I used to not believe in that phrase but not believing has come back to take a chunk out of my behind. I am taking the time out of my extremely hectic schedule to address something that has become quite a big problem. With slander running rampant, I overwhelming feel the need to have the truth published.
One of my participants in my free senior representative program had their session on the 16th of October. I told the family that it should be around three to four weeks before the session would be edited. *SHOULD* Well, business picked up and I soon became swamped with paying clients. Logically, (or so I thought) something that is a FREE project gets pushed behind paying clients. Due to an injury my husband suffered at work and dealing with workman's comp, my small photography business is the ONLY source of income I have right now. Obviously, my time is allotted to paid sessions first. I can't put a paying client on hold for a free project. I let the family know several times that I would get to the edits as soon as I had the free time to continue with the program. The three preview edits that were posted got nothing but rave reviews from the family. They were thrilled with the sneak peeks.
Now, the program that the Senior agreed to participate in is I shoot and edit the photos for free, you get a disc of 5 edits for free AND IN RETURN you spread the word in the teenage community about my photography. It's a representative program. I do the photos purely for the return in referral business. This means participants must do a lot of social networking with other teenagers, which generally means Facebook or MySpace. Additionally, I promise no time line in which the photos will be completed. It's a FREE program that I donate my FREE time to. At this point I'd already donated three hours shooting time as well as my own gas and mileage on my vehicle and time in editing the previews posted.
Once it became clear to the family that I would not have any free time to have the photos completed before the holidays, they became irate. Her Mother also informed me that the Senior was in danger being on Facebook and would not be back on Facebook until after school was out. She also all but demanded to have all of the photos taken, edited or not.
The Senior's participation in the program was null and void at that point. The program, as discussed and agreed upon was that in return for the free session and 5 digital negatives that the Senior would heavily promote within the social networking website's community. Her not being able to fulfill her end of the agreement canceled out her being ale to continue in the program. For whatever the reason may be. It is unfortunate and very sad that she is in danger by being on the website, but these were the clear terms she agreed to before the session.
Being who I am, if they were willing to be patient and wait for the edits, I still would have gone ahead and completed the session when the free time to do so became available. However, when I start receiving threats over something I was doing for FREE - the lack of gratuity canceled out my generous nature. STILL, although I was no longer obligated to give them ANYTHING from the session, I offered her mother the three digital negatives from the previews already posted and said I would edit two additional photos and send those digital negatives as well. At that point her family launched an all out smear campaign posting all over my Facebook business site. Untrue, false, rude, vicious- well, if you've been there, you've seen the things being said about me and my work.
Even WITH everything they have been saying about me and my work, I STILL sent a family member whom was being logical and reasonable about the situation the 5 digital negatives. Exactly what I offered to the Mom to begin with. The three preview shots and two more I edited AFTER all of this started.
If you feel I was wrong in any way, I am truly sorry you feel that way. We can only do our best in the time we are given in this world and keeping a roof over my daughter's head comes first. I was only attempting to do something to give back. Pay it forward. I don't have much but what I can do is donate my time, which I have done time and again since I started my business. I've donated my time to charitable causes, to local schools and to deserving individuals. My time is stretched to the limit right now and I can't go any faster than I already am. Patience, gratuity, understanding and compassion are all great qualities. If you don't have them you can always strive to achieve them. I personally am still working on patience but even I know if someone is doing something for you for free, you don't in turn make them miserable if they don't deliver fast enough.
Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, Feliz Navidad, Happy Chaunnaka, Season's Greetings, Yuletide Spirits - whatever you are celebrating this holiday season, I wish you all the best.
Until next time, with more - Captured by Jess...
Jessica I think you had every right to do what you did and you acted in a mature, business like manner. Unfortunately, not all people we come across in this business appreciate when someone gives their time and money freely. I commend you for taking the high road. I have been dealing with some of these same issues myself in trying to get my photography business off the ground, and at times it makes you just want to throw your hands up in the air and say "i quit".
ReplyDeleteKeep up the wonderful work.
Jessica, I am proud of the way that you handled things. I personally could not have put up with all the smearing that was done to you. I still think you are one of the best in your profession and I know that we will be seeing more of you! :)
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