Senior Forum Members, PLEASE HELP! In need of some advice :/

[bribrius]

ditch the prom queen. pay her limo, give her cash, hire another photographer, whatever. But DITCH the prom queen. your first commitment was already made when he said he would get you in the door and you agreed.

apparently you thought he was joking. Business isn't like that. If you don't do that job now, you are backing out on the guy that said he "would get you in" and depending on how or what this business entails he or they could very well be PISSED.

The prom queen is the double book. I think YOU misread this entire situation.

Ummm, sorry, but I think you've mis-read the entire situation. An "I'll get you a gig" is worth exactly nothing until you have a commitment. It I kept space open for every tire-kicker that was thinking about hiring me, I'd have a LOT of open space and precious little income. If the restaurant gig had been serious, they would have committed to a date & time. I'm willing to bet their intent was to keep the OP "in reserve" in case their primary bailed. THAT is how a lot of business works!

That isn't their problem.
They have a referred photographer with word she agreed to do that shoot. someone promising to get her the shoot (some people take this seriously) who probably further promised the restaurant they have a photographer based on the o.p.s. response.
That's what they have. The o.p. admits they agreed.
if the o.p. wanted to verify dates, take a deposit, whatever. The o.p. should have called.
chances are the opening day has been planned for a while. And the o.p was probably even told when it was. The o.p. just didn't catch on.
Waiting for a client to call isn't exactly pro active. I find it hard to believe how this is the clients issue.
I cant see how I misread anything. we have a referral, a agreement to do it. And a email expecting them to show up. I doubt the dates for opening day have changed at all that was probably a reminder email for verification.

 

[pixmedic]

The email from the restaurant was asking the OP if the dates were avaliable. Hardly a confirmation. And they had no communication about the dates beforehand. Hardly qualifies as any sort of "reservation".

 

[sm4him]

ditch the prom queen. pay her limo, give her cash, hire another photographer, whatever. But DITCH the prom queen. your first commitment was already made when he said he would get you in the door and you agreed.

apparently you thought he was joking. Business isn't like that. If you don't do that job now, you are backing out on the guy that said he "would get you in" and depending on how or what this business entails he or they could very well be PISSED.

The prom queen is the double book. I think YOU misread this entire situation.

Ummm, sorry, but I think you've mis-read the entire situation. An "I'll get you a gig" is worth exactly nothing until you have a commitment. It I kept space open for every tire-kicker that was thinking about hiring me, I'd have a LOT of open space and precious little income. If the restaurant gig had been serious, they would have committed to a date & time. I'm willing to bet their intent was to keep the OP "in reserve" in case their primary bailed. THAT is how a lot of business works!

That isn't their problem.
They have a referred photographer with word she agreed to do that shoot. someone promising to get her the shoot (some people take this seriously) who probably further promised the restaurant they have a photographer based on the o.p.s. response.
That's what they have. The o.p. admits they agreed.
if the o.p. wanted to verify dates, take a deposit, whatever. The o.p. should have called.
chances are the opening day has been planned for a while. And the o.p was probably even told when it was. The o.p. just didn't catch on.
Waiting for a client to call isn't exactly pro active. I find it hard to believe how this is the clients issue.
I cant see how I misread anything. we have a referral, a agreement to do it. And a email expecting them to show up. I doubt the dates for opening day have changed at all that was probably a reminder email for verification.

Hmm. I'm not seeing what you are seeing in the original post.

... printing distributor... "promised" to get my foot in the door with a new restaurant that was having it's grand opening in a few weeks, he knew they needed a photographer and would pass my info along to them.

I don't see where anyone promised an actual job, just that they would pass the photographer's info along to the restaurant. She had no guarantee whatsoever that the restaurant would call and even INQUIRE about her services at this point. I also don't see where she promised to do a shoot for them if they DID call. This is all just networking, no commitment on anyone's part at this point.

A few weeks pass by and I hear nothing from the guy, no returned phone calls, ignored emails, all that jazz. So I assume he no longer wishes to work with me and I end up booking a prom for a former client the same weekend of the grand opening, figuring the restaurant obviously isn't interested.

Well as of this morning, I receive an email from the restaurant asking me if I am now available for their event. It's a 2 day (Saturday & Sunday) grand opening celebration weekend.

Sounds to me like she DID try to get in contact with the POTENTIAL client herself and the lack of a response at all clearly indicated a lack of interest in hiring her, imo.

Then when they did finally email her (MUCH too close to the event, if you ask me), they were still not telling her the job was hers, just inquiring about her availability.

I see absolutely nothing in the OP to suggest there was even a remotely binding commitment at that point, on ANYONE's behalf.

