Sometimes you can just tell
when a client is going to be a pain. I’m an illustrator who also does some
photo work. This combination of skills got me in trouble with a client
recently.
Me: Great. Let
me send you a contract and I’ll get started.
I sent a first sketch and he turned
it down. Based on his feedback, I sent a second sketch and he approved it as
the basis for a finished version. I went ahead and started the illustration
based on that sketch. I kept up communication, showing him the process and
getting approval every step of the way.
Finally, I sent the first finish. They
asked me for some slight changes in colouration, and I obliged happily. I sent
the new version with changes, and didn’t hear back for days.
Me: I haven’t heard from you about the
latest changes. Let me know if you approve the finished copy.
A day later:
Client: Um… is this really finished?
I thought you weren’t done. Your other work is so realistic.
Me: My other work? You mean, on my
portfolio?
Client: Yeah.
Me: You do know that some of my portfolio
are manipulated photos, right?
Client: Oh! Oh.
Me: I’m sorry about the confusion.
If you want a photo, then I can do that, but I will have to insist that you pay
me for services already rendered before I do anything new.
Client: (angry) Well, I guess I’m
just stuck with whatever you do, then!
Me: You are in no way obligated to
use the illustration I provided you, but you do have to pay me for the work
I’ve already done. I’m sorry there was a misunderstanding.
Client: WELL. Since I’m STUCK in
this contract I guess I guess I have some CHANGES.
He proceeds to give me a
laundry list of changes.
Me: I am happy to make the changes
though, as per our contract any major changes that result in more work than we
had previously discussed will be subject to extra charges. What you’re asking
for will mean 10 more hours. I if you had told me about these major redraws
before the sketch had been painted we could have avoided this situation.
I haven’t heard back, and
am looking into legal action. Although I’m honestly shocked that he would be
angry at me because he doesn’t know the difference between an illustration and
a photo.
