june_daley

William, that has been incredibly helpful - thank you ever so much. I think from what I have read in your answer, with assignments specifically for a client I will steer clear of offering licenses for usage to other parties for now... it all looks very complicated! Thank you again for your time and detailed answer, this has greatly improved my knowledge in this area!

I understand the basics of how exclusive vs. non-exclusive licensing to clients works, for example stock photography - what I'm unsure of is how it works if the photographs I am taking are on the clients property or business.

Hello,

I've had a few enquiries of late, from clients wishing to use images I have shot for other clients. For example, a school hired me to photograph the opening of a new classroom. The company who built the classroom have expressed interest in purchasing these images to use also.

 

I'm quite new to commercial photography so not sure how this works. Should I be asking my clients when booking the job if they need exclusivity to the images? As I own the copyright for all my work, am I able to sell licenses for others to use images where an exclusivity clause has not been added? And even further to that, if there is talent in the photographs that my client has organised, is it fine for other clients to use those images? Seems to be quite complicated and I'm a bit stuck.

 

Any help with this is very much appreciated!

<p>Haha, wow. OBVIOUSLY a typo. I have to wonder if John is not just a troll. I mean really... do you even read some of the rubbish you write?<br /><br />26, have built a business and client base on my own from scratch and have successfully managed to support myself and buy a house from my business. I don't recall saying anywhere that 'Oh no - my business is crashing to the ground! What do I do!' or 'help me I don't know how to run a business!'. So I'll just do myself a favour and ignore certain commenters from now on :)</p>

<p>Once again thanks to those who contributed something useful - majority of responders on photo net have always been a real help - you all know who you are as I've thanked you already. I feel much better and have a course of action to be getting on with - cheers guys!</p>

<p>Thank you to those that actually read the question before answering.<br /><br /><strong>David Hoye,</strong> thanks for your input! That's a very good point that you and others have made on selling professionalism. <br /><br /><strong>David Stephens</strong> - thank you also for your in depth response. I don't think there is an ethical obligation, <em>however</em>, if everyone in the industry charged more, we would all earn more (in an ideal world!) Personally I would not want to do the work I do, after all the years gaining experience, equipment and technique, for no profit. I guess not all are concerned with making a living.<br /><br /><br>

<strong>Wouter</strong> (great name by the way) - no, I am not using my real name. Thank you for your concern though!<br>

<strong>Dick</strong>, thanks for your response. Some great ideas there that I will definitely look into. I'm definitely one of those photographers who 'doesn't have time' for better marketing, so I will have to make the time.<br>

<strong>John Horwitz</strong>, I was enjoying your feedback until I got to your last line. So at 16 years old and 4 years in as a full timer, I don't know how to run a business. Cheers for being so helpful.<br /><br /><br /><br>

<strong>David Stephens</strong> - exactly. Thank you for not putting me down just for asking for advice/opinons and telling me I know nothing about running my business! You're spot on however about the in-person sales. I'm terrible at it. I've always hid behind my computer, afraid of criticism etc. Since the start of 2016 I have switched to in-person sales, started offering wedding albums as part of every wedding package (because I was fed up with just handing over a disc), and have stopped shying away from asking for feedback from commercial clients. Every job I do, I now follow up with an email or phone call asking how they are using the images / if it's helping their business etc. I've realised this is just another way to improve and show my clients I care about them. It's difficult at times but I'm slowly getting the hang of it. Thank you for all your great suggestions!<br /><br /><strong>E.J - </strong>Thanks for your feedback. Customer service sure does make all the difference, I'll continue to focus more on this.<br /><br /><strong>William - </strong>Thanks for the feedback. In the end after some very helpful replies from the photonet contributors (thank you!) I decided to continue plowing along. Fortunately I had only two weddings to get through in those first really hard months. A few years on my business has doubled, I've met a wonderful man who is 100% a better match for me and am very happy. Thanks for asking!<br>

