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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
When is Burning Bridges OK?
Kirby Yau, Photographer, Assistant
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San Diego | CA | USA | Posted: 12:04 PM on 07.10.09 |
->> In light of some posts on the site that debase, clients, photographers, or anyone in our industry, I wanted to pose a question:
"When is burning bridges ok?"
I ask because there are plenty of times that I have held myself back because I've always been told "DON"T BURN BRIDGES".
Which unfortunately, only leads to the S.O.S different day. |
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Andrew Worrall, Photographer
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Columbia | M0 | | Posted: 12:21 PM on 07.10.09 |
->> I don't think its ever a good idea to burn bridges...you never know when you'll need help in the future.
And if nothing else, keeping positive about all relationships just makes you look more professional.
IMHO. |
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Mike Anzaldi, Photographer
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Oak Park | IL | USA | Posted: 12:28 PM on 07.10.09 |
| ->> you should burn all your bridges when you don't want anybody to get to you. |
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G.J. McCarthy, Photographer
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Dallas | TX | Lower 48 | Posted: 12:42 PM on 07.10.09 |
->> When it's over the River Kwai??
"Madness ... Madness!" |
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Wally Nell, Photographer
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CAIRO | EG | EGYPT | Posted: 12:47 PM on 07.10.09 |
| ->> There are ways to resolve issues with clients without expressly burning bridges. If you keep your part of the conversations civil and professional, there is a good chance that whatever the outcome, you might not be burning bridges. I just went through a process of getting money from a very large humanitarian organization, which they had owed me for almost 2 years. I sent them plenty of reminders. Many phone calls, never used harsh language. I kept on telling them that I really really really did not want to go the legal route. In the end I sent them a note saying that if I do not have some resolution within a week, I would hand it over to a collection agency. They got back to me within a day, and I was paid within 10 days. A week later I got an email from them that they still want to use me in the future. So, it paid off to not use harsh words or harsh conversations. Whether I will be willing to work for them remains to be seen, but they do pay very very well, and all the other work I did for them was paid for within 30 days. So who knows. Not sure if this helps, but that is my story. |
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Rich Cruse, Photographer
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Laguna Niguel | CA | USA | Posted: 1:59 PM on 07.10.09 |
->> I think it is important to remind yourself that you can choose your clients. Getting everything in writing beforehand as far as usage and payment is essential.
It seems we all have had at least one experience that changes the way we do business or has us thinking of another line of work. Photography can be a creative endeavor. If you are trying to make a living doing it, you must be a business person first.
Just remember, once you burn a bridge there is no going back. |
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Ian L. Sitren, Photographer
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Palm Springs | CA | USA | Posted: 2:03 PM on 07.10.09 |
| ->> People are often afraid to burn bridges that were not really bridges in the first place. Or they were a bridge to nowhere. |
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Rich Cruse, Photographer
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Laguna Niguel | CA | USA | Posted: 2:07 PM on 07.10.09 |
->> I just found this- 20 Business Lessons Learned from Monty Python
http://tinyurl.com/ngflvn
Funny but informative. One I like is 7. “I'm afraid I'm not personally qualified to confuse cats, but I can recommend an extremely good service.”
Good point Ian! |
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Aaron Rhoads, Photographer
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mccomb | ms | | Posted: 3:20 PM on 07.10.09 |
->> Ian,
Isn't that bridge in Alaska? |
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Jim Colburn, Photo Editor, Photographer
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McAllen | TX | USA | Posted: 3:50 PM on 07.10.09 |
->> "When is burning bridges ok?"
Right after the lottery win. |
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David A. Cantor, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Scott Serio, Photo Editor, Photographer
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Colora | MD | USA | Posted: 4:32 PM on 07.10.09 |
->> I am usually not one to share links...but this HIGHLIGHTS why you just should avoid burning bridges.
http://www.comedycentral.com/videos/index.jhtml?videoId=172283&title=lotter...
Seriously though, the burning bridges thing is more about being a professional. To get to the "burning bridges" point, you have generally crossed some point where you have ceased being a professional. |
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Jeff Brehm, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Charlotte | NC | USA | Posted: 5:05 PM on 07.10.09 |
->> Scott:
I diasgree (no surprise, I'm sure, to anyone who knows me).
There are some situations in which the employer/client leaves no other option, as in do something you know is illegal/unethical/otherwise intolerable (i.e., "keep working and we might pay you someday") or else you're gone and the relationship is irreparably severed. In that case, I applaud setting the bridge ablaze.
However ... IMO, that confrontation is best done in person, in private, and with the utmost civility on the professional's part. |
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George Bridges, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Washington | DC | USA | Posted: 5:28 PM on 07.10.09 |
| ->> Please don't burn Bridges. We're people too. Plus, I think it's illegal in most states. |
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William Maner, Photographer
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Biloxi | MS | USA | Posted: 6:57 PM on 07.10.09 |
->> G.J. McCarthy:
To twist a line by Col. Nicholson when talking to Major Clipton about building the bridge:
"You're a fine photographer, McCarthy, but you've a lot to learn about the army.".. |
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Kirby Yau, Photographer, Assistant
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San Diego | CA | USA | Posted: 4:01 AM on 07.11.09 |
->> Consensus: Watch the Bridge on the River Kwai. It apparently rocks.
Also keep your cool. If you're feel that an injustice is done, step away in the most professional manner possible.
Thanks all. |
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Matt Brown, Photographer
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Fullerton | CA | USA | Posted: 12:24 PM on 07.11.09 |
->> It's ok for the clients to burn the bridges with you? It's ok to burn bridges with them. I don't think so. If a clients steals your copyright or damages your career with lies, burn the bridges and the SOB!
Stop walking on egg shells for a maybe or a what if. In six months must likely the person or editor will be out of work. If someone goes to the point to burn the bridge with you, then all is fair in love and war (photography)! |
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Duane Burleson, Photographer
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Sterling Heights | MI | USA | Posted: 12:25 PM on 07.11.09 |
->> I don't think it is ever a good idea to burn bridges. The company or person you have burned bridges with may end up working for one of your favorite or best client and you could end up out the door. But there will be a time to fire your client. To quit working for them because:
- they become unprofitable do to being such a pain and time consuming client that they take up a disproportionate amount of your time for the funds they provide.
- nonpaying or very slow paying client.
- unethical or possible illegal behavior.
- whatever is a breaking point for you.
With clients like these you are better off using your resources to find new clients, work with you existing clients to gain more work, etc.
cheers,
Duane |
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Mark Loundy, Photo Editor
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San Jose | CA | USA | Posted: 11:05 PM on 07.11.09 |
->> Geez, I have been so tempted, so many times...
The answer is: Never.
--Mark |
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Paul Alesse, Photographer
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Centereach | NY | USA | Posted: 11:53 PM on 07.12.09 |
| ->> If you elect to burn a bridge, keep the fire contained to be sure it doesn't burn any nearby bridges. |
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Rich Cruse, Photographer
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Laguna Niguel | CA | USA | Posted: 2:38 AM on 07.13.09 |
->> Wikipedia-
Burning Bridges is an expression synonymous to the "Point of no return", typically used when a relationship becomes irreparable. |
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