jeffc1

<p>Thanks a lot for the input!</p>

<p>I have a client who would like to have a guest book at her reception of her engagement images I had captured for her. I would like to have a print and bind version where an image is in the center of the page with a large white border for her guest to sign around the image on each page. I would also like to have the paper be such that will not smear when signing with a regular pen (ball-point) if possible, so I was thinking heavy matted pages? Do any of you know of an album company or print lab that can do this? I am not interested in having slip in photos. Thank you!</p>

<p>I do not have a problem with their quality albums. It's just the turn around times have been long for me (6-8 weeks). It's going on 7-weeks now and I still do not have the two albums I just ordered after I was told by a Graphistudio rep prior to placing the order that their turn around times are now 2-3 weeks? Ok?<br>

I did just get an email, finally, from them stating that they are going to charge my credit card tomorrow? Hopefully I do not have to play the back and forth game between Graphistudio and the credit card company like I had to the last time, which to a good week to finally resolve. I never tried a Mastercard, so I will look into that.<br>

The customer service is not good at all. The reps here in the states are pretty helpful for the most part. I just do not get why the US reps just don't handle taking care of the payments/charges and are the ones to deal with Italy directly rather than have us do it all. It seems it would be much more efficient for everyone. Maybe one day they will figure it out?</p>

 

<p>Does anyone else here use the company GraphiStudio for their wedding albums? I have used them 3-times in the past and their albums are fine, but having issues with the service. The albums are constructed in Italy, so I have issues with charging the albums because of the company being over seas. My credit card company will not accept the charges because they fear fraudulant activity, so I have to go through all of that hassle of approving/authorizing the charge, and then notify GraphiStudio to try again, but by they time they get around to doing it the authorization time period with the credit card company has passed and I have to go through the whole thing again until it goes through. I have tried different credit card companies and it's always the same.<br>

I recently ordered 2-albums through them and they told me the turn around time was 2-3 weeks now, which was better than before (4-6 weeks), but it's been 6 weeks now and still no albums. Clients are calling wanting to know what the hold up is. I find out today, according to GraphiStudio anyway, that the albums were completed in 7-days of receiving my images even though their "progress bar" shows they are still working on it, but they cannot get the charges to go through? Would have been nice if they would have let me know! I contacted the credit card company once again to give an authorization, but they said no such charge attempts were ever made? I called my GraphiStudio Rep, but no return call, and I emailed GraphiStudio in Italy twice today, but no response from them either. Now I have to exaplain all of this to my two clients that have been waiting on their albums. Sucks how I busted butt to get their albums done in a reasonable time only having to wait now on who knows what or why because of the lack of communication. Eitherway, it all reflects back on my reputation. Clients do not want excuses, they want their product.<br>

I am looking for another album company, which will be in the USA! Renaissance has something similar to what I have been ordering from GraphiStudio, but they cost $300-$400 more! I will deepen my search for a similar product and/or change my digital album style that I offer all together. </p>

<p>I had no idea how bad the economy was going to be when I decided to turn my 20-year photography hobby into a business about 10-years ago. I knew that one day technology was going to slow the profession way down, because I seen and felt some of that even back then, but I was also hoping that I was wrong and that it would be short lived. Techology advancements from camera manufactures not only continued, it went in to hyper-drive, which continued to affect the photography profession. The manufactures, with no consideration for the real professionals, even started to market their lower end products on TV commercials as " buy this digital camera and get professional results". Many like to capture images, and many "photographers" were coming out of the woodwork like hungry little termites, especially with the possibility of being able to make a few bucks regardless of quality and knowledge. "One mans junk is another mans treasurer" as the quote goes, and there is a lot of junk and many many treasure chests out there.<br>

Look at the once was high end professionals out there that were so saught after. They travel around now giving high hopes and driving excitement into the minds of many want to be photographers by marketing manufacturers products and their own how to DVD's, books and gimics. Why aren't they doing photography anymore? Answer: because the photography market is flat and has been for some time. Selling photography products to people and charging for seminars is big, fast, money now. They will continue this trend until it too fades. And it will. Then what?<br>

The, "then what", now becomes the economy. All because of greed and the lack of quality. What a sad mess! Sad for me, and many like me that continue to have values, along with common sense, but will not be able to continue seeking the dream, or the chance, of striving to be one of the best.<br>

Just my thoughts put to words.</p>

Very well put Dave! Thank you! I, for one, will never become that kind of a photographer because creativity and quality will always be priority. Client satisfaction is also a priority, but I cannot allow a certain few to take advantage of me as I will not take advantage of my clients. I am honest and fair to myself as well as the clients.

