Ok, what do I do now? Quick advise needed!!

[song4themoon]

A couple booked me for their small ceremony at a park in VA today. Its exactly the distance that is the limit of travel range.

Everything was signed, I had my info sheet with all the info I needed. The couple didnt have time to come meet with me.

This morning I called them because the weather is supposed to be REALLY bad, just to make sure that everything is planned for. Well turns out that all is supposed to be outside with nowhere in the park to move it to the inside. He said he thinks it will just be like the last few days that it wont start raining till late in the day. Well I dont think so because I already hear thunder and its supposed to be REAL bad today, not just thundershowers. It sais heavy downpours on the weather report.

So I asked what he has planned IF it does rain at the time of the ceremony. He said there is a place they could maybe go but its not nearby, its a bit of a drive. Well if its further away for me then I am afraid I cant cover it. I am only booked and paid for 3 hours and in addition to that I am traveling 2 hours total (not paid). If they move it away further then I will be traveling more than working and not be paid for any of that time.

On top of it I have a babysitter for my son today and that means more cost for me if I spend more time in the car.

Non of this they told me. I had the info of the location and the signed contract.. no word of an eventual other location.

So now how do I handle this if they want to do the location thats even further away?

[Grace]

Oh goodness Jenni..I completely sympathize about the baby sitting..I guess you could tell them they will need to pay extra for the coverage..but I don't know..Its not like you can not do the wedding..they hired you-even if it was a minimal amount of time...guhh. I wish I had some perfect answer. If it were me I'd just cover it anyways..and pray for a "tip" :)

[Deckham]

Basically, I think you explain the situation, and live and learn. It's not like you can call it off - that would ruin your rep forever. Explain as you did here, indicate the extra fees if need be, and go to work.

Now here's a thought - if it starts pouring while the ceremony is happening, you can have the unique opportunity of turning it into a photo-journalism piece :)
Splashing bride in the mud, groom looking around desperate, floral-hatted old ladies dashing for cover...hehehe

[song4themoon]

I know I have to go and I will go. But I will not jeapardize my equipment in the rain. I have a cover for one camera but that doesnt safe my lenses.

However... what is the legal side on this... if they were to change it all, then that would mean they broke their contract agreement, right? So can I just charge them more ... I am really at a loss here. If they DO change it and its quite a bit further away then I wouldnt have booked the wedding to begin with.

[Deckham]

Fax them a revised contract, have them sign it, send it back.
It may or may not stand up in court, but they probably wouldn't test it.

[Grace]

ughhh..really. sorry girl!

[Skitskat]

you need to find out how much further away the 2nd location is and explain any additional costs. communication with them is the key to resolving this issue. every so often we encounter situations which may cost us a few dollars. learn from it but most impotantly shoot great photographs! if it rains get someone to hold an umbrella over you while you shoot and adjust your exposure accordingly.Deckham has it right.

[Armin]

I'd definitely explain to them what you mentioned here as well, I think that's more than fair. I think they'll understand. Is there anything in the contract that covers weather, change in venue, etc.?

And I just heard the latest weather report on News4, 50% chance of heavy rain :cry:

[song4themoon]

Well in my contract I have an area for "Pre Event Consultation" and part of that is "The parties agree to a pre event consultation in order to: Finalize the actual shooting time, locations, changes, extensions"

The couple cancled their meeting with me and didnt call me when we had set the arrangement for it. In emails everything was said to be as stated in the info sheet I had them send me. So with that this was finalized.

I am just trying to get an idea on what to do in the worst case szenario. I hope it wont go to any trouble but I want to be prepared

[Grace]

I pray for no rain! but cloudy- light clouds- the perfect ones that allow for even skin tones and no blown highlights! :)

[song4themoon]

lol thanks Kathy

[SuzyView]

It doesn't look like rain yet. You will be okay for a while. It's been threatening for days, but hasn't started yet. You may escape it. But the whole contract thing is so tricky. And I know you are under pressure. Have a back up plan for babysitting and take a deep breath, Jenni. You are so worth the money for them, just be as professional as you are and bring a good umbrella. Maybe a guest can be assigned to help you move your equipment around. I know you are a strong woman, but you shouldn't stress yourself.

I bought a GPS last year just so I knew where I was going. That relieved so much stress for me, I don't go out without it now. I hope you know where you are going, and good luck.

[SuzyView]

Just looked at the radar, and the clouds are north, very few coming this way.

[CyberPet]

An assistant that can hold an umbrella over you?

[SuzyView]

That's what I was thinking, too.

[italianfemmy]

If they broke the contract by not appearing at the pre-consult, then they have breached their contractual obligations with you. A contract cannot be breached twice. Once it is breached, it is breached.

I would explain to them that they had a contractual obligation to appear for the consult and since they didn't, you had no awareness of their back up plans.

If in fact they had appeared for the consult, they would have been advised in advance of travel fees for having to go further away.

I wouldn't give them their prints/cd/whatever it is you give unless they paid for those travel costs. This is not an error of your own. This is their fault since they didn't show up for the consult and it is plainly stated in your contract.

That's what I would do anway.. and of course.. I'd do it all with a smile in a non threatening manner that would not create unneccessary tension.

