Ever Been Burned by a Client?

I was all set to shoot some spec work for a youth ballet performance this weekend, when I received a notification by a parent that I've been burned. Supposedly there was an e-mail sent out by the director that a dad is "exclusively" taking photos for the performance.

Wait, what? I was set to do spec work. Which I usually don't do but there was enough parent interest to make my time worth while.

I guess I've been burned by another parent with a camera. Thats not even the part that bugs me. I'm upset that the director didn't even let me know directly

Have you contacted the director? If you haven't seen the e-mail and the director told you you would be allowed to shoot and hasn't contacted you to tell you otherwise, then this sounds a little odd.

I would have got right on the phone and if I could not get the director on the phone I just would have showed just to make the situation more awkward. I like straight and honest communication.

I got burned on an engagement / proposal shoot once go figure they have never even seen the pictures and it went good, well for me anyway for the male client I don't think it went so good but I will probably never know.

Brandon72 wrote in post #13476514
Have you contacted the director? If you haven't seen the e-mail and the director told you you would be allowed to shoot and hasn't contacted you to tell you otherwise, then this sounds a little odd.

I've attempted. The director hasn't responded to any of my communication attempts starting a month ago. The media coordinator who "pushed everything to the director" hasn't contacted me either, yet took the time to e-mail the parents that note.

david lacey wrote in post #13476774
I would have got right on the phone and if I could not get the director on the phone I just would have showed just to make the situation more awkward. I like straight and honest communication.

I'll call him tomorrow to get a straight answer as I like straight answers.

So you had no contact for over a month but were still going to do it?

Got burned on a maternity/family shoot. Scheduled out 2 months in advance, talked with client 3-4 times including confirming our appointment 2 days before the shoot. Drove about 45mins (right on the edge of my service area) waited around for about 45mins, called her number repeatedly and left several messages before I took off. She never returned any of my calls. Did get a few candids of people in a park though. :/

Staszek, it is weird if the director would have just called you with as much notice as possible and explained the situation it would be so much easier and there probably would not even be any hard feelings. Some like the hard way but they think it is the easy way.


Just looked at the ballet pictures on your site, they are good. I hate to wish anyone bad luck but it would not hurt my feelings if it blew up in the directors face and the other guys pictures sucked. I can't wish for this because it would not be good for the dancers but it could happen.

david lacey wrote in post #13476799
I got burned on an engagement / proposal shoot once go figure they have never even seen the pictures and it went good, well for me anyway for the male client I don't think it went so good but I will probably never know.

Maybe she bride to be changed her mind and gave him the flick!

redflash wrote in post #13476978
Maybe she bride to be changed her mind and gave him the flick!

I think that is exactly what happened. I had never done one of those before so I had fun even though I got stiffed with the bill.

Skrim17 wrote in post #13476890
So you had no contact for over a month but were still going to do it?

I've been in contact with them over the past month. Only within the last week have they stopped making contact.

Its spec work, there's not much to it. I'm not charging the director to be there. I charge the parents for prints if they are interested, which they are.

david lacey wrote in post #13476935
Staszek, it is weird if the director would have just called you with as much notice as possible and explained the situation it would be so much easier and there probably would not even be any hard feelings. Some like the hard way but they think it is the easy way.


Just looked at the ballet pictures on your site, they are good. I hate to wish anyone bad luck but it would not hurt my feelings if it blew up in the directors face and the other guys pictures sucked. I can't wish for this because it would not be good for the dancers but it could happen.

Thanks David. I think even if he blows it, the director won't care. She's too self-centered from my experience in the past.

Staszek,

I enjoyed your ballet photos too. I suspect that they will be disappointed with their new exclusive photographer, and will want you back for the next ones...that is if they are not too embarrassed to ask.

Bearmann wrote in post #13477245
Staszek,

I enjoyed your ballet photos too. I suspect that they will be disappointed with their new exclusive photographer, and will want you back for the next ones...that is if they are not too embarrassed to ask.

Thanks. I appreciate your compliments. Lets hope they come back for the next show as I enjoy shooting youth performances.

NewHorizonPhoto wrote in post #13476903
Got burned on a maternity/family shoot. Scheduled out 2 months in advance, talked with client 3-4 times including confirming our appointment 2 days before the shoot. Drove about 45mins (right on the edge of my service area) waited around for about 45mins, called her number repeatedly and left several messages before I took off. She never returned any of my calls. Did get a few candids of people in a park though. :/

Thats what Deposits are for

Bearmann wrote in post #13477245
Staszek,

I enjoyed your ballet photos too. I suspect that they will be disappointed with their new exclusive photographer, and will want you back for the next ones...that is if they are not too embarrassed to ask.

+1, i liked your ballet shots as well. Sometimes getting burned once can mean getting a lifetime client, sometimes its better to get an early warning sign

Csae wrote in post #13478406
Thats what Deposits are for

+1, i liked your ballet shots as well. Sometimes getting burned once can mean getting a lifetime client, sometimes its better to get an early warning sign

Thank you I'm now working on a contract with another youth company two weeks out. Lets hope this one converts!