Odd phone call tonight -- anyone else get one?

[AnnetteT]

I got a call from a "girl" from Tulsa tonight who was wanting some "pictures" of her and her "man"...I asked how she found me...she said on the Internet, then asked if I had a web site.

I asked what kind of pictures...engagement session? And she hemmed and hawed...just "pictures"...he lives in Ft. Worth, she lives in Tulsa. She asked about meeting up on Saturday, but seemed to balk when I mentioned that we should do it late...sunset...

I asked her what type of location she might like...and she balked at that...

When I say "balked"...I mean she couldn't seem to finish a sentence.

Something about her call and the conversation made an alarm go off...My husband was listening to my side of it, and he thought so, too...

Did she happen to call anyone else tonight?

Another "red flag" was she had a "list" of photographers she said my name was on from the Internet. From what she said, it sounded like she was going down the list...

[coachE]

I'd say if it sounds creepy, stay away! Better safe than sorry.

[LEATHERNECK]

Yep...thats a "see Ya" for me. Why are you calling someone in Tex (or anywhere else) when your in Tulsa and don't even know what you want....and if you can get the list off the net you can get the website also...duh???

[jeffkohn]

It does sound strange. I'm not sure what the angle would be for a scam though, sounds like maybe she was just a bit clueless.

[AnnetteT]

Well she specifically asked if I could meet them "somewhere" but couldn't tell me where...

My husband said "think about it..from your Web site you are obviously female...what do photographers have on them for a shoot? equipment.."

I never really thought about this before with anyone else I've shot...of course, I generally meet them all in person first and do contracts...

This was just a very odd-sounding call...

No questions about "how much" or "what do I get?" -- those are the basic questions a real potential client would ask, no?

[ShaneKislack]

Unfortunately, it's not strange. It's all too common.

[bondarnes]

I have gotten a couple of calls like that and one was legit, but she was embarrassed to tell me she wanted some "nekid pitchers" of her and her man. Turned out to be a nice order.

[jesswhs1323]

I had a very similar experience....

The guy was from Cali and the girl went to TWU... He too was very strange (ask suki) and couldnt answer my questions directly. I had my husband go with me... even during the shoot they were a very differnt couple and he always watned to have his shirt off.

However, the are STILL ordering and have been the largest income I have got from one client... including weddings... and it was only a 4 hour shoot.

I would write out specific questions in an e-mail and them answer
... you could call it a "get to know ya" email trying to get a better feel for what they want and it will be harder not to answer or circle around the questions

IF you do decide to book ... have a couple people with you and never go anywhere you hadnt already planned to go...

See you tomorrow!

[Ahh!]

Annette, PM me if you want to take it. I am not booked on Saturday and could add to your "staff" if you like. You can talk to Jessica if you need a reference. We're practically neighbors...

[jesswhs1323]

Peter ROCKS!

[CaptainTom]

I read this with interest and thought you were all kidding. I'm sitting here watching Hell's Kitchen and the phone rings.

It's her !! I quoted a very high price and she said she'd "check me out".

Go figure.

[jesswhs1323]

Did you really get the same call Tom?!

Was she strange to you as well?

[CaptainTom]

Yeah !! She started the talk about what she wanted and I asked her how the weather was in Tulsa. She didn't ask how I knew she was in Tulsa. She seemed coherent, and if I hadn't read this thread earlier I would have spent a lot of time with her trying to develop a client relationship. But, I read the thread and tried to get her out off the phone.

Edit: to answer the question... yes, she was very strange.

[Jenny Z]

I got a call from a guy like this a few weeks back.... wouldn't answer my questions, finally got it out of him that he wanted some "special" pictures for his girlfriend (but I got the feeling he didn't have a girlfriend at all)....

How strange :/

[AnnetteT]

I hope this doesn't come off as judgmental...

But she sounded...er...stoned. Seriously.

She kept dragging her voice around as if she were imitating a 60s-era yippie (yeeeaaah...none of that "lookee here" stuff for me and my maaaan...her way of saying no "posed" shots).

But the fact she didn't ask about my cost or what she would get from the session made me really uncomfortable.

Truthfully, I would have no problem with some intimate shots...if you know me, you'll know I usually entice my non-conservative brides to "rev" it up a bit..I am very interested in getting more into boudoir stuff..Having done the commercial/fashion side for design, nothing really surprises me...

But the fact she seemed to balk about location and when I mentioned I would be bringing others...

My husband isn't paranoid, but he said...if you were trying to rob/rip someone off...who better than someone who you know would have a lot of expensive equipment on their person? And who might possibly come "alone" or go off with the couple alone...

I never do this...but she wouldn't know that from my site...

I always try to think the best of people, but we live in a world where survival sometimes depends on vigilance and being observant. And my usually-calm radar said "BLIPBLIPBLIP"...

And Peter, that is more than kind and sweet...you DO rock!! :-)

Tom -- did you happen to catch what her name was? When I asked, she paused...then answered...it felt "made-up"...so I was curious if she gave you a different name or stuck with the same one?