Why it sometimes sucks...

[boxofrocks]

...shooting spec work.


Any suggestions on how you would handle this? This is the second time I've gotten emails from this particular parent of a second string player. The last time he was pretty nasty.


Tom;

Only two pictures of # xx from last week, and the same shots????

Let me put it this way since the begging hasn't worked with you. My last order was around $100.00. This order is for $8.00.

I know he doesn't play as often as some of the other guys, but I see pictures of the other boys, standing on the sidelines and with their hands on their hearts during the national anthem, but never Chase and the season's almost over……..Are you mad at me for something?

John

John,

Being a father myself, I'm very sensitive how important these photos are to some parents. Please allow me to explain to you very candidly how I try to operate:

1. I can assure you I'm not mad at you. ;-)
2. I have a list of about two dozen jersey numbers to shoot each week. Most of those are starters, and some play both ways.
3. Each week I have that list taped to my tripod, and I refer to it almost every down to make sure they are fresh in my mind. (For the record, #xx is highlighted for emphasis.)
4. Since I have not yet found a way to be in more than one location at a time--although as soon as that technology is available, I plan to implement it ;-) -- I can only shoot so many players each down.
5. Often a play begins and I have the intention of shooting a specific player that down. Many times, when that player my target:
A. They are sometimes obscured by other players from my line of sight.
B. They aren't that "involved" in the play, and there is a great photo op of another player during that play, so I shift focus to them (that set of circumstances has led to some of the shots I've gotten of #xx this season).
C. More times than I would like, I have a great shot lined up, and a ref, coach, other cameraman, or sideline personnel come between me and the camera. I delete those photos, but can assure you that over the course of a season, there are hundreds of them.
6. Sometimes the players I need to shoot are on the opposite side of the field, and the poor lighting conditions of some stadiums do not allow a well exposed shot of them, since the flash often does not reach as far as I would like.
7. I am only allowed access to certain parts of the sideline, which sometimes limits the angle I can get on a certain player.
8. Since no one hires me to shoot a specific player, I have an equal responsibility to get as much coverage as I can of all the players on the field.
9. The law of averages dictates that some weeks there are more shots of some players than others. Similarly, those with more playing time that are involved in more plays where I have a clear shot, will usually have more photos taken of them.


I have made a concerted effort to get as many shots of your son that I can, and as a business owner, it makes sense for me to do so, since you have clearly proven to be a good customer. I have no doubt that I've missed some opportunities, but do my dead level best to get good shots of him when possible. Unfortunately, budget does not allow for me to have a spotter on hand to point players out to me. I try my best to keep a mental log in my sieve-like brain of how many shots I have of a certain player, and after I have enough good shots of them, I try to focus on a different one. Nevertheless, when that happens, I still get questions of parents wondering why I didn't get the shot of their son making a specific sack, catch, interception, etc.

If you would like to explore the possibility of having me hire an assistant photographer just to key on your son, I'm certainly willing to discuss that. You might find a parent whose son plays on offense to split the cost for you. The cost for a good photographer with professional equipment capable of getting the kind of shots under the lighting conditions that exist at HS stadiums would probably start at $75-$100 per game. I still have to cover the costs of online hosting, printing, and fulfillment of the photos. There may be another way to do this, such as locally printing all of the photos taken of the players that photographer is covering, and delivering them to you at a reduced cost per print in addition to the photographer's fee.

I'm open to other suggestions if you have them. I try to be as flexible as possible, and please as many of the parents as I possibly can. For what it's worth, I plan to have another photographer on hand at my expense during senior parents night to make sure we have great photos of the parents and players on the field. I've already discussed it with the booster club, and I will personally see to it that I can get as many good shots of your family as possible that evening.

I look forward to any feedback you may have on the subject. I'm leaving soon for a shoot that will take most of the afternoon, but will have some access to email via my smartphone.



Best Regards,


Tom

[Gordon]

Exactly. If he wants you to shoot his son - he should pay you to shoot his son. Hire you for the game, pay you a decent rate.

That's always an option by the way - work out what hourly rate would make you a good return and offer them exclusive coverage - see if they want to complain about what they currently get for free, then.

[boxofrocks]

I offered that at the end of the email--we'll see what he wants to do.

[epoh]

I think you've been very fair. Given that his son is second string he's lucky, IMO to get any shots.

[Joe_Lorenzini]

Is this guy still hounding you?!?

Just to throw in some info Tom left out, he hired me to come shoot with him one game and we spent an entire quarter of football capturing #23 including some pretty darn good action shots. He basically paid me to get shots of multiple players that were in the game at the same time to appease parents. He paid me to make this particular parent happy.

Don't know what to tell you Tom. Looks like you have a much better handle on it than I would.

_/oe

[bullsparade]

Sounds like you are handling it just fine. Your letter to him was MORE than enough info and your offer to be paid fairly just to shoot his son is a proper business approach. Based on what you and Joe have said, this guy has gotten really good service and friendly too.

Good luck! Remember their will always be those people you will never be able to satisfy.

[mivy00]

I applaude the way you handled it sounds like you did a good job answering his concerns.

[zepp]

Originally Posted by Gordon

Exactly. If he wants you to shoot his son - he should pay you to shoot his son. Hire you for the game, pay you a decent rate.

EXACTLY, and I think this is all that needs to be told to the parent along with maybe telling them exactly what "on spec" means. You’re speculating that you will make money on the job and there are no guarantees. Being that it's this way you must concentrate your efforts in a way that will reap you the most rewards. They on the other hand are also speculating that you will get the shot. If you don't it doesn’t cost them a thing. Who's getting the better deal of the gamble, them or you? Them of course.


I shot a game last night for a parent. They pay me for my time and also for the prints they buy. I always have other parents walk up to me and ask me if I am selling photos and if so can they buy some of their child. I tell them I am shooting for an individual parent and if they would like me to shoot their child I can be hired. This isn't something I make my living at as I don't go out and shoot the game on spec for the problems and time associated with it. Pretty soon they will be asking you to justify $8.00 for a print they want to buy.

Good luck!

[Steelsun]

Awesome response. Shows a great deal of insight and customer service.

I really like your whole letter, and it could be a template to use for simalar problems by others.

[Sonny]

Great letter Tom,

Your professionalism shines through! Even though I only shoot little league sports, I still get the same complaints from parents. Especially in football. The majority of complaint I receive are from the parents sons that play offensive and defensive line. That and the games only last one to one and a half hours.

[boxofrocks]

I sent that this morning. There's a game tonight.

His response?

Not jack.

[Daniel Bates]

So he didn't write back?

This kinda sounds like a "I don't want to pay anything but you're gonna get me SI quality shots anyways" kind of deal...

[boxofrocks]

Originally Posted by Daniel Bates

So he didn't write back?

This kinda sounds like a "I don't want to pay anything but you're gonna get me SI quality shots anyways" kind of deal...

My thoughts exactly.

Earlier in the year, he mentioned me doing his senior portraits. I'm praying he's too pissed off to call me and schedule it.

I don't think the grief I would expect to experience would be worth the money.

[bullsparade]

Yeah, doesnt sound like someone you would want to get caught up with in future picture shoots. Those are the kind that make the job not worth it.

[boxofrocks]

Originally Posted by bullsparade

Yeah, doesnt sound like someone you would want to get caught up with in future picture shoots. Those are the kind that make the job not worth it.

So how would you respond (in other words, what's polite for "I think not")?