p.6 #1 · Stupid Ken Rockwell may cost me a customer!
funwithlight wrote:
So you'll still be doing the shoot for her? Or no? I didn't quite catch the outcome there.
She refused to listen to anything I had to say and went off on a tangent trying to discredit my beloved D700 cameras using computer chip advancement analogies. My 2 babies have made me thousands of dollars - enough to buy dozens of D7000s if I wish.
I gave her the option to break the contract and refund the money, and she took it.
p.6 #3 · Stupid Ken Rockwell may cost me a customer!
RSHPhotography wrote:
She refused to listen to anything I had to say and went off on a tangent trying to discredit my beloved D700 cameras using computer chip advancement analogies. My 2 babies have made me thousands of dollars - enough to buy dozens of D7000s if I wish.
I gave her the option to break the contract and refund the money, and she took it.
Good for you. I don't know how it would have turned out if you had rented the camera that she wanted (probably wouldn't have even been able to appreciate the difference), but the main thing is that she even inquired about what type of gear you use after agreeing on a contract. I'm not a professional photographer, but does this type of thing happen often? Do you guys put stipulations in your contracts about the gear (e.g non negotiable) you use? RSH, will you consider putting it in the fine print for future agreements?
p.6 #4 · Stupid Ken Rockwell may cost me a customer!
Hope she finds someone with a D7000 and Ken Rockwell's highly recommended 18-200 zoom, or the newer 18-300 (it is, after all, the only lens you'd ever need (or so he says)).
I'd warn any photographer friends you have about this lady ...
p.6 #5 · Stupid Ken Rockwell may cost me a customer!
1- This lady is not the type you want to shoot for. She is the type who will blame you if the weather changes....
2- Depending on the type of shoot, the equipment (all detailed equipment) is approved and listed for 2 reasons:
a- For insurance purpose
b- For permissions and access to the location.
Photogrphers in commercial shoots are selected by style followed by budget and followed by availability. They are not selected by equipment.
Having said that, equiplment does play a big role in commercial photogrpahy where the CD or AD are more familiar with one brand versus the other and hence will hire the brands they are more comfortable with. But the camera body brand is the least important. What comes first are the lenses and lighting.
The camera sensor size is the main factor and not the name on the tin.
p.6 #10 · Stupid Ken Rockwell may cost me a customer!
someone wrote:
ps: cant STAND people that think they know better than the professionals they themselves hired. if you're such hot stuff, do it yourself then.
While I agree with most of the sentiment on this thread, this is one that rubs me the wrong way. With so much information out there it IS quite possible for an intelligent inquisitive customer to "know better than the professionals". I have experienced this with doctors (one was not aware of a rare side effect of a strong seditive that was affecting my wife), building contractors (incorrect details on reinforcing a support beam), window repair guy (not the best technique in reglazing an old window), and a few other occasions.
I was happy with how each of them did their job. I had no illusions that I could do their job better than them. However, in each instance I was quite confident that since I was able to focus on the details of my specific circumstance to the exclusion of everything else, I was capable of digging up information that they were not necessarily aware of. The good professional will acknowledge such situations and work with the customer. All of the above people did. The bad professional will respond with "if you're such hot stuff, do it yourself then".
Without referring to anyone in particular, wedding photographers ARE a breed where the lay customer with an aesthetic eye can easily "know better" than a meaningful fraction of them. With a daughter in her mid 20s I have started paying attention to the portfolios of some and have discovered, to my great discomfort, that the ones I like I cannot afford, and the ones that I can afford are not worth the money. I am not talking low-rent weekend warriors here, but people who charge $5-$7k for a wedding. And once again, I am under no illusion that I can do their job better than them --- I am terrible at photographing people and avoid it like the plague. However, that does not mean that I, or many other people who have never picked up a dSLR, cannot make meaningful suggestions that, if considered thoughtfully, would improve the product.
Last but not least, I agree that this situation does not appear to fall into the "thoughtful customer" category. I was just responding to the (apparent) blanket statement.
p.6 #11 · Stupid Ken Rockwell may cost me a customer!
Maybe it would have been an idea, in this case and maybe any others of similar ilk, to have just sent her a friendly email with multiple links to D700 reviews and comparisons with the D7000, and even the D800 for this specific purpose, with a comment that KR is not a professional engagement/wedding photographer and maybe the opinions of experienced wedding pros (with links) should be considered above that of a photographer blogger.
p.6 #14 · Stupid Ken Rockwell may cost me a customer!
You made the right decision in offering her a choice- either accept what I have or accept a refund.
Now, she will be on her merry way, looking for a photographer with a D7000!
About three years ago, I was on the opposite side of this issue. At my friends wedding, the primary was using a Nikon D2h and a Canon 5D MKII. The D2h was his *main camera*. Some cameras are classics and will always be, but the D2h wasn't one of them!
Clearly, we all need to be shooting 4x5, per Rockwell:
Your camera store wants to sell you a new digital camera. I couldn't care less what you buy; I'm just trying to help you with what I've learned over time. A 4 x 5 will cost a lot less than digital, even throwing in a film scanner, and will give far better results. It just takes a lot more concentration and patience.
p.6 #15 · Stupid Ken Rockwell may cost me a customer!
GroovyGeek wrote:
While I agree with most of the sentiment on this thread, this is one that rubs me the wrong way.
hey, that was MY sentiment!
but seriously, i agree that customers can give constructive suggestions, and even point out places for improvement. but this situation is nothing like the scenarios you pointed out. this situation would fit your comment if she saw the pictures that he took and then suggested different angles, composition or lighting, or things of that nature. the guy hasnt even taken a single shot of her and she's already complaining about the IQ of his shots.
i think she definitely falls within the realm of my original statements. but i do agree that if a professional performs a task, and there is a REASONABLE concern, then the customer can definitely point it out and a good vendor would acknowledge it and make adjustments to satisfy the customer.
p.6 #16 · Stupid Ken Rockwell may cost me a customer!
Well, I think you did well getting out of this job. It seems a client would be more interested in your photo portfolio than in some internet photo gear pseudo-expert info. This much micromanagement, before the shoot is a warning of the headache to come, dealing with them.
Honestly, my response to a prospective client emailing me a KR link and questioning my choice of equipment, would be to reply with a couple links of my own.
p.6 #17 · Stupid Ken Rockwell may cost me a customer!
RSHPhotography wrote:
Well, the shoot is next sunday. I'm already paid but I'm certain I want no more work from her. It's just that, this idiot Rockwell turned what could have been a potentially good shoot into a possible nightmare.
can't blame rockwell, can't blame the woman--they would never know better. you did and you walked into this, no one else to blame if it turns sour
p.6 #20 · Stupid Ken Rockwell may cost me a customer!
Although i agree with the general sentiment of this thread, i think "professionals" should act as such. I don't think airing ones dirty laundry on a public forum fits that role. Just my two cents.
