Want to emphasise that I’m really happy with the outcome and the photos look good, but the expectations on the other side seem different from what was delivered

  • Photos were at a different location to a place we’d shot previously, liked the previous shoot better
  • Not happy with the classic “Couples” poses
  • All four are on disability support, and were chaperoned by parents (which I wasn’t aware of) and contradicted my instructions speaking over my shoulder on client posing at every stage making it hard to get natural posing.

Basically I back my work (https://williamsphotographyau.pixieset.com/couplesshoot/) and think it’s a good shoot. Not great, but I think it’s the best I could have done based on the circumstances above but they’re just angling towards getting another shoot for free which I don’t want to do nor feel their entitled to.

How does everyone else address unhappy clients for what you feel is a good shoot?

  • Bulliwyf@alien.top
    BEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    I haven’t done many paid gigs, so take my advice with a grain of salt:

    This is what contracts and deposits are for - they cover you and prevent you from being manipulated by the customer. The contract also clearly sets the expectations so there is no confusion.

    If I was in your situation (and had taken a deposit-not sure if you did), I would essentially say that they can take it or leave it.

    If they want to take it: cool, they can pay the remaining fee and you will hand off the final product.

    If they want to leave it: so be it. The deposit covers your time spent so far and they can find another photographer to dick around with.

    If they really want another session, then they can pay an additional fee/deposit to cover your time and effort - if you are feeling magnanimous, charge them a reduced fee.

    If they go this route, maybe explain that they can supervise from a distance so you and the subjects can kinda get vibe going and not have the vibe thrown off by someone contradicting you.

    Good luck with whatever happens.