superpijak Loc: Middle TN

Have any of my fellow peeps here run into a case in which a client refuses to grant permission to use their images in advertising your services or inclusion in a portfolio?

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Yes, I have. I do have it in my contract that I "can" use the photos online, and have a signature line right beside that part. If, for any reason, they don't want them used, I do respect their wishes.

I did a wedding 2 years ago now, where they were adamant that the photos were not to be used. Ended up that several of them were county police, and county officials. They didn't want anything online, just in case someone in the background had a "little too much fun."

One reason that I don't post a lot, is that I do ask permission before posting any images for critique, or for someone to give me suggestions. In my case, I'm old school, and try to err on the side of being polite.

Of course, if it is in your contract, you do have the right to use them, but is it worth the clients complaining to their friends?

Just my thought.

superpijak Loc: Middle TN

Point well taken, first time I've had it come up negative.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

yeah, not very often, but it does happen. Happens a lot more with children's portraits. I get it, even when you don't put names with it, it is still a touchy subject.

Bobbee

The closet I came to this was Two girls who were VERY picky about what photos were being made public. After alot of editing and culling some of their gallery photos ended up at the Venue website and on Florida Equality FB page besides the online gallery address given to all the attendees. The Equality Web site as of yesterday was getting close to 2,000 hits.

https://www.facebook.com/equalityfl/posts/10156518308965346:0

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Sweet, that should go a long way towards getting your name out there. If I remember correctly, you had moved to a new area, and are trying to get established.

Great job!

Bobbee

Well, I moved here almost 4 years ago. i have been doing increasingly better. Last year I did 14 engagements, Two of them corporate and those will be returning customers and I am doing www.parrishchili.com this weekend. If that goes well that will be a return next year. So I got the number of engagements I want. Second job remember.

Here is something of interest and people have talked to me offline about this. I use Thumbtack. I was being blocked for putting in quotes for the last coouple of days. Well some worked, some did not. I finally caught it, without the help of Thumbtack Support whom I sent NUMERIOUS emails to. I can imagine why they did not come back and tell my I was blocked. Seems Thumbtack instituted a new pricing model. An associated was complaing to me the other day. When I first started with them a QUOTE cost 5-6 credits. The wedding I was bidding on was a 2K wedding. Rare on Thumbtack. So I was trying to bid and got blocked because of some issue. I tried again later the day on another, blocked. But the one before that went through. Then again last night. This one I was waiting for and caught the information. They wanted 14 CREDITS for the quote which came out to almost $25.00. Yeah, $25.00 for a quote and there is not guarantee the REQUEST is even VALID. Thumbtack is out of their F'ing minds. They are getting tooo big for their britches and greedy!!! So they are back again to charging based on the REQUEST price limit which has nothing to do with what you get paid. I still believe when business is slow, they pepper the REQUEST from people in their office.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

I signed up for the notices a while back, because of what you said about your good experiences. I haven't sent out any bids, and at those prices, I won't.

A few years ago, I had people telling me that they suspected that Thumbtack was sending out bogus requests, either that, or other photographers were sending out bogus requests, just to test the market. Too much room for shenanigans in my book.

I did sign up for a few of the listing services, like "wedfolio" but they never stop asking you for more and more money to bump you up. I guess we're on the wrong side of that business. Maybe the real money is in taking advantage of working professionals? Pretty sad when you think about it. How can someone wake up each day and go to work, thinking "how many hard working people can I take advantage of today? :evil:

superpijak Loc: Middle TN

I have been trying to keep an open mind regarding Thumbtack, as the concept is really good as a networking method. It's amazing how many clinets (just about all of them so far) don't realize that it costs the professional $$ to bid on their request. My opinion is morphing to the opinion that Thumbtack has been ruined by greed.

