https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 08 Jun 2026 07:05:49 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/family-photographer-double-booking#post-2397208 Tue, 22 Dec 2015 14:24:18 +0000 BSB 2397208@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I always wonder about the downsides of groupon like this. I'm sure he gets overbooked with groupon. I don't know how groupon works but if it was a photographer who knew how groupon works, he would have limited his photo sessions so it wouldn't hurt his business. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/family-photographer-double-booking#post-2397175 Tue, 22 Dec 2015 14:07:31 +0000 ChiCalGoBee 2397175@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@birdofafeather: Yep, you're right on all accounts. He gets a lot more for prints than e-files. He didn't respond to my email. It sucks, because I would think the only positive to doing a groupon for businesses is to get new clients, and by screwing over the clients he gets through it he's only shooting himself in the foot for future business (or lack thereof). Dumb. Needless to say, we'll never be using him again! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/family-photographer-double-booking#post-2395311 Mon, 21 Dec 2015 00:11:42 +0000 birdofafeather 2395311@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ChiCalGoBee: sounds to me like he's old school and wants to push print sales over digital files and get people to order in person versus online. Not my business model, but it is some peoples' so I'm hesitant to judge yet it seems like he thought the groupon low session fee would get people in the door to order a lot more but unfortunately a groupon customer is not going to be spending an additional hundreds/thousands on prints/files. $300 is pretty exorbitant for a way to view the images and order at your own timing. I like to make it easy for clients to order from me but I'm low pressure and don't do in person sales at all! Even other people I know that push print sales and do charge $100 for digital files have no fee for an online gallery. If I were you, I would really push for him comping the online gallery to you to order for the scheduling mistake. If you really like some images, which it seems like you do, then you can order what you want at that point. Sorry that you're dealing with a bait and switch kind of situation. I try really hard to be upfront with people on pricing and expectations to avoid things like this: photos you like but can't afford to have. :/ </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/family-photographer-double-booking#post-2395305 Sun, 20 Dec 2015 23:48:13 +0000 ChiCalGoBee 2395305@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lawbee11: Thanks-I might email them anyway. He is definitely ruining their reputation!<br /> @Freckles: Thanks for your support! I wish I'd had better customer service, but that doesn't seem to be the case. Ugh.<br /> @birdofafeather: Yes-maybe you can shed light on whether or not putting proofs in an online viewing gallery is so much work that he'd charge $300 for it? My husband displays our pictures online through Smugmug (I know, not a professional site, but still) in minutes. I can't think it would take him that long, but please tell me if I'm wrong! And yes, I agree. I am a small business owner and I'd NEVER treat a client like that :sad: . </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/family-photographer-double-booking#post-2395278 Sun, 20 Dec 2015 22:20:17 +0000 birdofafeather 2395278@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ChiCalGoBee: by online gallery, do you mean for viewing/ordering?</p> <p>ETA: his excuse was bull crap. You don't do that with clients, groupon or not. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/family-photographer-double-booking#post-2395174 Sun, 20 Dec 2015 18:56:20 +0000 Freckles 2395174@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ChiCalGoBee: ummm that was his excuse? And not even apologetic? I would definitely ask him to right that wrong and if not, leave a bad review. </p> <p>I once had a photographer through a groupon type site - she actually told me she had a promotion and to just book through it. Her service was excellent and very accommodating. Sorry you had such a poor experience and $100 per digital image is nuts. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/family-photographer-double-booking#post-2395171 Sun, 20 Dec 2015 18:48:29 +0000 lawbee11 2395171@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ChiCalGoBee: You should email Groupon customer service. I had a bad experience with a photographer from LivingSocial and emailed them and they refunded my money.</p> <p>ETA: Oh nevermind just realized it was a gift. I'd be super annoyed with him! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/family-photographer-double-booking#post-2395169 Sun, 20 Dec 2015 18:43:03 +0000 ChiCalGoBee 2395169@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Update: The images he got were pretty good, but his pricing was absolutely astronomical (to the tune of $100 for a single image downloaded :shocked: ). He makes you come into the studio to see images, and if you want an online gallery, you're looking at a minimum of $300 on top of what you've already paid. His excuse for double-booking was the other family's schedule, as their son was leaving soon. I am sending a follow up email requesting at least a few more images (as our 1-hour solo session was a shared 40-minute session) and hoping he'll right his wrong. When he doesn't (and I'm sure he won't!), then I can leave reviews online which will reflect our poor experience with him. Gift or not, just say no to groupon! