shannon_rowe

<p>I just got a message back from her that she's ready to order and excited to get started.<br>

hmmm. I'll chalk it up to she's been busy. Nothing about the images being great, crap, etc.</p>

<p>I have set up pricing for online ordering, but I was not impressed with the print lab. I'd prefer to use another lab and receive the prints, review them and deliver personally. I think I'll go with a standard price sheet where she can privide the image#, size, finish etc.<br>

Maybe I'll throw in a freebee or something of a nice gesture for the additional time I took.<br>

I did another session (for adifferent couple) last weekend and I'm quite impressed with the results (If I may say). In fact, I posted a few sneak peeks and a couple of their friends want my info...we'll see. I don't want to put myself in the same position and not have time to fulfill a commitment. However, the last one will be much faster in PP as I had less people and I did a much better job at getting it right in the camera. I'll have them done this weekend.<br>

Anyway, thanks for everyone's advice and opinions....you all are great!</p>

<p>I think I only charged her "tablescraps" is because I don't do this full time and don't consider myself a professional photgrapher. I do believe I have skills and constantly receive positive feedback....it's my own insecurities that I need to get over, especially if I agree to accept any form of payment for my services. I totally get this....and this is definitely a leason learned.<br>

This person isn't a close friend. I did inform her, prior to the shoot, that the monies paid were only for shoot time and PP. The prints would be additional. So while she has access to the gallery, I did protect the images to where she cannot save them.<br>

As of today, I still have no response. I will be calling her this weekend to follow up.</p>

<p>Thank you all for the feedback. I appreciate you all taking the time to respond.<br>

She is well aware of my work situation and I did keep communication open. Everything seemed fine until the latter half of this week, when the photos were ready and I get no response. She is generally a very kind and easy going. Perhaps she has some things going on which I'm unaware...who knows. We all have "things" right?<br>

Unfortunately, with my work these last few weeks, taking a day or two off wasn't an option. If it were a month earlier, or now, wouldn't be a problem.<br>

I'm probably being impatient. I am super critical of myself and want to make sure she is happy with the results of the time I spent with her family. I needed to get it off my chest, sort of speak.<br>

I'll let you know how it turns out.</p>

<p>~Shannon</p>

<p>Hello,<br>

I've been into photography for a long time (20+years). Recently I've been asked to do portratis for friends etc. I have a full time job, which I enjoy, make great money and have no intention on transitioning to a full time photographer.<br>

I was contacted by a friend a few weeks ago asking if I could come over and spend an hour or so shooting her family. She had her extended family in town from out of state and they don't all get together often. I was available and agreed to do it. There were 17 people total (the most I've ever shot, with the exception of my own family). 8 adults and 9 children (20 months to 14 yrs). I only charged her $100 for the hour I was there and post processing. I thought it went well and gave her a few sneak peeks...she was really happy and excited to see them all. I think I shot almost 500 images.<br>

Anyway, I told her it would take me 2 to 3 weeks to get them back to her. I kept her updated each week on my progress. In fact, around 2 1/2 weeks I told her I wasn't quite finished, just a little longer. She responded no problem everything looks great so far etc. It ended up taking me 4 weeks. My full time job had some issues surface which required me to spend almost 60 hours there a couple of weeks, pulling an all nighter on a few occasions. I also have 2 kids under 3....She is well aware that I work full time and even when we agreed on the amount I iterated that I was not a professional photographer and didn't intend to charge her as such. <br>

So, the last 3 messages to her (this last week) have gone unreturned. I uploaded her images to my site yesterday and sent her the link. Still no response. I know she got it and has been on the site looking, I can see her activity and I see the confirmation that she got my message.<br>

I feel bad that it took me longer than I thought. However, there were 17 people and a lot of shots. I delivered approx 70. That's a LOT of work!<br>

My question is, do you think I should offer her a discount on her print order? I haven't enabled the shopping cart on her gallery yet. I'm adjusting the prices...Am I just being insecure?<br>

If your interested you can see the gallery <a href="http://spittingimages.zenfolio.com/morris">http://spittingimages.zenfolio.com/morris</a><br>

I just got my site up, so it's bare...also keep in mind that hse wanted candid shots, so some are not "wall" quality in the gallery.</p>

<p>I haven't been on here in a few days...thank you for all the geat feedback.<br>

