Apologies if this isn’t allowed, it’s more of a rant. Just wondering how everyone deals with the whole family asking for free photos thing.
For context, I’m a professional fashion/commercial photographer so family portraits aren’t going to help my portfolio or anything. My schedule is incredibly busy year round, even more so during the holidays, and I’m also a mother of two young kids. So if I’m not in parent mode, I’m working- often until midnight, and then I’m awake around 5:30 with the kids. I know it sounds like I’m complaining and… well, I kind of am, but want to give an accurate picture of how little time I have available to be doing free photos.
So every year, my in-laws want a family session. Not just a quick snap but like a full session. And every year I do it because they’re my in-laws and I don’t want them to think badly of me. The one time I hinted at being annoyed at this yearly request they were flabbergasted, saying “I thought you liked photography? It doesn’t take much time, does it?” This year I feel like I might snap. I’ve been racing to meet deadlines for huge clients that I’ve worked hard to get and I keep getting sidetracked with all of these family shoots (it is also happening with friends, other relatives). It’s not just the shoot- it’s deciding a location, responding to lengthy texts about what to wear, doing the editing- you guys know. It’s never “just a few pics”.
How can I deal with this?! Do I need to just suck it up and be a nicer person? I’m just burnt out af. Help.
(Use this if you can do a session later.) If you can tell them, "fam, I am sorry, but this is my busiest time of year. I know this has become somewhat of a tradition with the family, but I have client work that I need to attend to now. We can plan a family session in the Spring (or whatever time is less busy for you) and we can discuss dates later. Thank you for understanding.
(Use this if you can't do a session later.) Hey, fam, I know that I have set an expectation in the past of being able to squeeze in a family session during the holidays. That was ok when I was starting out--I had a lot more free time then. Since then, I have built a very busy business, and client remain means that I no longer have time during the holidays to add on extra work. I am very sorry, but I cannot accommodate the family photo shoot this year.