers things like this " With friends like that you don't need enemies"

Also, "keep your friends close and your enemies closer."

An apple a day keeps the rabid aardvark in the cabinet?

 

[nonamexx]

Keep us updated on how it goes.

Now, with respect to photographs taken in the function of family and friends, it's all about expectation.

Since you carried around a big DSLR, you are expected to take expert pictures all the time. Next time people like family and friends want a favour, say up front that you're doing it non-professionally, explain that you don't do it professionally for family and friends and if they still want you to take pictures for free just carry a P & S, seriously and participate as a guest.

I don't know why friends (even pro photographers) are expected to do a pro job in a party where they are invited as a guest. If you are not invited specifically as a guest, then why bother at all. unless doing it professionally and getting paid for it?

I know it sounds awkward, but family and friends often expect work for free from their relatives who are professionals in various fields. It's difficult to turn it down and it's difficult to ask for a fee. I think the best way to deal with it is to state that "business is different, friendship/our relationship is different" unless they're really, really close family.

I think any professional in any field is lowering their own worth when they undertake such gratis work.

 

[nonamexx]

I think any professional in any field is lowering their own worth when they undertake such gratis work.

I'd like to explain the above, because I feel that doing free work shows that you are desperate for work and experience and that you're not really get many paid jobs. It's a bad, bad message to send out in public, even if it is true -- whatever the profession in question. This is why many self-employed professionals start out their career as apprentices under a more experienced and established pro or a firm. Once you're well established in business, it doesn't hurt to undertake an occasional free job.

The difficulties of starting out in your chosen profession alone are numerous and the path is tough...

Now even if you do it as a favour to a friend/relative, the recipient of that favour might not see it in the same light if they know you're not yet fully established in your line - they will subconsciously or consciously feel THEY're doing you a favour by giving you the experience and in that regard friends and relatives are the worst.

And also, just because it was done for no payment, there is no guarantee that the recipient will be satisfied - as was the case here. You never know the mindset of people who want to save money in the short term because they don't usually think of the consequences of their decision.

All in all, I see it as a lose-lose situation. You've not had the satisfaction of doing a professional job with payment and they're not happy with the results.

These are some lessons I've learned in my profession, as a lawyer.

 

[Greiver]

Yeah, I'm sort of trying to avoid giving personal "advice" here, but... if someone were giving me this much of a hard time over photos I'd be wondering a bit... and if they were giving me this much of a hard time over THESE photos I'd REALLY be wondering.

I blame etsy and Pinterest.

I'd add in Instagram. Hate sites like those.

 

[kathyt]

So, one thing I never really gave thought to was a contract - especially for family and friends. 99.99% of the time, my friends and family are just so grateful for anything, so I never really thought of writing a contract. This is the one time that I wish I had something, but how do you get around doing it without it being awkward? I think I would feel weird asking for them to sign something.

None of my photoshoots are paid, at least by money. I always tell them that we're both doing each other a favor because they get their prints and I get some practice. I usually get paid in food - yum! Yesterday, I actually did an engagement shoot and was paid with lunch and dinner.

This is the first time that I've been pressed into a corner.

So instead of handing over the hard drive, I should ask her to sit down with me this weekend and we both can go through the hard drive together?

Thanks again everyone!!

HINT: Family and Friends are the WORST! Always do a contract! Even unpaid! Always go through and pick out the best images 10, 20. 100, whatever! Edit them to perfection, and deliver only those! NEVER (as stated in the thread several times) give out UN-Edited images to anyone! Never let them SEE the BAD ones! lol!

Yep! I even joke with my family and friends that I would make the Pope sign a contract. I don't care who they are, you both need expectations. I even think I am going to make my friends start signing two, because they are such a pain in the A**!