Preface

I had a client interested in booking a 90 minute session at Brown County State Park. The session would take place at multiple different locations within the park, specifically at Shelter E and a few lookouts within the park. This was a photography session I had dreamed about booking for months! The family of three were returning clients, they trusted my work, and were eager to have me photograph the session. I, too, was excited to get to continue growing our client-photographer relationship.

What happened?

We arrive on location, all is well. We photograph for the 90 minutes. I got some great smiles out of their kiddo, a toddler. He lasted the full 90 minutes, any photographer knows that's a feat in itself. We complete the session, say goodbye, and head out. Two days later, I was at a different session and needed an SD card. I fumble around in my camera bag, pull out an SD card, put it in my camera, format, and continue with my session. No big deal, right? WRONG. Halfway through the current session, I realized the images from my 90 minute park session were GONE. For those who don't know, formatting an SD card removes all files and gets the card ready for the next session. I HAD DELETED AN ENTIRE SESSIONS WORTH OF PICTURES!

What did I do?

I felt the blood rush from my face and aside from the probability of being ghost white, I held my composure for the remainder of the current session. When we finished, I got in my car and the tears began to flow. I bawled my eyes out and started questioning myself:

  • How could I have let this happen?
  • What am I going to do?
  • How can I fix this?

I thought and prayed the entire way home about how I was going to explain myself to that client. With many, many apologies, I offered three options:

  1. redo the entire session - It was the option I most hoped for, but was unsure if it was worth it because the client had driven about an hour to the park.
  2. give credit towards a completely new session - Second best in my opinion, but I knew I couldn't give them nothing and it was better than a refund.
  3. a full refund, including the retainer - This was my least favorite option, for obvious reasons, but I completely understood.

Surprisingly, and thankfully, my client took the news extremely well. She didn't seem upset in our exchanges, though I'm sure she was fuming in person. And rightfully so, I would have been too. After discussing with her significant other, they decided to take a full refund and go our separate ways, due to the extended drive.

What did I learn?

First and foremost, never (and I mean NEVER) leave a session without backing up photos in ATLEAST two different places. Second, pay attention when grabbing for SD cards. I have since purchased a better storage option for my cards and keep them organized inside in a certain way. So, I now know which cards are empty and ready for use and which still have images that need edited. Lastly, I have the ability to remain calm in sticky situations. At the time I felt as though I could pass out and puke all at the same time, but I made it through, gracefully.

I get flash backs from this session every time I head to a new session. This happened 2 years ago and I still, to this day, have the flashbacks. It's a constant reminder to slow down and double check saved images BEFORE deleting them. I continuously punch myself in the gut all the time over this beginner mistake. So, take note and don't let it happen to you!