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/family-photographer-double-booking#post-2395088 Sun, 20 Dec 2015 14:20:36 +0000 ChiCalGoBee 2395088@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@littlejoy: Good idea. I think I will send a follow-up email only if I like the images a lot when I see them. If I don't, I think I might take @Mrs. Peanut: 's advice and ask in person whether or not that is typical behavior. I do think he needs to know we weren't expecting it and are put off by it. We paid for an hour of his time and got a shared 45 minutes. Ugh. @birdofafeather: So glad to hear this isn't a common practice! I guess you get what you pay for, and as this was a gift for us bought through groupon we're "paying" for it, so to speak :bummed: . So disappointing! I definitely hope a second photography experience is far better for us!@yoursilverlining: Yep, this is what's happening. At least I hope. I think it's pretty unprofessional! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/family-photographer-double-booking#post-2394990 Sun, 20 Dec 2015 11:24:42 +0000 yoursilverlining 2394990@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Very weird and not ok. But, I've found one more than one occasion when booking services through Groupon that you don't get the same level of service as paying the normal fee, which is why I rarely do Groupons for services anymore. I think a lot of professionals get in over their heads on Groupon. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/family-photographer-double-booking#post-2394966 Sun, 20 Dec 2015 10:42:55 +0000 birdofafeather 2394966@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As a photographer, I would not do this with families and I'm pretty surprised that he would do it without telling you! The only people I know that do this, tell their clients, and it works fabulously are a studio that does kids only and basically books 3 kids per hour time slot so if the kid needs time to warm up, have a snack, etc, the parents won't miss out on their time. Because kids are unpredictable, it works great but everyone knows that's the case upon booking! As a client, I would not have been happy! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/family-photographer-double-booking#post-2394965 Sun, 20 Dec 2015 10:34:03 +0000 Mrs. Peanut 2394965@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ChiCalGoBee: That's definitely weird in my opinion. I would say something when you go to the studio. Maybe something like, "Do you frequently do two sessions at once?" And see what he says. He may have some sob story about the other family who had to move their time because of x, y, and z. If he says that's normal, I would say something in response like, "I felt a bit uncomfortable sharing that time because we booked so long ago." He may even give you some free extra prints for it. If he's nasty about it, just say thank you and never use him again. I would probably write a bad review too if he wasn't apologetic. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/family-photographer-double-booking#post-2394828 Sat, 19 Dec 2015 22:08:30 +0000 littlejoy 2394828@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@youboots: Hahahaha. You're like the only person I don't ever feel awkward around. No sandwiching, I promise! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/family-photographer-double-booking#post-2394826 Sat, 19 Dec 2015 22:05:13 +0000 youboots 2394826@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@littlejoy: ah, the famous compliment sandwich. Do you ever do this to me, ha, </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/family-photographer-double-booking#post-2394820 Sat, 19 Dec 2015 21:50:03 +0000 littlejoy 2394820@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ChiCalGoBee: If you like the photos, I'd email a compliment sandwich. Awesome photos. Awkward session. Loved the fast turn around. -- If you're comfortable, do it in person. An email might allow you to be to the point, kind, and not make him feel embarrassed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/family-photographer-double-booking#post-2394819 Sat, 19 Dec 2015 21:45:28 +0000 ChiCalGoBee 2394819@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@kodybear: Good to hear that it's not the norm!<br /> @Mae: I've totally heard of "stacking" sessions, and figured when we saw the other family that that's what was happening-rather than "sharing" the session. I live in San Diego and it's a beautiful park by the beach, so I assumed they had an earlier session. Also, in booking TWO months ago (which we did because he said he was so busy), I think I had the right to that time slot by myself!<br /> @Purpledaisy: It was SO awkward. I also have the sense that the other family knew we were coming in advance because they didn't seem surprised.