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

[Photographiend]

Wow. I am sorry to hear you are going through this especially with the pics you posted here. To me they looked great all the way down to the Mustard colored walls.

Maybe I misunderstood something in the explanation but it sounded like she was upset that you hadn't gotten more pictures of her husbands family? Possibly the issue here has more to do with how here husband responded to the photos than your friend? Being that it wasn't an issue until a later correspondence. I could see the husband flipping through them and saying "Why aren't there pictures of my family?"... one could only guess where that line of reasoning leads from there.

I don't think anyone wants to sift through 2000 images no matter what they say. Find time to edit the ones worth showing and only show her the best of what you got. Maybe narrow it down to 50-100. Showing her more than you already did is all the added courtesy you need afford a friend. Don't show her anything that you aren't comfortable with.

The Example that best sums it up for me is Chef Ramsey, he is who he is today because he never laxed his standards. Not because he never made any mistakes but because he had to good sense not to serve them when he did, even when the customers were belligerent and irritated for having waited so long. At the same time, he knows when he has done right and he stands behind what he knows is quality workmanship.

This is your career path, and this was just one of many learning experiences that will mold you into the photographer you are becoming. Balancing the privileges of friendship with professionalism doesn't mean completely sacrificing your standards for the products you make available to a client.

 

[jwbryson1]

That is like me walking around downtown Chicago naked.

Please direct me to the exact location and time/date. I will be there with champagne, chocolate strawberries, and my camera (shooting in RAW, nonetheless...).

 

[Ballistics]

The biggest mistake people make is thinking that because you're giving something for free, others will take a more forgiving attitude - irrespective of quality. As seen here, that is how it should be in theory, but rarely in reality except in the case with close family and very close friends (as in really long-time). only those close to you will be understanding and forgiving. Even if you did a great job like in this instance, if they're not satisfied they will always complain that they might as well have hired somebody more "professional". Now that can hurt if you're in the same line.

As seen here, it isn't always the case with friends and relatives who don't know you on a daily basis. The word "friends and relatives" cover a wide circle. I've found out the hard way that friends and relatives who're supposed to refer you are the ones who're most careful about their "image" being on the line for referring you. Regardless, outside of immediate family circle, it's always best to maintain the professional attitude. Give them a concession but don't do it free. Maintain the professional attitude throughout. You will earn respect for that and people will perceive your work slightly differently. Otherwise you'll also leave room for people to think"Of course he/she did it for free, so that's why I didn't get the quality."

So what I said applies to not-so-close friends and relatives. If you're a upcoming professional, you should personally maintain the professionalism whether paid or not, but others don't see it that way. Getting payment is also a case of marketing to the outside world that your time and skills are valuable and worthy. And to charge for your services is what keeps your worth in others' eyes however subconsciously.

And yes, undertaking work only if you're comfortable with the job is part of the professional attitude.

The bottom line: if you're really comfortable dealing with the friend and are confident that they know you enough and have tailored their expectation accordingly, then you can do it for free as a favour. it should come from the heart, certainly not as an obligation and definitely not simply as a way to practice and improve skills.

Caveat 1: None of this applies if you're doing it just for fun and not on a professional level. In that case, you have nothing to worry about.
Caveat 2: If you're already well established in the line and you have a solid reputation which can stand up regardless, you can take up such assignments for free for obliging friends.

My final advise would be to avoid doing any professional work for friends and relatives in any case to avoid these issues, but if you absolutely must, the above points may help.

The biggest mistake is giving a sh!t about the discontent someone feels that received a service for free. All of this is the long winded version of "treat every shoot, paid or not, as a high paying gig of your life. That's such over dramatic nonsense IMO.

If the recipient complains to someone else about the OPs services, one of the first questions that will be asked is "did you get your money back". Only another nut job won't look at her and say " you got this for free and you're complaining".

All of this would apply if the recipient actually paid a dime. But she didn't so there's nothing left for the OP to do. She took pretty good photos, the recipient didn't like them... oh well.

 

[manaheim]

Please direct me to the exact location and time/date. I will be there with champagne, chocolate strawberries, and my camera (shooting in RAW, nonetheless...).

Seconded!

