How do you cope with a bad session?

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Sahid Limon
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p.1 #1 · How do you cope with a bad session?

Just curious, how do you all deal with a not so great session... be it an engagement, bridal, or wedding? I'm editing some images from a past wedding, and they are not as great as some of the preceding weddings I've covered. I've done the wedding just like any other weddings I covered, but certain circumstances and factors led the wedding to be not as great as it could have potentially been. Now I know it's not really my fault personally. Certain things such as the weather, family scheduling conflicts, size of venue, limits and regulations of venues, un-cooperation of other vendors, the f*#&#'n halogen lamp from the videographer, etc, etc, had something to do with not getting those perfect shots. However, each wedding/session I've covered, I've consistently gotten better, so now looking back at one that didn't beat the preceding one... seems like fail to me personally.

Am I getting too dramatic? I don't know, maybe. However, I know that we all have bad sessions, even the rockstars here. I just thought I throw this post out and see what you all do when you have a bad day or an average session. How do you usually deal with it, or what steps do you take?

Nov 06, 2009 at 05:05 AM

jeremy_clay
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p.1 #2 · How do you cope with a bad session?

A wise man said "..you will have at least a few amazing shots - create the session around those". It will happen - sometimes circumstances are beyond your control, and things don't all align - but their will always be greatness there.

Nov 06, 2009 at 05:11 AM

cre55107
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p.1 #3 · How do you cope with a bad session?

I often think the same thing, I am my own worst critique, but thats pry because we always compare our latest session to what we have done best. Sometimes it is just out of our control what happens around us or how people look or hoe extravagant or un-extravegant the venue might be. But people know where they got married and they aren't going to expect that a VFW will look like a historical mansion. (only an example) I have found that the people with less than desirable venues are always happy with what they see when they look at their photos.

I think its only natural to feel that way, that means you are always trying to get better vs. just feeling content.

Nov 06, 2009 at 05:23 AM

Ryan Britton
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p.1 #4 · How do you cope with a bad session?

We once took our couple out another time because their wedding was miserable (through no fault of ours -- was family and such) to do some more photos of just them. The guys had done the bachelor party the night before and were hungover, it was 100ºF and humid, certain family members were overbearing, the bouquet was made by family to save money and was wilted before we even got to their shots, and the couple was stressed and exhausted.

Nov 06, 2009 at 06:00 AM

sherijohnson
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p.1 #5 · How do you cope with a bad session?

I can relate in a big way, but nothing beats it like going out there and killing the next one to shake off that feeling. I think Ryan's idea might not be a bad one.

Nov 06, 2009 at 11:28 AM

RichardLavigne
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p.1 #6 · How do you cope with a bad session?

I have found that sometimes you have to take a step back in order to take the next few forward... its all part of growing and getting better.

Nov 06, 2009 at 11:36 AM

Saad Syed
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p.1 #7 · How do you cope with a bad session?

Honestly, the only thing you can do is have a non-guarantee clause in the contract stating that all you can do on your part is try your best in whatever given situation you find yourself in. Then, do what you can. If you didn't grow in a shoot, it's fine. We're all humans and things happen. Just make sure to get a final set that is respectable and works for the client. As long as your set is still useable, I don't think there is an issue. If the clients ask why their pictures aren't as nice as what they saw in your portfolio, just kindly explain to them the challenges you faced. If they still aren't understanding, refer them to your contract.

Nov 06, 2009 at 11:47 AM

form
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p.1 #8 · How do you cope with a bad session?

It's less common for me to actually be happy with the way my shoots turn out. Therefore, I don't run into this problem in the same fashion since the exception is the one I'm very happy with.

Nov 06, 2009 at 01:20 PM

lisy78
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p.1 #9 · How do you cope with a bad session?

Sahid Limon wrote:
Am I getting too dramatic? I don't know, maybe. However, I know that we all have bad sessions, even the rockstars here. I just thought I throw this post out and see what you all do when you have a bad day or an average session. How do you usually deal with it, or what steps do you take?

No you're not getting too dramatic at all.

And if it helps you to tell yourself that the rockstars here have setbacks too, then go ahead and tell yourself that. It's a lie, but as long as you believe it, it's as good as real.

The truth is that the rest of us ALWAYS, consistently KILL IT better than the last time. That's 'cause we have this little thing called TALENT, which you... unfortunatelly... cannot buy from B&H. You should just accept that fact and decide what you're going to do with it.

I don't mean to sound rude or anything, but if you're not capable of performing better than last time EVERY SINGLE TIME, you have no business being a wedding photographer. After all if your clients wanted a human taking their photos they would probably have hired me instead.

Yeah... you're making a big ado about nothing. Agree with JClay... find the winners and enjoy those

Nov 06, 2009 at 01:38 PM

AndyKellett
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p.1 #10 · How do you cope with a bad session?

Maybe we should look at our work like many pro athletes do (no, not as prima donnas

). Everybody will have an 'off' day, but over the long term we should seek to improve the quality and over that same long term it should be noticeably better even to ourselves. One good friend often reviews my images and gives me honest critic. They noticed several years back that when I am tired, my composition slips a bit and my horizons tend to be slightly crooked. They were spot on, and that has helped me to do a better job overall.
Best,
Andy

Nov 06, 2009 at 01:51 PM

Phyl
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p.1 #11 · How do you cope with a bad session?

lisy78 wrote:
The truth is that the rest of us ALWAYS, consistently KILL IT better than the last time. That's 'cause we have this little thing called TALENT, which you... unfortunatelly... cannot buy from B&H. You should just accept that fact and decide what you're going to do with it.