 

[tirediron]

...I cant see how I misread anything. we have a referral, a agreement to do it. And a email expecting them to show up. I doubt the dates for opening day have changed at all that was probably a reminder email for verification.

Okay, to extrapolate your logic; if I send you an e-mail today asking if you're free to shoot my wedding on the 13th of June, I have nothing more to do, and you will show up at my venue ready to work?

 

[shefjr]

Ummm, sorry, but I think you've mis-read the entire situation. An "I'll get you a gig" is worth exactly nothing until you have a commitment. It I kept space open for every tire-kicker that was thinking about hiring me, I'd have a LOT of open space and precious little income. If the restaurant gig had been serious, they would have committed to a date & time. I'm willing to bet their intent was to keep the OP "in reserve" in case their primary bailed. THAT is how a lot of business works!

That isn't their problem.
They have a referred photographer with word she agreed to do that shoot. someone promising to get her the shoot (some people take this seriously) who probably further promised the restaurant they have a photographer based on the o.p.s. response.
That's what they have. The o.p. admits they agreed.
if the o.p. wanted to verify dates, take a deposit, whatever. The o.p. should have called.
chances are the opening day has been planned for a while. And the o.p was probably even told when it was. The o.p. just didn't catch on.
Waiting for a client to call isn't exactly pro active. I find it hard to believe how this is the clients issue.
I cant see how I misread anything. we have a referral, a agreement to do it. And a email expecting them to show up. I doubt the dates for opening day have changed at all that was probably a reminder email for verification.

Hmm. I'm not seeing what you are seeing in the original post.

... printing distributor... "promised" to get my foot in the door with a new restaurant that was having it's grand opening in a few weeks, he knew they needed a photographer and would pass my info along to them.

I don't see where anyone promised an actual job, just that they would pass the photographer's info along to the restaurant. She had no guarantee whatsoever that the restaurant would call and even INQUIRE about her services at this point. I also don't see where she promised to do a shoot for them if they DID call. This is all just networking, no commitment on anyone's part at this point.

A few weeks pass by and I hear nothing from the guy, no returned phone calls, ignored emails, all that jazz. So I assume he no longer wishes to work with me and I end up booking a prom for a former client the same weekend of the grand opening, figuring the restaurant obviously isn't interested.

Well as of this morning, I receive an email from the restaurant asking me if I am now available for their event. It's a 2 day (Saturday & Sunday) grand opening celebration weekend.

Sounds to me like she DID try to get in contact with the POTENTIAL client herself and the lack of a response at all clearly indicated a lack of interest in hiring her, imo.

Then when they did finally email her (MUCH too close to the event, if you ask me), they were still not telling her the job was hers, just inquiring about her availability.

I see absolutely nothing in the OP to suggest there was even a remotely binding commitment at that point, on ANYONE's behalf.

You hit the nail on the head Sharon!

 

[table1349]

ditch the prom queen. pay her limo, give her cash, hire another photographer, whatever. But DITCH the prom queen. your first commitment was already made when he said he would get you in the door and you agreed.

apparently you thought he was joking. Business isn't like that. If you don't do that job now, you are backing out on the guy that said he "would get you in" and depending on how or what this business entails he or they could very well be PISSED.

The prom queen is the double book. I think YOU misread this entire situation.

https://www.scu.edu/ethics/practicing/decision/whatisethics.html

 

[bribrius]

Ummm, sorry, but I think you've mis-read the entire situation. An "I'll get you a gig" is worth exactly nothing until you have a commitment. It I kept space open for every tire-kicker that was thinking about hiring me, I'd have a LOT of open space and precious little income. If the restaurant gig had been serious, they would have committed to a date & time. I'm willing to bet their intent was to keep the OP "in reserve" in case their primary bailed. THAT is how a lot of business works!

That isn't their problem.
They have a referred photographer with word she agreed to do that shoot. someone promising to get her the shoot (some people take this seriously) who probably further promised the restaurant they have a photographer based on the o.p.s. response.
That's what they have. The o.p. admits they agreed.
if the o.p. wanted to verify dates, take a deposit, whatever. The o.p. should have called.
chances are the opening day has been planned for a while. And the o.p was probably even told when it was. The o.p. just didn't catch on.
Waiting for a client to call isn't exactly pro active. I find it hard to believe how this is the clients issue.
I cant see how I misread anything. we have a referral, a agreement to do it. And a email expecting them to show up. I doubt the dates for opening day have changed at all that was probably a reminder email for verification.

Hmm. I'm not seeing what you are seeing in the original post.

