Headshot reshoot

[sldi]

Just had a customer and agent that were disappointed with the photos from a headshot session. I guess its always a bummer when someone doesn't like the work you have done, but I always try to find the positive and learn. I have a few times shot a session when the model/agent were unhappy with another photographers work, some with lots more experience than I, and delivered much more acceptable work.


It seems that any reshoots I have done were due to clients perception of the STYLE of photos they were getting versus any technical problems. In the past most of my shoots were done on the morning after I arrived home from the road and having no prep time or even meeting the client before the shoot, a bad business practice I have to admit. I am, within the next couple weeks ending my career on the road and plan on a different way of doing business.

What methods do you use to insure that you and the client are on the same page as to what the session is about and what they can expect? I already have a simple contract that spells out the quantity, usage and availability of the images, but I think I need some kind of pre-shoot guideline. Does anyone use something like that?

[HotHolly]

I tend to think it's better to tell them what u do, rather than going after what they want. The truth is that consistancy in your work is important. You tell your clients this is what they get with you. Spell it out. I don't have this problem with my clients at all. You need more consistancy, clarity, and control, then that problem stops. Hope that helps a little.

[brad]

I hate to disagree with Holly, but if you're going to work with agents, you need to shoot what they want if you want to work... this isn't a portrait session, it is a headshot for a very specific purpose and the agent has something specific in mind they are looking for.

That said... my general policy on reshoots is if the agent can give me a specific list of things they want to change - I will reshoot it, once, at no charge. They have to be specific about what they want to see changed, though.. simply saying "I don't like it" would only result in a waste of time on a reshoot.

To avoid it, I keep a notebook of the major agents in town and what style they specifically want most of the time.. it works pretty well and I rarely do reshoots because of it.


ALSO .. just because you are shooting for the agent's want list.. that doesn't mean you can't throw in a few things that are what you and/or the actor/model wants... take that opportunity to be bold, be edgy, and find your style. You might get lucky and the agent ends up loving it... and if you only shoot for agents, you'll start to resent the work and get burned out.

[tukaniray]

I also agree with Brad.

I shoot headshots for Corporate execs in Oil & Gas companies and their PR group always has a look they are going for. And one look only.

At the studio I work for, we usually talk to the PR group and walk through exactly what they want before going in to a shoot.

Now, I do sometimes fall into a spot where they are not happy. But lately, I have just brought my computer and tethered it to the camera. That way, the PR group can see the results right away and then make changes right there and then. Because the Execs time is very valuable and bringing in a person twice for the same shoot is very very frowned upon in the corporate world I am in.

Good luck with your future shoots and good luck with your new direction of doing business.

-Ray-

[sldi]

Thanks everyone, I can see Holly's point and I can see Brads point too. I haven't had in exec shoots but I can see where Tukaniray is coming from.

Most of my previous sessions had been Model, the one I need to redo is for someone wanting to go into film. I had an uneasiness going into the shoot that it just wasn't right. I think I let the talent take too much control of what was going on it just snowballed into a poor experience.

[toverman]

Do you typically show models some on-screen (computer screen) digital proofs before they go? While I imagine there are cases (this might be one) where an agent is the person you have to please, at least the subject would get a preview before leaving. If the model doesn't like any of them, you can reshoot a few more. Just curious if any of the other headshot gurus do that.

[sldi]

I do generally show the model some of the shots, we didn't get a chance to this time do to some time constraints, althouhg she saw some of the shots off the back of the camera.

Well the situation has taken a change, the original email I got was from the agent (not the paying client). Seems that its the agent that is unhappy, while the client herself likes the photos. There were some shots I wanted to reshoot anyway because I didn't get the light I wanted for maximum impact. I hate not having the agent happy since she sends quite a bit of work my way. Anyway its just 5 more days till my big change then I will be able to have a greater ability to shoot unencumbered by trucking.