dat2ra Loc: Sacramento

I recently did a compensated shoot of a woman who was on the "bountiful" side who wanted boudoir-style for her husband's Valentine's Day present. The day before we had a 20-minute consult regarding tone, mood, attire, etc. She was very excited the day of the shoot and it went well. I posed her in what I thought were the most advantageous positions, getting her to "chicken neck" to slim her neck, keeping a space between her arms and body, having her suspend her weight on her arms to keep her thighs from pushing out, avoiding direct-on shots, etc. I used a soft main and hard fill and shot mainly short. I processed the out-takes and aside from lens correction and a bit of discrete Liquefy to push back some muffin top, thought little post was needed. I sent her a batch of proofs and she was very unhappy saying "They all make me look fat." I don't know how she saw herself, but I thought the photos were actually flattering, making her look better than she did in person (of course, I didn't say that). Since I guarantee my work, I apologized that she was dissatisfied and refunded the deposit (even though I suspect she downloaded the proofs). It took me nearly 6 hours in all and was the only time I've had a customer dislike my work. Any of you Hoggers had an "explode in your face" session?

Ron Dial Loc: Cuenca, Ecuador

Put a watermark on any digital proof you show someone, and make them small enough that they would be relatively useless.. Have a written contract that specifies who owns the images.

Vietnam Vet

Back in the film days I photographed a wedding. For the bridal portraits in the church I wanted to set up a back light to get rid of shadows from the main and fill lights. She was rather pushy not to have the back light and I obliged her. When she saw the proofs she asked why there shadows behind her and we had a little discussion about doing it her way. She said, "well just have the shadows removed." I told her the lab would charge about $30.00 per hour. Needless to say she disappointedly lived with the shadows.

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

Sounds like you are a good retoucher. I would like to see some before and afters.

nitrophil Loc: Dayton, Ohio

I feel for you, clients like her is the reason I quit doing weddings!

Ekeeton

Boudoir sessions are often more to do about psychology and drama than photography. Even if we perfectly create the exact images our subject requested, and even if objectively the images are extremely flattering, said subject may be displeased for unfathomable reasons. I doubt there is any surefire way to overcome this. You're not going to win every time. I would not accept a boudoir session without charging an upfront nonrefundable session fee.

Incidentally, I've noticed that a man and woman as a team can be very successful in this genre.

Making the photos and seeing them can be worlds apart for the subject especially.

dat2ra Loc: Sacramento

Good notes, thanks.

InfiniteISO Loc: The Carolinas, USA

That's a shame. In my experience, most women of a certain age and size are pleasantly surprised when someone poses them well and does a good job at post. Then again, there are women that never really see the reality of their bodies in the mirror and hope your lens is going to capture the image of themselves that they have in their mind. Most of them are models, LOL. It sounds like this women is in the last camp. I'm sure the husband would have appreciated your work.

If you go down this road again you need to have some base fee for the sitting, regardless of their evaluation of your work. It might also be helpful to have a female assistant to help with make-up, hair, and lingerie selection, a female advocate on your side of the lens can change the dynamic and expectations of a shoot, although it sound like that part went well.

Better luck next time!

FTn

Years ago I did a head shot for an actor wannabe. He said that he didn't like the photo but wanted to keep it even though he refused to pay. I said no and kept the photos. A couple of days later another client say the photo on a table and recognized the guy. Said the guy was shoplifting from a supermarket that the client worked for. The client asked if he could have the print to put up in the store's office. Gladly gave it to him and within a week the actor wannabe was arrested outside the store with a few steaks shoved
inside his shirt.

-FTn

dat2ra Loc: Sacramento

Good idea, Infinite. I was trying to keep my rate down, but it is a good idea to have a female assistant and just add her fee.

FTn- LOL, steaks no less, not mac and cheese for that guy. Now I suppose they'd just let him walk.

Stardust Loc: Central Illinois

There is a difference between an absolute guarantee - "if you wake up on the wrong side of the bed you get your money back" and a guarantee that says "I will guarantee to be professional, do my very best to record your event for a lasting memory, and be technically proficient in the processing of your photographs." The latter was my guarantee when I mainly shot weddings and a non-refundable deposit was required that covered my cost - film, gas, proofs, etc. Figured I could always eat my labor if something really happened.

As for my "hell" was a four year boy terror, with no discipline or cooperation, that mom didn't like the proofs. The next day my Price List was reprinted to state "Absolutely no subjects under 13 years of age." Figure a 15th year old didn't want to cooperate, well here is the results of your non-cooperation. A 3 year old you can't tell the mom "it is YOUR fault for raising such a brat!"

Stardust Loc: Central Illinois

> I don't know how she saw herself...

I am in Vegas right now, doing a lot of people watching between photography, and have seen a number that got up today, looked in the mirror, and delusionally said: "Yep, I've still got it" whether a woman trying to still get in a dress 3 sizes too small or 12" too short, or a 60 yr old bald, paunchy guy still trying to dress like John Travolta in "Saturday Night Fever" to look like a stud.

dat2ra Loc: Sacramento

Poignant, Stardust.

dat2ra Loc: Sacramento

Mine was the rather simplistic "Satisfaction guaranteed" with the offer to re-shoot knowing full well that my subjects will be satisfied because although not particularly creative perhaps, I am professional, skilled, meticulous, and patient. Sounds like a surgeon.