Is something wrong with me that i find this funny

[Nathan Leach-Proffer]

I got this in an email today.

"It is now 6 months after our event, I have repeatedly asked you to send me copies of all the photos (in Hi Res) you took this year as per our agreement. If you do not fulfill your part of the agreement, you will force us to pursue other avenues. This is not something we want to do, but you are not leaving us much choice.

Please also understand that the auto event world is very small and what transpires at one event can affect things at other events."

Haha i cant believe this guy is threatening me. I like the event and i know im being ripped but i don’t shoot much anymore and i sort of just do it for fun. I say they can use some photos for there site (they can get them off fast-autos anyway) and some for there booklet. i have told them 100 times that im not giving them all 5 gigs of photos from the event and just give them some of the best., and if they need a photo of the car to ask and i would send it them. that is WAY better deal then they will ever fined with someone else that will shoot it as good as me (not to sound like an ass but events are something I think I can do rather well).

im going to finish school and start a real job this summer so im going to have time to go to this 2nd rate show. sorry i had to vent. i have been up for almost two days dealing with finals... probly not a good time to reply to that email ;)

nate

[Nathan Leach-Proffer]

edited, i used some of what John said below and sent a 2nd email

[John Thawley]

I would pull way back.

I think you should rephrase things as,

It's unfortunate you feel the need to threaten me. I'm sorry if you misunderstood our arrangement. Like most photographers, I do not release unedited images or images in bulk. It's simply my policy. I hope you can understand that I am only going to release and show my best work.

If there is a specific image you are in need of, by all means, let me know, I'll make it a point to find something that will work for you. I want to be sure you have my best.

In closing, at this point, I have provided you with what I feel are the best images representing the event. With that, I'm comfortable in my position that I have fulfilled my obligation to you.

Thanks again,



Look... Nathan, you can't take this attitude regardless if its a second rate event, or he can't do any better than you ... and so on. You MUST treat every project the same. You can't dial up or dial down your service, product or quality based on your impression of the event. Current and future customers need to have the confidence that if they hire NATHAN, the get NATHAN. Not the NATHAN you decide to give them based on how you're feeling about their show and your presence.

Furthermore, compensation has NOTHING to do with it. Consider this... I go to a restaurant, the waiter says, "the chef as asked you to try a new appetizer... please try it on us." You try the appetizer it's not great. He asks, "how was it?" You answer... "not that great." He answers... "yeah, but it was free." Would you care? Would you look at this guy like he's nuts? Would you think about it through the rest of your meal. Same with a free sample in a store. It the free sample didn't represent the product you'd purchase in the box, what's the point.

You are the product. You have to be 100% all the time. You can't adjust based on the compensation you agreed to.

Think about it.

JT

[Nathan Leach-Proffer]

i think you i may have said it wrong or you miss took what i was trying to say. or i dont get what you are saying.

i did not mean to say that i was not trying or i was not giving them my best. i did give them my best and i did try even though i knew i was not going to get paid.

i have gone over this with this guy many times that im not just sending them tons of unedited photos, and i just dont get why he thinks he can talk down to me. part of my anger comes from him giving my photos for other things then what they said they would be used for.

the 2nd rate show is not something i said to him i was just trying to vent and make a point that i dont need them and im done with it.

[Nathan Leach-Proffer]

thank you, you have always been kind and willing to help me.

i just dont take good to threats at all, and even less from people that i feel have gotten way more out of a deal then i have. i try to be level headed but sometimes i burn bridges. for almost two years the show has been mostly suported by my photos (booklet, ads, articals) and im sick of being treated like crap.

[Mark Delbrueck]

You might consider working on grammar before you send anything, sorry somebody had to say it.

[Nathan Leach-Proffer]

You might try reading. Sorry it is like 4am and i have been up for two days. Grammar is over rated anyway, thank you for adding something so valuable!

[Todd Corzett]

I was going to add the grammar comment as well. Being up for two days is hardly an excuse and you must remember that no one but you knows this information... we just see someone who didn't take the time to proof read a statement and doesn't know how to use the 'shift' key.

As for the original post, I think you are in the right with only providing them with the images you did (unless you have a written contract that states you will provide all full-res images). But, I think that you need to handle every situation professionally... don't stoop to their level (ever). The same way you come here and talk about the 'bad client', you don't want to give them any reason to talk to people about the 'rude photographer'. Put yourself in their shoes... how would you want the photographer to handle this situation?

I would bring up the original agreement (you do have a written agreement as to what services you would be providing them, right?) and state that hi-res photos are not included. If they would like to purchase hi-res images they are available for $$$/image (for non-commercial usage, blah, blah, blah). Rather than being rude, be professional and explain your side of the story... and offer them a solution (that also benefits you as you see required).

To allow this situation to be constructive... what do you think you could have done before this event to make sure this didn't happen in the future? Could you make sure to get it in writing? Could you mention (in writing) that the client does not get hi-res images? etc... Learn from this situation, don't just vent.

-Todd...

[John Waugh]

Nathan,
If you expect to treated like a professional, then you have to behave like one, speak like one, and spell like one.
We have all had times when we have been up for days at a time at an event and needed to produce on a deadline. Try the 24 Hrs of Le Mans, or the Rolex 24, it is those times that you have to be at your best as everyone is running a little ragged.
Your anger should be directed at yourself for not being as clear as might have been in the contract phase of this project. Lack of planning on your part is no excuse and a tantrum with a client will follow you for a long time.
Respectfully,
John

[STEPHEN HALL]

Photographers are ten a penny

Clients are rare

A happy client is worth 10x any advertising
An unhappy one the inverse times 10

Think of that, think where you'd like to be photographically in 5 years time, then think how this 'difficult' client fits into the picture and how you would like to see yourself handling the situation. If you're serious about the business you'll come up with the right approach (hint: the comments above are a great starting point!).