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<p>Hi there!<br /><br />I booked a wedding back in January, I met with the clients for their in person consult a month ago where the work was paid in full and contract was reviewed and signed by all parties. I use a regular second shooter and as outlined in my contract I reserve the right to choose my second shooter if I feel it is required.<br />My clients know the second shooter personally (which is why they got a discount on services in the first place) and agreed on her attending upon signing the contract, days later letting me know they had included a meal for her at the reception as well.<br /><br />2 weeks after that the client calls me telling me her mother (mother of the bride) does not want my second shooter attending because she does not "LIKE" her. I explain that this is who I have worked with for years blahblahblah and hiring someone else will be at an additional cost as her fee is worked into the cost of service already.<br /><br />The client says she just wants me to work alone and is not prepared to pay for anyone else. Then the next day messages me saying that due to "difference of opinion" they want to cancel the contract.<br /><br />Their retainer fee is non refundable and they understand that, however I am now on the hook for still paying my second shooter, in addition I provided gift certificates for their stag and doe (exclusive to CLIENTS only) as well as digital UNPLUGGED file creation to hand out to all their guests. Ironically enough their affiliation with my second shooter saved them $400.<br /><br />Where do I go from here... how do I know what to refund... they want everything but the retainer which won't cover the second shooter services, gift certificate, engagement session and images they have already received. <br />A friend who JUST started working for a lawyer said them refusing my second shooter was a direct breach of contract and nothing should be returned.<br /><br /></p>

<p>Again... Thanks for all your shared comments and thoughts, much appreciated!<br>

<br />"There won't be new clients in the future?"<br>

Absolutely..I obtain new clients consistantly but that doesn't mean they would be able to afford higher pricing, people speak of driving clients away for having a damage clause in my contract...new middle class clients would be driven away from increased rates just the same. It doesn't help that I live in a city that within a 25km radius there are nearly 5000 "photographers" half of which are selling the same "services" I offer for $50 the only difference is the high quality of product/service/experience and talent I bring to the table. However most clients don't seem to know the difference they only see a picture of their child and the flaws are unknown to them, hence why place like Walmart/Sears are still in business.<br />I more than anyone hate that I work 60hrs+ a week, barely see my kids, edit to all hours of the night...I know I should be earning more for what I provide...I do think I will raise them a little for 2012 and take your advice on offering the VIP clients appropriate discounts etc.<br /><br />I have a hard time saying no, being firm and straight forward, upsetting people..I struggle daily with that in the business sense, I take things too personally, I wish I wasn't so willing to give time everytime I am asked to charities like <a href="http://www.nilmdts.org">www.nilmdts.org</a> and <a href="http://www.ronaldmcdonaldhouse.com">www.ronaldmcdonaldhouse.com</a> as it only makes things harder to manage, workflow more sufficating but I also think it is who I am, I like giving even when I don't have 3k on a fly for a lens I want...I am only on year three professionally and I feel I am finding my way....<br /><br />"Having to save three years for a single lens is success?"<br>

Success is not only rated by the amount of money you make...it may be one aspect to it for some but there are many more that I have reached that make me successful. Two years to save for a lens 3000$ lens because as a mom of five I sacrifice, this is my f/t job...I don't have my husbands income to afford me such on the fly purchases..he is home and I work everyday 7 days a week.. my children come first and have luxuries I didn't, a quality of life adventures/fun I didn't, private piano lessons, invisalign braces, tutors, 1,200$ in perscriptions a month...these needs, experiences, memories provided to them are far more important than a lens. So I am far from rich and yes I went without a new winter coat for two years, no bday/xmas exchange from hubby to I, no date nights, no extras for myself and put everything towards saving for a lens I have wanted since I started professionally and then it got broken.<br /><br />You live and you learn...<br /><br /><br /></p>

<p>Yes... I got the lens Wednesday... by closing time that day I had faxed the image, receipt and application. However my broker was not "in" the following two days so, I was told the sent information was not "processed" before the damage occurred therefore; it was not insured.<br /><br />Should I be looking into that more?<br /><br /></p>

