Get something in writing, anything!
I would like to begin by saying that I have never been one for getting things down in writhing. A hand shake or nod is all that I need to have a deal. Unfortunately now and then there can be misunderstandings on what everyone expects and a simple written agreement could prevent any misunderstanding at all.
You might ask why do I care... Well when it involves one of your dear friends and their family then things get a little more confusing. It all began when there was no clear idea of what this family was really wanting in there family portrait. They wanted something outstanding and I wanted to give them my best. They wanted a "large" finished portrait and I knew I could give them one. But because we had nothing down in writing, everyone's expectations were very different!
They didn't understand they would be getting proofs to choose from, my most basic form of image presentation. Why must they pay for proofs when they only one large image? They saw no value in proofs, but proofs were one of my major costs, other than time.
Their idea of a large portrait was something in the size range of 4 feet x 5 feet, someone else's idea of a large portrait is an 8 x 10 inch print. My Idea for this family was maybe an 11 x 14 possibly a 16 x 20. Their idea of a cost for a large portrait was no where close to accurate based on the size they were thinking. Again, something that could have, and should have been all straightened out at the beginning.
Very clearly my friends and I were on completely different pages. Why? Because I thought they already knew what my procedures were and they thought I knew they only wanted a large portrait. I would have thought they would have read over my prices and procedures. I was wrong!
Our friendship was being seriously being challenged. Something that wouldn't have ever happened if we had all sat down and just got our thoughts in writing. I began to feel that they were trying to rip me off and I am sure that they thought I was trying to get one over on them. Neither one was the case.
All of this turmoil was happening even before they had looked at the first image I had taken. We all sat down and looked at the Images and they absolutely loved them. I began working with them to get them that large portrait they wanted that would still fit into their budget. In the end everyone was happy and we remain friends to this day!
What I learned is, that getting things in writing is the only way to go. It is good for the photographer and it is good for the client.
Take a few extra minutes and get them to come in and sign something, e mail them with the estimated costs and what they get. Expect a response. Don't just think that you all know what the other is thinking. Put it down on paper! :-)
For More information on Photography by Lloydlee Heite Check out the website www.lloydlee.com
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