Another weird bride request-How to handle this one??

[Lin-z]

I don't know what it is. It seems like every bride I shoot here lately has some crazy demand after the wedding. I always fulfill my contract and they still come up with something. I know that part of the reason is that I am a somewhat cheap photographer, so I get alot of low end clients. Here is this weeks-


One of my last brides sent me a somewhat hostile email saying that she liked her wedding pictures, but is disappointed at how many she was given.

My contract states that the couple will be presented with 150 to 300 images. I gave this bride 225 images. MY END OF THE DEAL HELD UP!

She stated that she knows that every time I posed her and her groom and her family ESPECAILLY family groups and children, I took more than one photo. She is mad because " she paid for every photo I took that day and I am not withholding them from her"

YES- I take 3 or 4 especially with groups.


I explained to her that I take more than one photo of everything because not every images turns out to be a great image. I explained that with the groups almost everytime you pose them someone closes their eyes, opens their mouth doesn't look at the camera and that the children move around and look blurred, etc. I also explained that 2 out of 4 of her pictures have closed eyes, and that 2 out 4 are identical images.

She responded and says she wants all of the images because she plans to "crop out" people with closed eyes WTF?


I am not sure what to do about her. What would you guys do?

[tim]

I would resist, or depending how i'm feeling I might flat out refuse. I'd make sure she knows she has all the images that came out, and there's no point seeing the others because they're inferior duplicates.

[Lin-z]

I don't want to give them to her, mainly because with this wedding the church was very dimly lit and the color was CRAZY looking in the images. I had to adjust white balance in every photo and reduce noise. I would want to do that in the outtakes as well, because I would really hate it if ended up having one of those outtakes printed (she purchased a CD) and then she shows it off as an example of my work with noise and funkiness in it.

[mmahoney]

You have fulfilled your end of the contract and explained to the client why not every photo is suitable for use.

Her position that she paid for every photo you took that day is incorrect .. she paid for between 150 - 300 images as stated in the contract.

I go through this very carefully with each couple prior to booking and do not have a guaranteed minimum number in my contract. During the consult I make the point (several times) that quality is more important than quantity and that my judgement of the merit of the photos to be used in both the album and offered for printing is the final authority.

You simply cannot allow anyone other than yourself to edit & select photos .. the minute you put the discards in the hands of your clients is the minute you lose control over the most important aspect of any business .. the final product quality. Put the discards where they should be .. in the garbage can.
Mike

[Ray Marrero]

Do not give in. Your reputation is on the line. I am sure she will like an inferior photo and show all her friends you work. This you can not allow.

[cdifoto]

Tell her they're gone. You deleted the duds and there is no way to recover them. Actually doing it makes it true.

[Lin-z]

I agree with you guys fully

I don't want to give in, but I also don't want her bad mouthing me to future clients. I live in a very small town almost every client I have is a referral from another client. I don't advertise I get my work by word of mouth.

I know I am not going to give in- I just don't know how to explain that she is not getting her way, without making myself sound like a mean bitch

[liza]

You don't have to sound like a bitch. Just tell her, "I'm sorry if there was a miscommunication. I delivered 225 good images, which is within the number contracted. The others, which in my opinion did not adequately capture the joy of your day, have already been deleted permanently."

[bfnphoto]

I agree with everyone here! You are under no obligation to give her your "duds". If she is going to bad mouth because of this particular incident, then she will more than likely bad mouth about something else.
Just politely deline her request and do like what was said....you do not have them anymore and that is part of your Profession, not to give clients the "bad batch".

Heather

[sapearl]

Lin-z, you can be strong and firm without being nasty. Stick to your guns. It is your prerogative as the Professional Photography to deliver high quality work. If she is really that strange, then she'll have a hard time bad mouthing you around town because people already know her for the person she is. You are trying to be very nice and accomodating - but unfortunately at the expense of your nerves and stomach lining. Time to buck up and put on a firm jaw.

I will make this very easy for. If you see her or if you talk to her, just pretent that EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US is right behind you, nodding in agreement and backing you up. Now, see how easy that is? How could she possibly disagree with ALL of us? - Stu

[bfnphoto]

2 thumbs up Stu!
You have everyone here on POTN right there behind you!
Sorta like the Verizon commercials....the network following you around!

[thekid24]

I would agree, do not give them to her.

You help up your part of the deal, and I think 225 is a damn good amount of photos.

I had a similar situation with my first time, I was asked how many photos were taken (after the wedding was pretty much over with) and I told her nearly 500 but explained that I would give her 100-150 photos, which was in the contract.

Later on after I gave her the photos she called and asked where one particular photo was, and I had to tell her it didnt work out the way it was intended.

And sometimes it doesnt. That just happens.

[thekid24]

Originally Posted by bfnphoto

2 thumbs up Stu!
You have everyone here on POTN right there behind you!
Sorta like the Verizon commercials....the network following you around!

I can hear you now

[sapearl]

Thanks! You know, I was trying to remember which Cel phone commercial that was. I knew it wasn't the 4 geeks in the van.... although maybe we could hire those nerds to take that bride for a little ride and talk her some sense .

Originally Posted by bfnphoto

2 thumbs up Stu!
You have everyone here on POTN right there behind you!
Sorta like the Verizon commercials....the network following you around!

[thekid24]

Originally Posted by sapearl

Thanks! You know, I was trying to remember which Cel phone commercial that was. I knew it wasn't the 4 geeks in the van.... although maybe we could hire those nerds to take that bride for a little ride and talk her some sense .

Thats Alltel just so ya know