I would send what you have that are useable and tell them that you had little cooperation from the establishment/cooks/whatever. Tell them how long it took and suggest that you’ll be adding additional hourly rates to your contract. Don’t have one? Make one ASAP.

I have a feeling that you’re being too hard on yourself. Usually when I feel shitty about a shoot it’s generally because it didn’t go as I envisioned but generally the photos are still good. Maybe not portfolio worthy but I’m sure the client will be happy with them if they’ve been happy with you in the past.

I’ve had similar issues in my earlier days and they’re always a learning curve. Given your relationship with the client and their past satisfaction, it’s worth being transparent with them. Explain the challenges faced during the shoot (late arrival, unavailability of proper food products, unprepared staff, etc.) but do so professionally, without pointing fingers.

Now, about the photos - since you’re not satisfied with the quality, it’s better not to compromise your standard. But also maybe take a step back and re-evaluate the shoot - sometimes we can be a bit harsh on ourselves when coming off a situation like this and you might still have some decent shots you can use. If it’s really not up to par then perhaps offer a re-shoot at a discounted rate, depending on your relationship with the client. This way, you’re not just leaving them high and dry but providing a solution.

Above all else though, you’ve got the right idea about not letting clients dictate unrealistic timelines. Future shoots should have clear time allocations that consider setup, possible delays, and shooting time.

I’d put this more on them than yourself.

I’d let them know the shot was a bust due to said reasons, and it needs to be redone, correctly this time.

Seems like the planning stage of the photoshoot was skipped… all of these issues wouldn’t have happened if you guys had a meeting beforehand to plan the shoot out/ make sure everyone and everything will be there ready to go when you get there. And unless you’re working with a big team, it’s on you to make sure it’s all set up.

Now as far as the bad shot:ratio that’s something that takes practice until it’s no longer an issue.

Next time you face a situation like this it’s ok to offer a re-scheduling even if you’re 100% setup and ready. The client wasn’t ready and unprofessional by showing up late and not communicating to whomever the necessary dishes that were required. One thing you can do in a situation like this is start working with the models to put them at ease. Even if there isn’t any food, you can still do the shoot as if there is and bring the food in after, re-shoot or even shoot it without the talent. But definitely walk away from something like this before it gets worse. And communicate.

Half day rate minimum

Link him this reddit post

I’m going to disagree with half of the thread on one point - taking good photos while trying to navigate this clusterfuck is going to be extremely difficult, this kind of baffling shit would have anyone off their game. They didn’t do their part, on any front. Your images probably aren’t acceptable quality but if you’re in any way involved in sorting out personnel issues or supply issues for the things they’re supposed to be providing things have gone terminally sideways anyway.

In your shoes I’d offer to schedule a reshoot at a discount - depending on how good they’ve been in the past, potentially comped - with the note to them that the organization needs to be WAY better for the second round. I’d consider working on your scheduling and setting expectations more than fretting over the quality of work; if it’s big enough that you’re scheduling an hour of setup, it’s probably more than an hour of session time. If it’s an hour of session time that a commercial client is a third of the window late for, the discussion should probably be on a serious discussion of extending the billed time or rescheduling because that’s just kinda wild to me.

The bit about the reluctant model is enough to make me think that the company needs a good hard whack on the subject of professionalism and what preparing for a photo shoot actually means because that is *so* not your job to deal with, either. They shouldn’t be forcing someone into a photo shoot that they don’t want to be a part of.

Your first mistake was agreeing to do so many shots in 1 hour, but I’m sure you realize that by now.

When I worked in a commercial advertising studio (as an photo assistant, set stylist, and graphic designer), food shoots were a half- to full-day project (depending on the client), using stand-in food while the stylist made the ‘hero’ food look presentable. These shoots for well-known fast food restaurant menu boards and didn’t even including any models.

Can you do it in less time? Maybe. But this was for a single shot of [whatever type of sandwich] plus creative directors from the ad agency coming in & out to oversee everything. The food styling itself took hours to get right (separately-paid professional), and then you have get the shot in a few minutes before it goes bad. Model shoots with a product like exercise equipment were often equally time consuming.

Sure, you can squeeze in a couple of shots in a half day, but you’re on location (we never did food shoots on location) and you’re talking multiple models and multiple food products… and you agreed to do all that in 1 hour? That’s just craziness, IMO.

Someone already mentioned preparation. All of this could’ve been solved in advance with a meeting to discuss creative direction for each shot and how much preparation each shot would require.

Hopefully you get a chance to re-shoot this, and hopefully you are able to explain tactfully how expectations went wrong all-around. It would be nice if you could actually get paid for all the time it takes to do what you set out to do. Good luck!

It seems obvious you didn’t send a project plan and the client did not circulate it. Chock this up to inexperience. You screwed up too. Don’t blame the client. Don’t charge. Suggest a reshoot.

Stop charging/accepting 1 hour gigs! Charge half day rates or full day rates!!

Offer a free one off reshoot then tell them similar bookings will be on a $/£/€ per hour basis with a 30 min overshoot thrown in for goodwill (actually to keep their business as the client is always right), and anything over is charged at the hourly rate. If the company are decent they’ll think you’ve made a special allowance for this job and rebook you. If they’re ***holes to work for then you’re better off without them.

I quit reading after “they gave me 1 hr”. You need to dictate how much time is needed for the scope of work.

You would be surprised how much ‘food’ photography is not food, or not fresh food. Among other things, it doesn’t melt

One thing I’ve learnt from food photography is you make 3 copies of the food. Always. Use hair spray. Shoot humans and food separately. Compose them in post.

Early on in my career I used to shoot for 5 star hotels. I’m glad I moved on