Wedding photography issue

[Orange Zest]

March 27, 2011 at 7:54 pm

Hi,

I wondering if someone had a similar experience. I am currently designing a storybook for a wedding I did in January. The bride had asked me if she could add a few photographs of people who I didn’t take photos of. I reluctantly agreed to that as it would be against my policy of using only my own images, the storybook is my business card after all … However, in the end she send me 15 photographs of her own, including some pics taken during the evening party. The quality is poor, poor lighting and bad composition. I don’t know how to handle this. Considering the recession, I’d like to be flexible. However, I’d also like her to know that I am not happy with this, as it will ruin the overall quality of the album. Any advise?

[tsergairl]

March 27, 2011 at 8:04 pm

after all pages with your photos , make a white page titled as: in ex “Photos other photographers” and thats it :-)

chris

[Mark]

March 28, 2011 at 7:38 am

Good idea Chris !

[Pippatee]

March 28, 2011 at 10:00 am

Tough call OZ …As Chris said, make sure that you are exhonerated from blame on the added shots … and in future make sure that your clients are aware that they won’t be adding shots to the album
Phil

[DPS]

March 28, 2011 at 10:09 am

I strongly agree with Chris,most def make sure that you separate your images from theirs. These photo books are how you sell your work and images like those could be damaging to you. Exactly what Phil says above. You have to be very specific when you are dealing with couples and make sure that they are the books are for your work only. Take care.
Sinead

[tsergairl]

March 28, 2011 at 10:21 am

I’m glad that I could be helpful

Chris

[Orange Zest]

March 28, 2011 at 1:06 pm

Thanks guys for ur help. I’ll go with Chris’ suggestion. I am also going to add to the t&c’s in the contract. I have learnt a lesson! :oops:
Kate

[thalpin]

March 28, 2011 at 5:09 pm

Definitely agree with the suggestions – I guess many people don’t see much of a difference between hiring a photographer to create and compile a photo album versus hiring a photographer to take photos for an album!!

[damien.murphy]

March 28, 2011 at 5:23 pm

I like Chris’ advice alright, and think it’s probably the most diplomatic too. Keeps the bridal clients happy, as well as accentuating any gulf in quality between a professional wedding photographer, and guest snappers.

A valuable lesson to all of us too though, in the value of photographs as memories, instead of just technically great photographs.

In that vein, an Indian ex-colleague of mine got married a year or two back, and found it quite interesting to see his wedding album, which was composed mainly of photographs taken by guests over a period of several weeks (the typical length of a ceremony-laden Indian wedding). An interesting experience to see that, and suspect that is the direction many weddings are going ultimately, with the option of documentary-style weddings proving increasingly popular.