agaimages

I tottaly agree with you guys! In past (for my fine art photography) I've used film (35mm and medium format) and camera never mattered to me. Ever since I've switched to digial for wedding work, I have been doing more and more fine art photography with my D70 imitating the grainy film look and a lot of people can't even tell, they think my work is still with film. Because I work to produce film like grain and the likes, I can get away with printing larger. It has been fine for me.

However, weddings are much different than personal work. I had another photographer come up with me with a weird grin asking me how am I doing with the D70 and how do I like the outcome (quality wise). I also heard from photographers that they would never take D70 or similar camera to a wedding because they would not trast it and the quality. I wanted to know what other pros had to say about that.

I was just wondering which cameras you use. I am soon to upgrate to

possibly D200 (from D70 which has served me very well, my other

cameras are all film and I used them both for shooting and as back up).

 

I have also had "weird" looks from some photographers that used hi-end

cameras while shooting weddings with my little D70, which I don't

mind, however, it is true that the more "pro" you are, the more money

you make, the better camera you can buy.

 

What is your take on that?

Anybody interested should contact me via E-mail and I'll coordinate. Give me best day and time to meet. AguchaM@yahoo.com

I would suggest you talk to the pro first and see what he/she can do for you. I can't really tell much - you seem happy with the outcome, however 10 key-"must haves" is a lot to be missing. Have you discussed this with your photographer?

Great! Then anyone interested should state where they live and if Manhattan location (a quiet bar or coffee shop) would be good for them. Also, when would be the best time to meet.

 

I'm in Woodside, Queens and can meet weekday evenings or some weekends (depending of course on wedding dates).

I was wondering if anybody would be up for coffee and talk, a group

meeting where we can share experience, album choices, pointers etc.

Just a fun get together to get to know people in the same profession.

I'm not a seasoned pro and open to meeting people in all stages of

business.

 

Could we make it work?

Aga

Here's an update:

 

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00Fnf7&tag=

I need to clarify some things.

Hereﾒs a "story line" of the whole event, so everybody can understand and judge for themselves what happen.

 

Maybe it will help avoid things like that in the future for some.

 

 

*Bride contacts me via E-mail.

She receives information about myself and packages.

She is interested in the "smallest" package. We schedule a date to meet. We meet; she looks at my albums and loves it saying that she had a hard time finding a photographer she liked (?) and chooses a package with the album.

She's really nice and excited. I give her blank copy contract to look over (she does mention that Mr. Lawyer will take a look at it).

I send them, via E-mail, another copy with the specific package included and ask kindly that if there shall be any questions or concerns to contact me for discussion (I always include that along my contract). I receive an E-mail with the changed contract and a message that I might contact them regarding the changes if not she will sign and mail the contract to me.

 

I read the contract and post a question how to deal, nicely and politely with this situation. I receive great support and advice.

 

What I have not mentioned is all the changes they made:

Added one set of prints (unspecified amount and size) to my package at the same price. Then all the things mentioned in my previous post. Also, including change of turnaround dates (cut about 1/3 out of the processing time) but giving me permission if "practically improbable to deliver" at that time, I will not be held financially responsible. So I write that this contract is unacceptable and you know the rest

 

 

I only seen and talked to the bride, the only contact with Mr. Lawyer was the last E-mail he sent me. Havenﾒt seen him, havenﾒt heard him. The bride is the one who I done all the interaction with, thatﾒs why I wanted to know how to handle the whole thing, as I assume the bride had little to do with the contract and probably believed her husband-to-be's intentions were in their best interest. I tried to be super understanding and open about this, I at no point have taken this personally, I was only thinking about not only legal point of view but outcome wise. I want to do great photography and have more than enough great customers I want to concentrate on, rather than going thought all the unnecessary yet very possible stress.

Indeed, I feel lucky and relived! Not to mention I believe that the choice was right on!

So, I exchanged two E-mails with the bride, she definitely wanted to

talk after my first one where I wrote that their demands are

unacceptable to me. I kindly explained to her why I would not be a

good fit for the job and that was it. Until I got an E-mail from the

Mr. Lawyer and I quote: �lol, good luck with you little business�.

That to me says it all�

 

I wanted to thank everyone who helped by giving me advice. You�re

all great and I appreciate the kindness.

Lauren,

That issue is actually understandable; however, it is just the wording and demands of this client expecting me to pay out of my own pocket for another photographer, and be Personally liable for just about anything. Usually, if replacement is available and stated on contract it is within the budget limits of the package purchased, a little over but not at any amount. If client is unhappy with contract, he discusses the possibility of changing it or searches for a photographer that offers it to them.

As stated and understood by limiting liability to money back in case of sickness, is not to have a choice (of backing out at last minute) in case a photographer changes his mind or gets a cold or as you put it �whatever� reason, this is in case of serious illness or death. It can happen but it is very unlikely. This contract basically stated that if I�ll be very sick, or my family member dies, the couple will sue the hell out of me if I�ll be to devastated or sick to find/pay for replacement. This bares no regards for human life. Moreover, I don�t know if a photographer that learns about a tragedy that happened in Bride/Groom�s family or themselves, would not be willing to return deposit or God forbids demand payment for services rendered! This is neither due to legal terms nor business- it is basic humanity.

