When things happen…
The Reality Behind the Lens: How I Handle Equipment Failures, Mistakes, and Keeping Clients Happy
As a photographer, one of the most important things I do is keep my equipment up to date, repaired, and in top shape. But let’s face it—this is easier said than done. Cameras and lenses, while durable, are still machines, and machines can fail. Over the years, I’ve learned the hard way that even the best equipment can let you down. That’s why I always have backup gear ready, just in case something goes wrong during a shoot. But what happens if both cameras fail at once? Let me walk you through what I do to make sure your photos still get captured—and how I handle it when things don’t go as planned.
Why Backup Equipment Is a Must
If something does go wrong, I’ve always got a backup plan in place. For most sessions, that means having a second camera, extra lenses, and memory cards on hand. For weddings, I always bring a second photographer. After all, weddings are once-in-a-lifetime events, and I’m not about to let any technical issues mess that up. If things really take a turn for the worse, and my backup equipment fails, I can count on my second photographer to step in and either purchase new equipment or help me troubleshoot. Worst case scenario? I call my husband, who has been my lifeline through more than one photography emergency.
But here’s the thing: mistakes do happen. I’m human, and I’ve made my share of errors throughout my photography career. As a legitimate business owner, though, I do everything I can to fix problems fast and keep clients happy. The last thing I want is to let someone down, but I’ve learned that being transparent, honest, and responsive is the best way to handle any hiccups.
The Hidden Threat: External Drives, Memory Cards, and Computers
While I’m diligent about caring for my cameras and lenses, the real hidden threats often come from external drives, memory cards, and computers. These devices can fail without warning, and unfortunately, you can’t always predict when that will happen. Some people think that it will never happen to them, but let me tell you—over the years, I’ve had my computers fail, my external drives crash, and even memory cards corrupt. It’s an unavoidable part of working in the digital age, but it’s something that is often overlooked until it’s too late.
Currently, I have some family photos on external drives that have failed, and while I haven’t had them professionally recovered yet due to cost, I’m aware of the risk. As a photographer and a business owner, I take every precaution to protect my work. I never rely on a single source for data storage. Once I’ve finished a shoot, I keep the images safe by storing them on multiple devices: my NAS system, my computer, and I also use Backblaze for off-site storage. It’s my way of ensuring that even if something goes wrong, the photos I’ve captured are safe.
This is something I didn’t fully understand in the first few years of my business. Like many new photographers, I had a lot of passion but not a lot of education on the technical side of things. But once I learned the importance of backup and data security, I made it a priority. Now, I take the time to educate myself and refresh my knowledge whenever I can, usually during the slower periods of the year.
Finding Balance: Photography, Full-Time Work, and Life
As much as I love photography, it’s not my only job. I work a full-time job in addition to running my photography business. This means that my time is divided between work, family, and photography, and finding a balance is something I’m still working on. Honestly, I’m not sure if there’s such a thing as true work-life balance for me, but I do my best to keep everything running smoothly. The truth is, no matter how many things I have to juggle, my passion for photography and my commitment to my clients never wavers.
But, like everyone else, I’m only human. I make mistakes, and I don’t always get everything perfect. And if you’ve ever worked with me and had an issue or something didn’t go as planned, I hope you reached out to me directly to resolve it. I’d much rather handle a situation head-on than let it fester. And for those who work in this industry, I want to remind you that we are all just people trying to make a living and do our best. Mistakes happen, and we learn from them.
Closing Thoughts: Why I Believe in Understanding, Not Blame
When things don’t go as planned, I hope my clients understand that I’m doing everything in my power to make things right. I also understand that as a business owner, I need to have thick skin. That means I’m not here to bash other photographers or small business owners who make mistakes. We all have our ups and downs, and if we’re not willing to learn from each other, what’s the point? I believe in giving people second chances, but I also know when it’s time to move on from a bad experience.
I hope that if you’ve ever had an issue with me, you’ve reached out directly. My goal is always to fix things and make sure your experience with me is a positive one. At the end of the day, we are all just humans trying to do our best. I may not be perfect, but I promise you that I’ll always give you my best.
