Community› The Bump Month Clubs› June 2012 Moms
June 2012 Moms
New Discussion

Photographer Issue

jamiah18jamiah18 member
in June 2012 Moms

So my sil is a photographer. She started her own business a few years ago. To help her get started, dh and I did several shoots for her to build a portfolio. Now that her business has picked up, she is busy all the time.  With that being said, she cancels dd's shoots bc she is always "sooo busy".  We were supposed to do an outdoor fall shoot and there are no leaves on the trees anymore, so that's not going to happen.  She was also going to get her pic taken in this really cute dress that she is super-close to outgrowing.  

I feel like I'm between a rock and a hard place.  I want to get some pics done for Christmas and for her 6 months, but I feel like I can't rely on her.

Do I say something? How would you handle this?  I really haven't even mentioned my feelings to DH yet.  

Daisypath Anniversary tickers Lilypie First Birthday tickers Image and video hosting by TinyPic
Report Reply to Post

Re: Photographer Issue

  • beck8008beck8008 member
    i would send her an email or something and keep it light- just check with her to see if she can get you in before the end of the month (or some specific date), so you can be sure to have enough time to get your Xmas pics done.  If she doesn't have time then go somewhere else. 
    Report Reply
  • Loading the player...
  • Gismo123Gismo123 member
    If you are paying her then it's unprofessional of her to keep canceling and I would find someone else to do the pictures.
    Report Reply
  • jamiah18jamiah18 member
    imageGismo123:
    If you are paying her then it's unprofessional of her to keep canceling and I would find someone else to do the pictures.

    Yes I am paying her, not fullprice which I appreciate, but a paying customer nonetheless!
    Daisypath Anniversary tickers Lilypie First Birthday tickers Image and video hosting by TinyPic
    Report Reply
  • MrsL1022MrsL1022 member
    I am a photographer and have had similar issues with another photographer that I do swaps with. I would find someone you like to do your photos that will treat you like a client rather than family. It's great that SIL can do it for you when she has time but I would just not say anything to anyone and book your family's holiday/milestone session so that it gets done on your terms. I know what this time of year is like for a photographer and I bet you that your SIL will be more relieved than upset. Just do what you want to do rather than sending e-mails and making a big deal about it. If she says anything to you once the photos are done just say that you didn't want to impose upon her schedule and you knew she was really busy so you hired someone on your own. GL! 
    Colin Patrick-7/14/08 Lilypie Fourth Birthday tickers imageimageLilypie First Birthday tickers
    Report Reply
  • EMOmammaEMOmamma member

    Maybe send an email saying something like "It's really important to me to get LO's pictures done by the xx date.  Obviously you're my first choice - do you have any availability?  If not, please let me know asap so I can make other arrangements.  Thanks!" 

    And give her a date a few days or a week before your real deadline so if she cancels again you still have time.  And I would make an appointment with another place for sometime after your scheduled appointment with her because you can always cancel with enough notice if it does work out with SIL. Tell your H so he can maybe mention how important it is to SIL or MIL or someone.


    image   image


    Report Reply
  • snicksnacksnicksnack member
    imageEMO-mamma:

    Maybe send an email saying something like "It's really important to me to get LO's pictures done by the xx date.  Obviously you're my first choice - do you have any availability?  If not, please let me know asap so I can make other arrangements.  Thanks!" 

    And give her a date a few days or a week before your real deadline so if she cancels again you still have time.  And I would make an appointment with another place for sometime after your scheduled appointment with her because you can always cancel with enough notice if it does work out with SIL. Tell your H so he can maybe mention how important it is to SIL or MIL or someone.

    This is great advice.  It could be that she is making room for customers paying full-price and she feels funny asking you to pay full-price, not that you wouldn?t, but sometimes talking money with family is hard this will allow you to open up the conversation.  My DH is an attorney and for a while his brother?s girlfriend was constantly calling for legal advice related to an apartment lease issue well she did not follow his advice and ended up getting sued.  He went through the roof to me because he had spent a lot of time meeting with her explaining options, wrote a letter she could use etc? and she went against his advice and broke the lease.  Well she came to him expecting him to defend her for free.  He was worried about upsetting brother by charging her at a discounted rate but he really did not have a choice because after all it is his livelyhood and he does have a business to run and employees to pay.  I talked him into talking to her vs. dodging.  The girlfriend got mad that he asked her to pay and decided to discontinue his services, which made my DH a little bitter because she felt like she thought she was entitled to free legal work based on her reaction to him, but things with his brother were fine.  They broke up over something else anyway LOL

    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker BabyFruit Ticker
    Report Reply
  • jamiah18jamiah18 member
    Thanks ladies! I always appreciate the advice I get here!!
    Daisypath Anniversary tickers Lilypie First Birthday tickers Image and video hosting by TinyPic
    Report Reply
  • MalloryRudyMalloryRudy

    Ask her if she would do this to her other clients... I think she feels she could push your photo sessions off because she knows you feel obligated to use her regardless. I'd just say "if you're to busy to be able to fit us in, we can use someone else."  ...honestly, she has no right if she does get offended by that because she's the one thats "too busy" for you guys....

    Sorry you're having to deal with this....good luck!

    Report Reply
  • BuckeyeWife07BuckeyeWife07 member
    imageEMO-mamma:

    Maybe send an email saying something like "It's really important to me to get LO's pictures done by the xx date.  Obviously you're my first choice - do you have any availability?  If not, please let me know asap so I can make other arrangements.  Thanks!" 

    And give her a date a few days or a week before your real deadline so if she cancels again you still have time.  And I would make an appointment with another place for sometime after your scheduled appointment with her because you can always cancel with enough notice if it does work out with SIL. Tell your H so he can maybe mention how important it is to SIL or MIL or someone.

    I'm a photographer and I would recommend this. Sometimes it's easy to forget about the family members who want pictures when you focus on all the other customers. I would just tell her you need an appointment and let her know that it's fine if she can't do it but you'll end up going somewhere else. That should be enough to help her understand the importance. Also, from your standpoint, remember to treat her like your photographer and let her do her job (not that you don't). In my experience, family can sometimes get more "bossy" and demand that I do things that are not my style of photography at all... but I hate having to draw that line and tell them no or that I'm not prepared to do a specific shot. Tell her what you want ahead of time if you want something specific. Just my little piece of advice ! :) 

    Lilypie Kids Birthday tickers Lilypie Fifth Birthday tickers Lilypie Third Birthday tickers


    Lilypie Maternity tickers
    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"