I did senior pictures for a friend's daughter--didn't charge because I wasn't legit yet. Just found out that she had them retaken with someone else ... stumbled across them online. All they had to do was tell me they didn't like them (in fact I asked them to do JUST THAT) and I could have redone them. That's ALL she had to do. I'm broken-hearted. Rethinking this whole thing.
I'm really sorry that hurt you, though I imagine it must come with the job - especially in the beginning. Try not to let it get you down though... turn it around and use it to better yourself. You can only ever get better :)
It might be they just had a particular style in mind when they asked you and didn't make that clear to you. I've had a similar experience when we hired a photographer for family portraits. I wasn't happy with the end results, not because they weren't very well done, but because I had gone in with a certain style in mind and didn't bother to tell her what I had wanted. Not her fault she couldn't read my mind:) This shot is lovely though, very natural, very warm.
@terek55 I'm sorry that you're feeling bad about this. :( It's hard doing 'business' with friends, though - when you have a strictly business relationship with a client, it's easy to give feedback or complain, but when it's a friend, there's a whole new dimension that makes it challenging. I have a friend that's a hairdresser - he gave me a cut once that I just hated (and I paid for it). Now, I know that if I had told him I didn't like it, he would have tried to fix it, but rather than saying something "to his face" and hurting his feelings, I just went and got it fixed somewhere else and moved on. Which, as we can see, can hurt feelings too. It's a Catch-22. :(
Instead of speculating, just ask her. If you are trying to improve on your marketing and photography skills, ask her why she had them redone. She is a friend and you should be able to ask her this. Next time charge for your time. No matter what she says though, thank her for the feedback. Do not take it personally because we all understand photographs are personal for everyone. It goes with the job of being a photographer.
Don't let this get your down or cause you to hesitate for a single moment. Photography is a business same as any other, but photographers are also artists. Artists put a piece of themselves into everything we do, so it is easy to get hurt or offended when something goes wrong.
First, a good rule is to never, ever shoot for friends. It seems like a good place to start, but then this exact situation happens and people get hurt. I've seen it happen a hundred times and never with good results.
Second, this is another reason why you should always charge. Think about it: they got a free product, so when they didn't like the result they could simply go somewhere else without losing any more money. If they had been charged, they would have been more likely to come back to you and say, "Hey, can we try this instead?"
I'll share a story with you. I hope this makes you feel a little better about the business. Back in June I was hired to shoot the grand opening ceremonies and beauty shots at the SkyWheel Myrtle Beach. I spent three weeks shooting daytime, nighttime, long exposure, interior, and portraits shots in and around the SkyWheel. I was paid very good for the work, in fact that single paycheck bought me a roundtrip plane ticket to the UK, paid for a new lens, and gave me some spending money for my trip. Last month I found out they had hired another photographer who typically does weddings to shoot additional beauty shots of the SkyWheel. I wasn't hurt in the least. I was hired to provide a product, something which I was very proud of, and they paid me for my work. But then they decided they wanted more posed shots, shots with models in tuxedos and gowns posing around the SkyWheel.
Now...I could have gotten hurt that they *still* have not used my photos on their website. The photos are used on their Facebook and Flickr pages only. Hell...I've sold many of my SkyWheel photos to Budget Travel, Interval World, National Geographic Travler, and Travel & Leisure magazines so at least someone is appreciating them. I could have gotten hurt that they hired another photographer to do what they wanted, but instead I accept this is just a business. It's an artistic world. I have my vision, they have their own. As long as I do my job I should be happy.
You did your job. I like the photo above. It's well composed, I like the lighting and blown out sky behind her. You should be proud of that work. Don't let another person get you down because they refused to work with you to get a better result. Instead, learn from this experience and do better with the next one.
Your friends were wrong to expect you to work for free, they were wrong to choose you at all if your vision didn't coincide with theirs - didn't they look at your previous work? And they were wrong not to be honest with you. They got what they paid for - someone else! Since your feelings are already hurt, I'd ask them what it was exactly that made them go elsewhere? I see nothing wrong with this shot! If they had something else in mind, they should have spoken up at the time - going behind your back is just cowardly. Don't give up your dream because of bad manners - it happens and you can overcome it!
I would be hurt also but agree that now would be the best time to ask them what they didnt like and how you could improve. Doing it for free was to learn from so the least they could "pay" would be a critique. Maybe it was a pose or style they wanted and it would be good to know, better to find out their reasons than to doubt yourself.
