"You Suck As A Photographer"!

2 minutes doesn't sound unreasonable to me. Get your setup done, use a stand in and be 100% ready by the time you ask for them to step in. I realize it depends on exactly what kind of photo you're generating (environmental might take more time), but 2 minutes should be sufficient to get a reasonable posture and expression.

I think it's good that you asked for the time and got it, but I'm not sure I see how the CEO was being rude.

Gizmo1137 wrote in post #16798871
Just rude. I had an assignment to photograph a CEO, upon my arrival in a rude obnoxious way, he told me in no uncertain terms, I had 2-minutes to make the photograph because he was very busy. I said perhaps then we should reschedule at a better time, because I would not be able to do the photographs well or to what was expected of me in 2-minutes. He then said well, how long do you need and I said I can be out in 15 minutes, to which he agreed.

Christopher Steven b wrote in post #16798885
2 minutes doesn't sound unreasonable to me. Get your setup done, use a stand in and be 100% ready by the time you ask for them to step in. I realize it depends on exactly what kind of photo you're generating (environmental might take more time), but 2 minutes should be sufficient to get a reasonable posture and expression.

I think it's good that you asked for the time and got it, but I'm not sure I see how the CEO was being rude.

Often times with people in power, CEO's or Politicians they often say stuff like that to make sure you know that their time is more valuable than yours. Personally I like the approach of offering to reschedule. It says that you value doing a good job and aren't prepared to sacrifice quality for expedience. Once you do that, you get respect back, unless the guy is a total asshat.

in over 300 wedding never herd something like that
i think you might have to do better at catering to all guests even the drunk and hungry

jkdjedi wrote in post #16798368
I've only done two weddings so far and on both of them I've had a woman tell me that I suck as a photographer. What gives!? Is there always that one in the crowd at every wedding??

The odds of there being at least one increase with the amount of liquor served.

peeaanuut wrote in post #16798868
the hungry one is explainable, but still not good.

People, no matter how many weddings they go to tend to forget that there generally is a large gap between ceremony and reception and an even further gap until the food starts. They get cranky. She was just hangry, rude, but hangry. The other one was drunk.

But the question is, were the clients pleased?

Yes they were very pleased, I got an unexpected tip from them.

So many generalizations about poor people, CEOs and politicians... which basically says we've run the gamut of the human socio-economic spectrum. Put those generalizations aside... if people are arseholes, they are arseholes, regardless. Status has nothing to do with it. I've worked and volunteer with "poor" people and now I work regularly with CEOs of small to large size companies and politicians. All sorts of types, but 98% of the time people are courteous, polite and professional.

Part of it has to do with my effort in presenting myself as courteous, polite and professional. That's what is key here. Sorry to the OP for encountering these situations. Just remember that your response should always be courteous, polite and professional regardless.

Christopher Steven b wrote in post #16798885
2 minutes doesn't sound unreasonable to me. Get your setup done, use a stand in and be 100% ready by the time you ask for them to step in. I realize it depends on exactly what kind of photo you're generating (environmental might take more time), but 2 minutes should be sufficient to get a reasonable posture and expression.

I think it's good that you asked for the time and got it, but I'm not sure I see how the CEO was being rude.

I should have mentioned in my original post the two minutes included set-up as it was in his office and studio lights. Under the circumstances you described, I would agree, 2-minutes would be enough time. But this guy was expecting me in and out in 2-minutes.

^ ah. That's insane ! You handled it well.

Nathan wrote in post #16799156
So many generalizations about poor people, CEOs and politicians...

Any problem with generalizations about wedding guests who drink too much?

OhLook wrote in post #16799396
Any problem with generalizations about wedding guests who drink too much?

They're people, too.

OhLook wrote in post #16799396
Any problem with generalizations about wedding guests who drink too much?

In my experience the behavior of inebriated people is about as variable as sober people.

Pixil Studio wrote in post #16798980
in over 300 wedding never herd something like that
i think you might have to do better at catering to all guests even the drunk and hungry

I concur. It happening once is a worry. Twice is a clear sign the OP isn't managing things very well.

Personally I find the drunker people get the more complimentary they get.

Hopefully with time you will get the opposite. Although I am retired from wedding photography my clients usually are surprised at the minimum time I got the formals. There is a certain sequence I follow and the mono-light is set up prior so that it will take longer to get people to the front than to set it up. Always make sure that they see themselves as holding you up. You must also learn to use the bride and groom to control the crowd. Repetition good! When meeting with them tell them you order. Remind them of your order on the day when you see them before the ceremony. Remind them again when the time comes. Soon they will become your lieutenants in control of the family. They want to get to the reception as well. my 2 cents.

BTW, not a fan of the formals, would rather the informal.

jkdjedi wrote in post #16798394
LOL!! Not sure anymore... I was setting up my monolight for formals and I guess her party was hungry wanting me to hurry up, she yells it loud enough for me to hear ... It hurt but I calmly explained that I'd rather set things up once rather than rushing and setting things up two or three times... Anyway lesson learned though, leave the moonlight at home and do what u can with something more portable.

How long did it take you to get setup? If you kept the people waiting for more than 5 minutes then yes....you do suck as a photographer.

You really should be able to set your light in less than a minute or two at the most.

Your client was happy, so I would brush it off and move on. You really can't please some people.