Ask for a re-shoot

Casadena

Dear Prudence,

A friend of mine is a great filmmaker and I LOVE his photo work. I asked him for a photoshoot for a business I am starting. He agreed, but stipulated that he would not allow me to look at the monitor during the photoshoot. I felt comfortable enough that he would take care of me. I paid over $2000 for the space rental and photos … and I hate them all. Mainly because little adjustments like suck it in, back straight, put your shoulders down weren’t given to me. I am mad at myself for allowing the shoot to happen this way, but seething at him too. I have not been able to talk to him. He’s sent messages and I’ve told him, I’m just not ready. I have a different photographer who will get me right for the business, but is my friendship over? I’m still so angry. What should I do?

charlotte989875

He’s a professional- and did a professional job for you, that you paid for, that you’re not happy with. You also need to be professional and ask for a reshoot. Take emotions out of it and say you’re not happy with how they came out and you’d like to redo it. See what he says. But hiding from him and not saying anything, while hiring someone else is IMO a pretty terrible way to handle this. 

banana468

USE YOUR WORDS.

For starters, we're all our own worst critics - so LW may be seeing personal issues that the photographer didn't. 

But LW cannot expect the friendship to continue if LW keeps their mouth shut.  

Say, "I reviewed the photos and unfortunately I am unhappy with X, Y and Z."  Be specific.  Then say, "I'm paying but I just don't feel comfortable using these.  To be part of my business I feel that the following changes are needed - and name them!!"

And next time - 
1) Be careful mixing business and pleasure.
2) Be specific with what you want and the intent of what you're looking to capture.   

CharmedPam

If you’re going to mix businesses with pleasure, set your expectations.  When I found out my friend was using her semi-pro but not really pro friend as a wedding photographer I was like eeeeek. But she said she wasnt big on wedding photos and didn’t care how they turned out.
me on the other hand - wedding photos were a huge thing for me 
.