Portraits are more than paper.

the_doctor199

Was sent a link to this on Twitter, must read for all. The full post can be read here: Link

This letter wasn’t mailed – it was at my doorstep when I got home a couple months ago. I read it, I cried, and read it again – probably a hundred times by now. It wasn’t easy to read – and honestly, as much as it validates what I do for a living – I wasn’t sure I was going to share it either – Until today, when a past client said that my print prices were too expensive. If you choose to read through the letter, you will know why I’ve finally chosen to share it.

July 2nd, 2011

Jeanine -

Today I am writing for a couple of reasons. I have some quiet time at the moment and need to get a couple of things off my mind. I will leave this for my husband to deliver to you when he is ready.

You photographed my wedding, you photographed my first pregnancy and my first baby. I contacted you awhile back to photograph my 2nd child and family. After getting prices and realizing I would want all of the pictures as we love your work – I decided against spending $500+ – which is what I normally spend for portraits and prints with you.. Please know it is not because I don’t value your amazing eye, or how much we love the experience.

That week that I decided to NOT do a session with you, this is how I spent some money.

On Sunday I called and cancelled our session. Monday I went out and got my hair cut ($39+tip), and colored ($65), Thursday I had my nails done ($24), my family went out to dinner at a somewhat expensive restaurant for no particular reason costing us $79 + tip. This was just 4 days since canceling our session, already totaling over $200 for un necessary things. My nails only lasted about 2 weeks, my hair is gone, and seven weeks passed when I got the phone call from our doctor. It was not something I expected and the cancer has spread very quickly. I will be leaving my husband, my 6 year old girl and my now 2 year old – not by choice. It is very hard for me to talk about it which is why I need to write you.

I watch your Facebook page and your posts about the value of a photo and if I could give back all of those things that I purchased this few weeks after I cancelled my session with you, knowing what I know now, and have that session, well… I would do it in a heartbeat.

Now my time is done and there are no more chances for me. The next time someone cancels a session – my wish is that you forward this letter to them. Time is fragile, it is gone before you know you had it. If you charged $200 for one print it wouldn’t be enough for what it is actually worth. I cringe to think that my priorities were a manicure over a memory to pass onto my babies and husband.

My love and thanks for what you have given us from past photos. I am so sorry that I did not see it as more than paper until now.

Karen L.

DaireQuinlan

uhhh ...

"Pay my session and print fees BECAUSE TOMORROW YOU COULD CATCH CANCER AND DIE !!!!"

:eek:

It's certainly a unique way of advertising your photography business anyway.

magicbastarder

If you choose to read through the letter, you will know why I’ve finally chosen to share it.

eh, no, i don't know why. it's pretty scummy to share what was obviously intended to be private (and emotional) correspondence, with the world, regardless of your intentions.

DaireQuinlan

magicbastarder wrote: »

eh, no, i don't know why. it's pretty scummy to share what was obviously intended to be private (and emotional) correspondence, with the world, regardless of your intentions.

Actually, if you read to the end, the soon to be deceased non portrait paying for cancer sufferer practically BEGS the photographer to pass on a copy of the letter to anyone who cancels a session. Cos, y'know, you could die of cancer tomorrow, or get hit by a truck, or fall off the kerb, or ... or ... or JUST PAY THE PHOTOGRAPHER ALREADY !

I'm calling shenanigans on the whole thing. It's just a ridiculously tasteless self-promotion exercise.

magicbastarder

DaireQuinlan wrote: »

Actually, if you read to the end, the soon to be deceased non portrait paying for cancer sufferer practically BEGS the photographer to pass on a copy of the letter to anyone who cancels a session.

another hasty opinion ruined by an inconvenient fact!

jonniebgood1

So we could feel any of the following:

1/ Feel that the photographer has justified the $500 fee? NAH.

2/ Angry that the photographer was charging more than the girl should afford? MAYBE.

3/ The letter writer should appreciate what they have, while they still have it, rather than an inconsequential item such as a photograph that would not change their situation. YES

4/ The person who wrote the letter should get themselves a camera? YES.

PCPhoto

its amazing how sceptical we're all getting

it could very well be a marketing ploy, cheap tactics used to envoke feelings....or it could be a genuine heartfelt cry from an emotional woman....what am I blowing on about ...... its an obvious attempt to get people to get photos taken and pay up as fast as possible - no matter how expensive the photos are.

(Wonder how much she would have saved if she didn't get the photographer to cover her wedding, pregnancy, and first baby)

pixbyjohn

PCPhoto wrote: »

its amazing how sceptical we're all getting

Speak for your self :rolleyes:

Effects

It was only seven weeks, plenty of time to organise and pay the $500 dollars for the session after she found out she had cancer. How selfish of her to not get the photos when she knew it was her last chance.

DaireQuinlan

Effects wrote: »

How selfish of her to not get the photos when she knew it was her last chance.

I know ! Won't someone PLEASE think of the photographer children !