A Messy Situation

[joho35mm]

I'm in kind of a bind right now, and was wondering if you more experienced shooters could give me some advice.

Just a bit of background info: I'm a senior at the University of California, San Diego who shoots events, graduation portraits, and engagements as a side job, mostly for fun (often pro bono for friends and family) and for extra funds when I need it.

At the beginning of this month, I was asked by a mutual friend to do some engagement photos for her and her fiancee. We agreed on a date, time, and price, and everything was set to go. When we were supposed to shoot last week, however, the bride-to-be got sick and couldn't make it that day. After many phone calls and messages, we agreed to reschedule to the 31st. However, today, I got a message from the bride-to-be saying that she had met a photographer during her engagement dinner; she wanted to cancel, saying that this other photographer "took nice shots." I believe it's because he charges less.

I just found out that the new photographer is one of my acquaintances, an up and coming photo one year younger than I am who has been extraordinarily aggressive in trying to market himself as a pro. His composition skills, IMHO, are pretty bad, but he's good at Photoshop, and makes pictures that college-age viewers like (the bride and groom are also college students). I'm not sure whether this new photographer knew whether or not I was the photographer he was taking the job from, but I'm pretty sure he talked the bride-to-be into canceling the appointment with me based on a lower price or better pictures. Because of this, I'm at a loss for what to do. I'm sorely in need of the funds that I had planned to get from the shoot - for tuition and other expenses.

In any case, I'm really pissed, and don't even know how to begin to contact this acquaintance or respond to the bride-to-be's cancellation message. How would you guys handle this situation, on an ethical and business level? I'd appreciate any advice. Thanks!

[Mike Kovacs]

C O N T R A C T

You can't do **** about your client but return the call and graciously accept the cancellation, unless you have a contract signed.  Actually if you stay friendly you might get a better idea of what is really going on with your acquaintance.

In any case, you need some new friends I fear.  That is just a ****ty way to treat you.

[Kin Lau]

Let it go... do you seriously still want to do business with them after that?

Wish them well, show that you're a professional.

[jake]

Second on both of the above. I am speaking from a business perspective, more than a photography perspective, but it generally sounds like she doesn't know what she wants. That will only make you crazy afterwards. Better to lose the client now than after having spent many hours shooting, post processing, etc. As far as the other guy, there will always be other guys. That's why you focus on your product and ensure its quality while making sure your pricing system serves your needs. If he wants to cut his prices now, he will find it harder to raise them later. Meanwhile, as you build a career and reputation, you will find it easier and easier because people will come to you for what you offer pictorially and not because you offer to shoot yourself in the foot on price. Set your prices, get signed contracts, and you'll be happier in the long run.

If you need inspiration, check out my friend, Daniel Sheehan's site. He uses film, Leicas, panoramic cameras, Holgas, prints on photographic paper, etc. All the things he enjoys and clients come to him for. He got there basically by saying over and over again, "I will only do it if...." Plus he is a damn good photojournalist.

http://www.abeautifuldayphotography.com/

[shadowfox]

Hi Joseph, you're getting some good advices here.  The level of appreciation of quality among "clients" is one of the most frustrating thing a photographer must deal with.  

But there are those out there who will appreciate thing the way it is.  About the only thing you can do is to impress them by having a kick-butt portfolio.

An aggressive (bordering underhanded) attitude will always "win" at first, but a consistent style and dependability will survive in the end.  These two of course, cannot be earned overnight.

So what am I saying? Hang in there, it's part of the game.  And yes, network in another direction from these people.

[grizzz]

Well, what the others said about the lost customer. I may have a few different things to say to the acquaintance though. Of course if you are looking to toss a shingle out and do this professionally after school it is best to just learn from it. They say we always learn from our mistakes (damn, I should be smarter). Next time get something in writing and enjoy it...

[Glenn Thoreson]

Sorry to hear that, Joseph. It probably won't be much comfort to know that this kind of practice goes on in a lot of other situations, too. Hold firm on your price and always get everything in writing. No exceptions. You should word your contracts to provide for change orders, to so you don't get stuck when clients start changing their minds. You have to charge for that. You should also provide for a cancellation fee. I would give a client 48 hours to back out without charge. Maybe less time if it's a rush job or if you anticipate spending a lot of time right away. Some don't give any time and no refunds. Get a deposit, up front. You have to get paid and a written, detailed contract is the only way to be reasonably sure you will. I never, ever let a bill slide. Ten day notice by certified mail, after 60 days past due, then it's off to the courthouse. You need to be very aware, also, that engagements, weddings and such are the most risky assignments you can take. Also the most aggravating, usually. Don't give in and don't give your work away. Good luck to you.

[joho35mm]

Thanks for all the advice and encouragements, guys. I really appreciate it. I ended up writing a simple confirmation email to the bride-to-be and a longer, civil-but-firm email to the acquaintance. He replied with some pretty uncivil words, but I don't feel like the situation is worth expounding on anymore.

Fundamental things I'm taking away from all this: 1) make a contract and stick to it, 2) keep firm on prices and quality of work, and 3) sometimes, life just isn't fair.

On the upside, one of my professors handed me two packets of 4x5 negatives from 1957 today (they're original press negs of prison riots); he needs them digitized and cleaned up for a project he's working on - and will fund my work! Old photos and history - a great combination. I'll be sure to put some of them up in the "Old/Found Photos" section whenever I'm done working on them.

[Don Day]

Make a backup scan before you start cleaning, then clean with care; in most cases, applying a moist cloth to gelatin will draw any surface contaminants INTO the gelatin. If the emulsion is not likely to separate from the film base, a full wash is a better way to go than a surface wipe. For the time period you mention, these should be okay for washing if they don't appear to be bubbly or stinky (nitrate or acetate decomposition).  Have fun!

[Glenn Thoreson]

Ah, one door closes - another opens.

[radiophoto]

You appear to have learned a few lessons from this experience.  I have been in your shoes many times - cancellations due to "cheaper" photographers, loss of potential bookings for the same reason, that sort of thing.  I now have a clause in my wedding contract that states if there is a cancellation of my services for any reason other than a cancellation of the wedding itself, the deposit is non-refundable.
 
Here's another lesson you might take with you: do your best to avoid turning a friend into a client.  While you might do your very best work because the friend is someone you like, you could end up getting burned or at the very least get your feelings trod upon.
 
Example: more than once I've done shoots with friends because they know my work and they know I'll give them my best effort.  I produce marvelous shots (IMHO and also based on their compliments) and give them a pretty good discount.
 
Some time goes by and I see them again.  In the course of the conversation I bring up the last shoot I did with them and ask if it might be time to do another (kids getting bigger, new baby, what-have-you).  Then the shocker, when they say, "Oh, I was in a hurry so we went to Olan Mills/Wal-Mart/JCPenney/Sears to get some done."
 
This sort of response always leaves me puzzled, because they didn't even bother to call to see if I was available in their timeframe before they went to "have their picture made" (I resist saying "have their portrait shot" in a case like this) by some snot-nosed, pimply 18-year-old with two-weeks' experience at a discount store.
 
So...learn from my mistake.  Friends make terrible clients.
 
And congrats on getting that historical scanning gig!  Good luck with that, and have fun.
 
Pete