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