Veej:

 

First of all, I did contact them, several times, as stated above, but they never returned my call. Therefore, in my book, they had ample opportunity to return my calls and letter to let me know what was going on, but they failed to do so not me. Secondly, when you put stuff on lay-away, you do not take those items with you until they are paid for, and they were basically given the mercahndise by way of the 3-proof CD's. Thirdly, unfortunately in the real world in which we live, if you give in to a certain few, which labels you a "sucker" to some others will come and expect the same, so I have to draw the line somewhere. I mean watch the news and look at our economy! It didn't get this way becuase of hard working honest people! There's too much greed and selfishness, which I am not, and I have been burnt before, but I only allow myself to be burnt once. I don't believe I want to be burnt again in this way.

I have packages (set price) that includes album/prints. Contract states that there will be no refund (no exceptions)

after services have been rendered. For those that cannot afford a package, I allow them to build their own where they

pay for services and can choose which prints/album they would like after they see images, but a $500 allowance is

required as part of that package building that they choose to go with in good faith that they will order prints and/or an

album of their wedding that I put so much time and creativity in. I did say in contract that an adjustment will be made

on their actual total after they ORDER. It does not state that the allowance will be refunded if you do not want prints,

but that the allowance will be refunded providing the wedding is called off (cancelled) at the last minute, not after

services have been rendered and you get a divorce? I can feel his pain is what he says is true, and I am not trying

to "rip them off" in any way. However, I shoot the wedding I book myself, so I can only do one wedding per what ever

date, and I did have to turn other possible clients away from that date because I was booked with them, so that's

another way to look at it, which is why I am on the fence. Not only did I turn away clients that probably would have

paid more for a package, which is normally the case, but now they want me to be part of their "divorce" problem by

wanting money back after I met my obligation to them, so it's like double jepordy for me if I refund the $500?

 

I did pray to Jesus on this and I know the Holy Spirit will guide me to what is right and fair. These people have

already lied to me about the "bride" going to Tennesse, which is relevant, because it shows their character. I found

out that past clients did in fact print images from the proof CD they were given, prior to me putting watermarks on the

images, and the client I am dealing with was refered to me by one of those dishonest clients from the past.

 

I just need to make changes to how the proofs are presented, as well as be totally clear on my contract about NO

refunds NO exceptions, which I have already taken care of the contract. I am going to wait and see what they decide

to do and make a decision from there, but as far as right now I am not planning on returning anything to them.

 

Funny how people state they love their images but I do not receive orders? That's my own stupidity for being so

trusting of others, but fortunately for me the majority have been honest. I still plan on covering my butt better for the

minority!

I really can see their side of this also, so I have been on the fence about this whole thing. I would be upset if I paid an allowance and didn't get anything for it, even though I would not have put myself in this situation, but, on the other hand (mine) so much time has passed and this of course was not expected (budget) due to a business slow down, not to mention coming into the "slow months".

 

The images are the CD were small files, which were also watermarked, but that's not fool proof I guess. I will chalk this up to a lesson learned, make the changes to the contract and move on. As for the clients I am referring to, I guess I will wait a little while to see what they do and then decide which action I should take.

She saw me at her place of employment, looked right at me, and turned away as though she didn't see or know me. Therefore, never said a word, not even hi as I was ready to speak to her but decided not to since I was obviously being blown off. And no, I haven't been there (her work) since receiving the emails yesterday. I do have the emails saved should I need them.

I know that you are not attorneys (Ohio), and that I probably need to contact one, but I just figured I would start here

since I always get great advice from these forums.

