Local business will not print my photos

[ueb0258]

Ok I have run into a problem. I did a family portrait for a co-worker so they could send them out for Christmas. I made up a release that allowed them to print the photo but she ran into a problem. The first place said that my release was not good enough that it had to be on letterhead. I do not own a photography business and just play around in my basement so how would I have letter head. She explained this to them but they would not budge from their position of needing letter head. What should I do in the future?

[flipstyle72]

Can you just make a letterhead with word? If that's the only thing stopping you, that's a 2 min. Fix...or longer if you want to make a fancy graphic.

[ueb0258]

Since I dont have a buisness what infomation would I put in the letterhead. Just my name and address type stuff or what. I had all of that on my release that I gave out before.

[flipstyle72]

If it was me -

Name
Professional Photographer
address
Number

Or something like

Photography by Name
Address
#

are they asking for a tax ID or anything? Just a letterhead? Many times when people are in business for themselves, just the SS# works.

[bwolford]

Do NOT put your SSN or FEI on your letterhead.

[flipstyle72]

Do NOT put your SSN or FEI on your letterhead.

lol..no i wasn't saying to... just asking what extent they are asking for proof that you are legit.

[danir.photography]

Fascinating.

You are a photographer because you SAY you are a photographer, not because somebody else has deigned to so grace you. Is bull**** a lost art? Do you ask permission to go to the restroom?

Just make something up!!!

[Jamie Holladay]

just do a quick logo or something

Flipstyle Photography
123 Any Street NW
New Orleans, LA xxxxx
(xxx) xxx-xxxx

The stupid printer does not know you are not an LLC or INC.
Or better yet use one of the online printing sources. WHCC, Smugmug, Mpix. etc. and print them yourself. I will assure you they will come out better than Wal-Mart, CVS, or Walgreens anyway.

[cosworth]

Is bull**** a lost art?

I am a practicing master of the art.




Seriously though, this is a good thing. They are protecting you. A simple phone call to them (or dear god a visit!) to be on their "list" of local shooters could go a loooong way for you.

[Karl C]

I am a practicing master of the art.

That's because you're in Sales...

One expects nothing less from a salesperson.

:lol:

[flipstyle72]

I am a practicing master of the art.




Seriously though, this is a good thing. They are protecting you. A simple phone call to them (or dear god a visit!) to be on their "list" of local shooters could go a loooong way for you.


best advice so far (other than my bull****ting them letter head) simple face to face business usually helps to break the slight rules. Would help if it was a male and you were a busty blonde too... but use what you got!

and always remember...

You may not be an expert, but you can play one on the internet!

[cosworth]

That's because you're in Sales...

One expects nothing less from a salesperson.

:lol:

Every professional photographer is a salesperson. Everyone in business for themselves is actually.

:cool:

[Karl C]

Every professional photographer is a salesperson. Everyone in business for themselves is actually.

:cool:

Oh I know and agree - just slinging some crapola your way.

:razz: :lol:

[ueb0258]

Thanks for the advice guys. I have a face to face relationship with the local people I print with but I did this photo as a favor to a friend at work. His wife was unable to find any photo business that had any openings before mid January. I did the photos the Sunday the week before Christmas and left it up to here to get them printed or have Christmas cards made out of them. I was suprised to hear that she had trouble and was just looking for advice for the future. Thanks to all who replied.

[cosworth]

That's because you're in Sales...

One expects nothing less from a salesperson.

:lol:


Karl sling at will. :)



OP - Call this guy up and THANK him. You might end up getting some business from him long term.

When I was a pro I supplied CDs with single images of a full CD depending on what priting package they had chosen etc. I always included a text file burned on the CD giving permission to print or web the images etc. with my contact info. Some labs do as this thread warns and I wanted my customers to make sure the printing rights they bought were not in vain.

[EricL]

All they need is a name and address so if a copyright issue comes up in the future any and all legal issues come straight to you. Which in this case, won't be a problem.

[burntpixel]

Not a thread highjack but I too have run into this same problem. My mother said that the lady at Sam's club would print this one time but needed some type of release from me. I thought it was just mom trying to make me feel good about my aspiring photography skills. Less than a week later my wifes mother contacted me saying the lady at Walgreens also needed a release form along with a photo of me in my studio with my gear. Has anyone ever heard of that? Is the .txt file that cosworth mentioned not enough?

Also,
flipstyle72....."You may not be an expert, but you can play one on the internet!"
I'm crackn' up. Sounds like you need to make a new tv commercial. Add this line with also staying at a Holiday Inn Express and you've got your self a genius.

[dekalbSTEEL]

Walmart ( and I assume Sam's Club) has a copyright release form

http://photos.walmart.com/photo/messages/51016-0_WM_copyright_EBF1D.pdf

that you can download and take to the store when you pick up your photos.

[New Hobby]

Walmart ( and I assume Sam's Club) has a copyright release form

http://photos.walmart.com/photo/messages/51016-0_WM_copyright_EBF1D.pdf

that you can download and take to the store when you pick up your photos.


I do not think that release the OP would want to sign. This line jumped out at me...

"I agree to pay the charges for the processing..."

[Choderboy]

Fascinating.

You are a photographer because you SAY you are a photographer, not because somebody else has deigned to so grace you. Is bull**** a lost art? Do you ask permission to go to the restroom?

Just make something up!!!

Exactly. A few years ago I wanted to join a video store , but had no home phone (mobile only). As this was a requirement to join, I simply read out the phone number that was printed on the shop across the road. Problem solved and I turned a frustrating situation into a comical one :)

[flipstyle72]

Must have been a confusing situation for them the first time you forgot to bring the rentals back on time... should have pushed your luck and gave them their number.

Fascinating.

You are a photographer because you SAY you are a photographer, not because somebody else has deigned to so grace you. Is bull**** a lost art? Do you ask permission to go to the restroom?

Just make something up!!!

Exactly. A few years ago I wanted to join a video store , but had no home phone (mobile only). As this was a requirement to join, I simply read out the phone number that was printed on the shop across the road. Problem solved and I turned a frustrating situation into a comical one :)

[Choderboy]

[quote=flipstyle72;4693988]Must have been a confusing situation for them the first time you forgot to bring the rentals back on time... should have pushed your luck and gave them their number.

Now that would have been pushing my luck, it was hard enough keeping a poker face as it was :)