what do you do when a client is unhappy with the results?

[MrJones]

I did a photo shoot for one of my relatives cousin. she is a 12yr old kid and my relative wanted to give her a photo shoot for her birthday.
so.. I wanted to do the shoot during sunset but they couldn't so we scheduled it for the worse time - around noon. that's the only time they could.
the sample photos I've sent them were good and they were very excited but when I delivered the rest of the photos, it tuned out the little girl didn't like about half of them because they we're closeups or she weren't smiling.
so basically, after doing the shoot - I have an unhappy costumer which asked me if we can meet again and take some more photos, wherever I want and whenever I want.
I guess everyone has these kind of costumers every once in a while but I'm just beginning my way as a professional photographer and I really want my clients to be happy so they can spread the word.

what would you do / say in this situation?

[JOHNNY inside]

In my humble opinion, MrJones... we are always trying to make the best of us to bring the more balanced and well-lit picture with the greatest composition ever. One of those images that would always stand-out in our profiles because of its Wow! factor. But... let's face it! Not all the clients have the same sense for beauty as some of us do. Then, what to do? A bad picture that pleased the client or the great picture that makes them unhappy.

I do think that you should go 50-50. Try to convince them that your shot will look much better the way you want, but in case they do not agree. Then just let them do your job. Ask them to describe the photo as they'd like, even place them behind and let them compose the shot with your camera on your hands. Take the shot, post-proccess it (if needed) and print it! But don't forget to exclude that image from your catalogue in case it was one of those pictures you will never be proud of.

[graciousness]

What happens though if you meet a customer who has self-confidence issues who hates seeing herself on any photos? Then what do you do, cause I am sure there are tons of people who feel this way (count me as one of them).

Especially that she's a little girl going on to adolescence - I'm sure she won't be satisfied until she looks like one of those girls on the cover of Vogue magazine. Either you give her a make-over on the photo (as they do with fashion shoots) or re-take her if you wish.

I'm not a pro and certainly don't have any experience dealing with clients. But I can imagine that at some point, you will have to make your own call in how far you want to make your clients happy. I suppose if you're not happy cause your client is not happy, then you will do another session where everyone will be happy with the result.

I can bet that her confidence issues will create the same issue over the next session. I would talk to the parents and the girl again and make sure she's at her best mood in the next session (to produce a lighter and more relaxed results), otherwise, it will be the same scenario all over again.

Hope I've been of some help.

[Woody]

Maybe the answer is in our backyard. Have a look at this interesting piece right here folks on Digital Photography School....da daaaaa.

7 Tips for Helping Women Love having their Photo Taken by You


Cheers,

John W.

[MrJones]

Originally Posted by graciousness

What happens though if you meet a customer who has self-confidence issues who hates seeing herself on any photos? Then what do you do, cause I am sure there are tons of people who feel this way (count me as one of them).

Especially that she's a little girl going on to adolescence - I'm sure she won't be satisfied until she looks like one of those girls on the cover of Vogue magazine. Either you give her a make-over on the photo (as they do with fashion shoots) or re-take her if you wish.

I'm not a pro and certainly don't have any experience dealing with clients. But I can imagine that at some point, you will have to make your own call in how far you want to make your clients happy. I suppose if you're not happy cause your client is not happy, then you will do another session where everyone will be happy with the result.

I can bet that her confidence issues will create the same issue over the next session. I would talk to the parents and the girl again and make sure she's at her best mood in the next session (to produce a lighter and more relaxed results), otherwise, it will be the same scenario all over again.

Hope I've been of some help.

you got it right. it's funny cause every other person who took a look at those photos thought they are great. it's just the girl.
anyway, i've scheduled another small session but that's it of course. no more.

and John, I've read that article and while it's a great one - people with self-confidence issues will have them no matter how you take their photos. they will always find those little things that no one notice

[Biomech]

What happens though if you meet a customer who has self-confidence issues who hates seeing herself on any photos? Then what do you do, cause I am sure there are tons of people who feel this way (count me as one of them).

I'm like that, I hate being in front of the camera, but there's one place that it's ok.... I had my *cough* awesome *cough* photo booth at a wedding the other week and there was this woman who flat out refused to go in it, she couldn't stand her photo being taken and would fight her way away from it..... you can guess what happened - she got in once and wouldn't get out for the rest of the night :P

[private]

I am confused. How old is this girl, you sd 12? Are the parents using HER as an excuse? either way, if you DO decide to reschedule do it on YOUR terms. Do it around sunset - if they cannot do it then, ask when they can. If they say never, there is no pleasing them and they want something for free.

And the ones where they want a close up - crop it (problem solved) If you delivered x proofs and they liked Y - only deliver x-y proofs for the reshoot.

[MrJones]

Originally Posted by private

I am confused. How old is this girl, you sd 12? Are the parents using HER as an excuse? either way, if you DO decide to reschedule do it on YOUR terms. Do it around sunset - if they cannot do it then, ask when they can. If they say never, there is no pleasing them and they want something for free.

And the ones where they want a close up - crop it (problem solved) If you delivered x proofs and they liked Y - only deliver x-y proofs for the reshoot.

of course. I'm only doing the second shoot on sunset.. my terms or nothing
the only reason I'm doing this is because I want the girl to be happy and show her photos around to her friends.. maybe I'll get a job or two out of it.

[Jim Bryant]

Originally Posted by Woody

Maybe the answer is in our backyard. Have a look at this interesting piece right here folks on Digital Photography School....da daaaaa.

7 Tips for Helping Women Love having their Photo Taken by You


Cheers,

John W.

batta bing..........search button!