Don't you just hate lack of comments?

[d2creative]

When you complete a job and hand it off, you love to get positive comments, right?
What about when you get no comment at all? I hate that!
I shot a job for an architect and a realtor. The architect loved the shots. This was her email response...

These are great! Thank you!

Definitely a few shots that I did not know would look so good. And a the way you framed a few of them – it really shows the house well. The light is great. . .

Thanks!

The realtor on the other hand (who is actually paying the bill this time) said absolutely nothing. In fact it was his assistant who emailed me back and provided me with the info I needed to get the files ready to upload. They were both there at the shoot, both very friendly people. Maybe it's just a male(realtor)/female(architect) thing, a noncreative(realtor)/creative(architect) thing, or a old(realtor)/young(architect) thing. And they say that no news is good news, right? Meh, it just bugs me because I want to make sure the client is happy. Anyone else?

[Concisus Cognatus]

I'm with you Dennis. I've created numerous dvd projects for friends, family and even a few paying customers. The majority of which I've received no feedback, only stone cold silence. I've not really figured out how to feel about it. I guess mostly I'm a little miffed because even though I do not consider myself a professional, the dvd's I've created have been very good quality. One that comes to mind was a 30 second commercial created to advertise a play being put on by a community organization. It was played on a cable access network and I was told by the guy who had to ok it for airplay that it was very good technically. However the woman that commissioned the work was very non-commital in her opinion and did not want to pay a fair price for it. I took it as a lesson learned and moved on. So as you can see I can identify with what you're saying and feeling.

[CaptainTom]

People are really all quite different. Some will give you kudos and congratulations even when they don't think you did a great job. Others wouldn't break a smile even if what you did was the best thing they ever imagined.
When I go to the museum and view some art, I don't have a clue whether or not it is good or bad. I just know if I like it or not. I've seen Rembrandts and Picasso's that I thought were a waste of good paint. But, I know that they are remarkable pieces of art. So, I guess I wouldn't make a fuss over them.

If we produce the best quality we know how, we should be happy. It helps when people make a fuss, but being self satisfied may be all we get.

[barP]

just because someone will pay for photography does not mean they appreciate photography.

wp.

[d2creative]

Yeah, good points from all.

It's not I have an issue with actual criticism or anything. I've been putting my creative work up on walls for critique since high school. I just want to hear something rather than nothing. LOL. Oh well. Next!

[toverman]

I shot a wedding last year for someone who used to work with my wife. We gave her the proofs and didn't hear a word until recently. Several people she knows have been clamoring for us to shoot their weddings and events. I'll take that kind of response, even if much delayed, over glowing comments!

[EagleGirl]

I've had situations similar to that with a lot of people. I will even hear from other people how much they like the images. It really bothered me a lot at first but I'm realizing that sometimes they get their pictures and they are happy and they are showing all their family and friends and they just don't think to say anything to the photographer. I even try to stress to them ahead of time how much I need feedback, but to no avail.

[KdLaneJr]

Better to hear nothing at all than to hear a complaint...

[LegacyPhotographic]

I would have to agree.. lack of comments can certainly be dissatisfying .. do they like it? Do they not? Who knows! However, as I have just recently started doing this passion/hobby as a side business, most of my clientele to date has been friends and coworkers, who tend to be nothing but praise.

So my dilemma is.. which do I prefer? No feedback? Or so much positive feedback I don't even believe it and can't learn and improve upon? I very much welcome constructive criticism... so maybe I'll just have to rely on comments from my fellow TexasPhotoForum friends!

[carrbowl]

I think it's more a sign of the times than anything...unfortunately, we have sacrificed quality for: price, lack of knowledgeable and helpful sales people, big stores with very few choices but great quantities, etc. I have to say, I am bad about thank you's myself..I think of them often and sometimes will remember to tell someone, especially those I see often, but if I don't now their phone number or address by heart...it usually gets put off until the guilt is gone...I'm even bad about telling my parents thank you (in writing)..yes always by mouth...but it's not the same...POST me as GUILTY!!

[barP]

the best feedback is the kind you can deposit!

wp.

[laawaaris]

you can always ask for feedback ... call the realtor directly and ask for his/her feedback over the phone ... verbal feedback is better than email feedback ...

so it seems a little more business-like, you can say "what shots did you like the most", "what are your next steps", etc ...

you can even finish it off (if they have good things to say) with "can i use you as a reference in the future" ....

or if they are not satisfied or are a bit negative, it can help you understand how clients react and also what details can be improved ...

if they still have nothing to say, you can simply let them know that you will be there in the future if they have any questions or need anything

basically i think follow up is important part of business interaction with the clients