I'm a photographer and recently did a wedding over labor day weekend. My lights were not working properly, so we had to do pics outside. which was fine w/everyone. Well, now that everything is done, the mother of the bride keeps calling and bitching about how the pics were taken. Yes, I understand this is a once in a lifetime thing, but we really had no choice but to do them outside. I'm giving them a discount because of the fact. The mother has never been a nice person. To anyone.They have not even seen the pictures yet, so I don't understand why she's having such a freak-out about things. I don't think its been too long for them to wait for the pictures. Its getting close, but I've run into several problems. How do I handle her without being unprofessional? I need some advice.
2006-10-25 05:50:17 · 9 answers · asked by amos 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Small Business
where i work when faced with an unhappy customer, our response is, "What will it take to make this right for you?" kill her with kindness, turn it around so that she seems petty and bitchy even to herself
2006-10-25 05:54:51 · answer #1 · answered by jackie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well when you give her the photos you talk to her about the situation. You don't like the photos? Okay. You wanted them inside? I'm sorry but because the lights were not working indoors the photos have to be taken outside. I have also given you a discount. You are still unhappy? Okay. Well thank you for going with X Photo-whatever.
Just one person is unhappy, and she is just bitching over nothing.
Don't worry too much about it. When you give them the photos, and she is still the only one unhappy, everybody else in her family will tell her maybe your wrong, other then standing by her side. The thing is when you go get your next job at a wedding or something, the people whom hire you will ask about it. Just tell them we had to do photos outside due to the lights, but we've fixed that problem now. The mother is just blowing her top, and is going overboard on nothing. Believe me her family members will also pull her to the side and say: Hey, we couldn't do it this way. We even got a discount. So stop bitching okay?
Hope they like the photos.
2006-10-25 06:03:31 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am a videographer and I did a wedding that same weekend (coincidence, huh?). That's irrelevant, but to answer your question, you really shouldn't do anything but extend as much courtesy to the woman that you can. Just be polite, but do let her know (as nicely as you can) that your business is with the bride and groom and if they are satisfied with the finished product, then you have successfully done your job. Just be careful about how you approach her. Any spite or rudeness (real or contrived) on your part will just give her ammunition. In this business, the best advertising is word of mouth and you really don't want her to have a reason to put any negative spin on this situation, bad mouth you, and ruin your professional reputation. Good luck with this and I hope that the matter positively resolves itself!
2006-10-25 06:04:50 · answer #3 · answered by jkelmagic 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I cater wedding cakes and have always said that the Brides Mother is the worse one to deal with in the whole deal.
If you have caller ID. let her phone calls roll to voice mail and then screen them. Call her only when the photos are done or to inform them of a delay that you cannot avoid. I would not just take every call she decides to make to you.
2006-10-25 06:00:04 · answer #4 · answered by kimmi_35 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
oh geez - the only thing worse then Bridezilla is the mother of Bridezilla! I agree with response #1 - to keep your reputation and hopefully get recommendations to their nice friends you'll have to be as sweet as you can. Let her know that you understnad her concerns. Maybe, if the pictures are good (the couples not hideous or anything), feature a couple on your web site to make the mother feel important and confident that if you think they are THAT good they must be WONDERFUL!
Good luck!
2006-10-25 06:01:41 · answer #5 · answered by family_matters 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
get her address, put about 3 lbs of fresh dog poop
in a plastic bag but put a little liter fluid in ther with it.
then put it in a paper bag.
ring her door bell, set the paper bag on fire
hide about 2 houses away with a telphoto lens
when she starts stomping on the flaming bag of poop
to put the fire out.
take a few pictures but just from the hips down.
and after she has paid for all the wedding pictures
send her a special gift.
a picture of her leg on fire,with her foot covered in poop.
maybe she won;t stop bitchin
but you'll laugh your butt off doing it.
and feel better afterwords.
2006-10-25 06:07:35 · answer #6 · answered by rottentothecore 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Is the mother paying for the pics? If not, I would try to deal with the bride. After all, it was HER wedding.
2006-10-25 05:59:13 · answer #7 · answered by ach*tx 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
first up I have a real issue with bullies like the mother.. she needs to be slapped clear to Timbucktoo..she's trying to get it for free.... if she continues to ***** after she sees the pics say I'm sorry I wasted your time then just quietly pack up and walk out.. You've offered you best solution and she's being a ho..they don't pay.. they get NOTHING. no pics no proofs no nothing..he who laughs last eh?
2006-10-25 06:00:00 · answer #8 · answered by TimeWastersInc 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe that if the daughter is satisified with the pictures then you should just tell her to back off. And that if her daughter is satisified then she should be also.
2006-10-25 05:55:49 · answer #9 · answered by BabyGirl07 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