lennon33x
No longer a newbie, moving up!
- Joined
- Jul 28, 2012
- Messages
- 605
- Reaction score
- 49
- Can others edit my Photos
- Photos NOT OK to edit
- Thread Starter 🔹
- #16
Update:
I received the check for the work. Finally. And then on to this...
So nearly two weeks after showing them the gallery of 260 images, they finally responded with this:
"The doctors asked that you come out 1 more time but when you do I will need to be right by your side to see each shot you take to see if it is something we can use on our new website or in our marketing materials. They did not see any really good procedural shots from all the ones you have online already. They are looking for professional in-motion, working pictures but where you can tell who the doctor is and while working with patients who don’t look too restrained, etc.. They specifically said… no pictures of pets having their blood pressure taken on the floor or of objects like blood, needles, fluid bags, miscellaneous equipment parts, or anything else that might offend or cause clients to worry. Let me know what day you can come out."
What the f? Out of 270 images you couldn't find 30 images, let alone one? All of these requests are absolutely ridiculous. None of these requests were made prior (verbally or in writing).
So for those of you interested in reading about the craziness that will ensue...here is my reply.
"[Dear Office Manager]-
I have received payment for the composite, and you are currently paid in full.
As I know that the doctor's have concerns about cost, I did want to be up front with you. Based on our contract, there would be additional travel charges accrued. This cost is approximately $[x].
Furthermore, while I do understand that the doctors would like me to take more pictures, my schedule for October does not have any availability as I have since booked up other engagements and clients. It would be November at the earliest. Therefore, because it falls after the deadline in the contract, all work will be billed at the agreed upon rate of $[x] per 15 minutes of work as outlined in the agreement (see "Deadline Clause" in Photography Agreement Addendum). The approximate estimated amount of editing time is about 4-6 hours. Therefore, in order to complete this project, the approximate cost is $[x], excluding taxes. This is under the assumption that all of the pictures are taken during this one shoot. It is my understanding that the doctors are reluctant to pay for any further services. That being said, based on my current schedule, shooting and editing time would fall outside of the current deadline. I submitted the full gallery of 269 images on September 16, almost two weeks ago. While I do understand that there are other obligations of the doctors, I feel that a concern of cost would have prompted a sooner response.
It is my philosophy to give every one of my clients the absolute best images possible. That, in turn, results from my creative license, or the ability to take images as I believe incorporates the feeling, story or purpose behind the image. Part of this creative license is the ability to work freely. Having someone to review images as I take them inhibits this creative license, and I therefore won't allow it.
In addition, during our initial meeting on August 8, you discussed the needs of photographs for the clinic. You also expressed at that time that you did not want pictures of blood, needles, syringes, or images that displayed privacy information for clients. You explained that you wanted images of the doctors performing tasks, including ultrasounds and examinations. In your email on September 16, you expressed that the doctors expressed regret in using my services, and as at that point, they had not viewed any images containing the specific list of procedures (which were not requested in writing, nor in the contract). After reviewing the images, there are several images of each doctor/or staff members performing the exact procedures your doctors had "regrets" about.
Additionally, up to date, I have spent almost 40 hours on this project alone. I have spent over 20 hours shooting, setup and travel and approximately 16 hours editing, re-editing, submitting, etc and additionally paid for half of the cost of the lens rental. The standard practice is to have the client pay in full for the rental; but in order to honor my original estimate, I paid a portion of this fee. At my current rate, this is approximately $[about 25% less than industry standard] that would directly to the client. And based on several estimations, the industry standard rate for work that is this time intensive is approximately $2500-3000. Therefore, I have undercut my cost significantly, and have given your clinic a dramatic discount from market rate. I have traveled three separate times to shoot and to meet with your staff, and therefore feel generous in my fees that I have charged. This estimation of work excludes the almost 7.5 hours of work I invested into the editing process of the composite, which your doctors approved (and I subsequently charged only 5.5 hours, again to help honor as close to the estimate as possible).
Based upon our initial emails, the task of a project this large was not ever completely conveyed, and only during our initial meeting did the needs of the doctors become apparent. Furthermore, while still offering 269 images, none are sufficient.
At this time, it is in my professional judgment that the desires and needs of your doctors are inconsistent with any service that I can offer you further. I have met (and have exceeded) my portion of the Photography Agreement. In an effort to facilitate the completion of this project, I am offering one of the two following options:
1.) I will allow your doctors to select 60 images (35 more images that agreed to by both parties in the Photography Agreement) and I will edit them at no further charge. Once the editing process is complete, I will send a copy of the images on a CD via FedEx to your practice. Included will be your composite image of the doctors. Once receipt of the package is made, I will consider this project complete.
2.) I will refund you in the amount of $100 via a check and only the composite image of the doctors will be made available through download, or through a CD sent via FedEx. No further work will be done on this project. Once receipt of the check is made, I will consider this project complete.
Understand that while most photographers wouldn’t choose to refund any money, I must offset the cost of money lost, cost of business, and overhead, in addition to travel and travel expenses. Therefore, the maximum amount of refund that I can offer for these services is $100.
It is disappointing that even though you chose my services based on my previous work that you and/or your doctors regret using my services, and that not one singular image could be found from the 269 images that are available. It has become apparent that no matter what effort, or how much time I personally invest into this project, that my services will not satisfy the desires of your doctors. Therefore, once this project is complete, it is my recommendation that you find another photographer that can better suit your needs.
I appreciate the opportunity and look forward to your response."
