Fuusy Kids=Redo session??

Ok I had a family session this weekend that went really badly. This is my first season actually getting paid to make christmas cards so I am not sure how to handle this.

The family wanted an outdoor session. I was going to be shooting the children of 3 sisters so they could give their mother a big photo of all of the grand children for christmas and use the image for christmas cards. The session was out of town for me, but they stated they already had a location selected, a friends yard. I explained that I would need to take the photos in an area where there was shade and they said there was plenty of that there.

I show up at 8am, the yard they had selected had not a shaddy spot in site. The only shade I could find was in the most unattractive parts of the yard. Everyone one of the 5 children sreamed the entire time I was there. The ages were 7 years to 6 months old. The 7 year old behaved pretty well. But the 2 and 3 year olds had to actually be drug across the yard to get them anywhere near where the photos were being taken. Needless to say the pictures are horrible. I did not get one of the type of shot they were looking for. The few "good" shots I got the children have tears and snot all over their faces and half of them are not looking at me. I went in their home and got a few shots of the group but they are more like snap shots than anything.

So now I don't know what to do. Idealy I would like to do the session again. BUT I don't have much time due to my schdule, and the many other families I have lined up, and it was out of town for me to go to them. Should I try to do it again, charge no sitting fee? Charge another sitting fee? What? It was not my fault that their children would not allow me to photograph them. But I still want to be able to provide the family with good images..

Help..

damn that is a tough spot to be in. How long of a drive is it? Do you expect to get any business from them or their friends? Have you talked to them about it? perhaps they'll be ok with the pictures since they realize it was their bratty kids that ruined them, altho that's unlikely. Most parents that have bratty kids think they are angels. Personally, I'd just touch up the pics the best you can and then give them to them and cut your losses. While most of the time it's better to go the extra mile, I don't see this as one of them.

Do you have an event contract that covers this sort of thing? Something that they sign (or at least read) regarding your terms for reshoots?

Perhaps this can be a good learning experience, in that you may want to have some sort of guidelines about your shoot. Something that is very important when shooting an assignment or a location session.

Google 'wedding contract' for many samples regarding wedding contracts and write your own based on many of the factors included in wedding contracts; then add a reshoot policy that includes examples of what IS eligible for free reshoot, and what requires them to pay for your additional time during the reshoot. Make sure you specify acts of god in the document as well. You may want to think about cancellation costs and deadlines during this contract too.

Going over this document in advance puts everything on the table, so families know in advance that if their children are misbehaving and impeding the shoot, that it is going to end up costing them money.

Bruce

Good point, I should've said that myself. My agreements have a clause or two in there that would cover this. for example

"COOPERATION: The parties agree to positive cooperation and communication for the best possible result within the definition of this assignment. Alternative Visual Arts is not responsible for key individuals’ failure to be present, or to cooperate during the photography session."

ok, i guess I just have one example. I have more in my wedding agreement I think, but you should get the idea from this. Use this as a learning experience and it will be worth more than any money you might lose from it.

I had a shoot like this once. I moved indoors with toys, cookies etc. and took some shots, got to know the kids then when the weather cleared (it was drizzling) we went outside and they were comfortable with me.

I would rather spend more time the first time getting to know the kids and making them feel right around a big scary clicking thing than to have to haul my a$$ and my gear out there a second time.

Of course, with families their schedule is tight so I tell people to allow a lot of open time after they THINK the shoot will end.

I did that, but the ones that were indoor still were not that good.

According to the little contract I gave them I would do one hour of shooting time. I spent about 3 to 4 hours with them and still nothing.

The drive to their town is about 45 mins for me.

i think that from a business standpoint you have done your part and you owe them nothing.

that said, it might be worth it to take the hit and double your time and energy to "go the extra mile" ...

is there a location near you that would suit the shooting, maybe offering to do it for free if they drive to you would be a good compromise. you said their location wasnt great anyway.

best of luck. you have to decide how hard you are willing to work for a 1 hour contract. to me 8 hours of work seems like too much for a 1 hour contract. hard choice.

If I were you I'd definately do it again even though it's not your fault that they images didn't come out. If this is your first season charging for photography I would want to get the best reputation possible. YOu don't want them showing the photos to people with your name attached. You want quality work to represent you esp. in the beginning. Just my thoughts.

I should clarify - I'd do it again at no charge. Try to get them to drive to a park near you and explain that you are doing them a favor (in a nice way).

I know kids, redo them.

islandphoto wrote in post #2222569
If I were you I'd definately do it again even though it's not your fault that they images didn't come out. If this is your first season charging for photography I would want to get the best reputation possible. YOu don't want them showing the photos to people with your name attached. You want quality work to represent you esp. in the beginning. Just my thoughts.

I agree with what you are saying. That is why I want to redo it. What really upsets me is that these were such good looking kids, they were dressed nice. Like speical outfits made just for the pictures. They were all just SOOO bad. Also I want to be able to sell some prints from this, and the way these shots look. I will not be selling much of them at all.

islandphoto wrote in post #2222569
If I were you I'd definately do it again even though it's not your fault that they images didn't come out. If this is your first season charging for photography I would want to get the best reputation possible. YOu don't want them showing the photos to people with your name attached. You want quality work to represent you esp. in the beginning. Just my thoughts.

but at the same time you don't want to get the rep as being a push over that will reshoot stuff for free if the customer gripes a bit. that could easily lead to people taking advantage of this.

Good point but I still think it's better than having not so good photos with your name attached. Customer service is VERY important especially when you are establishing yourself. They will say good things about someone who accomodates to their needs.

islandphoto wrote in post #2222952
Good point but I still think it's better than having not so good photos with your name attached. Customer service is VERY important especially when you are establishing yourself. They will say good things about someone who accomodates to their needs.

That is such a good point!

Maybe what might have been better, was that you took a little more control during the shoot, took one of the Parents to one side, and explained the problems you were having and how that would reflect on the quality of the final photo's.

The parents probably see their kids like this quite often, and would expect you to cope nomatter what? (I mean all this in the nicest possible way) After all, we're photographers!

They always say that you shouldn't work with animals or children! - so why oh why do I insist on working with both!

It'll get easier - trust me.