Finfolk Productions: anyone ordered a tail from them? I just did!

[Mermaid Lorelei]

It might be partially because this is the first year and there wasn't a lot of notice. If they do it again next year, there will likely be more applicants.

[maressa]

Good luck to everyone with entries for the calendar! There's some very beautiful photos in there!

[Merman Arion]

I was surprised there weren't more entries. So many great tails we don't get to vote on

There are some who didn't get permission from their photographer to use the photos for the contest. Copyright issues or something like that. Some who didn't have enough time to have their photos edited. And some who actually forgot lol.


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[maressa]

There are some who didn't get permission from their photographer to use the photos for the contest. Copyright issues or something like that. Some who didn't have enough time to have their photos edited. And some who actually forgot lol.


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Yeah, a lot of photographers take issue with their work being sold and not receiving profit from the sale... so if FF is selling the calendar they likely would refuse the right to the photo. Just professional preference :-/ Regardless, some great photos got submitted and the calendar looks like it will be great!

I'm also excited for T-shirts the sketch they posted a few months back was so beautiful.

[Marlin]

@ Arion- Gotta say- your's came out looking amazing! They were really nice shots.



I'll be honest, I really didn't enter expecting to win, but the exposure is nice. I'm happy to have gotten as many votes as I have.

[Vrindavana Starfish]

Yeah, a lot of photographers take issue with their work being sold and not receiving profit from the sale... so if FF is selling the calendar they likely would refuse the right to the photo. Just professional preference :-/ Regardless, some great photos got submitted and the calendar looks like it will be great!

I'm also excited for T-shirts the sketch they posted a few months back was so beautiful.

Yeah, I think people get confused with copyright. Even if it's your face in the picture, unless you took a selfie, you don't have copyright. The photographer has copyright. You can get a license to use that photo, and usually when you pay a photographer, they include the license for you to use it along with what you paid for their services. The one holding the copyright is the one who should get paid for any reproduction/duplications or profits made from the photo, and the model usually gets paid in a separate contract that doesn't include reproductions or profits from prints, if they get paid at all.

[Marlin]

Yeah, I think people get confused with copyright. Even if it's your face in the picture, unless you took a selfie, you don't have copyright. The photographer has copyright. You can get a license to use that photo, and usually when you pay a photographer, they include the license for you to use it along with what you paid for their services. The one holding the copyright is the one who should get paid for any reproduction/duplications or profits made from the photo, and the model usually gets paid in a separate contract that doesn't include reproductions or profits from prints, if they get paid at all.

The example of this that comes to mind is the guy who lost rights of a photo to a monkey because it was the monkey that took the picture. Full story here: http://www.designntrend.com/articles...opyrighted.htm

[PearlieMae]

Yeah, I think people get confused with copyright. Even if it's your face in the picture, unless you took a selfie, you don't have copyright. The photographer has copyright. You can get a license to use that photo, and usually when you pay a photographer, they include the license for you to use it along with what you paid for their services. The one aholding the copyright is the one who should get paid for any reproduction/duplications or profits made from the photo, and the model usually gets paid in a separate contract that doesn't include reproductions or profits from prints, if they get paid at all.

I think the monkey photo is still in litigation.

When a work (photo) is created, it it's automatically copyrighted by the creator, in this case, the photographer. (It does not have to be registered with the copyright office, but it's a good idea to do so to protect your work.) Just because you are in the photo does not give you the right to publish it. The photographer would have to enter into the agreement with the publisher - in this case Finfolk.

HOWEVER: the photographer can't sell the usage rights to use the image without your signed model release.

[leeloo]

Oy, I'm getting impatient. How long are the wait times for everyone so far? So far mine is over 7 months. I ordered when their wait time was supposed to be 3-4 months, so June/July, then they said I was on for July/August, then by mid October before their move, now its just "very soon." I don't want to keep bothering them but I'm getting very anxious. :/ Haven't seen any progress photos, they said it has been started but I initially needed help with designs and sent some photo inspiration but never saw any mockups or anything so not sure if they've even come up with a design yet. They do such great work so I hate to complain but it is just frustrating that dates being pushed back is a common issue with tail makers. I feel like it would be helpful to hire or consult with someone familiar with growth management. It seems many tail makers take on more than they can handle at a time.

[Mermaid Kelda]

Have you given measurements? Do they know what fluke/scales you want? If so, painting & adding fins and such is the last step of the process, so I can see why they mightn't be in contact much. If not, well, I don't know :\
Either way, updates would be nice, especially when you've waited so long already! I hope they get back to you soon!