 

[nonamexx]

The biggest mistake people make is thinking that because you're giving something for free, others will take a more forgiving attitude - irrespective of quality. As seen here, that is how it should be in theory, but rarely in reality except in the case with close family and very close friends (as in really long-time). only those close to you will be understanding and forgiving. Even if you did a great job like in this instance, if they're not satisfied they will always complain that they might as well have hired somebody more "professional". Now that can hurt if you're in the same line.

As seen here, it isn't always the case with friends and relatives who don't know you on a daily basis. The word "friends and relatives" cover a wide circle. I've found out the hard way that friends and relatives who're supposed to refer you are the ones who're most careful about their "image" being on the line for referring you. Regardless, outside of immediate family circle, it's always best to maintain the professional attitude. Give them a concession but don't do it free. Maintain the professional attitude throughout. You will earn respect for that and people will perceive your work slightly differently. Otherwise you'll also leave room for people to think"Of course he/she did it for free, so that's why I didn't get the quality."

So what I said applies to not-so-close friends and relatives. If you're a upcoming professional, you should personally maintain the professionalism whether paid or not, but others don't see it that way. Getting payment is also a case of marketing to the outside world that your time and skills are valuable and worthy. And to charge for your services is what keeps your worth in others' eyes however subconsciously.

And yes, undertaking work only if you're comfortable with the job is part of the professional attitude.

The bottom line: if you're really comfortable dealing with the friend and are confident that they know you enough and have tailored their expectation accordingly, then you can do it for free as a favour. it should come from the heart, certainly not as an obligation and definitely not simply as a way to practice and improve skills.

Caveat 1: None of this applies if you're doing it just for fun and not on a professional level. In that case, you have nothing to worry about.
Caveat 2: If you're already well established in the line and you have a solid reputation which can stand up regardless, you can take up such assignments for free for obliging friends.

My final advise would be to avoid doing any professional work for friends and relatives in any case to avoid these issues, but if you absolutely must, the above points may help.

The biggest mistake is giving a sh!t about the discontent someone feels that received a service for free. All of this is the long winded version of "treat every shoot, paid or not, as a high paying gig of your life. That's such over dramatic nonsense IMO.

If the recipient complains to someone else about the OPs services, one of the first questions that will be asked is "did you get your money back". Only another nut job won't look at her and say " you got this for free and you're complaining".

All of this would apply if the recipient actually paid a dime. But she didn't so there's nothing left for the OP to do. She took pretty good photos, the recipient didn't like them... oh well.

I don't think you got the point. This isn't about somebody's discontent, whether the service was free or otherwise. The OP is clearly upset about the reaction. So you cannot simply switch off your emotions to this kind of thing, because there is pride involved in your work.

This is about not devaluing your professional services by giving it free. The point is, I was talking about the professional aspect, not the quality of images. If your profession is taking photos, and your offer your professional services for free for "friends" you are devaluing yourself. Don't do it free. Go the full way and do it professionally and treat them like any other client. That means charging money, however nominal and having a formal contract. 50-50 isn't going to help. i.e. I will do a professional job but do it as a favour. If you're doing it as a favour, just do it for fun and ask them to hire another professional if they want best results. People just dont get it... If unsatisfied, they won't understand that you did your best even if it wasn't paid.

Besides, five years down the line, nobody will remember whether it was paid or free. But your work stands for ever.

If it's a hobby, I can understand that you wouldn't mind a lot what the other person thinks, but then if it's profession, that's a different story altogether.

 

[gsgary]

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.

Brian Griffin (one of the top UK pro's) told me he shot these for free Road to 2012 because he did not want anyone else to shot them

some more of his stuff Brian Griffin | FORMAT Festival

 

[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.

Brian Griffin (one of the top UK pro's) told me he shot these for free Road to 2012 because he did not want anyone else to shot them

some more of his stuff Brian Griffin | FORMAT Festival

Did you read my posts fully? The point about already well established professionals?

 

[Steve5D]

One of the things she kept saying was that she had told everyone that she had hired an actual photography

The question that needs to be asked and answered here is "Did she?"

