What to do when client is a no show?

[song4themoon]

What do you do if a client is either way late or just doesnt show all together for a portrait session?

I am sitting here waiting for a client that had an appt 1 hour ago that she had confirmed. I called and left a message.

What do you do in situations like that? Do you charge extra? If so how do you enforce that? I am unsure how to react in case she calls and wants to reschedule

[mbze430]

If she's your client... as in, she paid you? I usually charge a 10% non-refundable sitting fee. Meaning that if they don't show you keep 10%. Or you ask for the 10% deposit prior to the shooting date. this makes them think twice before doing a "no show"

I take tardiness very seriously. If a model do not show up at my shoot on time, and 15mins late. I tell her to go home, and cancel the shoot, or reschedule. I just don't have the time to deal with people that can't be professional about their career.

[song4themoon]

My portrait shoots are paid right at the shoot. So she did not pay me yet.
Most of my portraits seem to be booked fairly last minute (less than a week in advance) and that makes it hard to get a deposit first... any idea how to solve this?

[SuzyView]

That's a tough one. If the excuse was a good one, I'd say forgive them, but maybe starting today, tell them there is a $50 charge for your time even for no-show. I think not calling is worse than being late.

[song4themoon]

yeah thats what I just told my husband I would do but he made a good point by asking how I would enforce this... just hope they pay? There isnt really a way unless its paid before the shoot I guess.

[mbze430]

you have to think of it as a profession. Not just because they have a good excuse. Anyone can make up a good excuse. This is a business, treat it as one. Are you here to make money? Considering this is the "pro" session, I will assume you want to make money, and not to this for "fun". If you want to do this as fun, state it. And move this thread to "Talk about Photography".

To resolve your problem. Tell your future clients that you are booked, and you need schedule them 4-5 days in advance, and you need a deposit. Have them come in to talk over the shoot in to regards what they want done, and talk about details. In the end of your pre-session, ask for the 10% deposit.

[SuzyView]

Maybe when you initially meet with them or talk to them on the phone, tell them they have to write you a check or give you some kind of payment as a deposit. If they don't show up, you have the right to keep the deposit.

[tim]

I'd charge a non-refundable retainer as well (not a deposit).

[defordphoto]

What do you do if a client is either way late or just doesnt show all together for a portrait session?

Everything that the previous posts mention are valid. However, what did the contract that you and the client signed state?

Was there a contract? Was there a deposit? Non-refundable? Verbal agreement?

[bolantej]

a little late, but you might have to just chalk this one up as experience and make sure it is taken care of next shoot. Good luck.

[song4themoon]

I only have contracts and ore meetings with clients for weddings as we are talking about money here (even though I still only charge a third from others in this area since I have much less experience)
However my portrait prices right now are so little that its not worth the trouble yet to do pre meetings and all... at least so I thought

[Longwatcher]

if you had an agreement for time and payment, then I would send a bill for at least the time portion of the photoshoot itself (not for editing or equipment). There is at least a chance they will respond in that case.

Be polite and if they pay for the time then reschedule if they want, if they don't pay then at least you tried and maybe made a point to them that you are a professional photographer.

They may have a legitimate excuse (such as car accident) in which case reschedule if they want as good customer relations.

just my opinion,

[mjordan]

It's the cost of doing business. It doesn't matter what you say in your contract, what you say you will hold back if they have left a deposit (and there are those that will take you to court over $20 non-refundable deposit too that they feel they should get back), or what arrangemetns you make before hand. There are going to be times that they don't show or are late. Not everyone has the same time clock that some of us have or the feeling of importance on keeping schedules or commitments. That's just the way it is. Unless you are going to keep regular business hours, where at closing time you can lock the doors and put out the "Closed" sign, there are going to be times when you are going to be left waiting. This is why so many businesses over book or make you come early and then sit waiting for them to finish with 3 clients that were there ahead of you.

The best thing to do is assume your client is going to be late and have some other productive work that you can do while you are waiting. After you have done this for awhile, you will get a feel for who will probably be on time and who won't be. You will also get a general idea of who is probably going to be a no-show. And if it's couples, one will probably make the other late. It is irratating at times. But it really is part of running a business that depends on customers to come to you. And if they do finally show up, it's not going to do any good to let them know you are mad about it either. Just go as if that was the time you were scheduled, if you have time, or if not, reschedule.

Mike

[song4themoon]

Thanks everyone