When you're a photographer being pursuited by a fauxtographer

[kric2schaam626]

I am looking for professional advice for someone I met in college who found out I like shooting. I'll call her Emily. Emily has a very big personality and I didn't know her very well, though we had a lot of mutual friends. She wanted to team up shooting even though it was more of a hobby for me at the time. She talked about her mom being a lawyer and getting copyright over all her own work; I guess I was put off by it and declined. Over the last few years, she has sent numerous friend requests on FB, follows my work, messages me that she adores my work. When I look at her photos, I don't know that she has learned about the exposure triangle and WB and she does weddings left and right. Recently she messaged me that she had gotten engage, told me she wanted movie themed engagement photos, and asked what I charged; I told her, she gave me a sob story that she couldn't pay that much because of bills and so on. We never did the session, BUT, I recently asked one of our mutual friends to be my test subject for my light setup (because I rather my customers aren't solely who I "practice" on). Not even eight hours later, Emily messaged me and said, "So&so said you were doing experimental night photos....I'd like to help! Fiance and I would really like at-night outside theater photos or sparklers! When are you free?"

This girl has me at my wits end. I would like to be professional because that's all I've really allowed there to be since we've never actually been "friends." I don't know what to say to someone like this...

 

[Designer]

Say nothing.

 

[nmoody]

Yup run away from that hot mess. Politely decline and wish her good luck.

 

[2WheelPhoto]

If she's cute, perhaps divert her interest towards modeling

 

[Dillard]

Just tell her your booked at the moment, but you'll get in touch with her next time, then forget it.

 

[tmjjk]

Wow.... RUN.... I am still learning and I have people doing this to me all the time too. I did a family shoot the other day... Young mom, dad, and their one year old. She literally texted me an hour after the session telling me she is going to be a photographer now and they went and bought a really nice camera... I am thinking canon 5d mark III... nope. She bought a fugifilm. Now she texts me once an hour with a question or three. I cannot even begin to explain to her... and it's so frustrating. I never even met her before the shoot.... ??? Good luck.... my vote is DO NOT do it...

 

[Trever1t]

you have a fan!

Remember fans sometimes can be dangerous but she adores you so roll with it. There's no need to stress, your offer was to one individual. Speak with that individual and let her know that offer wasn't open to the public. Respond to the fan by apologetically declining yet offer her a shoot at a fair rate after you've 'dialed' in your technique.

 

[o hey tyler]

...Emily messaged me and said, "So&so said you were doing experimental night photos....I'd like to help! Fiance and I would really like at-night outside theater photos or sparklers! When are you free?"

I'd say "I'm not free for a client work. This is my rate..."

 

[JClishe]

If she's cute, perhaps divert her interest towards modeling

Best answer in this thread.

 

[kric2schaam626]

If she's cute, perhaps divert her interest towards modeling

Best answer in this thread.

Define "cute."

 

[IByte]

Just tell her you that her wedding is too important, and you wouldn't do their wedding any justice. My spidey sense is tingling of lawsuit.

 

[ghache]

IGNORE HER. if you are not friends with her and you have no intend of being her friend, ignore her, if she wants photos, tell her you cant as you are booked because you don't want her money. she is trouble.

 

[bentcountershaft]

Sorry, I'm late. Have you completely ruled out violence?

 

[kric2schaam626]

Sorry, I'm late. Have you completely ruled out violence?

I have not. Suggestions?

 

[Jaemie]

Don't respond to her. Don't discuss her with anyone or mention her name. Ignore her as politely as cir***stances allow. I wouldn't take her as a client or do any business with her, or even let inside my car or home. This woman could easily and unconscionably make trouble for you, legally, commercially, and/or socially, where no trouble exists.

(OT note: That forum censorship feature is a silly nuisance.)