 

[nonamexx]

The reasons I say that those starting out on any (self-employed) profession should not undertake free work except under the supervision or guidance of a mentor when needed:

1. You need the money. Earning money with your skills will boost your confidence besides paying the bills. If you are confident of undertaking a job on your own and doing your best by delivering the results, don't devalue yourself by doing it free. Your friends and relatives will start expecting you to do more free work because you did one.
2. If you can do it, but are not fully confident of delivering the expected results, but you absolutely want the experience then engage a mentor who will guide you for free, or get the client to pay for it or pay for his services yourself.
3. If you cannot undertake the job or it's way beyond your league, then don't do it.

If you undertake jobs which you can do well and can deliver a good product, as is the case here, don't do it free. Offer a concession, but never for free. Doing free work and still getting criticized for the results can be demoralizing, particularly if you've delivered good results. You are on a lose-lose situation.

 

[Steve5D]

If your profession is taking photos, and your offer your professional services for free for "friends" you are devaluing yourself.

Nonsense. Pro bono work is done all the time, by those working in many professions.

That said, I didn't get the impression that the OP is an established professional...

 

[nonamexx]

If your profession is taking photos, and your offer your professional services for free for "friends" you are devaluing yourself.

Nonsense. Pro bono work is done all the time, by those working in many professions.

That said, I didn't get the impression that the OP is an established professional...

Pro bono work is fine for those who are already well established and earning enough to feed a family. I speak as somebody who's rendered free services for many people including friends and relatives. Many times, I've expected that I will get referrals as a result but it hasn't worked out. If it's just to satisfy your ego or your passion, that's fine, but it won't help you advance your career and it's rare to get the gratitude just because it's free...

 

[Ballistics]

I don't think you got the point. This isn't about somebody's discontent, whether the service was free or otherwise. The OP is clearly upset about the reaction. So you cannot simply switch off your emotions to this kind of thing, because there is pride involved in your work.

This is about not devaluing your professional services by giving it free. The point is, I was talking about the professional aspect, not the quality of images. If your profession is taking photos, and your offer your professional services for free for "friends" you are devaluing yourself. Don't do it free. Go the full way and do it professionally and treat them like any other client. That means charging money, however nominal and having a formal contract. 50-50 isn't going to help. i.e. I will do a professional job but do it as a favour. If you're doing it as a favour, just do it for fun and ask them to hire another professional if they want best results. People just dont get it... If unsatisfied, they won't understand that you did your best even if it wasn't paid.

Besides, five years down the line, nobody will remember whether it was paid or free. But your work stands for ever.

If it's a hobby, I can understand that you wouldn't mind a lot what the other person thinks, but then if it's profession, that's a different story altogether.

You barely mention worth in 2 lines, but that's irrelevant. The OP already did the gig for free so let's move on.
Regardless, your point changes from post to post. You're all over the place.

Besides, five years down the line, nobody will remember whether it was paid or free. But your work stands for ever.

Again, more nonsense. Why wouldn't someone remember that the photos were done for free? And 5 years? You should be miles better
in 5 years, so the birthday party that you didn't do so well at shouldn't make a difference. You're blowing this whole thing out of proportion
and making up different points as you go along.

 

[Ballistics]

If your profession is taking photos, and your offer your professional services for free for "friends" you are devaluing yourself.

Nonsense. Pro bono work is done all the time, by those working in many professions.

That said, I didn't get the impression that the OP is an established professional...

Pro bono work is fine for those who are already well established. I speak as somebody who's rendered free services for many people including friends and relatives. If it's just to satisfy your ego or your passion, that's fine, but it won't help you advance your career.

Yeah, and you contradict yourself throughout your posts.

 

[nonamexx]

I mentioned that established professionals can afford to do free work because they already have a reputation and have a set value on their services. Individuals starting out don't have the luxury of being able to render free services. It's a matter of marketing your value early so that you set a benchmark.

Final word: You can do free work if you want. I've had bad experiences undertaking free work. Maybe photography is different as a profession, but in other professions involving more than one day's work or a longer time commitment, it is not worth it.

P.S. I didn't contradict myself. I said it was fine for well established professionals to undertake free work because they can afford to without losing their market value.

 

[Ballistics]

Says who? I did work for free before charging, and that in no way has effected my now paying clients.