Child cried through entire photo session

[Anonymous]

We paid a photographer $250 for studio portraits. Unfortunately, my 3 1/2 cried throughout the entire session. We said to the photographer that it was not going well and she promised she would get some good shots. We were doubtful how that could be since our child was terrified the whole time but waited to see the proofs.

There's not a single photo I'd want to share with anyone or put on our Christmas cards. I asked for a reshoot and was told no. Is that standard?

I don't have complaints about the quality. My complaint is that my kid was miserable and the photos are a waste of money.

[Anonymous]

Well, you booked the photographer's time, and your child's behavior was not her fault. (Does 3.5 seem slightly old to cry with terror during a photo shoot, without being appeased or bribed or shown the equipment?) It's very disappointing, I know. I've been there. Is there one where even if your child isn't smiling, he just has a neutral face or one with no crying?

If you feel the photographer wasn't good with your kid and didn't have the "toolkit" to bring your child around, then don't use her again and tell your friends what happened. But if you couldn't calm your child down either, then it seems like just one of those parenting times where our vision and our reality diverge!

[Anonymous]

Did you just get the proofs? Can you show them to a friend who doesn't have the same memory of the awful shoot as you do? The photos are likely a reminder to you of the miserable day (and the preceded "waste" of money).

I'm a hobbyist photographer and sometimes it's hard to separate the experience of the shoot from the shot itself. Especially when I was trying for one shot and my kid was not complying. However, as I get more space between the experience and the result, I'm happier with the product.

Or maybe it was a total failure, in which case just try and let it go. Maybe try a more documentary/lifestyle photography session next time so there's not so much pressure on your kid.

[Anonymous]

I did show them to my most level-headed friend I know and she said that a couple were okay but definitely not worth $250.

There aren't any with neutral expressions unfortunately.

[Anonymous]

OP, what does your contract state? Typically the contract has a section that addresses this in a reshoot clause. Some of these clauses even list exactly what isn't a reason for a reshoot.

Also, maybe you're not aware of this, but the word "reshoot" implies the blame is on the photographer for your kid's antics / behavior, and really, the photog is not the one to blame here, your kid is. The photographer still spent their time shooting, culling, and editing, and none of this is volunteer work, so they should be compensated for their time and shouldn't be required to come out for free to go through this again. Your photographer didn't fail to perform, and that's important for you to accept.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I did show them to my most level-headed friend I know and she said that a couple were okay but definitely not worth $250.

There aren't any with neutral expressions unfortunately.

It also sounds like you have a bit of sticker shock. Just because you are unhappy with the photos - when the photog did nothing wrong - does not mean the photos aren't worth it. You knew their rate, but you should also know that your kids behavior isn't a reason to be unhappy with the price.

[Anonymous]

Okay, just asking because I've never paid for professional photos before. When my child was losing it, I thought we should stop the season and try again another time instead I was promised there would be some good photos.

Yes, I am emotional about it but that's why I'm asking for others who have been there and done that if they just take a loss in a situation like this.

If this is standard for child photography, I won't bother hiring one again. It's too much money to risk.

[Anonymous]

It's not the photographer's fault your kid cried the entire time. Why was your kid so upset? Tired?

Pick a pretty park and do it outside next time. It's so much easier to take pics outside where the photography "stuff" is less obvious and your kid can be amused by so many things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Okay, just asking because I've never paid for professional photos before. When my child was losing it, I thought we should stop the season and try again another time instead I was promised there would be some good photos.

Yes, I am emotional about it but that's why I'm asking for others who have been there and done that if they just take a loss in a situation like this.

If this is standard for child photography, I won't bother hiring one again. It's too much money to risk.

Yes, you just take a loss in this situation, and you wait until your kid is able to handle such a situation. This is par for the course. If you want professional pics though, maybe opt for something not in a studio. What does your kid like? Do an outdoor shoot focused on what your kid enjoys and maybe that way you'll get shots that you do absolutely love.

[Anonymous]

This is your child's fault. Blame your child. I hope you punished the child severely.

[Anonymous]

Op, I understand completely. That is quite a bit of money especially since it doesn't even include the prints. I would be extremely frustrated that she couldn't even offer a thirty minute session to get a few good happy ones.

I agree to read your contract and if she won't budge there isn't really anything you can do except post a review on social media.

I bet if you have a halfway decent camera or someone you know, you could capture the moments you want by yourself.
Get him dressed up and take him out and snap away. I bet they really will turn out great.

Also, I know you are frustrated right now with the whole situation but sometimes the crying pictures are super cute when our precious kids throw a fit.

My great friend who is a photographer and has a very successful business sent out her Christmas card of her two kids with the youngest one crying. She quoted "All is Not Calm". You could hardly see the crying kids face but it was the cutest card ever.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Honestly, this is why we do Target or somewhere similar for photos when they're at that hit or miss age. The photos aren't as awesome, no, but they can usually get some good ones and if they can't, we aren't out money.

When you hire a professional, private photographer, you are expected to pay. You are paying for the time. If you reschedule beforehand, that is one thing. But requesting to stop mid way and reschedule, or reshoot for free, is unreasonable and not at all the norm. The photographer could have taken on a different client in that time frame.

I'm not sure why a 3.5 year old would be terrified, though. Is that your child's normal disposition?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is your child's fault. Blame your child. I hope you punished the child severely.

Wow, that is over the top. Yes, the problem IS the child's behavior. But the kid is 3. Punished severely? Who are you, Cruella de Ville?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Okay, just asking because I've never paid for professional photos before. When my child was losing it, I thought we should stop the season and try again another time instead I was promised there would be some good photos.

Yes, I am emotional about it but that's why I'm asking for others who have been there and done that if they just take a loss in a situation like this.

If this is standard for child photography, I won't bother hiring one again. It's too much money to risk.

Unfortunately, stopping and rescheduling is also not par for the course, i.e. You would have had to pay twice.

[Anonymous]

You'll look stupid if you negatively review the photographer for your child's behavior ruining the shoot. Accountants mess up tax returns, lawyers lose cases - they are still performing a service and you need to pay. Same with your photog.