Help- wedding next week and client won't return calls!

<i>but the bride has yet to provide me with a venue name or address or even her home address.</i>

 

<p>Wait a minute.</p>

 

<p>For all the "well you don't have a signed contract" and "go above and beyond the call of duty" suggestions... just how the hell is the OP supposed to do anything without even knowing <b>WHERE TO SHOW UP</b> to even start taking any bloody pictures? If you go to court on this, no judge that doesn't belong in the loony bin will fault you for not showing up when you don't even have a freaking address. This wasn't even a gig to begin with; stop wasting your time worrying about it and look for something better elsewhere.</p>

Do you NEED these pictures for your portfolio? If so, then it's entirely up to you whether or not to shoot the wedding. Don't feel badly about walking away from this situation. It's the bride's responsibility to get you the information you need (which she failed to do), sign the contract (which she failed to do), and arrange the details of her own freaking wedding (which she is clearly not doing well). None of this is your fault.

 

I would also add that the $50.00 is better than nothing, but will barely cover your gas getting back and forth (depending upon the mileage you get). In the future, you might want to consider at least having your expenses covered when you do a "nice" for someone. That's more than reasonable, IMO.

 

I'll be interested to hear how this situation plays out...

 

Lisa

My contract is heavily based on the Student Photographic Society sample wedding contract. It's very straightforward, 1 page, information form on the front, terms of agreement on the back. The only thing I can think of her objecting to is the copyright information. I have a separate model release form based on the one from SPS that I also sent to her.

 

I can understand what Jeff is saying about me going from the $50 bargain to being too business-like and how it seems shady.

 

I'm not too concerned about this anymore. I'm happy with the photos I have thus far, I have 2 more weddings booked this month, and I have 4 next year, all at a much higher price than $50. I think I'm fine with my portfolio.

 

I sent her an email and called her explaining that I need the contract/wedding info and that if she doesn't reply by Wednesday, the deal is off. I'm not bothering with trying to get a hold of her anymore. If she still wants me, she can run after me herself.

RUN AWAY!!!! If she is this bad now just imagine during and after the photos!

don't waste your time.

Fareine, just to add, if I was the client, I would be thinking why is she so aggressive about contacting me, and why is she so adamant about getting that contract signed for fifty lousy bucks? Red flag!

 

Even though that client is missing out on a tremendous deal because she's not sure if it's legitimate, she really is being a smart consumer, or at the very least a consumer not willing to take, what she perceives to be, a risk.

You were a little vague about the copyright issue in your contract. Is it possible that she thinks that you'll charge an astronomical amount for the pictures? Your website looks good, probably adding to the confusion.

One wonders if she is doing this too to a catering outfit; the flower shops; rentals too. If she wont return your calls just give her warning in writting that you will not be there. Alot of time has already been spent; wasted with no real income produced. If you dont have a physical address to send a written decline then leave a message by phone; fax and emails to cover your rear. Terminate the bad fouled client who has passed up the deadline; cut your losses and run like bloody hell. To shoot a wedding one often wants to reduce risk; study the lighting; the layout; where the heck it is; what type of event. A last minute thing adds massive stress and more risk; it also blocks out out time for other work or personal stuff.

A situation like this is abit of a train wreck; or a engine outage around V1 and V2 during takeoff.; or running a yellow light. Normally a scheme of deposits is done so you as a shooter get something if they weasel out. They need time to find another shooter; your time is wasted as the wedding date grows near; you get stressed when you should have a logical fault tree to move on. Heck maybe the wedding wont really happen either. In Wisconsin a buddy of mine always had an idling hot car ready that was running during the wedding; in case the groom needed to escape quickly before the knot/noose :) happened. This tradition went on thru each buddys wedding; the car with the deep cam rumbing away.

i'll donate $50 if we can delete this thread!

OP wrote: "I will not reserve a date for them until they fill out and sign my contract"

 

Add: "and send me a non-refundable deposit of 33% (or whatever you decide)" and you will have learned your lessons... time to move on.

There can only be one thing worse than shooting this wedding and dealing with her afterwards - just imagine, you could be the groom... Ha, sorry - I just could not resist!

