Just a rant: Tired of clients wanting more than stated

[noxcuses1]

Here's the story, I'm sure many of you have had a similar experience:

I recently did a live shoot for a band. My fees for live photography are less than a promotional band shoot. The band wanted both done, and I told them I would offer a discount.

They pay for the live shoot, then afterwards asked me to shoot a few of them together as a band. Keep in mind I kinda figured they were going to ask me this. I said "ok", but that I am not "set up" for a promo style shoot. They didn't care. So I shot a few. (My mistake)

I uploaded a few hundred shots on my client proofing site (there is a proof watermark on all pics, and they can't grab any of them off the web).
I get an email from them asking where the group shots were. (can you figure out where this is going yet?)
So I added the group photos to the proofing site for them to view.
I sent a note to him explaining those are considered promo style photos, and that if he wanted them, he would have to pay a per image fee. BUT I would apply any fees paid to the promo shoot they had not booked yet.

Well, he didn't like that, and said he didn't want to pay, and to not send the group photos.

My thought was that he was trying to get the group photos for the least expensive route by asking for a few group shots after the live photos because they didn't want to pay for the promotional photos.

I am so tired of people trying to screw me. The reason I put a watermark on the proofing site is because I had another band make screen shots of ALL their photos, and try to NOT pay for them.

I'm curious if there is anyone who would have done the same thing.
The contract specifically stated for LIVE performance photos only.
Due to other things as well, I almost don't think he read the contract that I had sent a week earlier.

[snails]

This is pretty easy to remedy. Don't do anything outside the contract. You have a contract to shoot the live performance, shoot that. If they ask for something else, you tell them to set something up for later because you are booked and don't have extra time (or some other reasonable excuse), and if you want to make sure you don't come across as a jerk for saying so, just explain that you are covering your ass. Most people understand the "CYA" explanation.

Don't put yourself in the position for people to take advantage of you (you've learned, and now you move on). Also, don't take it personally when people try to take advantage of you. Not that it's OK, but it's just not worth the stress, and you already know there are people out there who will try. Unfortunately the world is not honest.

[noxcuses1]

Thanks snails for your insight.

Yes, I knew in advance and had planned out what I was going to say to them if they had asked, but it just didn't come out like I wanted it to. Also, I was ahead of schedule and finished with them early.

I'll take it as a learning experience.

[snails]

I think you're going about it the right way. Sorry if I sounded like a know-it-all.

[noxcuses1]

Sorry if I sounded like a know-it-all.

not at all!

[bildeb0rg]

It's actually their loss, not yours. They still have nothing in the way of promotional material, and just added another 'tog to the list of people that won't work with them again.
My guess is they'll come back and try to renegotiate for your pics.

[milorad]

we all try to get the best deal we can...

however, there really should be a mechanism which identifies bad customers in the same way that service providers are named and shamed.

[noxcuses1]

Thank you all for your comments. I always try to do what's right and that sometimes includes going a little above and beyond in the services I provide to my clients.

It's always a disappointment when people try to take advantage of that though.

I know I didn't do anything wrong, just to hear others say the same thing validates this.



we all try to get the best deal we can...

however, there really should be a mechanism which identifies bad customers in the same way that service providers are named and shamed.

Exactly, there's nothing wrong with trying to get the best deal. It's the ones that deliberately attempt to take advantage of someone's generosity.

Next time, my contract will state that no group photos will be taken for the purpose of promotional use.

At this point, if they contacted me for promos, I may decline and tell them I'm currently booked. :confused: