I am a semi pro photographer still with a lot to learn. I had a photoshoot recently where it all seemed to go wrong and I don’t know how to address it with the client.
This is a client I have worked for a lot in the past and they’re always happy with my work and rehire me for all their event photography.
They reached out saying they needed a lifestyle / headshot type shoot in their restaurant. This was split into two parts, one with a child and a food product and 5 different types of shots to get the 4 different type of shots with multiple food products. They gave me 1 hr to do the whole shoot.
I arrived an hour early to set up but client turned up 20 mins late. Then the restaurant didn’t have the correct food products for the shoot. There was no representative from head office just the two staff members to be in the shoot (not models)
We spent half an hour alone trying to sort the food products out and then I finally began shooting. 1st staff member was a reluctant model and it too a while to get her to relax by which time food product had melted and needed to be remade.
By the end, I was on site for two and a half hours, even though I was only being paid for 1 hour.
I’m not even happy to provide the client with the shots because they’re not good enough. (Client with eyes closed, blurred or product out of focus)
Currently, I’m thinking of sending the client what few shots I do have and explaining the issues but I don’t want to make it should like excuses for my lack of experience.
Do I write the whole shoot off and use it as a learning experience? I have definitely learned not to let the client dictate the time of a shoot.
I'd take full responsiblity and explain to the client that it was your fault. You didn't explain the importance of having models there on time, and also the importance of having the food ready to go so you could get all the shots in that hour.
Don't share the shots you took.
He doesn't care about the shots you got unless you have ALL of the shots he wanted. So tell him let's reschedule when everyone has time and you 'and he' can coordinate the shoot better.
Tell him you did all you could with what you had but your goal is to get him quality shots for all the plates.
It sounds like it was a team effort and you weren't the leader you needed to be... He will respect your approach if you sell this right. And for the next shoot, if he agrees...show up early and dressed nice, have a plan for each shot, be super engaging to the models, and say how great the food looks often. Say please and thank you a LOT. In other words...make up for your fuck up.
op already said they were an hour early and I wouldn’t presume to tell someone to dress nice in a professional setting (and assume they don’t). Bit overkill. Sounds like talking down “say thank you and please little jimmy”
Flint you're too sensitive. Its time to man up when a man screws up. Not be a defensive pussy. If it sounds like you're being talked down to, then you're not realizing what the customer thinks of you because you were paid and didnt deliver.
OP's showing up early didn't help did it? Next time make sure your settings are right so your photos are in focus as part of your earliness.
If I know I'm going to be late I wear a tie. When I say dress nice I mean don't wear a nicer t-shirt like you haha. I'm not saying be a simp...I'm saying be respectful with pleases and thank yous.
I've shot more than 500 events and had a few fuckups along the way and I know how to best resolve them by satisfying the customer...what about you,little Jimmy?
Lmao thanks for the entertainment. If I’m late I wear a ball gown. It makes everything better. 💃You’re never going to convince me you were hired 500 times, you’re just a try hard.
more than 500 because I do what I say and say what I'm gonna do...and I don't let people down. Half my business is repeat business. If I fuck up I make up for it...jimmy!
Just keep wearing your tshirt and underwhelming your peeps...
Nahhh. I’d rather hire a chill guy in jeans and a tshirt over you and your obnoxious personality. Can’t sell me the story is real. Loud mouth bc you have a lot to prove and little going on. Good luck out there champ.
Yeah you go your way I'll go mine, FandF... I'm betting your going to have to get the last word...bring the snark biotch!
Uh. Wow. I don’t think I have to, with those replies you are your own worst enemy.