<p>Hi Dick... I meant to personally thank you for your previous post and relating to "we all make mistakes"..for sure my camera shouldn't have been at my feet on the floor even in an enclosed area. You live and you learn.<br /><br />My new site is currently being designed as I wanted to ditch flash for more advanced workings that are fluent with mobile use.<br /><br />Thanks again for your positive and helpful comments, much appreciated!</p>

<p>The images are fantastic thanks!<br /><br />Oh and thanks Steve for really addressing the issue...you're the "man"! lmao</p>

<p>Thank you for sharing your thoughts and advice... this was only my 4th wedding and first Crazy Booth..we were supposed to have a separate room to set up and do the booth in but the wedding hall was difficult to work with and wouldn't let us use it on the day of. <br />I did pay by cc I will look into that suggestion for sure, thank you.<br>

I do not bump rates because the 100's of clients who have contributed to my success thus far would no longer be able to afford my services...I wish I could but it doesn't feel right.<br /><br />I saw it coming which is why hired an assistant and have insurance and submitted the required documents the same day I got the lens ...none had been processed by the date of damage.<br /> (which I purchased to use mainly for events and the many charity fundraisers I sponsor or contribute too)<br /><br />A lesson learned...all I can do is start saving again for a new one.<br /><br />Thanks again.</p>

 

<p>I recently shot a wedding for a couple I fell in love with during their engagement session...they had hired & booked another company for the wedding and had engagement images done but were unhappy and came to me on referral.<br /> Despite the fact that their wedding day was the same day as my own planned nuptials I agreed to shoot their wedding as my fiancé and I were already considering eloping instead anyhow.<br /> <br /> Anyways... the wedding was super fun but came with a few incidents that began at 10pm when I was setting up for Crazy Booth with my assistant...the drunk guests kept reaching over our "blocked" off 12x12 area and taking prop items and running off to the dance floor with them...after having to collect items numerous times the guests then began entering the area we had blocked off in order to set up the lighting and props. Several guest were using props, making their pose and asking other guess to use their own camera's to take their images. (breech of contract)<br>

After very calmly explaining to them for the second time that we were trying to get it started and they needed to wait outside of the area for 10 minutes until invited in. (One male guest commented "bitchy bitchy" behind my back after leaving the area - another breech)<br>

I then turned my back to the dance floor housing 80% of the guests and crouched down setting my camera at my feet and began passing items to my assistant to hang on racks. At this time one of the same guests asked to leave 2 minutes earlier stepped through the small opening in between me and the wall landing directly on the front half of my 3 day old Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II.<br>

It took me almost TWO years to save for this lens...despite his 300lb 6ft frame I wanted to hurt him... ;)<br>

I could take no more and spoke directly with the bride and groom who were outraged at their guests disrespect and behaviour...they were very apologetic, sympathetic and spoke directly with the "offenders", all was not perfect afterwards, but independently manageable.<br /> <br /> I did not have a ex-claimer in the my wedding contract for equipment damage ( I do now)<br>

That being said they continuously apologized throughout the remainder of the evening (10pm - 2am) and to my great relief; shortly after the lens being broken the groom approached me and said he would pay to replace the lens; that being said he also had enjoyed quite a few drinks himself so the sincerity/true intent of the offer I am unsure of...they have emailed me a few times while on their honeymoon (they will be returning tomorrow), apologizing and thanking me for doing such a good job, staying despite everything that happened but no mention about the lens since that night (2 weeks ago)<br>

Deciding that I would exhaust all other options to replace the lens first rather than possibly causing tension between myself and my clients I proceeded to inquire/make a claim with my insurance company to no avail.<br /> I have itemized contents insurance and liability...the lens being only a few days old had not been registered, filed and approved for singular coverage so my claim was denied.<br /> <br /> I am looking for opinions on how to proceed from here...this is my full time business, I work long long hours as this is my only income to support my household of 7 so this kind of money was not easily saved, nor can funds just be obtained to just buy a new one.<br /> <br /> I am not even sure how I should approach/word an email or conversation with the clients to take them up on the offer if that is the route I decide to go...<br>

What do you think, thanks in advance for your time!<br /> <br /></p>