Client Wants the Culled Ones Too ?

I have a client that insists that all the photos even the culled ones that I deem not worthy be given to her. This was a family session for an hour.

She said she was under the impression that she would get all of them. I said its standard practice to only provide the very best to a client. She also said I did not say she would only get the ones that I deem the best.

Since photography is an art form I told her that my work and its appearance in the community is very important to me and that providing what I consider not to be my best is not what I want out there.

For $200 she got a 13x19 which she did not want so I gave her 12 5x7 and 24 4x6 along with a printed disc of all the images that she previewed on my web gallery. She also wanted some more retouching which I agreed to do at no charge. I think she got a deal.

I have a tight contract for weddings but it seems I need one for family sessions as well yes my fault?

I have yet to defuse this situation.

Tell her that you deleted them when you reviewed the shoot.

Tell her you delete culled shots to save disc space. End of conversation.

Thanks folks, I think I will now tell they have been deleted as I don't keep rejected photos.

We all know clients can be sometimes very difficult but I wonder now whether this should be in writing or on the website?

picworx wrote in post #17039612
.... I wonder now whether this should be in writing or on the website?

Darn right you should have something about that in writing, look at the heartburn you're getting because of this misunderstanding. IMO instead of saying "all my crappy images will be destroyed" you might just specify that a minimum of x number of images will be provided for this package, etc. Then when you provide a disc with x + 10 images they (hopefully) will be happy for getting extra.

I'll be honest... before I got into photography I would have wanted the bad ones, too, just in case there was something that I liked.

Now, I totally understand why photographers don't want to give out the culled shots.

Just say NO!

Sorry, I deleted them.

I lost a big client a few years ago because I wouldn't give them everything.

NO REGRETS....

groundloop wrote in post #17040514
IMO instead of saying "all my crappy images will be destroyed" you might just specify that a minimum of x number of images will be provided for this package, etc. Then when you provide a disc with x + 10 images they (hopefully) will be happy for getting extra.

I'd steer clear of quoting any specific numbers. That could bite you in the butt if there's an issue. Just say that you use your professional judgement to select the shots from which the client can choose their desired images. If they don't like that, don't sign the contract!

Culled means deleted.

No numbers here either...especially minimums! If you miss that number you're in hot water. You'll find yourself shooting filler BS just to get the count up.

Some analogies for her:

- a cook serving the bad parts; it's part of the art to know what to toss.
- a writer who can't edit.
- an artist that shows their ruined pieces
- a programmer that delivers their unpolished programs
- a doctor that gives multiple, redundant prescriptions to fix the same ailment

Not sure how that would fit into a conversation but it's all true.

All that said. I had a grieving mother want every photo they could of their (now dead) daughter's wedding, even the bad ones. I took heart and dug out another 400 that I'd simply tossed because they were repeats or didn't seem relevant - but didn't lack too much technically. In the end; I think she realized that too much is too much, but it was for her to discover and not my place to force my educated opinion onto her.

It's our art, but it's their lives they invited us into. Maybe there's some room for compromise if the situation demands it.

Just tell her they all get deleted in the culling process.. Simple..

She also got trained up to know that she pulled the strings and you would dance.
It's really no wonder she wants this, You have given her so much for so little, while she was calling the shots she probably thought she could get whatever she asked for. She already had you working for about .50C an hour, ( maybe?) so may as well try and cash in on all the rest as well 'eh?

When you do things so cheap, you loose control of the situation and your status as a professional and being in charge... not to mention any respect from the person you are giving your charity to.

Sorry to be honest, but if you are going to give your work and time away, which you absoloutley did here, you don't need a contract. Maybe just mention that your camera gear, car and house isn't included as well.

I make sure clients know, before I shoot, that I will be the sole person who decides what they see and what they do not. If they don't like that, well, then they don't have to hire me. Either way, they don't get to see the bad ones.