The only real reason I was looking at an AIO is because I have 2 boys under 3 and I could get the tower out of their reach. They love buttons. My desk has lots of cabinets...I'll just need to stuff it in one and put a lock or good latch to keep them out. And, yes, I know...you don't even need to comment on this.<br>

I ordered a monitor calibrator and am tapping my nails waiting for it. Additionally, I am thinking of doing a little piece working and buy a la cart....buy a somewhat affordable tower and upgrade it myself (that is if I can't find something that has the specification I'd like) and spend a bit more on a monitor.<br>

I also need to get another external drive for my back up, that will go live in my parents fireproof safe. I just purchased a 1.5TB Portable GoFlex. I really like it. I think I'll just grab another...I got it for under $100 brand new.</p>

<p>Again, thanks for all the comments! Appreciate the advise!</p>

<p>I've been learning as well. I'm not brand new, but I am trying to become more efficient and gain more knowledge.<br>

You Tube is better than any book for me. However, I learn better by actually watching rather than reading.<br>

I have also found the the bookazines "Photoshop Creative" have a lot of step by step tip, tricks and techniques. You also get a disc and there are images to play with instructions etc....It's a UK magazine, but I've found them at Costco many times... the website is imagineshop.co.uk</p>

<p>Great advice, Eric! I appreciate it. You're right...I didn't look hard enough for an answer. I used the search box, and wasn't returning results. I only discovered the "digital darkroom" forum after I posted....newbie poster, no doubt, or distracted...no excuse.<br>

I do plan to get another external drive, for backup purpose, and store and my parents. Now you make me nervous, and I better go get that this week! I have thought about cloud storage. However, I haven't done any research.<br>

I'm going to look at the calibration system now. Perhaps I can get by with a new monitor, calibration system and adding more RAM to my old desktop....we'll see...I'm not even sure if it can handle LR and PS. It's nearly an antique!<br>

Thanks again! And thank you, R.T., for your opinion as well. This is really helpful.</p>

<p>Thanks, John. Time is a challenge in my life (full time job, 2 boys under 3 and a full blown LOVE of photgraphy)...so, with your advise, I'll likely stick to a PC. Especially with looking at pricing. I won't be able to get a lot of RAM within budget, or at least a minimal amount to run LR4 and CS4. I always have motivation to learn, but time isn't on my side...LOL.<br>

I've also been reading on the calibrate tool, so I'll need to get one of those ASAP....and adjust some sessions I recently processed ( very bummed).<br>

I store all my images on an external drive. I just got a new one (1TB) as I maxed out the existing.<br>

Now, if I can find more money and more time, I'd be really really happy!</p>

<p>And, one last thought...thanks for not blasting me. I did find some similar questions. I hadn't gone to the right spot to get an answer :) Newbie to photo.net</p>

<p>Hello,</p>

<p>I'm fairly new to woking with RAW and am running into some issue with monitor calibration. What I see when I process looks much different on other machines. I ordered some test prints and they are nothing like I intended. I have been using my work laptop. When I dock in my office, images are different and same if I attach my monitor at home.<br>

I really shouldn't be using my work computer for my photography. I am going to buy a new home computer and am looking at an HP AIO. I am also eyeing an iMac AIO. I've never used a Mac. I hear great things about them and seems to be the choice for photographers. Is this true? For post processing, does a Mac seem to be the better machine or is this just a preference?<br>

And sorry if this has been posted previously. I searched and couldn't find my answer.....I'm the new girl here, too.<br>

Thanks for reading!</p>

<p>I, too, am in the same situation. I have an xsi, which I purchased new approximately 3 years ago. It's been great for my needs up until now. I am stepping out a bit as I have so many requests from friends and family to do their portraits. As well as a whole variety of subjects that I enjoying photographing (more for personal use).<br>

I have been looking at the 7d. I was also looking at the 60d. Of course, I'd like to get a 5d Markii, better yet a iii. However, I don't necessarily feel that at my level I need that much camera just yet. I likely will not have enough money in my "play" account to buy this until March. I have a little time to explore my options.<br>

I appreciate reading all of this feedback, especially related to the topic of memory card. I am finding a delay in recording my RAW images with my current equipment and am buying a new card today, to see if there is improvement. Not sure if it's my card or the camera or both. I don't use burst, too much, so I would think this would be the reason. I haven’t done enough research or had enough experience to know a difference.</p>