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Archive 2010 · Unreasonable?

andrea.c
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p.1 #1 · Unreasonable?

I just spoke with a couple wanting to book me. They're in New Zealand and I'm in Canada. They want me to emulate another photographers style, kinda indie style, and they have asked me to do a shoot with "some friends" and post the shoot on my blog to see if I can do that style..... Are they being too pushy? I suggested we do a practice/engagment shoot 3 days before the wedding to see if i can do exactly what they're asking etc......

What do you think?

Sep 08, 2010 at 06:10 AM

TRReichman
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p.1 #2 · Unreasonable?

If they want someone else then why are they hiring you?

Also, how much $ are we talking?

- trr

Sep 08, 2010 at 06:25 AM

patrickphoto
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p.1 #3 · Unreasonable?

Shoot how you shoot, if they hire you good, if not, don't emulate, as you generally won't deliver consistently on a style that you don't shoot often.

Sep 08, 2010 at 06:34 AM

sboerup
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p.1 #4 · Unreasonable?

Woe, this sounds weird . . . sounds like it has a high probability to end in a way that doesn't meet their expectations. It will not be your fault, you are not who they want you to be and there is no way around that. Find a way to educate them about you and your work, your business policies and procedures. Take control of the situation or they will walk all over you in the end. Not saying you shouldn't shoot the wedding, but, be forewarned.

Sep 08, 2010 at 06:34 AM

57suzi
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p.1 #5 · Unreasonable?

You are not the photographer whose look they want. THEY are not the same people in the photos they are admiring. A lot of room for unhappy clients. They should hire you because they like your style.
Are you inspired by the other style? Is it something you have been wanting to Learn? Even if you do, hopefully, you will put your own spin on it.

Just a bunch of red flags, there.

Sep 08, 2010 at 07:46 AM

EOSDNG
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p.1 #6 · Unreasonable?

yeah, red red and red flags. do not emulate another photographers style. we are not lightroom presets, we are individual photographers with our own style.

Sep 08, 2010 at 08:23 AM

fotonix
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p.1 #7 · Unreasonable?

They likely exhausted the (extensive) list of photogs here in New Zealand with the same 'demands'. This raises so many red flags with this you might think you're surrounded by ketchup. Don't just walk away, RUN!!!

Sep 08, 2010 at 08:30 AM

DB
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p.1 #8 · Unreasonable?

I had one client this year who told me she wanted to "tweak [my] style." Ended up being one of the happiest, most satisfied clients I had. BUT - the photos she kept sending me to show me what she liked looked like what I shoot. I think she was thinking of certain types of shots (couples shots, etc.) as style rather than shooting as style.

Spencer seems to have some of the best advice. They are either setting themselves up for utter disappointment or they don't really know what "style" is implying. After the stress I went through this summer, I would likely have a very open conversation and explain how you shoot and that while you'd love to produce pictures in a certain way, they are much better off hiring someone who already matches their style.

Sep 08, 2010 at 09:50 AM

lisy78
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p.1 #9 · Unreasonable?

Hum.. I sure hope they're getting married in Canada... 'cause they can't possibly be seriously considering hiring an out of continent photographer to shoot in a style other than his own. Weird.

Sep 08, 2010 at 12:28 PM

sherijohnson
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p.1 #10 · Unreasonable?

I know you haven't been around here all that long, but let me give you an analogy. Let's say they say to you, "I really like the photography of Tony Hoffer, Sam Hassas & Ed Pingol.... but I like your price, can you give me a blend of their styles?" sure, you would give it your best, but you are not blessed with the same talents, skillset, and so on. I agree that you could set yourself up to disappoint yourself as well as this potential client, it all really depends on your photography and your desire to get the job. In the end, you should stay true to who you really are and what you normally do.

Also, why would you attempt to do a shoot with them 3 days before the wedding as if that would give them enough time to find someone else last minute. That does not sound like a good plan to me.

Sep 08, 2010 at 12:29 PM

ClareinME
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p.1 #11 · Unreasonable?

It sounds to me that they like someone else's style but with your price tag!

Sep 08, 2010 at 12:38 PM

dmacmillan
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p.1 #12 · Unreasonable?

lisy78 wrote:
'cause they can't possibly be seriously considering hiring an out of continent photographer...
Or even worse, an incontinent photographer!

Sep 08, 2010 at 01:05 PM

jofoto photo
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p.1 #13 · Unreasonable?

Run for the hills, could led to lots of problems with expectations or lack thereof.

Sep 08, 2010 at 01:14 PM

Mike Mahoney
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p.1 #14 · Unreasonable?

andrea.c wrote:
I just spoke with a couple wanting to book me. They're in New Zealand and I'm in Canada. They want me to emulate another photographers style, kinda indie style, and they have asked me to do a shoot with "some friends" and post the shoot on my blog to see if I can do that style..... Are they being too pushy? I suggested we do a practice/engagment shoot 3 days before the wedding to see if i can do exactly what they're asking etc...... What do you think?

