Iffy wedding photography or what?

[archaeoman]

I just had a couple and her mother come into one of our businesses (non-photography related) to fill out a wedding registry and pick items. So of course I asked when the wedding was, August. I asked if they had picked out a photographer yet. Oops, wrong question to ask the bride-to-be. She starts in on this rant about the photographer they have chosen. The photographer, with a brick & mortar location, had no work to show them. Ouch. The bride-to-be is a bit desperate at this point and drops the $200 deposit (I guess this was last fall) and they tell her they will send her a contract by the first of the year.

The first of the years passes by over a month and she calls them. They send her a contract out. She reviews it and finds that the date has passed, according to the contract, to back out if she decides. She calls them and they tell her that is the contract and if she wants to book that's the one she'll sign, essentially giving her not choice if she doesn't want to lose the deposit (it was non-refundable).

The mother is shaking her head, the groom-to-be is as well.

They ask me if I know a good photographer. I tell them that I am but in no way, shape or form do I shoot weddings. I got an engagement shoot out of it, so that's good.

The most bothersome part of the story she tells me: The photographer tells her that, and it's in the contract, that if the photographer gets sick, in an accident etc. and can't make the wedding then their IS NO REFUND of any amount. Payment in full is lost. Wow.

I assume that this is not normal. I told her to run the other way even if she has to lose the $200 deposit. I guess she hasn't signed the contract yet.

Has anyone seen something like this in wedding photographer contracts??

[cdifoto]

No contract is valid until it's been signed by all parties involved. If she doesn't like the terms, she simply doesn't have to sign.

Her own ignorant fault for dropping a deposit with no contract to show for it. She can file with the courts to get that back.

[archaeoman]

I completely agree with you, not the brightest bulb.

I know a anyone can write anything into contract they want but have you ever heard of a no-refund policy like this? That's crazy.

[cdifoto]

It doesn't surprise me, but I'd be curious to know how many brides actually sign that contract. What amazes me more than any of the terms and such is the fact that she handed over $200 just like that...


I see you're in NW PA. Where's the wedding itself?

[archaeoman]

Local, about 1 1/2 north of Pittsburgh.

[photoguy6405]

If it were me, I'd get a different photographer then sue the guy in small-claims court for the $200. Losing $200 wouldn't break me, but sometimes the principle of the thing is important, too.

I also find it interesting that a supposedly established photographer, as evidenced by him having a B&M location, wouldn't have examples to show.

[cdifoto]

Local, about 1 1/2 north of Pittsburgh.

I'm in south central PA. I have some August dates open as of right now, so if they can't find someone else local, you could send them to my website (either PM me for it, or Google me) to see if they like my work. I can travel if needed.


Not trying to solicit work, but you did say they're desperate at this point. Not that those are the conditions under which I like to be contracted but hey. lol.

[archaeoman]

I'll see where they stand when I shoot their engagement stuff. Thanks.

[cdifoto]

Sounds good. Maybe they'll beg you to shoot the wedding. Either way, share the e-pics!

[archaeoman]

They can beg all they want. I don't know if I have the b*lls (or ability) to shoot a wedding. I'll share the picks for sure, once the weather gets nice here, they want outside. Having 6+ inches of snow last night doesn't feel like spring LOL.

[cdifoto]

They can beg all they want. I don't know if I have the b*lls (or ability) to shoot a wedding. I'll share the picks for sure, once the weather gets nice here, they want outside. Having 6+ inches of snow last night doesn't feel like spring LOL.

LOL you got more than we did. I woke up to about 1/2 inch on the ground this morning. It was gone by noon. :lol:

If they use me, you could 2nd with me if you want.

[Tumeg]

That is a pretty scary term in the contract....
When he says payment in full is lost, is that just the deposit? Or the deposit and how ever much he would have been paid to shoot the wedding??

It was also pretty dumb of the bride to be, to just give him a $200 deposit, without seeing any proof that he actually is a wedding photographer, or even a photographer!

[Zonieart]

I agree that taking their deposit or any other payment is BS when it's the photographer's fault for not shooting the wedding. However, this brings up another point. I always have a clause in my contracts that states I'll return all deposits and any other payments if I'm sick, in an accident, etc. I feel it would be professional suicide to not show up for someone's wedding no matter what the reason. Have any of you ever heard of a wedding photographer not showing up for a wedding? I imagine it would be impossible to find a replacement at the last second.

[cdifoto]

I'd have to be hospitalized or dead to not show up to a wedding that I'm contracted to photograph.

[Perry Ge]

Oooh that'd be exciting! You should go for it! The only way I'd ever have the gonads to shoot a wedding is if I was seconding someone badass like cosworth or cdifoto :lol:.

[MrsKitty]

I'd have to be hospitalized or dead to not show up to a wedding that I'm contracted to photograph.

Or in jail after being wrongly arrested!

You know, that loophole might just explain why they had no prior work to show this bride although they have a B&M location.

[sevillafox]

If they use me, you could 2nd with me if you want.

CDI, that's a very nice thing of you to offer to the OP! Kudos to you!

[Perry Ge]

Or in jail after being wrongly arrested!
Wrongly? :D

[MrsKitty]

Wrongly? :D

Of course! ;)

I live in a small town. There is a trouble maker with the same name. I have been expecting it to happen for years... :lol:

[MajesticMomentsPhoto]

I'd have to be hospitalized or dead to not show up to a wedding that I'm contracted to photograph.


I'd have to be pretty much the same way, My contracts do specify that in an emergency I reserve the right to seek a replacement photographer for the affair.

Fern

[ohtoberich]

Isn't that the reason to get Errors & Omissions insurance?