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Question from Gabby: “What do you say when clients have ideas for shots, but you know it’s not going to look good (bad lighting for example)? In the past, I would take a couple quick ones, but then they would ask, “where’s the photo of us…?””
Esta: It’s important to be honest and up front with your clients. If you don’t think it will work, tell them why and offer an alternative. Show them some of the shots you just took. Clients are understanding and usually will see it your way. Afterall, they hired you most likely based on your body of work and should trust that you are doing the best by them.
Kendra: Honestly I take the photo in the best scenario as possible. If they want to but it, its their decision. They ate the customer after all. If its really bad lighting I do bury it in the bottom half of the online album and I pick the best of them and only put 1 up.
Jessica: I am always honest when I feel like lighting isn’t good or if a pose makes them look strange. But I too always try to offer an alternative. I say something like “That’s a great idea but since lighting is a little harsh there, let’s try it here” or “I like where we are going so let’s just tweak this pose some.” They typically respond really well to this and understand that you are hearing what they want and their ideas but that you are also trying to give them the best images possible. If you take something that isn’t true to your quality of work but they buy it, then you are selling something that might not be good representation of your skills. What if that image is the ONLY image someone else sees?… would they hire you based on it?
Dena: I let them know why it won’t work or will look bad, but in a nice way. 😉
Rebecca: While I can understand your statement Jfs, it’s kind of obtuse. The old saying “The customer is always right” does still hold water, ya know?
Dena: Yes, Rebecca, the customer is right in some instances, but not when it comes to doing our job (as in trying to create a pose, etc). We should be educated enough to be able to tell them what doesn’t look good & why. I’m sorry, but I will not take a photo for a client that I know won’t look good. If you do, you risk them showing that photo off & then other people will think that’s what all of your work is like. Eek! No thanks! I don’t want one crappily posed image to represent my business & turn potential clients away.
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