kevin cook - stratford upo

I only release the images to everyone once the couple have seen them whether they have chosen or not. They can then spend time choosing for their album whilst others can order if they wish.

Seems odd. If I go to a wedding as a guest I prefer the eat and drink option! Having to watch everyone else enjoy themselves whilst shooting weddings - if I get the chance to let my hair down I do it! I take a 20D with pop up and join the rest of the guests!

 

There can be only one!

I would agree with David unless you are very nearby in which case contact the event manager and introduce yourself, she'll have a timetable etc. Otherwise a phone call to her/him as coutesy.

All contracts have a cooling off period, the length depends on how the serviice is sold. On line it's 7 days, in your home its 14 days. The recent case was about provision of catering for a wedding (i.e a service) so I would think photographic contracts should state the same in the UK. I'm not sure about a wedding booked today for next week. I'd expect full payment now, non refundable, no cooling off, but I don't know where the law would stand.

"I will transition over to the formals and will educate them how important formals are especially for the other people in a wedding than the bride & groom."

 

I'd just like to pick up what Bill correctly said. Mum's bought a new hat, Dad's spent money on suits etc etc, they like formals which is why I always say to couples who want PJ style about 'formal groups' by which I mean photographs with family and friends together not necessarily 'lined up'. Sorry that you didn't get this opportunity.

Just as an addition, following a recent case the regulation 'cooling off' period applies to such contracts meaning that a client may change her mind for a full refund inside 14 days from signature. I didn't know that!

I'm in the UK and you must get a contract, There are versions out there but I'd be happy to e-mail mine to you if you drop me an e-mail first.

 

The rise in litigation in this country and the ease of access to the small claims court makes firming up any agreement with a signed contract dealing with the obvious ones such as deposits, final payment cancellation etc as well as force majeure.

 

Think about deposits especially as they are usually the sums affected most. Make it clear there is no refund, then in exceptional circumstances you have the decision not them.

 

I've been photographing weddings for years and have had two cancellations, one very late recently and without a contract I'd have had a hard time of it.

uWe've been here many times before and it's always the same isn't it? Some 'give the money back' others 'never!' Why ask for a retainer if you are willing to give it back? I agree with the three 'd's although a case a year or two in the UK got national press when a photographer refused a refund following the sudden death of the groom a month before, so not eveyone supports the 3 'd's it seems (UK)! He suddenly changed his mind after featuring on the BBC though!

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/5143358.stm

 

This case though isn't about that the bride changed the date and that's that.

Yes you really ought to join an association. The SWPP specializes in weddings and is reasonable pricewise 99 pounds annually but that also buys monthly magazines and discounted insurances etc.

 

I don't do pre-arranged portraits at weddings and have never lost business by stating that. I stress that I want to cover the wedding but am happy to include such shots' on the fly' during the day, time permitting.

 

I wouldn't refund. We know here in the UK some people will try anything to cut costs. If they are serious then they will go through the small claims court where you can present your case, that way it costs very little and is sorted out. Let us know what happens?

SCAM

 

Falls down in oh so many areas. Society style wedding with two weeks left to look for a photographer/car etc (this is designed to put you under pressure and get greedy)

Why should a Charity be paying for a private wedding?

Not even the best organisers could get that lot done in two weeks!

Makes it worse that they are using a special needs charity.

 

SCAM

Oh and another thing, since most scams use on line databases for the multiple transmission, in answering you will confirm your e-mail is valid and live, this will be sold on.

The usual next part is to send a cheque for more than the agreed amount with a request that you deposit the balance in another account, of course the cheque bounces and you are out of pocket. Also who looks for a photographer with just a few weeks to go? I get 2 a day very annoying!

 

Also check out the appalling English!

How're you ?

my son will be getting married to her bride

how much it's will cost

 

I'd guess Nigerian.

In the UK (and I would think it's the same in most places a contract is between two (or more) people whi each have there responsibilities defined in the contract written down spoken. The bride's is to pay you whatever is specified by the time specified your's is to photograph her wedding. If she breaks the contract first (as she has done) then your responsibility is null and void.