 

I covered a wedding last November 2007. The clients decided that they wanted to build their own package for my

services and their prints/album. Since they were undecided about which album to choose, they chose to give me a

$500 allowance to be applied towards a print/album order. They loved their images and the bride had an order for me

shortly after the wedding (she left voice mail for me stating this). I returned call, several times, and had to leave voice

mails of my own, as well as wrote a letter regarding this order, but I never heard back from her.

 

Just yesterday, I received an email from the "groom" stating that they are now divorced and that the "bride" decided

to move back to Tennesse, even though I just saw her working at a local retail store 2-days ago, and that he is

wanting his $500 print/album allowance back since they will not be ordering prints now? This has never happened to

me before, so I replied to that email stating that I did not feel that a refund of the allowance was justified because

they loved the images and the service they received, the amount of time that had passed and because I had to report

the total amount of package that they put together on my taxes, so I paid taxes on that amount already.

 

Yes, I had a contract with them showing everything and which states that an adjustment will be made from the order

they placed and the $500 allowance that the put down once an order is placed. It also states that the $500 will be

refunded in the event of a cancellation (wedding), but they had their wedding and I met my obligation to them, as well

as what I mentioned in the 3rd paragraph above regarding taxes.

 

They were given CD's, 3-copies (B&G and one for each set of parents) of all of the images captured, in an

origianl/unedited format with an image file size of 800x533. Therefore, they could have copied these images by now?

Plus I am not sure why he lied about the "bride" having moved to Tennesse when she obviously didn't? I am also

getting the feeling that the emails are actually coming from the "bride" and not the "groom" as the emails state

because of what and how things are stated in the email (they are neighbors and I remember talking to them so the

emails sound more like her than him)?

 

This has never happened to me before, and it's one of those live and learn things, but I did make the necessary

changes to my contract to prevent this in the future. Has this ever happened to anyone here before and what did you

do?

I apologize for not responding sooner, but I did try the Isobuster. Out of the 4 disks that I had the images on I was able to recover most of them. I could not get anything to come up on the first disk at all, but I was able to recover 80% from the other 3. I have NO idea what happened, and I usually do double check to make sure that the images are there, but this was from a year ago and I do not remember what I did exactly. I will do more to make sure this doesn't happen again.

 

Thanks for all of the input. As usual, you all here at P.net have come through for me!

Yes, everything within my computer today as it were a year ago. Nothing has changed.

 

I have shot many weddings since this one, so I am not sure if the card recovery will help, but I will certainly keep it in mind. I have a card recovery software that worked well.

 

I will check into the disk recovery software mentioned here.

 

Thank you!

I have a Roxio DVD burner, and I down loaded RAW files of a wedding I had

covered last year with the Roxio software that came with the DVD burner, which

took a total of 4-DVD's. I went to pull the images up because a bride wanted more

enlargements, but I am not able to pull the images up now, and I get an error

message about a currupt file. This has never happened with other photo sessions

that were done the same way. Does anyone out there know of any way that these

images can be recovered from the DVD's? You assistance/advice will be greatly

appreciated!

Glad you all feel as I do. I replied to her telling her (very professionally) that she should book with the other photographer that was going to give her more for less money before her date is gone. I also mentioned that I have a bridal show next week, which is true, and that by the end of next week her wedding date could be booked by someone else (hopefully). Incase she wanted to re-think things.

I had a meeting with a client 2-weeks ago who said she really likes my work,

but that she had scheduled meetings with other photographers before she makes

her final decision.

 

She emailed me last week saying that after the meetings with all of the

photographers she wanted to go with me providing that a high resolution cd be

thrown in, so I agreed that if she went with one of the 3-packages that I

offer, that I would include a high resolution cd. She was mainly interested in

my package #1 for $2200 with a digital storybook album. I charge an additional

$395 for a high resolution and rights for clients to print their own 4x6 sized

prints.

 

I just received an email from her saying that she wants me and my $2200

package, along with a hi-res cd so she can print up to 8x10 sized images, and

she only wants to pay me $1500? That's $1095, at least, out of my pocket!

