katrin_d.

<p>No. My photos are what reminds them of their wedding day, not a photo of me holding a camera or doing something else noteworthy ;-)</p>

<p>What lead to frustration and anguish in this case was a contract that didn't spell out copyrights and usage rights. Plain and simple. I can't really believe that this issue was not discussed between the photographer and the client - most people that meet with are very clear about what they want in terms of a desired end-result (files on DVD, albums etc.) and I'm very specific about that in my contract. If you have a muddy agreement to begin with, experiences like this one will continue to be an issue.</p>

<p>Check to see what's in your contract - if he gave you a limited release to print and share for private purposes, then you're good to go and have an album printed. Copyright printed on the photos doesn't mean anything - or lack thereof, it comes down to what is spelled out in your contract. In the US, copyright automatically lies with the photographer the second the image is created - unless he transfers it to you in writing, meaning you would own the rights to the photos. Seeing that you're no longer on speaking terms and are out the money for the album, put your demand for a refund in writing.</p>

<p>1) Enough to make it worth your while. If it's more of a pain in the butt to fix their stuff or not being able to fix it due to technical/artistic issues, it's probably not worth it.<br>

2) Depends on their experience level. I don't see much of a point in keeping them close by - I'd rather go for a completely different angle.<br>

3) Paid if the couple requests a second shooter.<br>

4) Always.<br>

As for the OT comments, at least you haven't been advised to purchase a photo.net membership for the privilege to ask questions. ;-)</p>

<p>20% to reserve the date, the remaining 80% the day of. I adopted this system since I didn't want to deal with reminding people to send in the remaining balance X days before the wedding, the current system makes it much easier and I haven't run into any issues as of now. That being said, no work leaves the house until the check for the remainder clears.</p>

<p>Do you have a work visa/permit for the US?</p>

<p>My answer is always no. My name will be associated with the final product and I don't know what they're going to turn it into and who is going to see it and assume it was me who edited the files. Booray makes a valid point as well but I think we all draw the line of what we will and will not do somewhere and that's the one I have drawn for myself - no unedited files leave the house and if I shouldn't be able to book that date, I'll be enjoying that one rare Saturday off.<br>

Just out of curiosity: have you asked them why they want the unedited files? To save money, to put their own creative touch on them or have somebody else do it?</p>

<p>Yes! My worst nightmare is when I open my camera bag, all my equipment is still at home but I brought my animals along instead. The other one is me getting lost on the way to the ceremony, the cell phone fails, a tire falls off the car, I finally get there and everybody already left.</p>

<p>I take it your contract doesn't specify that couples can only post your photos in combination with your name/website? Not sure about this case but for future reference, you could provide couples with low res. files of their images that include your logo and have the contract stipulate that only those watermarked files can be posted online.<br>

One other idea: since you're friends on Facebook, why don't you simply comment on the first one of your photos and say "Congratulations again, it was a pleasure being your wedding photographer .... signed your name, studio name & studio's website".</p>

<p>If I understood the original post correctly, this was not about providing guests with info about the online gallery, info in the program or leaving cards in a 'central' area with all the other vendor's cards.<br>

<strong>Plenty of well-meaning misinformation in this thread. </strong><br>

Misinformation would be stating a <strong><em>fact</em></strong> incorrectly. People here are stating their opinion of what's common in their area, particular venues and how they feel about leaving cards on guests tables so I'm surprised to see this statement. While we can agree or disagree with the practice of leaving cards on the table, it's not misinformation.</p>

<p>I find it tacky, personalized photo or not. As Mark said, I'm there to photograph the couple's wedding, not to plug my business. Sign-in books, mattes with the couple's engagement photo also don't have my information next to them. If a guest asks, I'll happily give them a business card when I have a minute. If they like the photos later on, they'll ask the couple who the photographer's name was anyway.</p>

<p>This is going to sound nitpicky but you want to spell check the site. On your pricing section, it currently reads "wedding coverage start at ...", should be "start<strong>s</strong>". I'm completely clueless what I should expect from a "complete collection". Albums? Prints?<br>

Also, the meta description for your "james" page reads "james hong perpixel photo wedding photographer" and yet, the text on the page reads "we". Do I get you when I book with perpixel or somebody else?</p>

<p> </p>

<p>I don't know. I want clients to refer me because I did a good job, not because I offered them an incentive. As Jake already said, most happy clients will rave about your work anyways and you'll know that they're doing it because they want to (might not make a huge difference to some folks but how do you know as the couple that it's an honest recommendation when money/spa package is involved). Also, a general "refer me to a friend" is too broad if you want to go with what you have in mind. What if they send the friend your way and you guys don't click, or if you don't want to shoot their wedding or if you're already booked. Then what? Worst case scenario, it looks like you're trying to wiggle your way out of the referral "bonus". Just something to keep in mind.<br>

I've had to re-locate my business multiple times due to us moving, first from Germany to Los Angeles, then from Los Angeles to Boston and then from Boston to a tiny town in Vermont, each time starting from scratch. I've placed ads in the local papers, attended local bridal fairs, met with vendors, mentioned to anybody and everybody that I was a photographer everywhere the topic of "what do you guys do for a living" came up and that resulted in enough "buzz" as it were to keep me steadily booked. Then again, I'm always happy to meet new folks so I became friends with the local bank manager, the local gas/rest stop owner (which is "the" place to stop by in this neck of the woods) and other people so when people are now looking for a wedding photographer and ask any of them, they'll happily send them my way. No money exchanging hands.</p>

