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View Full Version : What to do? CRAZY lady wanting me to take her photos..


badrotation
30th of September 2006 (Sat), 12:50
Early this past spring, a lady contacted me wanting me to shoot her wedding in early October. We discussed some basic packages, and pricing, but she wanted a custom package, but did not know what she wanted. I told her to figure out what she wanted, and then to contact me ASAP to book the event.
Well, the entire summer passes, and I did not hear a single word from her. Thinking she went with someone else, I shrugged it off, and didn't worry about it anymore. Yesterday I get a call, and she wants me to be at her wedding next week. We still have not went over what kind of prints she wants, or even how much this would cost yet. No contracts have been signed, and there has been very little contact.

What should I do? I really do not want to shoot this wedding. I never even agreed to do it, and first time we talked, I set the prices so high, I did not think any logical person would accept, especially from a photographer with little wedding experience.

I have very little experience with wedding pictures (though I do quite a few senior pictures), and feel very uncomfortable shooting weddings, especially with only a weeks notice. I let her know when we first spoke that I was very uncomfortable doing weddings.

Her brother is a volunteer where I work (even though he only comes in once every couple months, and he is the one that told her to come to me.) I just dont know how to turn them down politely on such short notice without setting this lady and her brother off. The better side of me is making me think that I should be somewhat obligated to do it, since I dont know how the hell they will get someone else on such short notice. But at the same time, I know if I do it, I am basically setting myself up for failure.


I do have experience with portraits, and senior pictures (and actually have three more shoots in the next two weeks.) The people have been nothing but pleased with the results, but weddings are just on a whole different level, and VERY stressful. I would prefer just to stay away from them.

What the heck should I do? She never gave me her phone number (I dont know why she refused to give it to me), and I have no way to contact her.

MagicallyDelicious
30th of September 2006 (Sat), 12:51
Do you know any other wedding photograpghers you could maybe pass her onto?

So your not leaving her hight & dry?

You need to tell her exactly what you have wrote her. She didnt give you enough time to prepare for the wedding my leaving too late.

badrotation
30th of September 2006 (Sat), 12:55
Do you know any other wedding photograpghers you could maybe pass her onto?

So your not leaving her hight & dry?

You need to tell her exactly what you have wrote her. She didnt give you enough time to prepare for the wedding my leaving too late.

I have already tired to pass her on to others, including the first time we talked (We have only spoken with each other twice, once in the early spring, and once yesterday). She refuses to go with anyone else for unknown reasons.

THis whole situation has me extremely frustrated, and stressed out.

leenorman
30th of September 2006 (Sat), 12:55
you could sub contract it to another photographer at a lower price and still make some money

cosworth
30th of September 2006 (Sat), 13:03
Yup. Show up at the wedding. Take some pics and let the other guy who IS comfortable with weddings and/or needs to do more or needs cash.

ssim
30th of September 2006 (Sat), 13:40
I must say that I am impressed. We see allot of posts the other way around where someone is doing the wedding knowing full well that they are not ready. I give you full marks for this part.

It sounds like you just have to get forceful and very very direct or become very underhanded and lie somewhat. It is amazing how some people just won't take no for answer. Perhaps you need to just tell her, you better book someone else because I won't be there. Or you can just say during the period of when she was not contacting you, you booked yourself for something else. From what you have told us, I do not believe that you are obligated to her in a moral or legal sense but if you feel good about doing that then just make sure she fully understands that it is just out of the goodness of your heart that you are helping her find someone else.

You sound like you have a very good sense about where your skill sets are and you don't want to set yourself up for failure. You just can not give in to this customer.

She didnt give you enough time to prepare for the wedding


Seriously, how much time does one need to be prepared for a wedding, or any photo job. It is always nice to be able to sit down and get to know the customer a little bit but in reality I will only see my customers maybe two or three times prior to a wedding. I am just curious more than anything. I picked up a wedding last year only 3 days prior when their photographer bailed on them. I really didn't think it came out any different than if I had booked it months in advance.

song4themoon
30th of September 2006 (Sat), 15:15
At this point I would say "Sorry but someone else booked me already" oh and should you have told her you are still available last time you talked then I would tell her next time that someone contacted you and signed a contract spot on. Tell her that you need to make sure not to loose out on business and that she hasnt come foward for so long (in case she complains) Appologize and wish her good luck and a wonderful wedding.

PIXI_666
30th of September 2006 (Sat), 19:08
If you dont feel comfortable then i suggest leaving it...1weeks notice is really short!
Not that i can say anything, this may make you feel a bit better though...

For my wedding last year, i booked a friend of the family who is a pro photographer to do my wedding, he hardly contacted me, i made attmepts to let him know what i wanted with absolutely NO contact whatsoever. I was pretty upset and angry and didnt really want him anymore lol.
As luck would have it, he got really sick and had to go to hospital for surgery a week befor emy wedding (OK not as luck would have it but soemtimes things happen 4 a reason lol)

Anyway 1week before my wedding he had cancelled...he called my PARENTS to tell me...they promptly called up all the family finding out if they kenw photographer's, they didnt want me to know, id already lost 5kgs from stress haha. In the end my aunty found a photog in their local newspaper.

Mum called him, with a WEEKS notice, but he sympathised and said definately! I called him and it was all sorted!!!

SO...there will be photographers out there that will help with 1wks notice, considering your no pro...i think that is enough for you to say that 1wks notice is not enough for someone inexperienced!!

Del

Inspired Photography
1st of October 2006 (Sun), 03:25
Walk away mate... walk away.

Be blunt and rude if you have to.

I have done weddings on little notice, and am still of the view that it doesn't affect the end result. Last-minute weddings is a good way to pick up extra business sometimes, but only if you are ready, or already shooting weddings. I would stay clear of this one mate.

Rob

peterdoomen
1st of October 2006 (Sun), 03:33
The problem is not the short time, but the fact that according to the OP the lady seems to have a hidden agenda. How can you do serious business with people who seem to be untrustworthy?

I think you should
1) have her pay in advance, and set your price somewhat higher than normal to cover for the risk.
2) sign a very clear document where you state that you cannot guarantee good results.

or simply refuse to do it.

P.

ootsk
2nd of October 2006 (Mon), 18:59
This is a train wreck waiting to happen. She obviously didn't look around...she didn't mind your extra high price...and SHE'LL NEVER BE HAPPY!
Just my feeling though.....
walk away.