I did a bad thing, and I feel horrible.

[JWCustomPhotography]

Ok... to preface... I hope I picked the proper section...

This is a long boring annoying rant, so if you want the gist of it, skip to the last 2 paragraphs.

At the beginning of the year, I wanted to have a fundraiser for an old high school friend, her husband was diagnosed with cancer and I wanted to help. Pretty much no reservations were made for the mini session, none of their friends were willing to make the drive, excuse excuse. I was offering a free 8x10 just for showing up, and packages from 10 - 55 dollars. Fast easy boom bam and I feel I should have had a couple hundred dollars to pass on to them at least. So little interest, and enough cancellations and no shows that I threw in the towel and I only shot one person. They told me to keep the money that I did make for my trouble, and I told them I would still go ahead and shoot their family and apply the money I had. (I made more money in straight donations than I did off any photos).

So now, we finally figure out a time to do it (today) and we agreed that at 7pm the heat wouldnt be bad and I convinced them to do it outside. I had huge plans for this shoot, I had wanted to put my soul into this, give them a large canvas gallery wrap to show my support and let them be on their merry way.

A few hours before we were scheduled I got a text asking what they should wear, I asked for long pants and that they keep the clothing in a similar range, (like no black shirt and no white shirt together) no crazy patterns, you know, the usual mumbo jumbo. They had a theme that the boys wore orange, girls in pink and mom in black. The bad thing is none of the same colors were even the same and again... mom in all black. It just looked sloppy, and irritated me further. Nothing went together.

So... they show a half hour late, complain about the walk, the heat, the sweat, the ants and appear as though they put no thought into their wardrobe, hair, interest...

I got no apology for being late, and was told that we should have had a blanket etc. I informed them I did have a blanket and props at one time, but my daughter got tired and they left, and I couldn't carry all that by myself.

Long story short (too late I know) I did a horrible job. I wanted to be done. I was fuming. I havent seen an image in my LCD that I hated that bad in a VERY long time. I kept a Saturday night free to do it. I had lots of things I would rather be doing that are in my range of work I desire to do. (family portraiture is not it). I almost felt taken advantage of, and that my time just wasn't valuable to them.

I didn't care, I didn't have my head or heart into it and I am sad that I will have to deliver subpar work. I feel like when your parents used to tell you, as long as you try your best, thats all we ask for... and I blew it.

Thanks for letting my vent guys. I hope it all made sense!

[auddii]

First of all, you didn't do a bad thing. You tried to do a good thing, and it didn't work out as you planned. It does sound like they weren't that interested in the shoot. I would think they would be since cancer can have devastating effects on someone's health, and they may not have a chance to have another family photo for a while.

However, especially with families, there could be circumstances that you may not be aware of. Our last family photos, my sister in law didn't want to do it, and purposely sabotaged every photo she was in. Maybe they just weren't interested, who knows.

However, you tried to do what you could for them. I honestly think it's the thought that matters, and it makes me sad that they don't respect what you are trying to do for them enough to put effort into it. But if nothing else, you can stock away some good karma for later :)

[tc95]

+1 with Audrey....Unfortunately...I have learned this time and time again...most people don't appreciate your time...or the energy it takes to do something...especially with photography...just know you tried to do a good thing...take the pictures play with them...and give them as promised...know you did a good thing...and take-it as that...Karma is real and no good deed goes un-noticed...

Trust me when I say...they will not know that you did not do your best...in fact they will probably love every picture...because you do care about what you do...Make the best of it...


Now here is one word of advice, don't let them know you post here......!!!

[JWCustomPhotography]

Thanks guys I appreciate it.

And I dont think anyone sabotaged it... and I think they really did want good photos. I just think.... they were "into it".

Oh well, on to the next one!

[Howard Barlow]

Originally Posted by JWCustomPhotography

...and appear as though they put no thought into their wardrobe, hair, interest...

Originally Posted by auddii

First of all, you didn't do a bad thing. You tried to do a good thing, and it didn't work out as you planned. It does sound like they weren't that interested in the shoot...

John,

Your heart was in the right place. However, in 30+ years, I can count on one hand the people who appreciated, and were really interested in, a free portrait. Family included.

Short version... if it wasn't their idea, it's worth to them what they paid for it.

[ChrisTX]

I have a friend who always wants me to take pictures of their kids. I don't think one photo has ever come out good, and the best looking ones are photoshopped all to crap. I usually have to rip the face from one picture and paste it on another, or completely cut out one of the kids and do that. The kids absolutely hate doing pictures, and it shows. Nothing I can do about it, and it irritates me because my pictures look bad.

[Rson]

aas long as your heart was in the right place you are golden.

I was asked by another photog to shot her mom and family's final pics with hair. I showed up and it was mas chaos. The point is that they have the memory and you captured it. I doubt they are looking for Pulitzer winning images, it is all bout them being together. I am sure that you did a great job in their eye's.

My images weren't the greatest, but it captured the moment.

Cancer Sucks

[JWCustomPhotography]

Originally Posted by Rson

aas long as your heart was in the right place you are golden.

I think thats what upsets me the most. I was in it 110% until they showed up and it seemed like they werent, and at which point I just turned into GWC and checked out.

But in the end, they are ok, and will serve the purpose.