
25/08/2025
When a photography business overrides its own policies, it can create short-term convenience but long-term risks. Here are some of the key risks:
Loss of Professional Credibility
If you keep bending your rules for clients (e.g., extending deadlines, waiving deposits, or giving extra edits for free), clients may no longer take your policies seriously.
It makes your business look inconsistent and unprofessional.
Client Manipulation and Unfair Demands
Once clients realize policies can be negotiated away, some may push for more exceptions (free reshoots, discounts, extra prints, faster delivery).
This creates unfairness for other clients who follow the rules.
Financial Loss
Policies are designed to protect your income (e.g., cancellation fees, deposit requirements). Ignoring them can lead to frequent cancellations, late payments, or clients backing out without compensation.
Burnout and Workflow Problems
Overriding editing timelines or delivery schedules can overwhelm your workload.
You may end up rushing jobs, lowering quality, or delaying other client projects.
Legal and Copyright Issues
If you bend rules on image rights (e.g., letting clients use unlicensed images commercially), it may weaken your legal protection in case of disputes.
Inconsistent enforcement makes it harder to defend your rights in court.
Damage to Brand Reputation
Clients talk. If one gets extra privileges, others may expect the same, or feel cheated if they don’t.
This can harm your brand image and client trust.
I might be wrong, let me know your opinion.