My family went to a photography studio to have family portraits done today. Couple of questions though. My 5-year old son was sitting in a chair while we were waiting for our session and I noticed a woman that was VERY pregnant...as in could have dropped a baby anytime. I heard her tell someone else that she 8.5 months along. I debated whether to say anything or not...because I knew it would cause a fit. However, I chose to tell my son to move out of the chair and give the chair to the pregnant woman. She was obviously very tired and needed the chair more than he did. I wanted to use this as a way to teach manners. As expected, he started crying for a few minutes. I explained to him that she was very pregnant and her back hurt very badly and that it was just good manners to offer her the chair. After a few minutes, he was fine again.
Next, we weren't called for our session until about 25 minutes after our appointment time. Reason being the family ahead of us took a lot of extra time and did a few clothing changes that took extra time. I really feel that if they knew they were going to ask for lots of extra stuff, then they should have called ahead of time and asked them to schedule more time for their family. SO, by the time they got to us, my son was already getting quite frustrated. It was really hard to get him to cooperate...he was already quite squirmy by this time. Although we did get some good shots, I was really disappointed because we didn't get as many as the previous time. I did let the front employees know when the kids were getting impatient, but it still took them the extra time to get to us. I didn't say anything, but I was actually quite annoyed with the situation. What is proper etiquette for this type of situation? What should I have done? I feel the quality of my photos were compromised because of the family before us... The photographer did the best she could once she got to us, but the kids were much done with the standing still and waiting by that time. Is there anything I can do to avoid this problem the next time around?
I agree that these were two separate things...teaching my son manners with the pregnant woman and then the issue with the photographer...perhaps I was rambling. My son needs to learn that manners are important..hence my actions. I guess the other part of it is that I didn't feel the other family had much common courtesy. They could CLEARLY see that the studio was busy and there were other families waiting. I understand wanting to do other things. HOWEVER, I think that they should have called in advance and let the studion know that they would need extra time booked. It just isn't that hard. I DID try to get the first appointment of the day, but could not. I thought about rescheduling, but we were already dressed up. Like everyone else, my time is short so I didn't want to make an extra trip. I think I will try some of your suggestions next time. Insist on the first appointment and stress the need to be on time.
Next time I would ask them to reschedule me if they could not get to me at the appointed time, since we all know once a young kids is over something there is no getting them to cooperate!
Ask them not to be late when you book next time (if you make the point perhaps they'll go to extra lengths to ensure you're first cab off the rank). Also, take along some amusements for your child to keep him occupied like games, books and toys. There will always be times we have to wait, and I don't think this was such a big deal.
I actually used to be a studio photographer so heres something from the other end of the spectrum. I do totally understand how hard it is to wait with kiddos and I can tell you your photographer doesnt ever want to make things harder on you cause that in turn makes it ten times worse on them! I don't think it is the appointment ahead of yous job to think of getting in and getting out quickly to make it nicer for you. Yes they could have told the studio when they called that they were wanting a lot of shots or whatever it was, but most people to be honest dont think about that. Would be nice, but they don't! They think I am paying for this time so i am going to go and do what I am looking to get. They don't worry about the appointment running over. The photographer tries to do it as fast as possible without rushing people out the door just because for whatever reason their appointment is taking longer. If they did then people would be mad theat wwe didnt give them what they want. You wouldn't have been happy if when you got in there your photographer would have been rushing you and your family out so she could keep the schedule.
Yes it sucks you had to wait so long. I hated when people had to wait at my studio, but it was never from lack of trying. You don't know what happened in the sitting before you or even before that one that put everything so far behind. Might have had a very cranky baby or stubborn liitle one that didn't wanna look at the camera. It's not always as easy to stick to a clock as we would like it to be. I agree with the other posters that say get the first appointment of the day or call ahead that day and ask how full the schedule is so you know it they are fully booked that it might not be the best time for you to go because the chances of them running over are greater. So cancel then before going down there and reschedule for another time. When you do schedule explain that your child can not sit happy for very long and you need to be able to get him in and out at an exact time! That will let the person know they need to leave space between you and the appointments ahead of you....or direct you to a less busy day that would be more convienent.
Im not trying to sound rude or anything and I hope I don't....i just know how it feels to be on both sides and it really sucks when your trying hard to give everyone what they are paying for and whenever you get behind you end up with a lot of people who make it a point to come into your room angry and not only make you feel bad, but also mess with the apointment further because their angry.
Good luck on your next time going....I hope your experience is better!
It's a photo studio, not a doctor's office, so I would have very little patience with them. It's not like there are any unplanned emergencies, they simply book their appointments too tight to maximize their schedule. Bad form in my opinion.
Next time you book with them ask that they honor your appointed time. Make sure to mention that last time you feel that the pictures were compromised because your small children had too wait too long. If they do not accommodate you and are not ready when your appointment comes around just leave and let them know why and that you are not coming back.
There is so many photographers out there, some of which will come to your home and work around you if you want, many charging very reasonable prices. No need to stick with a business that doesn't respect your time.
And good job on teaching your son!