While I know that many of you may not completely agree with rates, or my means of offering some sort of "severance," I'm looking forward to the response regarding how I handled it.
Thanks
I received the check for the work. Finally. And then on to this...
So nearly two weeks after showing them the gallery of 260 images, they finally responded with this:
"The doctors asked that you come out 1 more time but when you do I will need to be right by your side to see each shot you take to see if it is something we can use on our new website or in our marketing materials. They did not see any really good procedural shots from all the ones you have online already. They are looking for professional in-motion, working pictures but where you can tell who the doctor is and while working with patients who don’t look too restrained, etc.. They specifically said… no pictures of pets having their blood pressure taken on the floor or of objects like blood, needles, fluid bags, miscellaneous equipment parts, or anything else that might offend or cause clients to worry. Let me know what day you can come out."
What the f? Out of 270 images you couldn't find 30 images, let alone one? All of these requests are absolutely ridiculous. None of these requests were made prior (verbally or in writing).
So for those of you interested in reading about the craziness that will ensue...here is my reply.
"[Dear Office Manager]-
I have received payment for the composite, and you are currently paid in full.
As I know that the doctor's have concerns about cost, I did want to be up front with you. Based on our contract, there would be additional travel charges accrued. This cost is approximately $[x].
Furthermore, while I do understand that the doctors would like me to take more pictures, my schedule for October does not have any availability as I have since booked up other engagements and clients. It would be November at the earliest. Therefore, because it falls after the deadline in the contract, all work will be billed at the agreed upon rate of $[x] per 15 minutes of work as outlined in the agreement (see "Deadline Clause" in Photography Agreement Addendum). The approximate estimated amount of editing time is about 4-6 hours. Therefore, in order to complete this project, the approximate cost is $[x], excluding taxes. This is under the assumption that all of the pictures are taken during this one shoot. It is my understanding that the doctors are reluctant to pay for any further services. That being said, based on my current schedule, shooting and editing time would fall outside of the current deadline. I submitted the full gallery of 269 images on September 16, almost two weeks ago. While I do understand that there are other obligations of the doctors, I feel that a concern of cost would have prompted a sooner response.
It is my philosophy to give every one of my clients the absolute best images possible. That, in turn, results from my creative license, or the ability to take images as I believe incorporates the feeling, story or purpose behind the image. Part of this creative license is the ability to work freely. Having someone to review images as I take them inhibits this creative license, and I therefore won't allow it.
In addition, during our initial meeting on August 8, you discussed the needs of photographs for the clinic. You also expressed at that time that you did not want pictures of blood, needles, syringes, or images that displayed privacy information for clients. You explained that you wanted images of the doctors performing tasks, including ultrasounds and examinations. In your email on September 16, you expressed that the doctors expressed regret in using my services, and as at that point, they had not viewed any images containing the specific list of procedures (which were not requested in writing, nor in the contract). After reviewing the images, there are several images of each doctor/or staff members performing the exact procedures your doctors had "regrets" about.
Additionally, up to date, I have spent almost 40 hours on this project alone. I have spent over 20 hours shooting, setup and travel and approximately 16 hours editing, re-editing, submitting, etc and additionally paid for half of the cost of the lens rental. The standard practice is to have the client pay in full for the rental; but in order to honor my original estimate, I paid a portion of this fee. At my current rate, this is approximately $[about 25% less than industry standard] that would directly to the client. And based on several estimations, the industry standard rate for work that is this time intensive is approximately $2500-3000. Therefore, I have undercut my cost significantly, and have given your clinic a dramatic discount from market rate. I have traveled three separate times to shoot and to meet with your staff, and therefore feel generous in my fees that I have charged. This estimation of work excludes the almost 7.5 hours of work I invested into the editing process of the composite, which your doctors approved (and I subsequently charged only 5.5 hours, again to help honor as close to the estimate as possible).
Based upon our initial emails, the task of a project this large was not ever completely conveyed, and only during our initial meeting did the needs of the doctors become apparent. Furthermore, while still offering 269 images, none are sufficient.
At this time, it is in my professional judgment that the desires and needs of your doctors are inconsistent with any service that I can offer you further. I have met (and have exceeded) my portion of the Photography Agreement. In an effort to facilitate the completion of this project, I am offering one of the two following options:
1.) I will allow your doctors to select 60 images (35 more images that agreed to by both parties in the Photography Agreement) and I will edit them at no further charge. Once the editing process is complete, I will send a copy of the images on a CD via FedEx to your practice. Included will be your composite image of the doctors. Once receipt of the package is made, I will consider this project complete.
2.) I will refund you in the amount of $100 via a check and only the composite image of the doctors will be made available through download, or through a CD sent via FedEx. No further work will be done on this project. Once receipt of the check is made, I will consider this project complete.
Understand that while most photographers wouldn’t choose to refund any money, I must offset the cost of money lost, cost of business, and overhead, in addition to travel and travel expenses. Therefore, the maximum amount of refund that I can offer for these services is $100.
It is disappointing that even though you chose my services based on my previous work that you and/or your doctors regret using my services, and that not one singular image could be found from the 269 images that are available. It has become apparent that no matter what effort, or how much time I personally invest into this project, that my services will not satisfy the desires of your doctors. Therefore, once this project is complete, it is my recommendation that you find another photographer that can better suit your needs.
I appreciate the opportunity and look forward to your response."
While I know that many of you may not completely agree with rates, or my means of offering some sort of "severance," I'm looking forward to the response regarding how I handled it.
Thanks
