Client wants to edit their own photos

[Brian Mullins]

Originally Posted by bkjerabek

This is just me but to have someone "finish" my "art work" for me is just not OK with me. That's as bad as when people bring cameras to the shoots, I set up shots and they are in the background trying to shoot... ugh.

Something that may (or may not) help.. I found that people, when they pay you, can be one of two ways. They will let you work (because they are paying you) and respect what you do, or, well, they won't respect what you do.

People who bring cameras out to shoots are fine with me. It's not the camera, it's the photographer. If they can get anything close to what we get as professionals, then there is (frankly) a problem with the process somewhere. "Problem" is harsh, and I don't mean for it to be, but in all reality, if your clients are getting "acceptable" shots from just being there then you need to re-evaluate your approach.

The reason I say this is people who pay you are doing so because of one of three things:

- They can't take photos of themselves
- They don't have the time to do it themselves
- They cannot do what YOU do.

The first two are, typically, more difficult clients to deal with simply because they may think they CAN do it, but the circumstances prevent it. Your ultimate business goal should be #3. When you hear professional photographers say, over and over, put yourself into your work, this is why. If you can provide something unique then why in the world would they try to tag along? If they still do, the gap will be so huge between the quality and appearance of the work that they will see the difference.

I'm certainly not talking about anyone in particular.. just in general. When almost any photographer is just starting out, you tend to be a bit "scared" and want to be safe, so the clients like the shots. However, you are doing yourself (and your clients) a disservice because you have this great knowledge and unique vision that you aren't sharing. You should put yourself fully into your work and you will find, hopefully, that you get more and more of the 3rd type of client.

Just wanted to write this down as a slightly different perspective.

[bkjerabek]

I guess I feel like you can always say you thought about it and really are uncomfortable with anyone else editing your work. If it is to uncomfortable to do that you can always give NEFs and your edited and there ya go! If you do the double credit thing people may, just may, wonder why you didn't edit yourself or point out that they too want to do their own editing... might be the flood gates opening effect.

Such drama right?

[mistydawn]

Originally Posted by bkjerabek

If you do the double credit thing people may, just may, wonder why you didn't edit yourself or point out that they too want to do their own editing... might be the flood gates opening effect.

That's a really good point. I may just have to tell him not to give me any credit at all.

[zona5101]

Originally Posted by Brian Mullins

Something that may (or may not) help.. I found that people, when they pay you, can be one of two ways. They will let you work (because they are paying you) and respect what you do, or, well, they won't respect what you do.

People who bring cameras out to shoots are fine with me. It's not the camera, it's the photographer. If they can get anything close to what we get as professionals, then there is (frankly) a problem with the process somewhere. "Problem" is harsh, and I don't mean for it to be, but in all reality, if your clients are getting "acceptable" shots from just being there then you need to re-evaluate your approach.

The reason I say this is people who pay you are doing so because of one of three things:

- They can't take photos of themselves
- They don't have the time to do it themselves
- They cannot do what YOU do.

The first two are, typically, more difficult clients to deal with simply because they may think they CAN do it, but the circumstances prevent it. Your ultimate business goal should be #3. When you hear professional photographers say, over and over, put yourself into your work, this is why. If you can provide something unique then why in the world would they try to tag along? If they still do, the gap will be so huge between the quality and appearance of the work that they will see the difference.

I'm certainly not talking about anyone in particular.. just in general. When almost any photographer is just starting out, you tend to be a bit "scared" and want to be safe, so the clients like the shots. However, you are doing yourself (and your clients) a disservice because you have this great knowledge and unique vision that you aren't sharing. You should put yourself fully into your work and you will find, hopefully, that you get more and more of the 3rd type of client.

Just wanted to write this down as a slightly different perspective.

worth reading twice....
thanks.