Groom's demand... Not a good idea?

Hey y'all....

Im asking for all of your opinion on this one issue that doesnt sit well with me... Ive been doing photography for few years, and just recently started doing wedding, and already have few lined up... Everythings fine...

Til I met a mormon couple, which I never done a shooting- Mormon wedding. I met up with the bride earlier tonight (Actually I havent met the groom, yet) to discuss of what she wants and whats the plan, etc.... She was really excited to have me doing the shoot. So am I....

One thing that really bug me the more I think about it.

Her fiance wants the FULL control of the pictures I took. Absolutely no touchup, editing, anything that is related to photoshop. Because he wants himself and her doing all the work. Still I can have the copies and do whatever I want with it to promote my business....

I am really concern with how they gonna do with my pictures I took of them, I dont feel really comfortable with the idea they took the credit of editing. And what if it comes out bad and let people thinks its me that took them. I rather have the full control and take full responsible. I mean, thats part of my job. They have seen my work and LOVE my work. But the groom wants to have the control of the pictures... no photography label on them as well. That will create a problem and may hurt my business, wouldnt it?

Im thinking about try to talk to them again this week and try to change their mind by offer to do half hour of engagement pictures, under my full control with editing and all... And show it to the groom, maybe I can convince him to do it the right way? Ive never talk to him directly or anything, it always between me and the bride.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Sarah Hawkins on October 21, 2010 at 12:50pm

I agree.... Like I said to other dude in this thread... Im leaning to walk away and encourage them to find somebody else or have their uncle do it since they thinks hes great at it. :) I havent hear back from them yet, at end of this week, Ill just email them and tell them to forget about this deal with me.

Permalink Reply by Sarah Hawkins on October 24, 2010 at 8:52pm

Ok. Its done. I emailed the bride after have not heard from her for 6 days- That Im walking away. Now I dont have to think about it anymore. Move on! :)

Permalink Reply by David Savill on November 29, 2010 at 2:06am

No way, I think you need to be a little firm but kind here, they can do anything they like to your photos and ultimatley it will reflect on you, personally, I would say it is far to big of a risk for damaging your new venture. If they dont accept that, then cut your losses and move on. :-)

thats my short opinion anyway.

Permalink Reply by Chris Brooks on January 11, 2011 at 10:09pm

I find this interesting as I had a similar request for my wedding photographer. I just wanted the photos, nothing else... but he kindly and politely told me that he is comfortable giving me the raw files, and any modifications he had made to them, but that part of the photography package and job was editing some (not all) pictures. His deliverable was a nice bound photo album (plus a burned CD). So it was easy to understand that he wanted to touch up those pictures for the album.

Post processing is half of photography, so the request is similar to asking a painter to stop half way through because I wanted to finish the work. The style's don't match, and my skills at the time didn't compare to that of a professional. I was plenty happy to have the pro do his job. If they don't understand this, they either need to accept it, or move on. Your job should only be educating them on what you do, the decision is theirs.

I recently read a fantastic article which describes what a professional brings to the table. Every person who hires a photographer should read this blog post.

http://sequinminerphotography.blogspot.com/2010/12/anyone-with-digi...

Permalink Reply by Diana Cooper on February 9, 2011 at 6:18am

I would say no or try to find a happy medium somehow. I think some people would charge more to give them full copyright to the photos. You're right, it's your work and you don't want them showing others stuff that you didn't completely do. What did the bride say to that? And why does he think he can do a better job of editing than you? It's a tuff situation because you don't want to lose them as a client, but you also don't want to let them stomp all over you. Goodluck, I hope you can work it out!

Permalink Reply by Vanita Wigfall on March 11, 2011 at 5:10am

Oh no! That's your work!

Permalink Reply by Tina Camp on April 25, 2011 at 10:29am

Hi Sarah,

I personally would bail on this one. It's your work and no one should take credit for it. Not to mention, like your worry I too, would worry that if the couple messed them up then it may hurt your "name" I am far from being professional but I am slowly building myself up to one day be a pro and open my own business. I know that when that happens, I would not allow someone else to "mess" with my photos. Good luck!

Permalink Reply by dale Daniel on May 21, 2011 at 9:30am

hi, sara, this is a real sensitive issue on the finishing of the wedding shots. it is my opionion the the person hiring you has every right ot do what ever he wants to with the photo's .these are not your photo's they are his because he has hired you and will be paying you for what ever level of work he has hired you for. this is a very big mistake that is made by amiture photographers. can you imagin a news paper photographer trying to tell the editor how the is going to use the shots the photograqpher shoots. in fact in that arena the newspaper ownes all the photography not the photographer. the same with add agencies or magaziens and stock photo houses. this will come up with fashion photographers a lot. believe me , any conflict of this kind will get you blackballed real quick. not because of the difference of opinion ,but because you will expose yourself as a amiture that dos'n know this basic structure- that the photographer is working for them not for himself- at their expense. the best you can do is do the editing and then show them you "version" of the shots. by the way, it could be that these people just might do a better job of the editing than you might giving them creadit for!!. i see that you have "lost the account. and all the referalls that it could have generated! . i am also surprised at some of the other opionions offerd here. i wish you well and good luck. dale

Permalink Reply by Donny Cotten on July 21, 2011 at 9:32pm