<strong>Benoit - </strong>Your first line was so true, thank you. I try not to get too caught up thinking about other photographers but it's not easy to not compare ourselves. <br /><br />The repeat business is definitely something I'm working on, spending more time with potential repeat-clients and ensuring they're happy is paying off so far. Rather than stick to a niche, I'm actually thinking that diversifying might help my business... stopping investing time and energy into portraits where everyone has a camera willing to do the job, and focussing more on taking awesome wedding photos and taking on better commercial gigs to improve my portfolio in that area. Not everyone can organise a brief and get exactly what a client wants with commercial work, where dealing with another business means they expect the best.<br>

Thank you also for the advice on be-friending the hobbyist pro. I hadn't thought of things that way. And for the link to the article! Will definitely have a read. Cheers for all the advice.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Hi all,<br>

So there is lots of info on the web about trying to make it in an industry where there are cheap-ographers everywhere, but this topic is generally aimed at the in-experienced charging very little.<br /><br />My frustration is with an experienced, high quality photographer who is fast becoming my biggest competitor, who charges $100. That's not just the session fee, oh no. That's her fee for the session and a disc of all the images. Yep. That is how much I charge for the session fee alone!<br /><br />So, why is it upsetting me? Well, because I just keep hearing that clients will get what they pay for etc, but that's the problem - the quality of her work is just as good as mine, she is on par, yet refuses to charge more. I have actually spoken to her (in a friendly manner of course) about it and she has told me that hubby makes plenty of money so she just does this for fun. So, call it a hobby! Don't call it a business! A business operates to make a profit.<br /><br />I am frustrated that clients will continue to compare what we each offer and will begin to undervalue what I am offering. I have already lost one client (that I know of) to her and when I asked why - they said they love my work but hers is beautiful too and she is 1/4 of the price. I will not work for free.<br /><br />This probably just sounds like a rant and perhaps it is, but would love to hear some opinions on the matter and what (if anything) I can do about it.<br /><br /></p>

<p>Hi all,<br>

I am a wedding/social event photographer, 6 months ago, my own fiance left me. It has been world shattering, and along with other events, has led me into a dark depression. I am on medication and seeing a therapist, however, even shooting small events has proven to be more than I can handle. I don't feel I can do my clients justice - all interest in photography has gone and I'm struggling to run my nisi ess. My therapist has suggested a break from photography. How can I possibly cancel on my brides? II'm aware my business will suffer greatly from this course of action should I choose it. My greatest concern is how to handle cancelling my brides? I feel terrible to even think of cancelling their bookings. But I know I would be doing more of a disservice to them by attempting to photograph such a big day for them in my state.</p>

<p>How to handle this? Should I tell them the truth?</p>

<p>Advice much appreciated.<br>

June</p>

<p>Hi Kimberly,</p>

<p>First of all... I am so glad to hear you got your photos. As soon as you started mentioning lack of contact from your photographer, I started thinking 'this bride will never see her photos'.<br /><br />This sort of thing does happen, just like in any industry - eg a builder not fulfilling contract and leaving home owners with an unfinished property. This is why contracts/agreements are in place and contractors are held responsible. However I think with photographers it seems harder to regulate, there are often no contracts or agreements or at least none that will hold up in a court.<br /> It saddens me greatly to hear of stories like this and knowing that so called 'wedding photographers' can do this to people.</p>

<p>I LOVE the comment about booking a meeting with him under a fake email address and name. I know you have your photos, and that's great - but don't let this slide. If at least not for your sake, but for the sake of other clients who run the risk of being duped by this guy. These kind of people need to be confronted! Yes the pictures are great, but does that excuse his behaviour? You got your pictures - the next couple may not be so lucky. (and yes it does happen - I live in a town where a photographer went bust and left, without ever delivering photos from at least 4 weddings and numerous other photo sessions - I know because these people were friends of friends, or came to me to have re-shoots done.)</p>

<p>Regards,<br />June</p>

<p>Thank you very much for the resonses.</p>

<p>I have created a 'gift registry' form on my website, and guests need only to fill it out with their payment method and delivery address and I'll send them a gift voucher for their desired amount. Will definitely offer this service to future clients.</p>

