When clients have "Ideas"

[Kathy H]

Ever have a bride show you their wedding location and start pointing out all the wonderful spots for photos? I sometimes want to cry when they pick out the worst possible places! So many people think that you have to stand out in the bright sun to get a good picture! So, I went to view a next months wedding location and she has told me about this fantastic "water feature". I get there and guess what.. besides being in full sun, its a little pool about 1 foot deep, and maybe 4 feet across with fungus covered water and a tiny waterfall (3 inches wide). This drives me nuts! So I politely tried to explain to her the fact that shade would work better, even showed her some examples. Went right in one ear and out the other! Grandpa and Dad built this water thing and it's very important that it's in the photos, especially the family group shots:cry: I forgot to mention that there is a barbed wire fence right behind 2/3 of the "feature", so they pretty much have to stand right in front of it. Oh well, I warned her, now I'll just have to convince her to have a few family group shots in the area of my choice too!

[Grace]

I always act so excited to hear their ideas ( and I really do like ideas from them, good or bad) do them and say "Ok guys I have an idea ..lets try this over here too...It may or may not work so lets just have a good time and keep this fun for everyone! I just love trying new things!!!" - whether you mean it not, you get what they want and what you want!

[picturecrazy]

I'm with Kathy.
You gotta sound excited to hear their ideas, however strange they may be. (though it seems like kathy can get excited about just about anything... LOL)

It sounds like this water feature is very important to her so I wouldn't question it for a moment. Many have done formals in direct sun and with some flash work it's really not that bad. Put the sun to their backs and flash the living snot out of them.

Remember, they are less concerned about technical perfection than we are. A hard light photo with the water feature, barbed wire, and a dog peeing in the background probably means more to them than a beautifully soft, evenly lit photo infront of the taj mahal.

We just gotta roll with it no matter how crappy. That's why they hire us, because as pros we should be able to deliver in ANY condition.

[MrsOpie]

Interesting that you bring this up because a week ago I was at a wedding and planned on doing group shots along the side of the church but then the groom's mother insisted on a "glen" with trees and ivy just a few steps away. I said sure! so we went over there and the light was perfect and I placed everyone in the shade with an ivy backdrop. I really think the location saved me since we were shooting pictures at 5:00pm and it was rather bright surrounding the church.

Did you look at the location at the same time of day as the wedding?

[Kathy H]

Yeah, I looked at it at the same time the photos will be taken, 1:00pm. I always love new locations too, but sometimes its just frustrating because I want to do it nice, and give them what they want, but the challenge is almost to much. I'm thinking maybe I could even figure a way to put some of them behind the fence and make it kind of a "relaxed" family shot, that way the water thing would be more visable too.

Lloyd, I will definately "backlight and flash the snot out of them" and I like the peeing dog idea! Hey, maybe I'll just "flash":oops: them myself and while they are all out of their minds with laughter I'll coax them to a different spot:)

Kathy

[stevefossimages]

Yeah, I'm with Lloyd. What they think is special and what we think is special is often quite different. As the client, it's what they think is special that counts most, and I'm always happy to please clients in any type of photographic situation, not just weddings.

[howzitboy]

what ever the client asks for, i shoot. its their wedding so who am i to say no.

[Kathy H]

I agree 100% with all of you that pleasing the client and giving them what they want is #1 important and I would never even think about not trying my very best to fulfill their requests. I just get hung up on the insane notion that I know best sometimes, but I never tell them that. It will all work out fine.

[howzitboy]

when they ask for weird photos, i try to shoot it and show them the preview and ask "is this okay?". if okay, on to MY shots!

[cdifoto]

Grandpa and Dad built this water thing and it's very important that it's in the photos, especially the family group shots:cry:

It's THEIR day. Not yours. The little feature is obviously important to them for sentimental reasons, no matter how unphotogenic you think it is, so capture it. It won't cost you much. Just do it your way as well.

[Kathy H]

I know its her day and I'm really not a old grumpy rip:) I'm just spoiled I guess because I'm used to choosing where the photo taking will take place. I will do it however they want it and smile & be happy the whole time. As I said before, it will all work out fine, I'll find a way to shoot it so that it looks nice, who knows, maybe it will be cloudy on their day.

By the way CDI, nice title:confused:

Kathy

[cdifoto]

I just noticed I was a little late to the party. Everyone else said what I said. Oops. Oh well, at least I was fashionably late. :cool:

[Grace]

way to read Don! ;) just kiddin!

[cdifoto]

I blame the tree (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=348767). I think I can use that for at least a week. :D

[Grace]

lol!!

[Kathy H]

Better late to the party than not show up at all:) I still appreciated what you had to say and the Tree thread was great. Hope your head doesn't hurt to much, or fall off:)

Kathy

[Grace]

im actually hoping it knocked some sense INto him!!

[Kathy H]

Was he senseless before the tree attacked him? He sounds pretty witty now.