I say it depends on how different the two styles are .. your style is pretty clean so if they want a lot of gimmicks & post-processing maybe they are better off with someone who already does that kind of stuff.

I'd be interested in seeing an example of the kind of style they are asking you to do.

Sep 08, 2010 at 01:33 PM

ksmahgrts
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p.1 #15 · Unreasonable?

also... do they really expect you to go out and do a shoot with "some friends" just to prove to them that you can execute? why waste a day of work on a project that might not yield results?

if you don't have what they're looking for in your portfolio, then you are not the photographer for them. this all seems very bizarre to me.

Sep 08, 2010 at 01:37 PM

dpun
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p.1 #16 · Unreasonable?

Run Forest Run!!! People like that kill me. It's obvious they somewhat care about the photography or they wouldn't be going to this much trouble. BUT, they aren't willing to pay for it.

Don't take it for 2 reasons:
1. chances are you won't be able to deliver what they are looking for
2. you'll be undercutting another photographer...and probably delivering something not close to that photographer's style. Everyone shoots differently.

Sep 08, 2010 at 01:40 PM

gabemc
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p.1 #17 · Unreasonable?

ClareinME wrote:
It sounds to me that they like someone else's style but with your price tag!

exactly.

shoot how you shoot else come wedding day you will be so consumed with trying to be someone else that you will hate the entire day.

why would you want to be hired to be someone you're not?

if they like the persons style they should look at hiring that person.

don't do it....if you have to post on here asking and your gut tells you it may not be a good idea....trust your gut.

good luck.

Sep 08, 2010 at 01:44 PM

jeremy_clay
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p.1 #18 · Unreasonable?

I bet you're charging very little.

Sep 08, 2010 at 01:44 PM

richym
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p.1 #19 · Unreasonable?

As Iron Maiden said "run to the hills", I've had this before and had to point out that a sunset wedding isnt going to give the same pictures as a winters morning shoot they liked done by another tog. They booked me only on the clear written understanding they were paying for my style and that whilst they could pay for additional editing it would not look like the other togs work even with that. In the end they loved how the stuff came out and spent money on enlargements not editing.
I second shot for the first time recently and the primary and I discussed a little about ensuring our images were cohesive as a set whilst still showing our own style. Just let them know its too risky and they can either hire you to shoot your own style or hire the original tog they like.

Sep 08, 2010 at 01:52 PM

amonline
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p.1 #20 · Unreasonable?

Run.

Sep 08, 2010 at 01:52 PM

TTLKurtis
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p.1 #21 · Unreasonable?

jeremy_clay wrote:
I bet you're charging very little.

Ding ding ding.

Sep 08, 2010 at 03:29 PM

lisy78
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p.1 #22 · Unreasonable?

I can confirm from personal experience that shooting outside of your personal style can be a tough thing to do. Second shot with a cool chick from NY recently... I show up... I actually accelerated the planned purchase of a 5D2 so that I could check out the high iso capability tied with LR's NR goodness in the reception photos.

5 minutes into the thing the primary tells me she'd like me to shoot at ISO 1600 max.

Boy that took a while to come up with something that I was actually happy with. And still the whole evening though she eventually came over and said "shoot however you feel comfortable I love your work I'm sure the photos'll be great if you do your own thing" ... I felt like I was handcuffed. Constantly checking the ISO setting making sure I hadn't wanderd off too far away from ISO 1600. Heck I was hoping to try out some made for B/W only ISO 25600 shots

nOt liSy

P.S. Great careers have been built on doing the exact opposite of what I would do... but in your shoes I'd definitely talk to them more and at least find out what these photos look like that they'd like you to shoot.

Sep 08, 2010 at 03:35 PM

ksmahgrts
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p.1 #23 · Unreasonable?

the more i think about this, the more it smells like a zimbabwean princes deal.

do they have princesses in new zealand?

Sep 08, 2010 at 04:03 PM

azkaps
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p.1 #24 · Unreasonable?

which photographer do they want you to emulate?

Sep 08, 2010 at 04:35 PM

asimsoofi
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p.1 #25 · Unreasonable?

Your first instinct was your answer. It is unreasonable.

Educate them to understand that as a professional, you offer your unique talent and perspective just as any other professional photographer would. It is impossible for you to focus your attention on trying to emulate, thereby missing key moments from the day. This will happen with any photographer they hire with the same condition.

The test session is a waste of your time unless they pay for it. If you do it, I guarantee you will be spending double the normal time as well.

Your confidence in yourself is being tested here. Show that you believe in what you have to offer.

Pop quiz hot shot.

/asim

Sep 08, 2010 at 07:27 PM


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