I just did a wedding & it's the biggest so far (8 attendants), and here's the problem, about 3 of the bridesmaids walking down the isle are so blurry (oh, but the back wall is crisp as a chip) along with a few random blurry moments. The rest of the vital moments look great.

What should I do? Do I give her blurry pictures or do I omit them totally? If I omit them, should I tell her or wait for her to bring it up?

IMO, I would delete them. (or at least store them elsewhere) They won't be happy with blurred photos. If they do bring it up, you can say that they had their eyes closed in the photos and/or other uncontrollable issues. I haven't found those photos to be the most popular anyway, just part of the memory of the day.
Good luck.

i have had brides INSIST on having a shot of each and every attendant no matter how blurry it is. I had planned to delete a couple of them and had to go back to the backups and dig out the originals to please the bride.

We dont always get them right either. So far, we leave them out if they are no good, no one has asked.

I very rarely have delivered a full set of each attendant coming down the aisle. If I have one person that it just doesn't work for (blurry, eyes closed, horrible expression) in the few I snap when they walk down, then I usually omit all the ones of bridesmaids walking down the aisle. It's never ever once been an issue. But I have in included ones a couple times I thought were questionable and then completely regreted it because they want the whole series in an album. Don't stress about it. IMO she won't miss what she doesn't see in the first place. I think most girls won't even think about it as long as their are plenty of other photos of their attendants.

I agree with omitting them. We hardly ever include all of the bridesmaids parading down the aisle.
I have often included a shot that shows several girls in a line walking down, and then one of the maid/matron of honor by herself. Kinda gives an overview.

Is is ever good to lie to a client? Just asking a philosophical question...

ohhhhhh what........ an......... instigator........!

I am not an instigator, but I have been accused as being an inciter!

I consistently see suggestions by people, probably the most common is "tell them your booked" to lie to our customers. So I am starting to get the impression that it is widespread in the photography business to lie to customers.

I see this one has been sitting here for awhile, and I think it's because it's a hard question. Mostly, I just don't like lying to people. I don't even think it's that I'm totally morally opposed, it's just that I can't keep it straight so it's easier for me to tell the truth. On the other hand, I also like to keep the truth vague sometimes, and go for something like, "I'm sorry, but I am no longer available for that date." I mean, granted, I'm omitting information, such as, "I'm no longer available for YOU on that date," or, "I'm no longer available because you're a pain in my ass", but I figure everyone doesn't need to know EVERYTHING all the time. If they pursue it, I'll tell them, but I've never had that happen. I figure keeping it simple is the best way to spare their feelings and also to minimize my time spent dealing with it, but I'm not going to make up a story if they want the whole truth.

Hmm,

I think leave them out. Cross the bridge IF you come to it. Leaving them out is not deception, just editing. If they ask, politely explain that all shots don't work out, you edit the ones not up to your standard, and if they insist, you can show them the shots. Then they can decide.

I think that putting them in to begin with is waving a red flag at the client. Then they start to question your abilities based on a couple of shots.

Does that all make sense???


Hugh

I don't think it's lying to tell them that they just didn't come out. I've had that happen before too, both coming down the aisle and when they're being announced at the reception. Sometimes they just walk too fast! I don't give them photos that are not good… period. I've never had anyone ask. But if they did, I'd just tell them they didn't come out well enough to make the cut and leave out the details.

i've never had anyone ask about any images, left out or otherwise. waht they see is what they get.

how many of you list out each and every photo that is taken and then tell the bride why you did or didnt put it in their gallery, seriously?

Thanks for all your advice. It's been a huge relief to know it's ok to leave them out!!

This is what I do, if I don't have a complete set to show, then I don't show any. While this has only happened with one wedding, she never missed the images, as I had lots of awesome shots of the girls.

Another really good thread!

I had some friends that I did engagement shots for. This was actually a very challenging session because the groom to be was actually going to propose that very morning and on top of that it was going to be at sunrise on the beach!

It was all very romatic and clandestine but once the proposal was made (I covertedly captured that as well), and the sun was completely up it got really really hot! The couple were both getting over heated very quickly so I had to rush through alot of shots and the groom to be was becoming extremely impatient (I was doing the favor for him, free of charge!)

Anyhow, I believe I still captured a lot of good images and gave them what I thought to be all the best ones. Months later, I still didn't hear any difinitive as to whether or not they actually liked the shots (although his mother sung my praises) but I did get asked if there were any more that I didn't give them and if they could get some of those! Now I'm in a bind as I had let on that I may have more in my files. What should I do?!

On another note... How many wedding shots do you think is typical for the bride and groom to receive? If shooting film, I think most would understand that you have to be a little conservative but with digital most know the capacity of images you can capture. Is there a number that seems reasonable without looking like you were slacking off all day?

Hope someone can help me with these ponderings.