Client wants image cropped.

[ishutteratthethought]

Hello Folks,
Just trying to get a feel on what your thoughts are on an issue I have with a client that wants to buy one of my prints.
The issue is that the client wants me to crop the image to their specifications.
During the capture, I was thinking and composed the image in square format. This client wants it cropped to a landscape type image taking out the foreground (and some of the subject) leaving more sky in the image and more of 4 x 8 type of look.
I am not overly offended, just a little perplexed and wondering if I should accommodate.
I do not want to lose a sale (and possibly a repeat client) but I have strong feelings that the image I created is what I had imagined when I took the photograph & printed it, hence what it is…is.:confused:
Your thoughts appreciated.
Thanks,
Steve

[Ian Grant]

The client gets what he wants, if he (she) is paying and it's a commercial shoot, or being bought for commercial purposes.

If however the client just wants a print for his her wall, then it's up to you, they can get the framer to do the cropping later if they want, that's my take on it. :D

Ian

[guyjr]

I still believe in "the customer is always right" both as a customer and as a professional. Crop it, sell it, then delete it. :)

[ishutteratthethought]

Thanks Ian, your comment is appreciated.
Steve

[bobwysiwyg]

I still believe in "the customer is always right" both as a customer and as a professional. Crop it, sell it, then delete it. :)

+1

At work we had two rules. Rule one was the customer is always right. Rule two was go back and read rule one.;)

If you were on the phone they couldn't see you gritting your teeth anyway. :D

[dpurdy]

I am with Ian on this one. If it is a commercial client either paying for one time use or buying all the rights to the image, then consider it. If it was me and my art work and someone offered to buy a print if I cropped it their way, I would do it if the image was otherwise a failure to me, or if it was an image that I felt is successful I would tell them it is what it is and either buy it or don't.
Dennis

[SuzanneR]

For commercial work... let them crop it, but if it's a fine art print, and they want you to print it again with their crop, I'm not sure I'd agree to that... well, depends on the money I suppose!! :p

[Christopher Walrath]

Amen Suzanne. Reduce the price slightly and suggest that they can make whatever amends they so choose, IMHO.

[cabbiinc]

If they are paying you for your services then you're almost obligated to givem what they paid for.

If they're just an admirer that's buying your art you can do whatever feels best. Sometimes you'll feel like the art stands the way it is, other times you'll feel better with a full belly and some paid bills.

I for one don't think there's a "wrong" answer.

[Bruce Watson]

The issue is that the client wants me to crop the image to their specifications.

If it's an art print, and it sounds like it is from your description of how you framed and composed it, then it's just a question of how much your artistic integrity is worth to you. Standing by your artistic vision might cost you a sale. But what does abandoning your vision and letting someone else dictate your composition cost you?

Been there, done that...

[Rick A]

Hello Folks,
Just trying to get a feel on what your thoughts are on an issue I have with a client that wants to buy one of my prints.
The issue is that the client wants me to crop the image to their specifications.
During the capture, I was thinking and composed the image in square format. This client wants it cropped to a landscape type image taking out the foreground (and some of the subject) leaving more sky in the image and more of 4 x 8 type of look.
I am not overly offended, just a little perplexed and wondering if I should accommodate.
I do not want to lose a sale (and possibly a repeat client) but I have strong feelings that the image I created is what I had imagined when I took the photograph & printed it, hence what it is…is.:confused:
Your thoughts appreciated.
Thanks,
Steve
Give them what they want, and charge the bejesus out of them. If they want "customized" one of a kind, make it worth your time.

Rick

[wclark5179]

Beauty is in the eye of the checkbook holder.

[RalphLambrecht]

Hello Folks,
Just trying to get a feel on what your thoughts are on an issue I have with a client that wants to buy one of my prints.
The issue is that the client wants me to crop the image to their specifications.
During the capture, I was thinking and composed the image in square format. This client wants it cropped to a landscape type image taking out the foreground (and some of the subject) leaving more sky in the image and more of 4 x 8 type of look.
I am not overly offended, just a little perplexed and wondering if I should accommodate.
I do not want to lose a sale (and possibly a repeat client) but I have strong feelings that the image I created is what I had imagined when I took the photograph & printed it, hence what it is…is.:confused:
Your thoughts appreciated.
Thanks,
Steve

Steve

I might be the only one, but I would not crop it, unless the customer paid you to take the shot. In other words, if this was an ordered print, the customer gets what he or she wants.

However, if you took this as an artist, and you feel strongly that the print turned out the way you wanted it, then you need to stay true to yourself. Your name is on it, right? Are you willing to have your name associated with the print? If yes, crop it, if no don't.

I'm stubborn enough, to dictate the whole print. It is my image, the cropping is part of the creative process. To me, so is the mount and (if I can) so is the frame. But that's just me.

[Andy K]

If it is an art print I would refuse. If they want to buy a print cropped to their specifications then they can go make a photo to their own specs. Would they buy a painting and then cut it?

[jnanian]

For commercial work... let them crop it, but if it's a fine art print, and they want you to print it again with their crop, I'm not sure I'd agree to that... well, depends on the money I suppose!! :p

exactly!

if it was you for hire, i would do it as they direct you
( crop the print ) but if it was an art-print no-go

[Moopheus]

Give them what they want, and charge the bejesus out of them. If they want "customized" one of a kind, make it worth your time.

Rick

Right. You can make the "custom" print charge so high that either they won't want to do it, or you will be paid enough to salve your conscience.

[BrianShaw]

I must be lacking "artistic integrity" because I'd sell a print cropped just as fast as I'd sell the same image as I visualized it.

[f/stopblues]

Maybe I'm some sort of a diva here, but if it's not commercial then there's no way I'd consider conforming my vision to the vision of the person with the checkbook. That's textbook selling out.. damn the man! :)

[ishutteratthethought]

Thanks to all off you for your suggestions. APUG is awesome!
I am leaning more towards not cropping and lose the sale...stubborn, stupid some may say.
I already make enough to buy a Bentley or two & buy a house in Malibu by selling my art, :) however I do not rely on it for my bread and butter.

Thanks again!

Steve

[bobwysiwyg]

Thanks to all off you for your suggestions. APUG is awesome!
I am leaning more towards not cropping and lose the sale...stubborn, stupid some may say.
I already make enough to buy a Bentley or two & buy a house in Malibu by selling my art, :) however I do not rely on it for my bread and butter.

Thanks again!

Steve

Given your success, please ignore my earlier post. Tell'm to take a hike. :D