I've got a problem I've never encountered before:

Usually I simply provide my assistants with CF cards for them to shoot on, and then I collect them at the end of the night. But Several weeks ago I used a new 2nd shooter who was running late, and I couldn't do my normal thing. That's cool, no problem. During the ceremony they used an IR camera (I think) that used SD cards. I don't usually roll with an SD reader, cause all my stuff is CF.

Anyhoo, at the end of the night, we backed everything up Except for the SD card stuff.

They told me they would send me a Zip in the next 2 or three days. A week goes by and nothing, and then another

All this time I'm writing to them and they keep telling me that they have either sent it or will send it.

In the mean time they have been paid, and cashed the check.

What should I do?

I hate to keep my clients waiting.

E

Wow. Usually when my second shooter needs to use her own cards for whatever reason, I take the cards at the end of the night, and then drop them off to her within a few days. She's always more then willing.

With this new person,
A. You'll never hire them again.
B. Perhaps you can set up a meeting to make the exchange
C. How many "awesome" photos do you think are on those cards? Maybe you can deliver to your client without them??
D. Let them know that even if they have already sent them, there must've been a problem and could they send them again. Perhaps the zipped file is too large for email.

Good luck!

Yes,

it will keep your clients waiting. I would be starting to get a little heavier with this person. Maybe tell them that you will be passing by in the next few days, you will drop in on them at "some" time.

Here is another thought, perhaps the images are too bad to use. But if you never got them, could you get through this?

I am assuming that you have seen this persons work before, and I am also assuming you have some sort of written agreement. Maybe you will have to threaten the legal route. If you have nothing written, this might be a lesson learned.

I hope that it all works out.

Hugh

Call them right now, tell them you need the files today. Tell them that your clients want to see the photos and you need to get them today. Drive to their house, get what you need. You will waste time and gas, but you will have the photos. If they say they've already sent it, tell them you need a new cd today.

Well there's two options. Call them and meet with them and get the photos that way.

Or don't let on that there are missing photos and run without them, then proceed to not hire that person again.

Actually... regardless, i wouldn't hire that person again.

update -

I got the photos 2-weeks after the event. Granted there were only a dozen or so but some of them were pretty cool . They explained to me that they were just 'experimental' and that they would have released the event and then added them to it.

I don't roll that way - Is it too much to expect that a 2nd deliver everything to me in a timely manner - regardless of what they thing of the pics?

E

Not too much to ask at all. Lesson learned. Get all your files immediately after the event so there's nothing left to chance. I shoot 2nd a lot and can't imagine leaving the event without handing over or dl'ing all my cards before I get paid..or before I leave. It takes a bit longer even when it's 2 in the morning but at least I know that my job is complete and the Lead has all the images of mine.

Same here. I second alot and that's just bad business on their end. I never give the lead my cards to "keep and return," I've been burned bad on that end too. But if we don't download that night, I burn to CD asap.

I have an SD card reader that gets very little use...but for something like this...I suppose it wouldn't hurt to have a multi-reader available. Hindsight is tack-sharp, eh? Sorry this person did this to you...hope they feel bad enough to have learned a lesson.

(Now I have a similar situation -- come to think of it -- I second-shot for another OSPer this past weekend using my wife's 40D as one of my cameras and I shot in RAW. The primary doesn't have CS3 or LR...so I have to convert the RAW files. Pray that I get this done for her in time... )

That's just shoddy seconding. What sort of support are you if you're letting down the main? I make sure the images get there that night or I burn&send a dvd the next day.

Wow. After reading this, I'm so glad my husband is my second!

thats not cool eric. you know i would give you the files right away. is this the wedding that I wasnt available for?