Prof photo issue

Please don't quote...

Anyone not happy or really disappointed with their prof shots they got?

Re: Prof photo issue

what exactly were you not happy with? Quality, quantity... ?

Re: Prof photo issue

I was - not happy with quality or quantity.

Why?

Re: Prof photo issue

it happens I would be open with the photog and see if he/she can redo the shoot.

Re: Prof photo issue

Posted by maymama

it happens I would be open with the photog and see if he/she can redo the shoot.

Re: Prof photo issue

Thanks! Just different I guess and she admitted to being off and not feeling well. The quality of the pics. With the first prof photographer we used she switched lenses for different shots and kept taking the natural shots between shoots. We asked to meet at a specific place that was special to dh and myself b.c we got engaged there. Told her what we wanted and didn't really capture it. The pics are mostly the same b.c she didn't change lenses. I wanted a lot of background shots b.c it's such a beautiful area and view and there weren't many.
She wasn't feeling well so was going to the bathroom a few times during so we sat around and waited and by the end it's normal for the boys to be off anyway, but feels like we started later and the bathroom breaks stalled it.
She said she'd give me some prints as a sorry she was off, which is nice, but we are getting the cd too so I can make the prints myself.
The majority of the pics were of the cake smash. They were cute, but really wanted more family pics. I felt like I kept telling her what we should do or pose like not her telling us.
The first prof photographer we've used many times b4 was on maternity so wasn't available.

Prof photo issue

I think you should be open with her and tell her exactly what you wrote. Maybe you can't re-do the shoot with the cake smash, but maybe she can offer you another alternative (a mini shoot just of the family). At the very least you tried, if nothing comes out of it then you know not to use that person in the future.

Re: Prof photo issue

Firstly, sorry to hear it.

If the photographer was sick then I can see it affecting the shoot. As suggested sometimes a second 30 min session is needed and would satisfy you with the variety. Also did her style match the first person's style? Most have different styles. I know sometimes people aren't too strong with family images but fantastic with cake smash images or the opposite. Either way i am sure they will be happy to give you a second thirty minute session to do the family photos.

BTW just a note to all changing lenses doesn't necessary give you variety - however it does help. You can shoot an entire portrait session with one lens and have very different looks depending on how you shoot unless you wanted like a wide angle or fisheye affect which yes that does make a dramatic difference. Its all base on how the photographer shoots.

Good luck!

Re: Prof photo issue

I would ask if you can meet up to do a mini family shoot. Everyone has off days, but you shouldn't have to bear the cost of it. GL.

Prof photo issue

Why do you think that switching lenses is the cause of the photos being the same? It sound like she used the same settings on all the shots. I'm guessing that possibly a larger aperture was used which gave a more blurred background, which it sounds like you didn't want since you wanted a clearer background? Would this be right?

You can get two very different looks by switching up the aperture, your placement, shutter speed etc using the same lens, even a fixed focal length lens. Switching lenses up too often can actually be problematic as it can allow dirt/dust onto the sensor.

Since you didn't get the family prints you wanted, discuss that issue with her. If you're happy with the cake smash pics, then ask for a mini reshoot for the family portraits. Be very clear why you aren't happy with the final product: You don't like the lack of crisp background in the family shots, you are unhappy with the lack of quality/quantity of family shots etc. I wouldn't harp on the fact that she had to use the bathroom so frequently etc. It sounds like she already made an attempt to compensate for her being under the weather, so it's possible she is aware that these aren't her best work.

Re: Prof photo issue

I would call or email her and be honest. Explain that you were disappointed with the pictures, and you nderstwnd she was under the weather, but you were really hoping maybe you can reschedule for some more pictures. I have been using Luz from Elizabeth Kristin Photography for the past two years. The last shoot we had wasn't great. She came I te house and the kids just weren't that cooperative that day. She knew as well as I did, that they just weren't up to par. We wound up doing a family shoot at a local park and the pictures were awesome! I couldn't have been happier with them.

Re: Prof photo issue

I agree. If she admitted that she didn't feel well, then she probably knows these are her best. I am sure you booked her in the first place because you liked her work, so you know what she can do. I would definitely ask for a reshoot. Like the PP said, I am sure she would prefer you to be happy, over everything.

Re: Prof photo issue

Re: Prof photo issue

I would def talk to the photog about it. I would think she would want you to be happy and use her again. it stinks when you have an idea of what you want and you don't get it. but i would talk to her and see what she could do for you!

Re: Prof photo issue

I would call her and tell her exactly how you are feeling. THis actually happened to us when we went for our maternity photos back in Nov. They were nice pics but we just didnt like ANY of them....so I spoke to my photographer about them and she did the whole shoot over at no charge and we LOVED them!!

Re: Prof photo issue

I had a similar experience with a photographer here and was brutally honest with her and not getting the family pictures that I wanted. She offered and we accepted a re-shoot for the family pictures.

We met her and literally for 20-30 mintues straight just shot tons of all family pictures. I do have to say that when all was said and done we did get 2 really awesome shots of all of us and a bunch of good shots so in the end she made right by us. We did purchase the CD and got the pictures from both shoots on the CD at no extra charge.