Hi Guys,
So I no longer shoot weddings but a past client of mine is asking for their albums to be printed 6 years after I shot their wedding.
So back in 2011 I shot this wedding and had all the proofs, including album design for a 10x10 album and 2 8x8 parent albums set for proofing 3 months after their wedding. I sent them an initial email letting them know where to find and download the images and to let me know if they approve the album design. Once approved I would have sent it off for print. No response. They didn't download their images, they didn't approve or decline the design. I then followed up twice more with the link and instructions and all I got in response was 'ok great, we'll check it out'. The images and album design stayed on that server for 1 year. Still no word from them.
Fast forward 6 years (and me not shooting weddings anymore) to last week, I get a message from the groom saying him and his wife are going through a rough patch and it would be nice if they could get their images to 'reflect on good times'. I messaged him back saying 'oh I guess you never downloaded the files' and actually uploaded them to a file sharing platform for him to download. He was thrilled. Today, he messages me saying 'so how far along are we with the photobooks? I thought there was one for us and one for each in-law, correct me if I'm wrong'. I responded stating that he was correct about the amount of albums but that they were never approved by them so they never went to print'. He then says 'yes I remember that's where we were. Sorry for taking so long' (is it just me, or is 6 years beyond 'sorry for taking so long'). Anyways I told him that I no longer deal with the lab that those albums are designed for and not only that, I no longer have a lab that can accommodate album printing as I no longer shoot weddings and I would also have to find a lab and redesign the albums according to their print specs. His response 'Oh boy, what are you thinking?'.
My question to you is should I put in the work since it was paid for in their package? Should I let him know that I will put in the work but now there is an additional charge now that they have to be redesigned because they've taken so long? Or do I just shoot him down entirely?
Thank you in advance.
Wow ,a no win no matter what. My opinion, and it is worth exactly what it cost, is you met your obligation six years ago and did what you were contracted for. If someone wants to split hairs you didn't spend the money you charged for the books to be printed but you also archived the photos for an extremely long time. I'm impressed you even made the effort to sent him the photos after that extended time. He knows you are retired from the wedding business and he knows the ship has sailed for him getting the original books. Give him the option to hire you as a "contractor" to create the books and give him a price and a time frame for him to respond. Six years is a long time to review some photos and say that looks good, print it. Your other choice is let him know there is nothing you can do above and beyond the photos you already provided. Whatever happens don't let this cost you sleep, you sound like a very empathetic person and want to help this guy out. This is the bed he made, you did what you could six years ago.
Thanks Tom,
I appreciate you taking the time to respond. You're right, I am empathetic and a part of me feels that because they've paid to have it done, that I should do it, but another part is just thoroughly annoyed that it's taken this long and I've done my part like you've said. I've been told I'm too nice and I think that might be part of the problem. I just need to stand firm and tell him that this ship has sailed.
We are more alike than different... Good luck with this, let him know he missed his opportunity and be happy you still had the originals for him.
Thanks again. I will be messaging him back today.