You know, you were doing them a favor and they took advantage of you. Some people are just like that. There will be many more opportunities for you to use your talents with people that appreciate you. Sorry you got your feelings hurt but just keep up the good job you do. :)
@jasonbarnette Thanks Jason! You're right and your shots were awesome.
And just like everyone said I should have charged. I would have liked to have made the photos meet their expectations but wasn't given the chance. That's what's bothersome to me.
It's going to be OK. And I always enjoy learning new things ... this is just something new to learn!
First and foremost your picture is good, you made her look natural and relaxed and comfortable in her skin.
I bet you worked with the daughter who probably either had no vision or something very very different than her mother had in mind.
Yes they should have said that they were hoping for a different pose or feeling or just mentioned that once they saw them they were thinking of going in a different direction. They probably did not say anything because of you being friends and not knowing how to word things.
I always say, the hardest people to work with are those you want to keep a relationship with. I would not take it personally, but just think of all the practice you got and something to use for your portfolio.
I love what Elke said. Ask them what they didn't like and how you could have made it different. Everything I have seen from you has been awesome. I think that is one of the reasons why I don't want to take pictures of people yet. I just couldn't take the heart-break. Stay with it, don't let this one get you down. Like you said something new to learn from this. Chin up girl! :)
I have done some senior pictures too - and another dimension to the challenge is that the senior and the parent often have VERY different ideas about what they want and what is appropriate. The mother may have been perfectly happy with these shots, and the daughter may have wanted something more trendy...or vice versa. All of this is why I don't intend to pursue portraiture - I stick to shooting things that can't argue back. :)
I agree with @jasonbarnette about shooting for friends in a lot of ways. I have been doing studio shoots with some friends...mostly because it's easier to get people you've known since you were 8 years old to take of their top and pose in their undies so you can practice. My friends came into the studio for "lighting and posting" tests. I didn't charge them for their pictures, although they were both willing to pay - the help they gave me was worth processing the images to give them, and we've got so many requests for shoots with strangers now, we're in over our heads!
I am sorry that this hurt your feelings - but you never know why your friend had them re-shot. Maybe she didn't like them. Maybe her daughter didn't like them. Maybe there was peer-pressure involved to use a specific photographer. Maybe a grandparent gave them senior pics as a gift. Who knows....
Your work is your art. I like the natural feel of the portrait you've posted here. It's nicely composed, and the girl looks like a happy go lucky young lady.
Also, like @pwallis said, maybe they had a picture in mind and weren't clear with you...or maybe their expectations are too high - it's easy to look at a photo in a magazine or online and think it's an easy thing to do when you're not behind the camera.
Last - Senior photos are a lot like weddings, in my mind. They're a BIG deal to some people.I would be more inclined to offer to come over and take pics before homecoming dance or prom or something a little less formal to get the practice. :)
Yeah, @sdpace nailed it perfectly: it's much easier to get friends you've known since you were 8 to take their clothes off. I've tried that with girls...er women...I met at a bar the night before and it didn't work out so well.
Oh...wait...that's not what we're talking about here.
Something to also keep in mind: people are stupid. Doesn't matter how hard you work or how much time, energy, effort, and money you put into something, all it takes is one stupid person to ruin it all. When that happens don't let it knock you down. We are artists, which means that by our very nature we are more emotional than most because we put our souls into our work. When something goes wrong, we tend to take it like a dagger to the heart. Don't.
One question, though: did you sit down with your friend and ask them what they wanted? The kinds of poses and locations they were interested in? Or did they just leave it all up to you?
The more you go out there and shoot and get feedback the better you will be. I would take a moment and sit down with the friend and just ask for honest feedback. Remember -nothing ventured, nothing gained. Learn from this and move forward.
Lots of good comments from everyone. Just this week, I had a conversation with another photographer about people who criticize our photography. People are so different and have so many different likes (and dislikes). There will always people that criticize our photographs. However, that doesn't mean that the criticism will not hurt. Each photo has part of me in that shot. I like the advice of asking your friend why they did not like your photos (or why they went with a 2nd photographer). This might be a great learning experience.
