I have talked to so many photographers who were frustrated because a session didn't go the way they wanted it to. Heck, I still stress out over lots of my sessions -- did they like their photos, or are they instead telling everyone what a lousy photographer I am? Maybe the children didn't behave, making it impossible for you to get something good. Or maybe the parents just didn't like the photos, even though you thought you did a great job. Perhaps you just didn't do your best work that day. It happens to all of us.
These experiences can sting. They can lower our self-confidence. They can even cause us to give up on our dream to pursue photography as a profession. I have seen and heard countless photographers drive themselves crazy over one session that went wrong. They ask everyone they know -- “aren't these photographs good? What are they thinking? Why don't they like them? Don't you think they're being unreasonable?“ And most people will just respond with what you want to hear. They'll tell you the photos are great, and that the client is just difficult or picky. But I think your clients have a right to walk away with photos they love. What I'd like to see you do is to take these incidents and turn them into learning experiences. Not everyone is going to love your work every time. In fact, not everyone is even going to like YOU every time. Our personality can't possibly resonate with every single person with whom we might do business.
I believe that if someone tells us they don't like the work we did for them, we need to hear what they've told us and take it to heart. If you get all worked up over why someone didn't like the results from one single session, you're not giving yourself the chance to grow as a photographer and a business person. Offer to do a re-shoot at no charge. It might be inconvenient, but it'll give you the chance to turn around a bad situation. I have read and experienced first-hand that ultimately the best clients in any business are those who complained and then had someone go above and beyond expectations to solve their problem.
Here are several ways to prevent some possible problems:
- Avoid naptime. Schedule small children at the beginning of the morning when they are at their best. If your session time cuts into nap time, then you're inviting a breakdown (by the kid, by the mom, and maybe even by you!)
- Set priorities for the session. Do not assume what photos and groupings the client wants. Talk with the parents at the beginning of the session to clarify the goals of the session. Take the top priority shots first. Let them know that you'd like them to prioritize in case the child decides he or she has had enough before you have a chance to get to all the shots.
- Provide session guidelines ahead of time.
- Take a snack break. Not for you, but for the kids! Frequently, a little drink and some goldfish crackers can turn around a cranky kid and save the day.
Believe me, I know it's miserable when someone doesn't like your work. But the more experience you have, the less often it'll happen. It really is true.
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