[Mermaid Galene]

I'm at about 4.5 months now.

[maressa]

Oy, I'm getting impatient. How long are the wait times for everyone so far? So far mine is over 7 months. I ordered when their wait time was supposed to be 3-4 months, so June/July, then they said I was on for July/August, then by mid October before their move, now its just "very soon." I don't want to keep bothering them but I'm getting very anxious. :/ Haven't seen any progress photos, they said it has been started but I initially needed help with designs and sent some photo inspiration but never saw any mockups or anything so not sure if they've even come up with a design yet. They do such great work so I hate to complain but it is just frustrating that dates being pushed back is a common issue with tail makers. I feel like it would be helpful to hire or consult with someone familiar with growth management. It seems many tail makers take on more than they can handle at a time.

The wait time currently is 7-9 months, I ordered in June and will be getting mine in January (7 months). I was supposed to get it originally in October, then they had so much going on I told them to just not worry about it and finish it whenever so I wouldn't get a rushed tail. I don't think it's a problem for you to contact then and ask questions... as another commented though, make sure you have everything sent in, measurements etc

[Lorelei]

I'm at 9 months now…
I get what you mean about being impatient. >< It's taking everything in me not to message them to ask for an update because I know they were working on moving to their new place yesterday, so it's going to be soon. They still haven't replied to my other few messages I sent the first week of October.
I'm just hoping I'll get it before I leave for home in Cali for Christmas. I won't be able to film an unboxing video if I get it then. So far I haven't gotten anything saying that my tail was even started, so I have no clue where I'm at right now.

[Mermaid Galene]

I know they're busy and they have more clients than they can comfortably accommodate. But really, when clients have each paid you over $1000 as a deposit, I should think sitting down for half an hour every night to answer emails from those customers ought to be a priority.

[Lorelei]

I just got an update and already feel 10X better. My tail will be starting very soon! They're just working hard to get everything back on track after the mess of October.

[maressa]

I do have to agree with Galene on that one... especially when providing an expensive custom service, communication is pretty key... and as Leeloo said maybe some business expansion advice would be helpful for them, especially with the number of new projects they are tackling :-/

[AniaR]

While I agree it's important to get updates I think all tail makers struggle with that when they make these types of tails once they get to a certain point of demand. As much as we want it to be community standard to not have to wait so long for tails and updates, I think the new standard will be 7 months + wait for quality tails, and occasional updates that typically only happen once the tail is being constructed. I always here well such and such a tail maker replies fast and didn't take a long time. Welllll such and such doesnt have a huge demand and doesnt make the best tails, frankly. lol

I think it would be nice if all the tail makers got together in the various categories and agreed upon a standard and put it out there. I know some of the ncmerfolk were hoping to create a sort of contract all tail makers would agree to.

But given finfolk's past history- just like my tail maker- they've never screwed anyone over yet and people come out of it very happy. Sometimes the wait both for tail and communication just is what it is! Since the start of tail making time people who dont make tails always assume they know what's best for those who do and it's just not realistic. e.g. the idea of hiring more people would just make all the problems go away, when really it often creates problems, creates more delays, and creates a lower quality product, or causes miscommunications.

[teeth4u]

In my opinion, just because some of the most successful tail makers have poor communication with their clients does not make that "standard" acceptable. I strongly believe that all tail makers should work on providing a great customer service experience. And that is something that applies to almost all businesses, not just tail making. If it were not for the credibility and quality of their products that many tail makers have, the amount of updates given would be completely unacceptable. I guess that's just part of the deal though when you choose who you want to make your tail.

Personally, I think it is completely unrealistic to have tail makers sign a contract stating a standard of customer service. No other market does this nor would agree to it. Customer service is a part of the product. If you have a problem with a tail maker's service and updates, then you should probably buy from someone else.

[PearlieMae]

Excellent customer service is part of what makes any business competitive. I would say it is it's eventually what can make a potential client choose one business over another. With today's technology, there is no excuse for lack of updates, in my opinion. It only takes a moment to dash off a note anw a cellphone snap.

[teeth4u]

Excellent customer service is part of what makes any business competitive. I would say it is it's eventually what can make a potential client choose one business over another. With today's technology, there is no excuse for lack of updates, in my opinion. It only takes a moment to dash off a note anw a cellphone snap.

Couldn't agree more!!!

And actually creating a "contract" of that type is collusion, which is illegal...