Send her a bill for $50 for time already taken ! You definitely wont be doing the wedding! and also send her a new invoice with $500 and say you forgot the last zero before when you originally quoted.

In the future, just make it VERY clear that you are a first-come, first-served business, and without the contract and retainer

the date is not yet theirs. This is the only way to keep your business running without going absolutely crazy. :) If you give

someone a deadline for receiving their contract by mail, then you need to stick with it. If you can't stick to your policies,

your clients won't either. :) It's BUSINESS. Just like a business "mistake" could be deadly for your own business, the

"mistake" of a client not returning her photographer's phone calls or taking seriously the need for a contract could mean the

client loses her date. I find that there is a huge gap between "mistakes", and complete irresponsibility and disrespect. You

can set the precedent for both. Hang in there! :)

I had my own business for 30 years (electrical contractor) and I'm telling you from expierence, just forget this client and move on! It isn't often that you'll come across one like this but it does happen. I lay odds that even if you did the job, she would complain about something else and probably would not reccomend you to someone else anyway. Don't work so cheap! Your time is worth much more than the $50 you were going to charge. A customer may get the feeling that your not professional because your rate was so low. Charge what you feel your worth and don't give any discounts. If your good, the word will get around and you'll get plentyof work. I never had to advertise in all those years and often had to turn away work. Good luck!!

I don't shoot weddings, so I have no wisdom to continute, but after reading the thread I am curious how this

wedding will turn out. The greatest value of shooting the wedding will probably not be developing your portfolio, but might the stories you'll

have to tell. Good luck.

As far as I understand things you currently do not know where the wedding is taking place. Do yourself a huge favor and keep it this way.

 

Good luck

Hi,

I would just let it be. I also have recently started out in this industry and have done alot of weddings at that price... just so I can build a portfolio up FAST. I have never dealt with a client such as that...so it really doesn't have to do with the price. You did as much as you could and you have not only left voicemails but also left messages. I think she just changed her mind and didn't let you know. Hope this helps you out.

Let's get this right. 3 hours driving each way, 6 hours shooting and let's say 3 hours post production = 15

hours......for $50!! If she's not prepared to treat you with the utmost of respect for your services at $3.33 per

hour, then you must show yourself the respect you deserve.

 

Time to send her that registered 'no-thanks' letter.

 

Regards

"Let's get this right. 3 hours driving each way, 6 hours shooting and let's say 3 hours post production = 15 hours......for $50!! If she's not prepared to treat you with the utmost of respect for your services at $3.33 per hour, then you must show yourself the respect you deserve"

 

Don't forget gasoline.

Jeffrey, while it's nice to be in here sniping on the client's behalf, I don't lift a finger without a contract, even for friends. Doesn't matter if it's a $0 or $4000 wedding. Every friend I have done a favor for receives that contract with my statement that "this helps both of us to understand what is required of each party, and protects both of us in case there is a problem". That contract also includes a release that allows me to use their photos for promotional/portfolio purposes, as well as a limitation of liability due to malfunction or circumstances beyond my control (like, for example, a bride that refuses to let me know where the bloody event is taking place).

 

In this case, the OP has done an excellent job by demanding a signed contract. Usually, when a client "doesn't like something" in a contract, it's a misunderstanding of what that section means. If it isn't a misunderstanding, both parties can sit down and figure out if there is an amendment that will serve the interests of both parties. If not, you go your happy way.

 

Insinuating that a contract isn't necessary for a $50 wedding is silly, considering that damages could well exceed thousands of dollars in the event there is a mishap, misunderstanding, or other issue that could have been covered by the contract. Additionally, folks are very litigious, and not having an instrument that can be presented in a legal setting can cost you a lot more than the $50 you lost to a problem client.

 

Some friends are only friends until the rent comes due.

Well techinically she is not your client without payment or a contract. Leave it be. If she calls you back and wants to move forward, great. But right now it seems you have done more than enough

I hope things all worked out and you had some kind of communication with her. People are so strange when it comes to weddings and contracts, much less when you put the two together. Hopefully you will have better experiences your next time around!

It's a bummer we haven't heard how this situation resolved itself. Just wondering...

The weekend isn't over yet...