There's a reason I switched from chain studios to private photographers. Yes I pay more but I am always happy with what I get. Since I only get professional pictures twice a year it's not a big deal and pictures are stressful enough, I don't want to worry about being rushed or the photographer being late.
As far as what you could have done...I agree with the other moms reschedule if you have little kids who don't do well waiting. Really stress when you make that appointment that you need the photographer on time also talk to the manager if there's anything they can do since you were not happy. Maybe they can waive a new sitting fee or give you a few free sheets for your time.
I agree that you should try to get the first appointment of the day next time.
I would hate to be a studio photographer. You book appointments, but what if a baby or little kid is crying and freaked out and you still are under pressure to get a good picture?
If you're not happy with your photos, ask to reschedule and have the sitting fee waived.
As far as manners, I think it was wonderful that you had your son offer his seat. That was the right thing to do for sure. I would have done the same thing.
Best wishes.
Your photo session should be discounted or you should receive some free prints because you did not receive the whole time you paid for. However, always bring snacks/toys b/c it's common for sessions to run over. But the photog should give each family the same time allotment, not cut one family short b/c they ran over with another. That's just bad business.
As for the son/pregnant lady thing, i think that was an excellent lesson you taught.
Be the first appointment of the day so there are no delays. Or, if you feel the moment's over, reschedule. Yes, people should run on time but the reality is they don't. A photographer is not going to say, "Sorry, we can't do that. You're time is up." Should they? Perhaps. But they won't. It's up to you to manage the situation to your satisfaction.
Good for you for teaching "share your seat" manners. I hope the pregnant lady said thank you to your gentleman-in-training.
Good for you for teaching your son manners! =D Yeah, that's frustrating about waiting. I'm very impatient when it comes to waiting with kids. I don't show it to my kids but I feel it inside. I take my own pictures of my kids and they still get antsy AND even my older ones are a pain and get tired of the pictures. Hang in there! There really isn't a perfect way to do this. You can try your best and a lot of times something comes up. If they're fully napped, ready, and the photographers all have their act together, THEN you'll notice a stain on the shirt or something like that. When it's all said and done, your kids will always look adorable! Good luck!!
I had a situation last summer where the family ahead was running behind and then the camera broke (stupid Windows) and while that was rebooting, my DD hit meltdown city and that was that. I tried to calm her, but to no avail. I had picked the slot based on her nap time and we ran over. If it was not for the fact that my stepkids had a very limited window to do the photos, I would have just gone home and canceled the whole thing when I realized they were running so far behind. It is not fair to the other customers to run 30 minutes behind, especially with kids. Make the slots bigger or assign times based on number of clothing changes and/or people in the picture. You should not have had your time cut because they were running behind. You should have gotten your full session time. I would complain about that. I was partially getting a free package, so I didn't ask for anything else. I just cut my losses for the day. I did, however, get a fantastic picture of just the stepkids together (done while DD was off melting into a puddle of goo) and that saved the session, really. Live and learn.
And kudos to you for teaching your son manners. I know kids sometimes fuss when asked to give up things for others, but it's a good lesson to instill.
25 minutes? that's nothing, I had to wait wait over two hours with a four yo & a one yo who hadn't had a nap yet. Sometimes these things just happen, so I would schedule your apt at their least busiest time and be prepared by bringing some toys along for the kids to play with.
Yes, hire a photographer to come to your house!
I would have left and rescheduled for a day where you could be the first appointment so there's NO waiting involved.
And I'm not seeing the connection between the pregnant woman & manners to your late appt...?
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Way to go with teaching your son manners. You did the exact right thing. Even if she weren't pregnant, young men should give their seats for ladies.
About the other issue, how do you know they didn't tell them they were going to have clothing changes? Perhaps the receptionist told you that. Maybe they really did. They were paying for their sitting time as much as anyone else. Perhaps the studio overbooked, or doesn't slot enough time. Maybe they plan for cancellations, and that day they didn't actually have any. Is your son used to sitting and waiting patiently for things? It is a good skill to train our children in. It takes time, but at 5, he should be able to sit quietly for a good period of time when needed (although boys are a bit harder to tame than girls). ;)
The studios i use usually have survey's were you can call or email in and let them know your experience.
If i was really pissy that day i might talk to the manager and see if they would offer you some free portraits because the wait was so long, Especially since this isn't Dec 16th or anything, They should have been able to tell the family before you that they only had a limited amount of time.
most of the time, i just let it go, and move on. I like to make the first appointment of the day for this reason.
I think it was nice of you to move your son for the pregnant lady, I don't quite get why he was so upset though. couldn't he sit on your lap or stand next to you? Definately a nice thing to do though.
I'll NEVER take an appointment that isn't the first one of the day. The photographer is better prepared and not so frazzled. The studio is also a LOT cooler because the lights haven't been on all day.
We've waited UP to an hour in the past and will NEVER do that to my son again. It's just not worth it. The waiting area at times was nothing short of anachy.
We also are VERY considerate of time. I always ask when the next appointment is and layer my son's clothes so we can do 2-3 clothing changes REALLY fast. We once did an entire session in less than 12 minutes but my son LOVES posing so it goes pretty fast because he wants to see his "handsome" pictures. :)
