I'm really upset

[candidrachel]

Weeks ago my son's school asked me if I would come along on 14th January to the Ladies Pamper Evening as they were so impressed with the firework photos I took for them and they know that I am trying to get my photography business off the ground and come along and hand out leaflets, take pics of ladies looking glam etc etc. I said that I would be delighted and any photos sold the money would be donated to the school for their music, dance and drama room.

Over the next few weeks everytime the newsletter mentioned the Pamper Night it said that there is a photographer on hand to take photos of the night (I naturally assumed that was me!)

Tonight is the night! Earlier this evening at 5pm I checked on my son's school website to double check what time everything kicks off tonight and it said that photographs will be put on cd for £2.50 as a momento of the night. I thought WHAT???? That's not why I agreed . My stomach was then in knots thinking have they got someone else???

My photo bag was packed with charged batteries, memory cards, recent uptodate price list (even Winter Warmer promo offer!), brochures , tripod at the ready you name it!

I phoned up and spoke to the deputy head and she told me that she left a message on my voice mail weeks ago asking me to phone her but I never got back so she asked someone else to come tonight instead. I NEVER GOT THE MESSAGE AND WHAT WAS STOPPING THEM SLIPPING A NOTE IN MY SON'S SCHOOL BAG!!

I am really upset and have been sobbing

I feel stabbed in the back!

[beatles2]

I don't blame you, I would be ticked off too. I know I would be having words with that person.

[kelticsol]

That was so not cool. But I guess they just went all "business" on you. It sounded like it was going to be quite informal for you. But they took it all serious and now they have someone basically giving away pictures. As cheap as they are I don't think you are going to have to worry about them for long. Doesn't sound like they will cover their costs. Which means their quality will probably meet with their price point.

Sounds like it's going to be their loss. EIther way, still not cool.

definition - "business" not good , professional business but the opposite.

[ZannieGirl49]

You have a right to be upset. Her behavior was pretty unprofessional. You may take a bit of solace in the fact that you'll work with one less unreliable person in your lifetime. Take your time to be upset, then talk to this person. After that you can focus on other marketing opportunities with people who understand how to do business. Oh, and watch this (with the sound on)...there is no way you can't smile after watching this...

YouTube - Surprised Kitty (Original)

[i speak in math]

I don't really get what the problem is here. They claim you will do something for a certain price that you didn't agree to. So, you aren't bound to follow their pricing model. They are your photos and you are taking them/doing the work, etc, so you can price them as you normally would. Don't be upset. Just explain that was never part of your agreement to take the photos and tell them what your price will be. If they don't like it, then you have a bunch of photos sitting on your hard drive taking up a tiny amount of space.

[candidrachel]

No - I speak in Math - I didn't even get a chance to take any photos. I was pissed on and passed over. Story of my life. Everything I touch turns to dust

ZannieGirl - I loved that clip My children came over to see what I was laughing at.

[AndCity]

Don't give up Rachel, learn from it and move on. Perhaps you were too personally involved in this as it was your child's school. Ring round and contact other schools and PTAs and explain your services and that you are prepared to donate a portion of the proceeds to the school (as a hook) and you never know what may happen. By not being involved with that particular school will make it seem more business-like and they also will not take you for granted.

Please don't get dispondent though...

[natek313]

You don't need clients like that. Move on, and don't bother wasting your time or energy with them. I know that's probably easier said than done...

[candidrachel]

Thanks for your kind words! I do appreciate it. I am not so upset now as I am trying to be philosophical about it. Things happen for a reason and maybe there are bigger fish to fry futher upstream. I just felt sad earlier as it seemed THEY were trying to do ME a favour by photographing an event as a way to generate some business for me (scratching backs). Not to be this time

[WooD]

Sorry for your bad misfortune. I also hate stuff that sucks.

You should have your husband/boyfriend/partner take you out for a nice dinner this week end to cheer you up.




Or have them buy you some cool camera gear.