What Should I Do?

Earlier today I did maternity photos for a friend of my Sister-In-Law and well the photos turned out terrible, so far out of 68 photos I took I would say only about 5 are decent. The Mom to be did not smile in any photos, their kid was not cooperating, and her husband did not want to do them. I know it is all my fault because I should have taken charge but once again I froze up and just stood there . So my question is should I give them their $40 back? I want to because I just don't feel good about taking their money.

Yes, if you don't believe the work is of an acceptable standard you should should refund the money.

Alternatively offer to reshoot, but only if you are sure that you can take charge and do better the second time around.

Please, do not take my writing as offence, but explaining.

This is where difference between experienced photog and "40$" is. It is not just because of the gear knowledge and not because the minimum charge of pro photog would be if not 400$, but 200$ at least.

First, if they knew they have to pay $200, not 40$ their attitude towards you would be different at get-go. For $40 they feel free to trash it.
Second, now you know what taking pictures of people profession has not only gear part involved. Pro photog would make her smile, kid cooperating and him willing to participate. Well, if photog is on assignment by agency and photos must be taken.

But in your case telling customer what they are not ready is part of profession as well. It is two sides contract. You come, you are ready. If they are not, it has to be explained to them. Here is no difference between plumbing and photography. If plumber is called to come, but no access is provided - kiss my ars and goodbye. Same is with photography. Scheduling session and not willing to participate is their fault, not yours. You could have it in written before you could start, BTW.

Five pretty-good photos for $40 is a good deal.

What expectation did you set up front? How many photos did you promise?

You can't force uncooperative subjects to smile and act right. If they don't like what they got for $40, offer a second shoot (for an additional $40) at some time in the future when the client can be sure that all family members will cooperate.

kf095 wrote in post #18388845
Please, do not take my writing as offence, but explaining.

This is where difference between experienced photog and "40$" is. It is not just because of the gear knowledge and not because the minimum charge of pro photog would be if not 400$, but 200$ at least.

First, if they knew they have to pay $200, not 40$ their attitude towards you would be different at get-go. For $40 they feel free to trash it.
Second, now you know what taking pictures of people profession has not only gear part involved. Pro photog would make her smile, kid cooperating and him willing to participate. Well, if photog is on assignment by agency and photos must be taken.

But in your case telling customer what they are not ready is part of profession as well. It is two sides contract. You come, you are ready. If they are not, it has to be explained to them. Here is no difference between plumbing and photography. If plumber is called to come, but no access is provided - kiss my ars and goodbye. Same is with photography. Scheduling session and not willing to participate is their fault, not yours. You could have it in written before you could start, BTW.

Yeah I defiantly learned some things during this shoot and it is making me reconsider stuff. But I do feel a bit better knowing this wasn't all my fault.

Since you don't feel right about taking the money, I'd say offer a refund and, unless they are pretty bad, provide the decent shots free of charge.

Depending on your relationship, you might offer a free reshoot with the understand you will do your best to get good shots out of them but need willing cooperation and a good chunk of their time.

In my experience, many people need extensive help from the shooter. Once finished with the test shots for lighting our attention is best focused on the people, figuring out how to get them looking their best.

Agreed, five pretty-good photos for $40 is a good deal. You get what you pay for.
Expecting a photog charging $40 to nail everything is unrealistic. What would this person's expectation of a $10 cut and color be?

You soon learn it's harder than it looks to produce nice portraits. Ability to interact with the subjects is way more important than the photography equipment.

Reshoot....no charge. Citing lighting and uncooperative subjects as reasons....

As has been said: 5 good shots for $40 is a steal. I understand it's a different market but you have to respect the craft enough not to sell yourself short. Unless you had an agreement where they would get all the photos (I often suggest that you never do that) then just retouch the 5, make em nice and pretty and deliver them and move on.

In my ordinary real life (c.f. my fantasy one as a 'photographer of note'), I am rarely more impressed than when a regular journeyman photographer takes control of the situation and makes those scenes that turn into great photographs.

That's the special something that a real hard-working pro can offer. Your regular journeyman cheers up the children, lays down the law to the grown-ups, makes the old folks smile and delivers a great photo.

Given the opportunity, I could make an image that was technically way better. But I couldn't make the opportunity.

Deliver the acceptable goods and invoice, assess the challenges and issues you encountered, learn, improve, increase your price, rinse and repeat. ...... and so it goes in the business world.

texkam wrote in post #18389092
Agreed, five pretty-good photos for $40 is a good deal. You get what you pay for.
Expecting a photog charging $40 to nail everything is unrealistic. What would this person's expectation of a $10 cut and color be?

Once money comes into the equation ... be it $40 or $4,000 ... it changes everything.

The photographer may think: "You get what you pay for" ... the customer more likely thinks: "I know I got myself a bargain but wtf if I'm paying I expect quality".

Give the money back ... pass over every image file that is remotely acceptable ... then rally round your friends to act as willing victims for a whole lot of practicing and work out how to do the job properly.

Photography is, I believe, a true 'profession' (although not well recognized as such) and entails 'standards'. It's a real shame that any idiot with half a camera can pitch to get paid for doing it ... and get business.

CMcCord25 wrote in post #18388620
"The Mom to be did not smile in any photos, their kid was not cooperating, and her husband did not want to do them."

Everything considered, 5 "decent" images is pretty good. Keep the $40 & tell them that you're willing to reshoot if/when they are ready to fully cooperate.

PhotosGuy wrote in post #18389317
Everything considered, 5 "decent" images is pretty good. Keep the $40 & tell them that you're willing to reshoot if/when they are ready to fully cooperate.

Says the man that shoots cars...............jus​t jokin'