reshoots
so. naturally everyone here is perfect and never misses a beat. ;)
but, lets just imagine thats not the case.
im 8.5 months pregnant, and apparently lost the majority of my competence.
i forgot the majority of my lighting gear when headed to a shoot (a family shoot, so nothing terribly critical) .. i went ahead with it because, well, i shot without lights for a long time and managed alright.
in any case, its not up to my standards.
ive done reshoots before, and no doubt ill do them in the future, but for some reason i just cant figure out how to tell this family "look, i totally blew that and i can do much better. lets please do this again" this time around.
any advice?
but, lets just imagine thats not the case.
im 8.5 months pregnant, and apparently lost the majority of my competence.
i forgot the majority of my lighting gear when headed to a shoot (a family shoot, so nothing terribly critical) .. i went ahead with it because, well, i shot without lights for a long time and managed alright.
in any case, its not up to my standards.
ive done reshoots before, and no doubt ill do them in the future, but for some reason i just cant figure out how to tell this family "look, i totally blew that and i can do much better. lets please do this again" this time around.
any advice?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Don Lehman on -
Just tell them what you just said, that you think you're capable of giving them a much better result and would like to be given the opportunity to re-shoot. I don't see why anyone would turn you down in that situation, unless their schedule didn't allow it.
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Permalink Reply by Jacob Zimmer on -
This one time I was shooting a wedding and when I went to develop the film, a guy I was working with turned the light on. So I kindly asked the client if they would be willing to have another wedding. Since everyone had such a great time, they were happy to do it again.
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Permalink Reply by Jami Guess on -
Ouch, that sucks. If your dead set on offering a re-shoot, keep in mind that your client will prob ask to see the pictures from the first shoot, I only offer re-shoots if there was something out of my control, i.e. crying baby.
What I would suggest doing is, let them look at the images and then talk to them while they look at them or before, and suggest that in your opinion "We should try another session as you feel it wasn't my top quality work and would love an opportunity to photograph your family again, I want to give you the best!". Keep in mind they may love the first set of images and not the second or they could loose a bit of trust in your ability, it all depends on your client.
If it helps I also have my husband mentally go over my packing list with me, he has helped me enough times now to where he knows mostly what I need. I used to have a list and got to the point it made me paranoid.
Jacob...I get your point, but I also understand stuff happens and it wasn't a wedding.
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Permalink Reply by jes on -
thanks jami!
yeah, i mean, i am my own worst critic, naturally. so i do plan on showing them the images, regardless. but i like your approach.
ive also gone to the length of following a list for gear, and having my husbands assistance in making sure ive got everything, but im just not 100% right now (and wouldnt take on something like a wedding at the moment for that very reason).
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Permalink Reply by Nina Greipel on -
Jes, if it makes you feel any better I've once showed up to a birthday party shoot and forgot my cameras!!! And I was NOT pregnant, just my usual forgetful self. Fortunately, I showed up really early and it was 2 miles back to my home. No one noticed. (But I did have my lights for some reasons)
As far as your situation, I try not to admit to my clients that I've goofed. Always try to look as professional as possible. But in your situation you have a good excuse - pregnancy. I think a client would understand. Unless, of course, like Don mentioned, it's a scheduling hassle.
Try to take it easy now....
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Permalink Reply by Michael Tigue on -
Say what you just said. Let them know you're not satisfied with the results and feel in hindsight you can create a better product. I can't tell you how many disputes I see that would resolve before they ever started if people simply communicated on that level.
There's a great measure of character tied up in candor.
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Permalink Reply by Shane E. on -
It is easier to say that the CF failed, not just corrupted, and it would cost hundreds of dollars to send it off to even attempt a professional recovery. You are terribly disappointed that such beautiful images were lost and must reshoot it as soon as possible. You might even give them a free 8x10 or key chain or jar of pickles for their inconvenience. However, you did manage to recover a couple images (the best ones of course). This has never happened before and it is so embarrassing.
Essentially, you came unprepared, realized it, and preceded to waste their time and got paid for it (I assume). They could take that different ways. But it saves professional face if you just spin the truth and reshoot it and kick ass. Although, they might be okay with the session they already have, I definitely understand how it is equally important for you to feel good about it. In the interest of your business, it is sometimes okay to not exactly tell the truth, as long as you aren't misleading people in a way that unlawfully separates them from their money. I don't think i would say "I want to reshoot your session because I left my lights at home." It is much easier to say that the images were corrupted or that a monk from Tibet set them on fire protesting some Chinese whatever.
Although, Christmas is only a day away and you could get put on the naughty list for not telling the truth. I would probably risk it. Also, this is a public forum and anyone can read it, so maybe you won't have to tell them. :)
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Permalink Reply by Michael Stepp on -
Im betting that although they arent up to your standards that the family would still love what you shot. Maybe offer them a portion of the fee back because you felt you could do better or offer a reshoot and allow them to keep both sets ? Maybe fib a bit and say your lights were not working that day and youd like to give them the chance to see how it would look with them ?
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Permalink Reply by Charles on -
Yeah Jes, the fact that you're asking sorta' tells me that it doesn't matter what you say, you're probably dealing with a tough crowd. That's why you have to communicate to them in a manner that is outside of the realm of normal speech, and you can do that with lots of free beer and pizza. Maybe you can find a sympathetic member of the family that can help sponsor you in the endeavor. :)
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Permalink Reply by Jacob Zimmer on
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I've learned that my standards are always higher than my clients' standards. So ask them what they think and if it's not 100% positive, then offer a reshoot. But don't initiate a confession if they are not disappointed.
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