Needless to say I have to deny her offer, but has this ever happened to any of

you? If so, what did you do? I can see some negotiation, but I feel that's a

bit too much.

I agree about the music. I have never liked it, but wasn't sure how to change it even though I was told that I could. I will work on that. Where, and how, do I come up with licensed music?

 

I will see what I can do about showing more emotions too.

I appreciate the suggestions Russ, and understand where you're coming from! I believe the next galleries on my website will continue to show the variety of images that I capture. I am still working on that but had to pull off to get caught up on orders.

I don't know Russ, I just feel that bouquet/garter tosses, dances, toasts and cake cutting are just all the reception norm. I have never had a client question what we cover at receptions.

 

As far as the photojournalism coverage goes, and why I charge for it, is because not every couple wants photojournalism. Even though it's what we prefer to do because it allows us more time to spend with the couple and capture more images in a creative manner, some clients just would prefer not to have the extra time and images. For those clients that prefer not to have it, they can save a bit more money.

Thanks for the input so far! I really appreciate you all taking the time.

 

1.) The difference between package #2 & #3 are the albums. In package #2 you get 40-5x7 images, and in #3 you get 120-4x5 images, so it's the image sizes and quantity that make the difference between the two, so they have an option of larger/less images versus smaller/more images. Hope that makes sense.

 

2.) Yes, there are couples dancing and a bouquet toss, but I have 4 more weddings to update into the galleries, and I will make sure that it's more obvious. I also plan on updating the images on the home page as well as images on the other pages.

 

3.) I will see what I can do about making the pricing information easier to read. That's always been an issue for me too.

Can those of you that can spare a few minutes take the time to look at my

website and let me know what you think about my pricing? I only have 12

weddings booked for this year so far, but last year about this time I had at

least 20 booked.

 

http://www.prizmphotography.com

 

I live in a small town community in Ohio and I switched from a career in the

medical field to doing photography full-time as of last July as business was

requiring my full-time attention. I had to increase my pricing a bit to get

closer to the income I had been use to. I mainly shoot weddings, but I also do

portraits (families & seniors). Your input would be very helpful.

 

Jeff

I shoot between 700-1200 depending on the wedding. I usually end up deleting 50-100 images for various reasons. I agree with what Marc said, and I am trying to cut back what I capture and focusing more on particular shots. I would like my average to be around 500-600.

I guess I wanted to have my business sound more like a business rather than try to personalize it by using my name. It now makes a lot of sense to me why people use their names rather than a "business" name. I plan to check on what I can do, if anything, I guess it's not that big a deal to me anymore. However, I did search to see if any other business was using "Prizm Photography" many years ago prior to using it. No one was based on my search, and had someone else been using that same name, NO, I would have moved on to some thing different. I look before I leap, but I know I cannot control those that do not do the same and/or choose to jump in front of me. Just how the world works (unfortunately).

I just noticed today that someone else is now using my business name, "Prizm

Photography". It must be recent because I check regularly to see where I stand

on the search engines, and when I checked last week it was not there, but now

this other "photographers" site is above mine! Their listing on the search

engine (google) is prizmphotography.NET, where mine has always been

prizmphotography.COM

 

How can this be? I registered my business name, but just found out that the

name can only be registered and not used by anyone else only in the state where

the registration took place. I thought the domain name registry would have

prevented this, but evidentally this can be done as long as the difference is

the .com versus .net versus .org...etc etc

 

What sucks about this is that people that search "Prizm Photography" will see

their site first and, by an oversite, may think that site is mine? While at

this other site, it's not yet possible to click on anything to have any of

their information/pages/galleries come up. The only thing that can be done is

to click on the email address they have listed there to "ask the photographer a

question". I did email this person asking where they are located, but have yet

to hear back. This, IMO, is wrong! Why would anyone want to go to

this "photographer" who obviously lacks creativity since he/she cannot come up

with their own name?

 

Has this happened to anyone else and is there anything that can be done?

Very good, thank you. I believe I will give it a shot.