 

But a couple of things - get your current contract tightened up, I always insist on total payment 8 weeks prior anyway BUT she may be having problems and issues - talk to her.

The problem is always that web sites are a matter of personal opinion. I think there are too many images and it would take too much time to trawl through them so why have them? The blog likewise, too much information. The gallery was slow to load even on broadband, but this could be just me.

The work is good and attractive.

As the blog loads the home menu again I didn't realise there was more and I need to scroll down.

IMHO only :-)

My initial advice is that they know that they have different heights. They know perfectly well that this will show and, in many cases, want it and expect it.

 

If there are stairs then you can position the groom lower down arm out holding the bride's hand as if to lead her down. The groom behind but to one side will also help, but please remember they know and maybe even celibrate their difference! I'm 6 feet 2" and my wife is 5 feet 4 and I love the wedding photographs as I know my wife does with me towering over her!

 

Expressions are the key! There's nothing better than a loving bride looking up into her new husband's eyes (so it's old fashioned!)

I have to agree with Gwen, you can get the range in the UK from SWPP recommended supplier, Maple Framing but they are much more expensive than Photovalue (shipping included). Italian leather and they are truly superb. Photovalue offer a full set of inserts free on their Gubbio range from ?125 ex vat.

They come in a presentation box for you can get a superb leather case for ?35. Look them up on the net.

I had a similiar situation with an Asian wedding where there was a 50/50 split between dark and light skinned guests with a bright sun (rare in the UK). I underexposed mainly in RAW and then adjusted back at the studio. Worse still many of the white wedding party members were bald which didn't help with reflections!

I'm constantly surprised that these people don't employ someone who can actually write English! Nigerian in origination I expect as most of these scams are. Don't respond even in a fun way as they then sell your address on as a 'confirmed' live e-mail.

 

I love Scotland by the way!

'Bartering' is becoming more popular in the UK especially in rural areas and I've had the opportunity before. The problem with no payment is that you are subject to the whims of your partner in the agreement.I assume neither was there a contract? Either way this happens in the normal way too. I believe you should be direct.

 

Say that you had heard that she didn't like the images as much as you thought, be diplomatic. It's unlikely that she will continue expressing her opinion for long.

 

You have probably lost your design work though.

How do you know they haven't paid to use the music? How do you know its still under copyright (laws vary from country to country)?

I proof to the internet in 5 days along with a password but it's 10 days for 6 x 4s this is usually more than enough given the honeymoon but couple like to log in from their hotels sometimes!

I've just moved across country (UK) and so have had to farm out this years weddings to colleagues as the cost of a round 300 mile trip with overnight would not be worth it. So I'm starting again but will have to compete fairly aggressively so may have to take the hit of higher petrol/gas and everything else until I get established.

 

The next review of wedding venues includes 'home' weddings so councils may lose this nice little earner anyways. They tend to be picky on what shots you can take etc and vary widely across the

UK. Maybe one day the photographer will organise the venue!

I sometimes gather them together and then just before taking the shot tell them they all look like they are at a cadet review - the relaxed laughter always work or you could take a 'formal' and then as they break up simply shout "hang on not yet" and they all turn from different angles, makes a great informal 'formal' shot!

John, I'm not so sure about it not being his work. If you take a photograph then whichever way you look at it you took the photograph. Whether someone else posed it is irrelevant in UK law. If he suggests in some way that he posed the picture when he didn't then that would be actionable. If the Prime Minister comes out of No 10 and some pap shouts "hold it the Gordon!" and I also take a picture -who's work is it?

 

Every man and his dog has got a camera these days and they are getting better and better but the chances of the B&G ever seeing them is practically zero and those that do make the grade only 14% are ever printed.

 

If this guy actually infringes the law then take him down but life is a bit too short I think. :-)

In the UK for sure this would be investigable as fraud/tax evasion. Our tax authorities take a very dim view of contracts between siblings subsequently out sourced - I know I've had those discussions. They define a wedding present as a gift and if the bride's your sister they'd certainly ask a couple of questions over here. It could be a tax business charge providing you could prove that it was solely for business purposes, which you can't. That I suspect would be the UK view (if caught that is - and that's another matter!)