<p>Nope, you're not suffering from a bout of dyslexia or early dementia. Mods can change your username, I think Nadine did it once for me.</p>

<p>What Philip said. My phone is on vibrate but my family will not call unless it is a life and death emergency (I also demand that no dangerous activity such as my husband cutting down trees, re-siding the house etc. take place while I'm gone). I once took PTO (employed at that point) when my husband called me at work to report that our first dog had gotten stung by a bee and had a severe allergic reaction. I raced home to be there as well. In retrospect, one of us going to the ER with her would have been sufficient but you learn that as they get older. ;-)</p>

<p>I wouldn't lump anybody offering a CD as opposed to offering albums/prints into the "churn & burn" category. It's actually quite disrespectful and insulting to any professional wedding photographer whose business model deviates from the traditional model where studios kept the negatives.<br>

Errol, why not offer a package with files on CD and see how it goes? If you want to have some control over the quality of the prints clients make, why not get a pro account with SmugMug or similar site where you can set your print prices and set up a gallery for each client so they can send the link to family and friends? I also found that once clients have the files, they still go ahead and order prints/gallery wraps/albums from me down the road because it's something they want to get, not because it's the only option I offer. Makes sense?</p>

<p>For now: see what you can salvage and tell the couple the truth. Offer a refund, throw in a wedding album - whatever it takes since you clearly botched it. Sorry to sound so harsh but this is why you don't skimp on equipment or back-up.<br>

It's a wedding and nothing is ever on time so you should have taken the falling light into consideration. It's not the minister's fault. Don't rely on anybody telling you "It will be fine". You're responsible for checking the lighting situation and planning ahead i.e. look at the sunset time for the day of shooting at the location. The 18-135 f4.5 is too slow for those conditions and the 2nd camera should have had a flash. In short: plan for the worst case scenario and bring appropriate gear.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>You need a back-up body.</p>

<p>Good grief, what's your profit margin? In any case, you don't specify what the bride demanded in her last email - did she actually request a refund? You have hopefully kept all correspondence (bride approving of final album layout, finish, photo selection) so stand your ground firmly and politely. I'm all for making clients happy but the reality is that some people will never be happy, some people might try to squeeze you like a lemon and will take a yard if you offer an inch. In my humble opinion, you've already given a mile. Write a short and sweet email, tell her that you're sorry that she feels disappointed and tell her you'd be happy to design another album for both of them at the additional cost of XYZ.</p>

<p>Never had a bridezilla in 15+ years. I've had a couple of very "determined" brides that one may call high strung but I've never had problems with any of them. However, I'm seeing plenty of mom-zillas as of lately and those appear to be on the rise.</p>

<p>Nothing to add really, as I never saw the need for a fish eye but I do want to say that I absolutely love Joey's second pic and Melissa's photo - the lines are gorgeous. Makes me want to at least rent one for now ... ;-)</p>

<p>Just out of curiosity as I'm looking at my calendar - does anybody have a wedding scheduled for 9/11? Despite living in major foliage territory (Northern Vermont), this is the only weekend date still available so I'm guessing I might as well take a short vacation myself as I wouldn't want to have it as my wedding date but others might have a different opinion?<br>

For those of you who have been working in the US longer than I have, does this date ever book?</p>

<p>Amazing how fast google works - a link to this post already appears on page 1 when searching for the photographer's name.<br mce_bogus="1"></p>

<p>I'm lucky enough to <strong><em>not</em> </strong> have the overhead of a studio front and also lucky enough to own a home in an area that doesn't have any zoning nor building/renovation/add-on-structure regulations whatsoever. That being said, one of the rooms of the house has a separate entrance and is the studio space and also where I meet with clients. Can't give you an estimate on costs as my husband builds everything I need. We've been thinking about converting our rather large 2-story garage to expand the studio space but then decided to rather keep the garage in terms of home value and practicality (we're in Northern Vermont and need the garage in the winter to actually park the cars) so we'll be building a "photo barn" on the property at some point in the future. But that's just my specific case.</p>

<p>Quite honestly, you lost me. Why don't you let us know what you paid, what you received, what you perceive to be the problem with what happened, if what was delivered (# of images) was part of your contract and what your actual question is? Why would the opinion of a photographer who didn't quote what you paid or doesn't live/work in NYC be less valid?<br>

As far as negatives/all files released are concerned: hell no. One example of a recent wedding: the bridesmaides looked less than thrilled during the ceremony and mom was texting. While the pictures may have been good from a technical/artistical standpoint, the bride never got to see them. It comes down to this: couples trust me to photograph their wedding and trust me to select the photos<em> <strong>I</strong> </em> deem good enough to represent their day and my name<em>. </em> Why release 200 mediocre photos when you can deliver 100 spectacular images?<br>

It doesn't matter if you paid me 1,000 or 10,000 Dollars or ordered X-amount of prints/albums/gallery wraps - it's a matter of quality and reputation so nothing I wouldn't put on my website/blog myself ever goes to clients.<br>

<br /> <em><br /> </em></p>