Previous client has passed away....

I had a repeat client over the period of the last few years. She has hired me to shoot family portraits, family get togethers, her daughters senior portraits, her family hired me to shoot her surprise 50th birthday party, etc.... They have also pointed a lot of business my way. Not only was this dear gal a client, the whole family had become a friend. I just found out this past week that at the very young age of 53, this gal passed away in her sleep. She had no previous illness or symptoms...just an unexpected death. I now find that I have a huge gallery of absolutely priceless (to the family) images. Now I'm not looking to profit from these images. In fact, this family has been so kind and good to me that I would gladly give them any they asked for....in fact I was honored when they used one of my images for her obituary. I guess my point is....this is the first client (and more of a friend than client now) that I've had that has passed away. I'm quite blown away and yet feel almost unworthy to hold such priceless family memories. Knowing that I hold the photographs from the last years of her life that can never be repeated or redone is very humbling indeed. Back to my point....as a photographer, you often hold the key to very precious family memories. Sometimes we don't realize just how treasured they can become in a short period of time......I think I'll go put together an online "memorial gallery" for the family as my thank you.

Hey Jason:

Sorry you lost a 'friend.' The online memorial is a good idea. How about working with one of her closest family members and put together a book of sorts that could be viewed in a family setting?

Again, sorry for your loss and I'd do something similar for the family as well. Wouldn't think of cost either, as you indicated.

dave

I have done this a number of times for clients and family members who have passed. While some will believe there is always a price, I believe the respect given to you and your talents to be hired in the first place, make it equally worthy to send back a classy gallery, or memorial to those who have lost a loved one.

Good things happen to good people I believe.

I've been thinking about this sort of thing for a while now. There was a thread on another forum *cant remember what forum and cant find the link* that talked about this, and one person had an interesting idea for it. Charge them regular price or a discounted price, but also choose the best picture, get it matted and framed, and wrap that up as a bonus. Another person just gave them all the pictures they had on a cd for free. The family was really touched and good word was spread about the photographer.

jra wrote in post #10150464
Not only was this dear gal a client, the whole family had become a friend.

I think this sums it up best. She at one point was a client, but over time became more than that.

While I'd still do something special for a client (perhaps a very nicely done framed wall print plus generous discount on any future orders), I'd never charge a true friend of any images I had of their loved one that passed away. You may find yourself at either end, or somewhere in the middle depending on how deep your relationship was with the family. I'm sorry to hear of your loss.

In the 1980's I did photography part-time for profit. I had a mother come to me and wanted pictures of her with her daughters. She had terminal cancer and wanted them to have something to remember her.
I didn't know her prior to this, as friend or anything, but I ended up doing the job for free as I felt so sorry for them as they were a nice family. The mother was probably only in her 40's or early 50's. I never regretted doing it for free.

In addition to the on line gallery, have you thought about giving them a slide show, along with the files?

I like the book idea. In fact, I am putting one together for a close friend of my wife and mine. Her mother-in-law passed away on Friday and they a "memorial" of her. I have about 200 pics of her and the grandkids. I told them I'll put a book together for them and they were very ecstatic.

Sorry for the loss. It would be a great gesture on your part to do what you mentioned.

sorry to hear.

Sorry to hear that. God bless the family and help them get through this tough time

Sorry to hear about this unfortunate news. You're absolutely right -- "as a photographer, you often hold the key to very precious family memories". I think dedicating an online memorial gallery for the family would be a good idea as long as they're okay with it.

What goes around, comes around.

Your consideration is priceless.

I've had this a few times, it's always sad. Mostly for me it's parents or grandparents of wedding customers. If people contact me I give them anything they want, images via email, prints the same day via express courier, all no charge.

Agreed. You are doing the right thing.