A similar thing happened to me years ago. My customer picked up her proofs and a week or so later I was at the same location and my customer was being photographed there also by someone else. It really stinks!! But, like everyone says, learn, charge up front (I got a $50. sitting fee then-so it helped!) and move on. People are concerned about themselves and how they look and don't usually give much thought to others feelings. When your mind starts with the hurt feelings chatter, turn it off and think about someone you brought joy to with your photos-there are probably plenty!!! Follow your heart and don't get stuck on people-you will experience all kinds!!!
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First, a good rule is to never, ever shoot for friends. It seems like a good place to start, but then this exact situation happens and people get hurt. I've seen it happen a hundred times and never with good results.
Second, this is another reason why you should always charge. Think about it: they got a free product, so when they didn't like the result they could simply go somewhere else without losing any more money. If they had been charged, they would have been more likely to come back to you and say, "Hey, can we try this instead?"
I'll share a story with you. I hope this makes you feel a little better about the business. Back in June I was hired to shoot the grand opening ceremonies and beauty shots at the SkyWheel Myrtle Beach. I spent three weeks shooting daytime, nighttime, long exposure, interior, and portraits shots in and around the SkyWheel. I was paid very good for the work, in fact that single paycheck bought me a roundtrip plane ticket to the UK, paid for a new lens, and gave me some spending money for my trip. Last month I found out they had hired another photographer who typically does weddings to shoot additional beauty shots of the SkyWheel. I wasn't hurt in the least. I was hired to provide a product, something which I was very proud of, and they paid me for my work. But then they decided they wanted more posed shots, shots with models in tuxedos and gowns posing around the SkyWheel.
Now...I could have gotten hurt that they *still* have not used my photos on their website. The photos are used on their Facebook and Flickr pages only. Hell...I've sold many of my SkyWheel photos to Budget Travel, Interval World, National Geographic Travler, and Travel & Leisure magazines so at least someone is appreciating them. I could have gotten hurt that they hired another photographer to do what they wanted, but instead I accept this is just a business. It's an artistic world. I have my vision, they have their own. As long as I do my job I should be happy.
You did your job. I like the photo above. It's well composed, I like the lighting and blown out sky behind her. You should be proud of that work. Don't let another person get you down because they refused to work with you to get a better result. Instead, learn from this experience and do better with the next one.
And just like everyone said I should have charged. I would have liked to have made the photos meet their expectations but wasn't given the chance. That's what's bothersome to me.
It's going to be OK. And I always enjoy learning new things ... this is just something new to learn!
I bet you worked with the daughter who probably either had no vision or something very very different than her mother had in mind.
Yes they should have said that they were hoping for a different pose or feeling or just mentioned that once they saw them they were thinking of going in a different direction. They probably did not say anything because of you being friends and not knowing how to word things.
I always say, the hardest people to work with are those you want to keep a relationship with. I would not take it personally, but just think of all the practice you got and something to use for your portfolio.
I am sorry that this hurt your feelings - but you never know why your friend had them re-shot. Maybe she didn't like them. Maybe her daughter didn't like them. Maybe there was peer-pressure involved to use a specific photographer. Maybe a grandparent gave them senior pics as a gift. Who knows....
Your work is your art. I like the natural feel of the portrait you've posted here. It's nicely composed, and the girl looks like a happy go lucky young lady.
Also, like @pwallis said, maybe they had a picture in mind and weren't clear with you...or maybe their expectations are too high - it's easy to look at a photo in a magazine or online and think it's an easy thing to do when you're not behind the camera.
Last - Senior photos are a lot like weddings, in my mind. They're a BIG deal to some people.I would be more inclined to offer to come over and take pics before homecoming dance or prom or something a little less formal to get the practice. :)
Oh...wait...that's not what we're talking about here.
Something to also keep in mind: people are stupid. Doesn't matter how hard you work or how much time, energy, effort, and money you put into something, all it takes is one stupid person to ruin it all. When that happens don't let it knock you down. We are artists, which means that by our very nature we are more emotional than most because we put our souls into our work. When something goes wrong, we tend to take it like a dagger to the heart. Don't.
One question, though: did you sit down with your friend and ask them what they wanted? The kinds of poses and locations they were interested in? Or did they just leave it all up to you?
The more you go out there and shoot and get feedback the better you will be. I would take a moment and sit down with the friend and just ask for honest feedback. Remember -nothing ventured, nothing gained. Learn from this and move forward.