If you make money with your photography, you’ve probably come across a hard to please client or two. And hard to please is probably putting it lightly. One of the challenges of being a professional photographer is putting up with demanding, impatient, vague, and sometimes disrespectful clients. Oh, and of course, there’s always the ones who don’t want to pay because it’s too expensive… even though you clearly stated your prices before the shoot. I’m sure you’ve experienced at least one of these:
These are some incredibly infuriating examples of what professional photographers have to deal with. There will always be people who are just impossible to please, and while it may be hard to remain professional is some circumstances, it’s good to have a sense of humor about it. What are some of your own experiences? We want to hear about your most horrible clients or shoots and how you dealt with the situation.
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Can’t sue a lawyer? Heck, if I did a gig for a law firm and they refused to pay AND used the photos I’d register the photos and then sue them and win in a slam dunk. In my experience lawyers have behaved honorably, bureaucrats and govt. agencies have been scumbags.
I tell my clients we’ll start with a pre-paid deposit and a signed estimate/contract. Small claims court is fun.
Solicitors! Or attorneys whatever they’re called in your country? Avoid them like the plague.
I was commissioned to take a group shot of a well know firm of local solicitors. Which I duly did at the place & day stated though they did keep me waiting for over an hour from the appointed time!
i was then asked if I could do some mug-shots of their new partners (this was not in my brief & not asked for at the time of booking the job). I also completed this & left after asking the senior partner if that was all & was he happy. Which he said he was & thanked me.
After delivering the results inc. the invoice (which I only charged for the original job) I didn’t hear for a couple of months so I chased payment. I was then told they were not happy with the results & were not going to pay! I believe they still used some of the shots, but they know you cannot sue them!
Never again will I take on commissions for the legal fraternity!!
and this is why I collect payment right after the photo session!