... printing distributor... "promised" to get my foot in the door with a new restaurant that was having it's grand opening in a few weeks, he knew they needed a photographer and would pass my info along to them.

I don't see where anyone promised an actual job, just that they would pass the photographer's info along to the restaurant. She had no guarantee whatsoever that the restaurant would call and even INQUIRE about her services at this point. I also don't see where she promised to do a shoot for them if they DID call. This is all just networking, no commitment on anyone's part at this point.

A few weeks pass by and I hear nothing from the guy, no returned phone calls, ignored emails, all that jazz. So I assume he no longer wishes to work with me and I end up booking a prom for a former client the same weekend of the grand opening, figuring the restaurant obviously isn't interested.

Well as of this morning, I receive an email from the restaurant asking me if I am now available for their event. It's a 2 day (Saturday & Sunday) grand opening celebration weekend.

Sounds to me like she DID try to get in contact with the POTENTIAL client herself and the lack of a response at all clearly indicated a lack of interest in hiring her, imo.

Then when they did finally email her (MUCH too close to the event, if you ask me), they were still not telling her the job was hers, just inquiring about her availability.

I see absolutely nothing in the OP to suggest there was even a remotely binding commitment at that point, on ANYONE's behalf.

I saw that too and it made me pause. ill admit. But then I though, wth. Maybe he went on vacation or set up the deal and figured it was between these two now. im sure the guy has a business address if the o.p really wanted to find out. I cant speak for print guys where abouts. just from the o.p.s reported conversation.

Above that it says the print guys does business with a lot of the local businesses in the area.

People in that position, working with other businesses usually are not full of crap. Their reputation depends on it. And all these people know each other. i still say ditch the prom queen. i think the o.p dropped the ball somewhere here. serious mis communication.

I've been this in between print guy before, and if i hung myself out giving someone work and they didn't show or backed out making me look like a azz i would be pissed. i think that is where im coming from with this one. clearly i think different about this.

 

[table1349]

Thankfully there are still photographers in the business that have ethics. If you are lucky, you might meet some and learn something about being in business from them.

 

[bribrius]

Thankfully there are still photographers in the business that have ethics. If you are lucky, you might meet some and learn something about being in business from them.

complete opposite. ive done deals not too different than the o.p's original post with the printer. Not to often anyone ever asks me for a security deposit.

 

[table1349]

Thankfully there are still photographers in the business that have ethics. If you are lucky, you might meet some and learn something about being in business from them.

complete opposite. ive done deals not too different than the o.p's original post with the printer. Not to often anyone ever asks me for a security deposit.

ecards

 

[12sndsgood]

I've only been in business for a year and a half and if I believed all the people who told me they would get my foot in the door or send me tons of work I'd be rich by now. Getting your foot in the door is no where near having a agreed upon price with a specific date and time. It's just a simple I'll give them your info.

 

[bribrius]

this might have a lot to do with who you are and the circles you travel in, company you keep. "I promise" is usually more than i tell people i usually say "ill take care of it" and have traded thousands on just that.
Different phrasing, means different things amongst different people.

 

[Steve5D]

ditch the prom queen. pay her limo, give her cash, hire another photographer, whatever. But DITCH the prom queen. your first commitment was already made when he said he would get you in the door and you agreed.

apparently you thought he was joking. Business isn't like that. If you don't do that job now, you are backing out on the guy that said he "would get you in" and depending on how or what this business entails he or they could very well be PISSED.

The prom queen is the double book. I think YOU misread this entire situation.

If the prom shoot was scheduled first, then it's not the double book. If someone tells you that they'll "get you in the door", but doesn't immediately follow that up with a scheduled gig, then you can't be expected to just sit around and wait. In this case, a few weeks went by, with no word from anyone. So, the OP scheduled the prom shoot. Should the OP have just scheduled nothing? I don't wait weeks to hear from someone who might want to hire me. That would be beyond foolish.

At this point, if the Senior wants to confirm, let her give a deposit. Without a deposit, the date remains open, and the Senior needs to be made aware of that. If she doesn't pay a deposit, she does so at the risk of losing the date...

 

[runnah]

The good news is that this wouldn't be the first time a prom date has been left in tears.

 

[Steve5D]

if the o.p. wanted to verify dates, take a deposit, whatever. The o.p. should have called.

I cant see how I misread anything.

Um, the OP stated, and pretty clearly, that phone calls and e-mails went unanswered.

Do you do this for a living? If so, you'll know that a person doesn't earn a living with photography by keeping dates open for people who can't reply. How do I know this? Well, because I earn a living with photography and I don't keep dates open for people who don't reply, that's how...