<br /> @youboots: @mrbee: @littlejoy: I actually stopped buying Groupons years ago because, more often than not, I had a bad experience with all the things you've mentioned (overbooked, the store/salon/vendor who had the deal seemed overworked and underpaid, etc). The ONLY reason I did this was my dear friend gifted it to me because I threw her a baby shower, and I feel bad that she spent the money she did for it to go to waste. I never, ever would book something like a photog via groupon of my own volition! There was nothing in the fine print about "time-slot might be shared." I looked.</p> <p>We are going to his studio tomorrow to look at prints (another part of the deal is he forces you to come to his studio. Sigh.), so I will have a chance to say something then. Anyone have suggestions as to how to be productive? I want to say something rather than just leaving him a bad review, to give him a chance to explain himself. I'll never be using him again, but think we're owed an explanation! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/family-photographer-double-booking#post-2394811 Sat, 19 Dec 2015 21:31:47 +0000 littlejoy 2394811@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@youboots: Exactly this. I would never book a photographer via Groupon, because I know so many friends who were screwed over (either on the side of the client or the side of the photographer). I'm sorry this was your experience ... This was probably super awkward and frustrating. :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/family-photographer-double-booking#post-2394803 Sat, 19 Dec 2015 21:20:21 +0000 mrbee 2394803@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would be annoyed! Maybe he only does that for Groupon customers... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/family-photographer-double-booking#post-2394802 Sat, 19 Dec 2015 21:17:02 +0000 youboots 2394802@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was a professional photographer for 8 years- this is highly unusual. I've heard that photographers who sign up for groupon can be over worked and underpaid and even lose money to try and get repeat business. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/family-photographer-double-booking#post-2394799 Sat, 19 Dec 2015 21:08:18 +0000 Purpledaisy 2394799@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think that's totally weird. I have never heard of a photographer doing this. I would feel weird having another family standing around watching while we are taking pictures! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/family-photographer-double-booking#post-2394792 Sat, 19 Dec 2015 21:00:37 +0000 Mae 2394792@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm a photog (part time) and I haven't heard of this. I do stack sessions frequently (so like three families at 2, 3, 4 at the same park). But I always specifically tell them that and stress the importance of them being on time since we can't run over our time when I have more people coming. </p> <p>I will say, since it was a sunset session and depending on where you live it may be one of the last nice days for months, I can understand having multiple clients want the same spot. I don't know that I'd have the balls to ask two clients to "share" a session but if I did, I would DEFINITELY ask them and not just let it happen. I wonder if it was because it was a group on thing? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/family-photographer-double-booking#post-2394790 Sat, 19 Dec 2015 20:54:21 +0000 kodybear 2394790@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not normal! I have a couple friends that are professional photogs and that's def not the norm. The photog usually focuses on your family during the entire session. I'd say something, esp if you don't get a lot of shots you like! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/family-photographer-double-booking#post-2394789 Sat, 19 Dec 2015 20:48:36 +0000 ChiCalGoBee 2394789@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just had family pictures taken for the first time. The reason we've never had professional pics taken previously is largely due to the fact that my husband has a pretty nice camera, and often takes pictures for us, so doesn't want to pay someone else to take them. Long story short, we were gifted the hour's session (it was a Groupon) with a local photographer, and I set the date with him two months ago. When we got there, we waited for 15 minutes at his designated meeting spot, where I finally called him, and he had us walk about 10 minutes away to another spot. He was shooting pictures of another family. I was a little annoyed that their session had gone over and he didn't call/text, but I didn't say anything. </p> <p>It turns out their session wasn't running over-their session was at the same time as ours. For the next hour we traded off with the other family, which is NOT what we were expecting. The second we finished the session my husband asked if this is typical, or if the photographer shoved us in with another family and we had a right to be annoyed. </p> <p>What do you think? Do photographers typically do this-book a double session? Should he have warned us that this is how it was going to be? At the end of the day, I guess I only care as long as the pictures are good, but it felt pretty impersonal to be "one of the many," so to speak, and it was a little weird to have another family "part" of our pictures, in a sense. We picked this time to get sunset pictures on the beach, and it sucked to lose a lot of the light because he kept going back and forth between us and the other family :bummed: .</p> <p>Adding a poll, but feel free to comment! </p>