Upset at Photographer or Results of ...

[PIC]

I hear this from time to time from people who want me to fix photos or jobs that were done wrong ... or the custie thinks they were done wrong by the photographer.

Weddings, Portraits, Commercial, etc

So I thought it might be interesting to start a thread on this.

How many of you have heard similar and what was the problem - result ?

If you were the photog with angry customer then please state your side -
I hear Judge Judy reads this thread.

EL

[Craig]

I've heard complaints from clients of photographers they've used in the past. Some I'm sure are just venting, but there is one local photographer that I hear complaints about all the time. I personally had a chance to view his "people skills" first hand. My daughter was getting pictures taken for a ballet school and this guy was screaming at these little girls and parents. I have since gotten that job. I didn't go after it, they called me.

I had one customer who brought me some shots that they wanted me to clean up the acne of their child that was attempted poorly (in my opinion and theirs) by the original photographer. I did not do that job. I told them they needed to bring them back to the copyright holder or bring me written permission from him for me to touch them.

[HotHolly]

Most common requests for wedding re-dos (that we hear) was due to a newbie photog (family or GWC) that had no clue what they were doing, didn't expect the low light, and as a result got a lot of crap. Its sad. One bride asked why all her photos from her photog where green and he some how convinced her that everyone's would be green. If someone comes to us that has had this experience, where they lost all their ceremony shots, formals, etc. we offer to do a formal session. Its kind of like bridals - but with the groom. That way they at least have a nice couple shot.

[bondarnes]

This has happened to me a couple of times recently and I listened to their complaints, agreed that they had a legitimate complaint and gave them a ridiculous price to re-do or fix it and that ended it. I didn't have to say no and at the same time I put a value on my time and the work that I do.

[carrbowl]

Don ...you crack me up!!!! You always pull the "crank up the price" ticket and it works wonderfully. I think that may be the best business advice I've learned.!! Be as nice and polite as you can be, tell them you can deliver the moon..........for a price!!!!

[bondarnes]

That's one of the two things I have learned over the years.

First: Put an adequate price on your work. If you are not sure you want to do the project then put a price on it that will make you want to do it.

Second: Blame it on the lab. If a client questions some policy just say "I would love to do that for you, but unfortunately the lab that I use has a policy that won't allow me to do that."

[CobyPhoto]

Originally Posted by bondarnes

This has happened to me a couple of times recently and I listened to their complaints, agreed that they had a legitimate complaint and gave them a ridiculous price to re-do or fix it and that ended it. I didn't have to say no and at the same time I put a value on my time and the work that I do.

Nice! I use this approach when an individual comes in with the CD of photos they got from their wedding. They ask me, can you do one of those really nice albums from my CD? I got the release from my photographer. I quote them some ridiculous price for the album and they dissapear. One actually paid me, thou; I was glad I quoted it high as I did thou, as the images needed alot of work (and were JPEG ) and was a hassle to get ahold of the original photographer and make sure I had ALL rights to manipulate and use those images in an album.

I am getting more and more that come in with the CD and can't find anyone to make them an album.

CJ