Death of Client What to do about contract?

So this is usally not a big issue for event photographers but we have a

BarMitzvah child who has just died. His parents have not picked up his proofs-

since 2004 by the way and now want them. They owe the amount that would cover

the production of the album, prints and editing the video.

 

Friends want to help out.

Any suggestions? Inclinded to release the proof album and negotiate from there.

Not like much else to do. Hardly want to appear in the local rag as the mean

photogrpaher who didn't co-operate.

Brooke

Oh geeze.. since 2004? You probably weren't figuring on getting the money anyway. Maybe the child became ill and that is why theny never got the photos or made the last payment?

 

Just give them the pictures.

Sometimes the money is just not worth a lot.

You could just offer a price that covers the costs of materials, not labor. The BarMitzvah happened about 3 years ago and you haven't seen the money yet and managed to live without it so far. Maybe you should just mark it up as one of those things that happens and donate the stuff to the family. I take it the family wasn't interested in the pictures until the child died recently (which is understandable). Its not like the family was holding off on paying until tragedy struck just so they could get a discount.

Could be that events over the last few years have meant that picking up proofs was the last thing on their minds...

 

Boruch Dayan Emet (Prayer recited by a Jew on hearing of another Jews death)

Treat the client the same way you would like to be treated if your child died.

GIVE them everything...come on...I can't believe you're even struggling with this. And, honestly, you shouldn't be willing to negotiate just because you don't want to get a bad rep. The greatness you will feel by being able to provide (without any struggle on their part) this heartbroken couple with some precious images of their lost child should be enough for you...for anyone!

I totally agree with Mariah. If you went this long without the money and then come to find that the child has died....and you need to ask what to do? Come on. Give them everything that you have since this is ALL THAT THEY HAVE LEFT of their child. Sorry, I am a mother and that question seems kinda heartless.

Fully agree with Sandra, Kris, Mariah, and Heather.

C'mon..... do you really have to ask?

<p>

Give them a break. Don't go broke, but give them the images for free. How much is it really worth to you? How would you feel if a photographer charged you for photos of your dead child?

Count me as part of the chorus. I'd just give them whatever I had.

This is a no brainer. I couldn't imagine losing a child.

I shoot mostly weddings and I have to say if something would happen to a bride or groom of mine I would give them everything. NO CHARGE> I would do this because after I spend a day with someone I feel connected to them. If I was in your situation I would feel a sense of loss as well because I had been a part of this childs life. Photographing an event that was special to that child, sometime we do what's right because it's right.

Have you already done the work? Or do you have a lot left to do and a lot of remaining

expenses? If your expenses have been paid, or if they're very small, I would recommend

just giving them the products. For one thing, the account is so old it's likely you've

already written it off. And it would just be a nice gesture since they lost their child.

 

However, if you have several hundreds of dollars in expenses that you would still have to

pay out of pocket, I think it would be completely acceptable to charge them only for the

basic cost of materials and not tack on any labor fees.

 

You might also consider sending flowers, or whatever would be appropriate for a Jewish

family.

While we agree with the premise that you give them everything it has a lot of other issues involved that do require thinking through.

 

We released the proof album but I am not planning to print anything else.

 

Everyone has a story and while it may seem that the death of a child trumps all we are still in business and yes there is a connection to having photographed them but over time one has to be reasonable not only to one's clients but also to oneself.

Brooke

To play devils advocate here, NOT ONE OF YOU would have said, just give them the stuff if the child had not died. If 6 month's ago Larry would have asked you what to do about this client who hadn't paid and picked up their stuff yet, what advice would you have given him?

 

Why is it these pictures are so precious to them now that the kid is dead but unimportant before hand?

 

Don't get me wrong, I'm by no means saying stick it to them. There is a lot of info missing here. Did Larry try contacting these people earlier? What if any were the interaction between Larry and the client previously?

If you have a child you would understand why to give it to them. If you don't have one you can't "really" get it.

Come on, JC, the family was probably just a bit pre-occupied. And if Larry had asked 6 months ago about this non-paying client, and he had explained the situation, I'm sure that the advice would have been the same.

 

How many people here would be willing to donate a few $$'s to help cover the cost of actually printing an album for the family? I'd contribute. Anyone else?

I can't believe you even have to ask this question. And I couldn't imagine charging this family a dime for photographs of their dead child. I don't think this is a matter of business and much as compassion and empathy. I guess do what you feel comfortable with, but I would give them everything I had and more if it would help a family remember their child.

As a parent myself I couldn't imagine the pain. Can't believe you are really had to ask this. We have the fortune to photograph the greatest days of peoples lives. We shouldn't be doing this only for the money. Come on Have a Heart.

In response to: Why is it these pictures are so precious to them now that the kid is dead but unimportant before hand? My answer: Probably because they had their child to look at every day. Now that he is gone, photos and videos are the only things that will help them remember what he looked like in years to come.

If I were in that same situation, I would hand over the album, prints and video no hesitation. However, Larry, if you are so worried about your business, think about the positive feedback you will receive if you hand things over at no charge. People will see what you did and you will probably get more bookings. Now, if that is your only reason for giving every thing to the grieving parents, well.....

If it was my decision to make, I'd not only give them all of their pictures, but I'd find at least a couple of the best ones and have them printed and framed to give them in remembrance.

A single act of kindness can make your whole life richer.

 

Lou

dido Lou...i think i'm going to cry now...

I just did a police funeral for a cop that was murdered. I was contacted by a friend of the officer that was killed who wanted to buy some of the pics.

 

I couldn't bring myself to charge her and gave her a cd with a disclaimer stating for personal use only. It think there will be time where every photog will capture last momments in someone's life.

 

I feel like a doctor has a code of ethics a photographer is ethically bound when they have taken such important pictures.

Larry,

 

Give everything for free. And offer any help to the family you can.

 

In my local Bosnian community it is custom to take photos at funeral and it is known that I would do that for free for everybody (for the friend of the friend of the friend...) if I am available.<div></div>

We are human before we are photographers or business owners.<p>

Whatever images and work you already have, absolutely give them to the family for free along with flowers and a nice card. <p>

Depending on the circumstances and your personal connection with the clients, I would suggest you would consider offering to do more. I know I would, but it depends on your specific situation. I'm surprised you held onto the proofs since 2004. I can't believe that you'd want to "negotiate" with them.