Business Ethics

I can see why. These are very good.

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #10207929
I can see why. These are very good.

Thank you very much. That means a lot to me coming from you, as your photos have always been an inspiration to me. I can't wait for Airshow season to hit here in NorCal.

Joe, you did the right thing.

Bailing on an existing customer will ruin a reputation you have built over a long time in days.

Clients will hesitate to book you (will he turn up or will he get a better paying gig before?). No matter the quality of your photo's (which are damn good imho), you will not get business if people see you as a bailer.

Also, the Bridezilla shoot might have been better paid but I bet it would be under worse conditions (producer, director, lighting guys, sound guys, video cameramen, gaffers etc all having a say on how the wedding happens with you at the bottom of the heap having to try to produce your best work) than having fun watching and shooting little league.

baseball vs. a TV reality show I can't even stand to watch the commercials for. Thats a tough one......

birdfromboat wrote in post #10209507
baseball vs. a TV reality show I can't even stand to watch the commercials for. Thats a tough one......

lol

neilwood32 wrote in post #10208601
Joe, you did the right thing.

Bailing on an existing customer will ruin a reputation you have built over a long time in days.

Clients will hesitate to book you (will he turn up or will he get a better paying gig before?). No matter the quality of your photo's (which are damn good imho), you will not get business if people see you as a bailer.

Also, the Bridezilla shoot might have been better paid but I bet it would be under worse conditions (producer, director, lighting guys, sound guys, video cameramen, gaffers etc all having a say on how the wedding happens with you at the bottom of the heap having to try to produce your best work) than having fun watching and shooting little league.

Thank you for that perspective. I hate being bossed around on my gigs... By anyone other than the bride, of course.

I have to jump on the "you did the right thing" bandwagon as well. It even makes sense from a business standpoint. You have a longstanding repeat customer that is happy with your performance and the prospect of many more shoots is high. You might not make as much per a single shoot, but over time it could be much more. Secondly, the glitzy opportunity might land you more $$ initially, but what is the prospect of gaining additional business from it. it could be a once and done event. You get the immediate extra pay but you lost a long term customer in the process.

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #10207617
First Booked .. First Served, Period...

You start flaking out on your commitments and you'll be done faster than you can say "Sub It Out."

Trust Me, You did the right thing.

I agree with Jay on this one..

You are an absolute fool!!!

Just kidding

Well done! I hope word of this leaks out in the community and they appreciate you even more for this Yeah, the Bridezilla thing would have been big money and a cool thing to do, but a steady, decent-paying gig is hard to come by these days...plus, you honoured your word, and that counts for a lot in this business. Give yourself a pat on the back

Cool, thanks for the supports guys.


Update: The Bridezilla went with a buddy of mine that I recommended, so he's gonna do it Saturday. He is ecstatic, and he also helps through jobs my way every once in a while. I'm happy for him, and he's gonna have a blast.