Mary B. Many thanks! :)))

I don�t know, I don�t think in my case it was the contract itself but the fact that it was changed and stuff was added. Having the best written contract does not save you from such clients that will take it and �tweak� it to their liking. (however, now I�m adding that changes are prohibited and if there shall be a change it will only be done by the Photographer herself)

I indeed, have a rather long contract, starting with the b&g info. Then, what the package entitles the client to (listing of everything that�s included) and in addition a line of what is NOT included (like extra prints). Detailed Copyright. Detailed Limitation of Liability of the Photographer. Time frame of prints, cd, album deliveries.

Signatures of all parties to validate it.

I did not sign anything, I simply forwarded them a copy of *original* contract to look over, stated that if there shall be any questions to contact me and discuss. Then, when they are ready to return signed copy to me. I always strongly state that if there should be any questions or concerns regarding the contract to call me.

Nothing is signed and nothing is final. All I wanted to know is how to politely deal with situations like that. All of you gave me great advice which I'm very thankful for. I had never had similar problem, and this was a first for me. We learn and move on.

The attitude and personality. Some knowledge of photography, eagerness to learn, willingness to train. And the eye, if you are to shoot, which I would definitely allow, to help you grow.

Oh, guys! You're funny! but this is a serious matter. Am I being too nice, too considerate? It isn't about me signing the contract or not, I will not do that, and would never allow anybody changing my contract except a lawyer I write it with. My concern is on how to politely let this couple know that this is out of question with emphasis that I do understand that they are trying to protect themselves.

 

PS. Sorry about occasional errors, I'm writing it all in a hurry.

I really want to be nice, I don't want to offend anybody, especially my clients! I just don't want to get myself involved in something crazy, I'm here to do the job, do the job good not only because I love to do it but my reputation depends on it. I had no problems with my contract in the past, every couple in the past signed it and there was no problems, I stood up to my end each time and they were happy. This is a first for me.

oh, the ceremony is at a church and wedding at a reception hall.

Yeah, I've read that the second time, it was stated in my contract if I become ill or die money will be refunded, so knowing my own wording very well, I assumed it stated the same ...it does not

Ok, so the Groom is a lawer and has changed my contract, to incude

stuff I did not include, such as if in the event that I become

personally ill or die, the full money will be returned they chaneged

it to :

"The Photographer warrants that in the unlikely event of personal

illness or death of a close family member, she will provide written

proof of same and will provide another Photographer, at her own

personal cost, of the same knowledge, skill and ability as herself.

The Photographer will be liable for any payments in excess of this

agreement to said. Further, the Photographer warrants that, in the

unlikely even of severe personal illness or death of a close family

member, any agent, servant or employee performing any part of this

contract will conform to the express terms of this binding agreement."

btw. how can I provide proof of my own death and yet find a

replacement?

 

another thing they added: "The Photographer will be personally liable

for any intentional torts or negligence committed by herself or any

agent, servant or employee. The Photographer will be personally

liable for any property damage and agrees to hold Mr. so and so and Ms.

so and so harmless for any causes of action that arise out of her

conduct or that of her agents, servants or employees. The

Photographer agrees to reimburse Mr. so and so and Ms. so and so for any

legal costs associated with her, or her agent, servant or employee?s

tortuous conduct."

 

What are your thoughts? How to be polite but honest about changing a

contract and just sending back to me? What should be done in such

situations?

On one hand, I understand that they want to protect themselves as

well, just as I did by having a written contract but on the other

hand, I'm curious since I have not seen many photographers taking the

liablity of damaging property etc.

I also have an assistant/2nd shooter. It's great help to get things around for me, to watch equipment, set up equipment, get a different perspective of key shots. It relaxes me more to have someone with there and it realaxes the client to see two cameras working hard.

 

As far as assistants leaving, it's part of busines, we all been there, done that...some took longer, some shorter - it's an individual choice - the only thing that makes me sad is that people not knowing much about photography nor having any talent pick up a camera and think that they can photograph weddings.

I guess I wasn�t clear in my post. In a recent post as to what you give your clients on CD somebody wrote that if a client can�t afford post processing, they get files �unprocessed� and I assume that basic corrections are done but no in depth work in PS is done.

I simply wanted to see the difference in pictures as to �unprocessed� and the �better� files.

I'm curious, in some recent posts people wrote about giving clients

unadjusted files if they could not afford PS work done on them, I

would like to see some examples of the differences, showing one

photograph you give clients that is unadjusted and one that's worked

on. I would love to see the quality change and difference in post

processing.

I'm still waiting (over a month now) for my first asukabook -for that contemporary feel.

Hello,

 

I was wondering what are YOUR album choices that you decided to

include in your packages? Do you have few album choices (between

classical and contemporary, less expensive as to more expensive

etc.)?

Please explain why the choice and what are the differences if any.

How about cover color choices? Did you choose them on basis of YOUR

preference (to fit your style) or what's popular/needed by clients?

Gino, I'm such a big fan of your work. You're one of the people that inspire me!