p.1 #1 · Senior Pictures Advice-no good deed goes unpunished!
I need some advice in dealing with the "after shoot process" I shot over 400 photos a week ago and posted 194 proofs within a few days. I asked the young woman to pick out 10 or so of her favorites, and one for her yearbook. When she and her mother met with me, the senior demanded a cd of the proofs that day so she could begin using them. She then began a very emotional discourse about how the images were all hers and that she could basically have things any way she wanted and how her friend got her images in three days. Then she asked to see all the other photos that I had not posted and was very upset that she had not been part of editing process.
I did tell her at the time of the shoot that I would delete the 'bad" photos and that her and her mom could get all of the photos. That was a huge mistake! There were some serious wardrobe issues. She has dark skin and her bra-strap was also dark brown which made it hard to see from my vantage point.
I tried to explained that the proofs were done with just basic edits and were not ready to go out, and that any photo that goes out needs final editing.
What I had hoped would be fun relaxing session to pick out her favorites and discuss final edit options, turned out to be a disaster. We spent most of the time discussing why they could not have a cd that day.
This is only my second senior photo shoot and it was for a friend's daughter. There was no contract, but I did communicate through emails and verbally about what would happen after the shoot. I photographed her brother for free to begin building my portfolio and had no problems with that.
My question is how to I salvage this situation? I am meeting with her again in one week to discuss the final edits to her selection. There will be many photos that go out that are not the best.
My final question is, "what do you tell seniors regarding the number of pictures they can choose from", and do you provide the "out-takes"? I only charged a sitting fee of $125.00 and am letting them handles the printing arrangements.
p.1 #2 · Senior Pictures Advice-no good deed goes unpunished!
"Don't let the patients run the asylum."
I don't let "unfinished" products leave the studio. Absolutely NO "proofs" or images on CD. It is about quality control.
Quality control is out the door----when you let the patients handle the printing arrangements. I think you will have a hard time now to salvage this patient's situation.
Finished or retouched portraits-----are paid for either individually or as part of a package price. The rest get archived, and never ever go to the patients, um, I mean client, unless retouched and paid for. Even my son will comment, "hey, it's a business, not a charity..."
p.1 #3 · Senior Pictures Advice-no good deed goes unpunished!
establish yourself as someone who knows what theyre doing better than they do. you gave them way too much control, and didnt put any value on your expert opinion.
p.1 #5 · Senior Pictures Advice-no good deed goes unpunished!
Lesson Learned
#1 ... the money's in the prints
#2 ... don't give away the farm
#3 ... you will be remembered by your worst picture floating the net
#4 ... only you can maintain quality control
This was the mantra drilled into me by my mentors
Proofs are proofs, they are stamped proof in an ungawdly bright red
Right click is disabled in my proof galleries
I delete any proof I would not want my name on ... BEFORE ... the images make it to the proof gallery
The client knows what they get in their package, before the shoot, if they want a digital package ... they pay dearly for a digital package, and still they are limited to a small amount of images which will be edited before release, along with my recommendation of good local photo labs
I always email the client a few edited images, web sized, within a day of the shoot, that way they have something to share, to post on myspace etc ... then they aren't anxious for their finished images
p.1 #6 · Senior Pictures Advice-no good deed goes unpunished!
I'd give her her money back and destroy the images in her presence... even the good ones, then point her to the nearest Mega Mall Photo Studio... She'll be back in a month wanting a new shoot at which time you tell her your prices have gone up and make her sign a contract outlining the rules.
p.1 #7 · Senior Pictures Advice-no good deed goes unpunished!
Lot's of good advice up there. 400 shots for a senior shoot is huge, but I understand that as a beginner you need to shoot to learn. Charge a session fee for your time. Layout what happens clearly. I have a senior picture process on my web site complete with pricing. If people know what the deal is along the way it's easier for everyone. Family and friends are the worst because they expect a deal ... in most cases give it to them.
And don't worry so much about your worst image being online. Chances are no one will ask who did it. They ask who did the really hot stuff they see online. Keep your good stuff out front and the old stuff fades away ...