I don't mean to sound rude or anything, but if you're not capable of performing better than last time EVERY SINGLE TIME, you have no business being a wedding photographer. After all if your clients wanted a human taking their photos they would probably have hired me instead.

You had me right up until the end with that. Too funny.

Nov 06, 2009 at 01:53 PM

dmacmillan
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p.1 #12 · How do you cope with a bad session?

It's a fine line. I think we don't improve unless we expect to do better with each succeeding job and are disappointed when we don't. However, if we're hyper critical, it leads to frustration which does not lead to improvement.

I believe one of the things that separates a true professional photographer from weekend dabbler is the ability to solve problems. I shot far fewer weddings where everything went right than weddings where there were problems that affected my photography. We have to be resourceful, inventive and quick on our feet. We should also have tools to help us work around restrictions and extenuating circumstances.

However, there are sometimes circumstances beyond our control that prevent us from providing our customers the work we know we're capable of. When all efforts to resolve the situation have been exhausted we have to take comfort in the knowledge that we tried. It doesn't mean we're happy about it, but we don't beat ourselves up over it.

Nov 06, 2009 at 02:02 PM

g-money
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p.1 #13 · How do you cope with a bad session?

Hey even the Dallas Cowboys have an off day every now and again, just bounce back next week.

Greg

Nov 06, 2009 at 03:37 PM

mjp698
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p.1 #14 · How do you cope with a bad session?

Definitely don't let the couple know your disappointment.

Nov 06, 2009 at 04:06 PM

Miker Reid
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p.1 #15 · How do you cope with a bad session?

I sell it like it is the best wedding ever...
Learn from it and move on.

Never let the client see you sweat....
Never Never make excuses, you either performed or you didn't.

Nov 06, 2009 at 04:58 PM

Aron Goss
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p.1 #16 · How do you cope with a bad session?

Beers.

Nov 06, 2009 at 05:37 PM

Mr. Malik
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p.1 #17 · How do you cope with a bad session?

Buy a cheesecake, sit down and eat it.

Take some time to reflect on the negatives and the positives...... Happy state of mind will often allow your yourself to compose yourself and aim higher nex next time.

Nov 06, 2009 at 06:10 PM

freespirit
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p.1 #18 · How do you cope with a bad session?

Edit the "baddies" with a friend
- they can have a go at processing these with a fresh eye

Nov 06, 2009 at 06:31 PM

Daan B
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p.1 #19 · How do you cope with a bad session?

Sahid Limon wrote:
How do you usually deal with it, or what steps do you take?

Stay in bed, curtains closed, listening to Nirvana all day long...

Nov 06, 2009 at 06:32 PM

Mrs. Jupiter
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p.1 #20 · How do you cope with a bad session?

mjp698 wrote:
Definitely don't let the couple know your disappointment.

Agreed.

Eating ones feelings is also an option. From time to time my feelings are Haagen Daaz Fleur de Sel flavored....

Nov 06, 2009 at 07:09 PM

tutumon
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p.1 #21 · How do you cope with a bad session?

Didn't you recently switch to Nikon?

Nov 06, 2009 at 08:07 PM

McGrattan
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p.1 #22 · How do you cope with a bad session?

I had a wedding recently where due to a trifecta of videographers (really cool guys actually) I didn't get a shot that I envisioned in my mind which got me down a little and made me feel like I had failed. I loaded the cards, backed up and forgot about it for a few days. A week later I edited the pictures and realized that we rockstar ninja'd the heck out of that wedding. That one shot was not going to be missed by the couple, nor by me.

"Baby, its not you, its me. I just need some time to gain some perspective..."

Nov 06, 2009 at 08:36 PM

lindabrowne
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p.1 #23 · How do you cope with a bad session?

McGrattan wrote:
I had a wedding recently where due to a trifecta of videographers (really cool guys actually) I didn't get a shot that I envisioned in my mind which got me down a little and made me feel like I had failed. I loaded the cards, backed up and forgot about it for a few days. A week later I edited the pictures and realized that we rockstar ninja'd the heck out of that wedding. That one shot was not going to be missed by the couple, nor by me.

"Baby, its not you, its me. I just need some time to gain some perspective..."

Very cool.

On the other hand.... I had a wedding that I did FAIL. Everyone was late, stressed, not having fun, etc. and though I didn't realize it so much at the time, I really dropped the ball on the quality of the photos. They got their money's worth and good coverage, but not the quality I feel should have been there. It didn't help that smiles were rare and tension high, but the last thing I want is for them or their friends to see my other work somewhere and think about how their photos didn't compare. No idea if they would actually think this, but it's very possible. I decided to offer a press book album at a special price to help showcase their wedding. More work on my end, but it highlights the good of the day and also helps put this behind me.

Going forward, it's a hard lesson that was well learned.

Nov 06, 2009 at 09:08 PM

lindabrowne
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p.1 #24 · How do you cope with a bad session?

mjp698 wrote:
Definitely don't let the couple know your disappointment.

+1

Nov 06, 2009 at 09:09 PM

Victor S
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p.1 #25 · How do you cope with a bad session?

If you're totally unhappy, just redo it. If it's engagement, just take them out and shoot during better time of the day and weather. If it's a wedding, offer after-shoot. Why not? It takes 2-3 hours and leaves you happy. Also you can use all your new techniques you wished you could use during the actual wedding, but didn't have time to do it. Now is the perfect time to play!

Just a thought!

Nov 06, 2009 at 09:15 PM


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