Sister-in-law goes to another photographer ..... and talks about it constantly

[photogir2002]

My sister-in-law, who I have known for more than 10 years, since her brother and I were dating and been married, uses another photographer for all her photos.

I started a professional photography business about three years ago and shoot weddings, family photography, events and children. I have 14 years of experience and am part time right now as I build up my equipment, etc. One of your questions is going to be -- how good am I? Not the best ever but good enough that I seem to get a lot of bookings and requests to shoot weddings, etc.

The fact the sister in law uses another photographer might not bother me so much if she wouldn't tell me about the other photographer every other time I see her. The photographer is shooting her wedding next year, which is fine because I'd rather just be at the wedding anyhow, but I'm not sure why my sister-in-law feels she has to tell me her photographer is doing her engagement photos and said to just bring the whole family for their annual family shoot and how it's going to be at this place and blah, blah, blah.

Then she turns to me and says "It doesn't bother you they are doing all my photos, right?"

Um....yeah, it does, but luckily we were interrupted and I couldn't really say anything else. This is the second time she's asked me this and I told her before it bothered me, but she keeps bringing it up.

And each Christmas we get framed photos of our nieces from these studio photographers that we have to put on our wall and I have to look at every day and be reminded my own sister-in-law doesn't think I'm good enough to take her family photos. She's given me this line that she's known the photographer a long time, but that's crap. She's known me longer.

And if she likes this other photographer's work better, that's fine, but wouldn't it bother you if your family member just kept talking about it and talking about it to you? I wanted to ask her how she'd feel if I went to another party planner, something she's just started up, and when we get together tell her everything my party planner has been doing for me and how great they are.

OK. Go. tell me to suck it up and stop being such a whiner. I know. I need to hear it.

 

[joealcantar]

Ah, probably better for you if she did not ask you to shoot her images, take care of the rest of the family and do your thing and do it very well. I'm sure in time she will see the light.
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Shoot well, Joe

 

[eric-holmes]

Post some of your work/website so we can know that your sister-in-law is making the right/wrong decision. I know several photographers that have shot weddings and specialize in everything but still use gimp to edit. I am not saying you are one of them but I would still like to see your work before I give advice on this matter.

 

[jake337]

Maybe the other photog is very good at what they do. Maybe she wants you two to hang out or something. Could be a futture mentor to you. Maybe she would rather pay for higher quality work. Maybe she prefers the other photog's style. Use this as fuel to become better at what you do.

I had to.......

 

[ghache]

Sister in law can be a pain sometimes, I love mine but sometimes she is something to deal with. Just let it go. Its only 1 less client.

 

[Robin Usagani]

the photographer may be charging a lot less? Happens a lot. I see this happening a lot to my good friends. I dont care. I already give them discount and they still think it is too expensive lol. I see them post family pics a few weeks later with heavy vignette, processing, selective colors and I could do is laugh. BUT they did love the photos which is important.

 

[Virtuosos]

I believe in keeping business and family seperate. Lot less issues involved

 

[photogirl2002]

Maybe the other photog is very good at what they do. Maybe she wants you two to hang out or something. Could be a futture mentor to you. Maybe she would rather pay for higher quality work. Maybe she prefers the other photog's style. Use this as fuel to become better at what you do.

I had to.......

Love it and thank you! Made me laugh so hard and yes, you are right.....Whine, whine whine from me. :lmao:

 

[photogirl2002]

They charge more....and they are good...boring, but good. I'll post a link to some of my work later. Feel a little brittle at the moment so not sure I want to be ripped too much.

 

[photogirl2002]

Thank you!

Sister in law can be a pain sometimes, I love mine but sometimes she is something to deal with. Just let it go. Its only 1 less client.

 

[photogirl2002]

Let me look at your work first and see if you'll laugh at me. LOL. No, really tonight when I have access to a better computer I will.

Post some of your work/website so we can know that your sister-in-law is making the right/wrong decision. I know several photographers that have shot weddings and specialize in everything but still use gimp to edit. I am not saying you are one of them but I would still like to see your work before I give advice on this matter.

 

[bogeyguy]

Why don't you just tell your SIL that you don't want to hear about the other photographer any longer and that you will just ignore any further comments about the photographer????

 

[photogir2002]

Why don't you just tell your SIL that you don't want to hear about the other photographer any longer and that you will just ignore any further comments about the photographer????

Excellent advice. Did just do so actually -- can tell she was a bit annoyed at me, but told me she'd refrain from doing so in the future. Yes, well, I feel a bit like a ***** now.

 

[RauschPhotography]

Consider yourself lucky. Family can be one of the worst categories of clientele anyways!

 

[jake337]

Maybe the other photog is very good at what they do. Maybe she wants you two to hang out or something. Could be a futture mentor to you. Maybe she would rather pay for higher quality work. Maybe she prefers the other photog's style. Use this as fuel to become better at what you do.

I had to.......

Love it and thank you! Made me laugh so hard and yes, you are right.....Whine, whine whine from me. :lmao:

It's ok, sometimes you have to vent. I bet your SIL just likes the other photographers style. Art is subjective.