And don't get me started on Wedding.com pricing model. :shock:

Bobbee

I know for a fact that photographers, other wedding professionals and people put quotes out there for pricing and 'testing of the waters'. I told Thumbtack that people can do this. they said we guard against that. I asked how, two years ago. That question has gone unanswered. I also told them I know people that do it. They sort of implied I was not being truthful. I have had people tell me they do it. I hope Thumbtack is listening in on UHH. They are seriously a bunch of lying, money grabbing con artists. Unfort. They do have a grab on a certain business. I put a Craigslist ad out there. Never did get anything from it. Guess I will have to wait to get my studio to get away from them, but certainly, no $25 bids. I mean, basically, what do they do for that money? They are good at shoving propaganda up your wazul, but...........

fotodon Loc: Oberlin, OH

We tried some of the "referral" sites years ago. Never had any luck with them so we quit trying. Now there seems to be every kind of scheme going on online for every kind of business. From what I have heard, none work very well. Beware the ones that seem to work well the first couple of months and then dry up. However, these are the ones that you can "back scam" by dropping them after a couple of good returns. Word of mouth referrals are the best and cheapest form of advertising and networking with other wedding vendors facilitates this.

I don't remember any B&G ever forbidding us to use their images for advertising. Copyright laws are included the contract and are discussed thoroughly in pre-consultations. After all, if they want us they accept the conditions or not. If they are squeamish we talk them through it and make assurances that they will be consulted before usage but the use is at our discretion. In our opinion, this policy relays an image of serious professionalism. Years of experience has taught us that giving into demands usually leads to more demands and on some things yield positive results and some things yield negative results.

Another thing that we have learned, the hard way, is that even though a bride may ask for images to post on Facebook or whatever ASAP, some take offense when their friends see the images before they do. This is ironic since some of the same friends are posting I-phone pics before the reception is over. Our policy is to notify the bride 12 to 24 hrs before the images are posted with an exact time of posting. The anticipation has an amazing effect on the B&G.

Speaking of anticipation, let me share one of our "secret weapons" with the good people on this forum. You may remember the Carly Simon song "Anticipation". The next time you are shooting the B&G alone hand them a copy of the lyrics for one to read to the other and start shooting. 8 out of 10 times you will get some very real emotion shots. At the very least you will give the B&G a memory that is directly related to you.

I have always considered the 1st of March the beginning of the new wedding season, at least in our neck of the woods. So...here is wishing all my buds on this forum a successful 2016 wedding season.

Bobbee

Funny, as this thread is going on, a very GOOD DJ I have been trying to work with for referrals JUST called me. Saying he might have something for me and do I also do Video and Photobooth. I told him I like to use people who specialize and have the names of two very good professionals. I just sent it to him. The good thing is 'he called me'. When you get people picking up the phone and calling you and you can help them, relationships start!!! I am very excited.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

"Anticipation" is a much better song to share with them, than "You're so Vain" or "She's no lady, she's my wife."...

When I was a musician, I actually was asked to perform that ("she's no lady" ) song DURING the ceremony! We compromised, and I played it at the reception. Funny song, but wow, who here is surprised that they got divorced in less than 2 years? Not this guy!

Bobbee

Ok, Stories. Did a wedding last yeah. The officiant brought a cage and had Doves in it and said he releases them as part of the ceremony. He has the couple take two doves, on each and then does his talk and they release them two first. I like this and ask for a card. Figured it was unique. Now remember, the entire wedding is HEAVY Spanish and almost all speak little English.

So he starts his ceremony, goes along pretty well, he does his thing and then STARTS his sermon/talk. He starts describing the BLOOD RITUAL aka the consummation night of the wedding. i was standing there, MR. Brooklyn Boy feeling very uneasy. I am glad most people did not understand what he was talking about. I think the circular file system ate his card.

dnathan

In 1986 I photographed the wedding of one of the world's most popular singing and movie stars in Europe. Where we would usually write the contract, she her attorneys) wrote it. It referred to my not divulging any info or images using phrases like "forever in perpetuity in the universe". As you can see, I still honor it!