Good luck

[howzitboy]

sad to say i would just shoot this one and have it as lesson learned.

next time make sure they meet the final consult and have it written in blood the location and time. Just make sure u tell the couple that if your time runs out, u have to leave. Baby is first!!

re: rain, id bring a big raincoat so u can hide your cameras under it, a plastic bag that u can rubber band to your camera, an umbrella that u stick down the back of your shirt(to keep it up) and just keep shooting. ive shot more weddings in the rain then i can remember and havent had my equipment break on me.....yet! i always have NO one to hold umbrella for me (they all hold it for the couple lol).

[Scott_Quier]

I'm with Alicia on this one. Call the B&G, explain to them that the extra distance is outside your normal operating range and that you will incur additional travel expenses - which are going to be passed on to them. Before you call, make sure you have the numbers you would agree to - and don't scrimp on them. Like Alicia said, they blew it and they should incur all your additional expenses. Make sure your numbers also cover the cost of additional sitter time.

Like howzitboy say, there is a lesson to be learned here for both you and the B&G. Your's is going to be how to get the $$ out of the B&G, but that's easy - just hold the photos hostage.

[song4themoon]

Well it didnt rain thank goodness so it was at the named location, but it was horrible.
First I got stuck in non moving traffic as soon as I got onto the highway.. for about 40 minutes. After I was through that I had about 25 minutes to go a 45 minute distance. I hauled a$$ but I called them too. (I had left a half hour early too)

Got there about 10 minutes late.

Ceremony starts and guest are so rude. They broke out in laughter when bride was walking down the aisle, no clue why, maybe someone said something stupid.. but it was just rude.
They talked during the ceremony. And then a bunch of people with point and shoots going as close to the couple as the minister was, blocking my view and chance to get shots. I had to keep telling them to make room. The one guy had his fim camera about 10 inches away from the preachers hand, when he held out the rings.. it was incredibly rude.
Afterwards even though I said repeatedly that I need them to stop taking pictures and step back while I work.. they all lined up again and took pics. I was so mad and irritated at that pooint... of course now you have everyone looking into another camera and I had to say over and over to look into my camera.

Oh and then to finalize it all... written in my contract it states that final payment is due no later than the day of the wedding. Well they forgot their checkbook. I know I wont be mailing any pics or CD until after I receive that check.

[SuzyView]

Absolutely! Do not send the a thing! That's terrible. Anyway, glad you survived and all is fine at home. I was actually hoping you would escape the thunderstorm that is currently leaving the area for us. Rude guests are so awful. I hope you are putting your feet up and having a nice cool drink. :)

[song4themoon]

Ahh I want a nice STRONG drink.. but I am preggo ... ugh

[SuzyView]

Go for a nice cup of Sprite with a ton of ice. Then sit on your sofa and put on a nice "girl's night out" movie. We're watching "The Santa Clause" right now. Kids chose. If you want something stronger, there's always hot chocolate :).

[liza]

What a nightmare! That's why I require payment in full at least two weeks prior to the wedding.

[Grace]

OH JENNI! That bites! I'm so sorry!! ugghhh! Glad your home now!

[tim]

Sounds to me like some bad luck and lack of preparation. You can't not go because of a minor change like location or a bit of extra driving, your reputation would be ruined, and it's just not reasonable. When you think about these thinks think "what would a judge say if this went to court".

Most people don't know anything about weddings, and while we're not wedding planners I think it's our responsibility to help couples plan their day and educate them about weddings in general. I always make sure my customers have a backup location. Also the cost of a babysitter shouldn't be an issue, your overtime rate should more than make up for that, and of course should be specified in your contract. My contract also specifies travel charges. My fees are due 30 days before the wedding, but even if they didn't pay i'd probably still go and take their photos, I just wouldn't process them until I was paid.

I'd say 50% of my weddings run later than the customer expects, most by 1-2 hours, but at one my coverage was extended from 8 hours to 15 hours on the day. I always assume weddings will run late and leave appropriate time. If you have somewhere else you HAVE to be after the wedding the customer has to be made aware of the fact that you will definitely be leaving at this time. I'd never put myself in that position, which is why I only shoot one wedding in a day.

[SuzyView]

Don't stop communicating with the couple. You need to let them know you expect payment so you can process their shots. Sometimes they don't mean to be late, but then you get stuck with the work done and no money.

[JimAskew]

Ahh I want a nice STRONG drink.. but I am preggo ... ugh

Hot chocolate will do the trick :)

Song, if you ever get in a bind with a NOVA photo event send me a PM or email and I will be happpy to back you up at no charge...I would greatly value the experience I would gain from shadowing you...and I have two large golf unbrellas:) I am available 99% of the time on Saturdays and Sundays.

[SuzyView]

Jim's great. We really should get together sometime and compare notes. You available next Saturday, Jenni? :)

[song4themoon]

Jim, thats so nice of you to offer, I'll keep it in mind. I could have used your help today ;)

And actually.. yeah I am available sunday

[JimAskew]

Jim's great. We really should get together sometime and compare notes. You available next Saturday, Jenni? :)

Thanks, Suzie :oops:

Jim, thats so nice of you to offer, I'll keep it in mind. I could have used your help today ;)

And actually.. yeah I am available sunday

The pleasure is mine...I love your work and most certainly would learn much from you :)

[howzitboy]

just think, after this wedding, all your other weddings are going to be EASY!!