<p>Thanks again!<br />June</p>

<p>Hmmm... US vendors only though, I'm in Australia :(</p>

<p>That looks great... I'll check it out, thanks!</p>

<p>Hi everyone,</p>

<p>A client of mine has asked if she can have guests contribute towards products she wishes to buy after the wedding (canvas etc). I like this idea and would like to explore it further, how would I go about setting it up though? Would I have guests pay me and then send them a 'gift card' to present to the bride and groom (and I would need to charge the bride and groom a fee for this service)? Should I give guests set amounts that they can pay etc?<br>

<br />Any other photogs who have a gift registry set up or have ideas on how to do it I would love to hear from you.<br /><br /></p>

<p>Thank you in advance,<br>

June</p>

<p>Thank you VERY much for all the great responses.<br />The very next client I had, booked a meeting with me, I asked all about their day and showed them what I could do for them, and they booked there and then. That was a realisation for me that every couple is different.</p>

<p>Thanks again for all the words of advice, it has been very helpful.<br />- June</p>

<p>Hi everyone,</p>

<p>I'm not a newbie photographer, just new at weddings - have photographed 3 as second shooter and 5 of my own - all booked through family/friends. So now I am advertising to the general public and want to really be great at first meetings/consultations.</p>

<p>Recently I had prospective clients asking for examples of where I needed to problem solve/think quickly at a wedding - and I was stumped! I mean, I have had to think quickly to avoid rain, to use the last bit of available light when things went overtime, bad (unexpected) lighting at receptions, un-cooperative or grumpy subjects etc, but to be honest - I AM new at this and may not handle these situations as well as a seasoned pro, but I can't exactly say that - and don't want to give unrealistic expectations. Can anyone offer advice on the best response to a question like that for a photog with less experience, and what examples you would use? I am always so nervous before and during first meetings and not great at selling myself, something I realise I need to learn to do but that I feel will only come in time with the more experience I gain. I know I won't be 'great' right away but don't want to come across as clueless.<br>

<br /><br />Thanks in advance!<br />June</p>

<p>Nadine, may I ask what light modifer you use on camera? I completely agree that off camera would be better, but I may not be able to do this (if I can I will).</p>

<p>Thank you for the great advice Nadine!</p>

<p>Just me at the event Jeff - I've been hired by the venue. It's a fundraising event for a charity I support so I won't be paid.</p>

<p>Need some advice re: shooting an event. Guests are arriving on a red carpet, at night, into a large foyer with floor to ceiling windows. I’ve been asked to photograph each guest as they arrive, against a banner advertising the event. I want to know the best light modifier to prevent ugly shadows and create a softer, wider light? I know the bigger the light source, the softer the light, but as I will need to be moving around I’m only able to use my 5DMKII with 24-70mm f/2.8 and 580EXII attached.</p>

<p>In the past I have just used a plastic diffuser cap which has worked OK, but still having problems with harsh shadows and the flash not reaching the whole area of the subject (eg – lights their face evenly, but full body portraits are gradually not lit properly from about the thigh down). Would be great to have some recommendations from event photographers, what lighting do you use and how do you solve the problems I’m having? Usual settings for flash/camera etc? Also are GELS any good at reducing colour temperature issues?</p>

<p>Thanks in advance!</p>

<p>Canon 7D, 24-105mm F/4 @ F/4 1/250</p><div></div>

<p>Agree with Paul - the bride loves it and that's all that matters! If I was the bride, I would have LOVED this shot too. It's fun, you really captured the moment. I don't think the technicalities really matter with a shot like this. Well done!</p>

<p>Hi everyone,<br>

A local photographer has asked me to take photos of her and her family. We are rivals in a small town. How should I go about this, do you think it would be beneficial for me to do the job or is there a polite way I can say no? My first thought was 'no way' but I haven't a clue how to tell her that without bad feelings coming about.</p>

<p>Thanks for your suggestions!<br>

June</p>

<p>Thanks Carl - that's very helpful! :)</p>

<p>June</p>

<p>I like Jack's edit!</p>

<p>My edit</p><div></div>

<p>Hmm... doesn't seem sharp enough and not enough contrast for my liking. Is that CA around the diamond?</p>