Wedding Bliss #2:The Bride From HECK

[poke]

you've got to write a book...

[Digital Prophet]

You are a braver man than me. This is exactly the type of thing that would cause to cram my camera down my own throat and through myself from a high bridge.

Seriously though, I have a thorough and I think somewhat more than justified fear of brides. Don't have one, not really in the mood to meet one. I have heard to many " ... and then that woman sued me!" stories.

I know that the day will come that I shoot my first wedding. And part of me looks forward to it. But let me tell you, I am going to spend more time picking that first couple than I will picking my first wife. The way I see it my wife can leave me, but she'll only get half.

- Digital Prophet -

[IndyJeff]

Bloo I believe that 30 days out I would have sent another contract stating the bridal port is now not practical to happen and therefore eliminated from the previous contract.

Seriously tho about the BBB, whenever they call with a complaint, respond. If not then your report will reflect that you haven't responded to complaints brought to the bureaus attention.

Maybe a nice 11x14 of the bride swapping spit with a female guest sent to her home could be her bridal port.

[robertwgross]

< too much information! >

---Bob Gross---

[mattym]

rofl, very funny post, i hope i never have the pleasure!

[Tom W]

And I reminded them that I still had the negatives. (I had been waiting FOR YEARS to write that in a letter to someone... "I've got the negatives... heee heee heee...").

Sometimes, that's all you've got!

Enjoyed the story, and I'm very glad that it wasn't me! :)

[kndreyn]

I've been diligently studying wedding photography. But after readying this, I might just stick with baby pictures.

[robertwgross]

Buy good equipment, wear good clothes, and stay away from the bar at the reception.

THAT is good advice for any wedding photographer.

---Bob Gross---

[iwatkins]

<Ian cancels his Amazon order for books: "How to become a Wedding Photographer", "Wedding Photography for Amateurs">

:shock:

[Scottes]

<Scottes realizes that "How to become a Wedding Photographer" was written under one of Stephen King's psuedonyms>
:shock: :shock:

Great story. I might not sleep well tonight, but great story.

[Pekka]

Thanks for posting this story. I love stories about real life - how absurd it can be. You handled it really well I see. I hope writing the post let you pipe down a bit and save you a couple of hours at shrink's chair :)

[cricket]

Bloo Dog, I enjoy your posts! I just knew you were a writer (or should be!)!

I have had 2 run-ins with the BBB, and I was disgusted with them! But, I just decided that they don't matter a darn bit to me! No one has ever told me that they saw my rating with the BBB and decided I'd be a good Wedding Photographer.

I have to tell you that one of the incidents was a couple who claimed they ordered a package that I didn't even offer! Then, when I kindly made them this new package, they paid me with a check and went directly to their bank and put a stop-payment on it and kept the album and the lot!

I tried to get the BBB to do something about my lost payment, but I guess they only go after the bad guys/Gals!

Crazy!

[Wazza]

Incredible true story Bloo!

I've always had a passion for wanting to do good wedding photography, and make people smile. But then, it's also good to see the real life, or at least a few of those nasty experiences, just to remind yourself... Wedding Photography is challenging. It's all with your client expectations, and I'm only reading into things presently, to give myself an idea of how tough this career would be. Obviously now, my lack of experience, or enough use with a Digital SLR, would probably kill me anyway.

I'll keep that in mind, and thanks again Bloo, and I look forward to Bliss #3. :D :)

[pradeep1]

Cricket,

Been there, done that (BTDT).

One of the cardinal rules in dealing with the public is that you always get payment upfront. Fifty percent to book, fifty percent due on the day of the wedding. Reprints are ALWAYS paid upfront, delivery time starts the day that the check clears the bank. If the client doesn't like it,well, t.s., Eliott.

If you get an NSF or a stop payment you can resubmit for payment . Some stop payments are good for a short period of time. Some banks require renewal from the account holder, but that may have changed during the past five years, and it probably varies from bank to bank as well as state to state.

If you're not a member of the BBB they won't do anything for you. If you ARE a member, they'll give you a sticker to put on your storefront which, I suppose, thwarts the continual abuser from reporting you unfairly, or at least tells him that you're as nasty as he is. Or something like that. Maybe they invite you to lunch once a year.

I BELIEVE that being a member will allow you to gain information about how many complaints the consumer has lodged other businesses. I'd be interested in knowing that.Chronic complainers should be registered.

And tracked by satellite.

But you could have made an issue of it with your local district attorney, or you could have spent fifty bucks to take them to small claims court. After my little foray into small claims court, I wouldn't think twice. When right is on your side, you win.

Unless their lie is better than your truth.

I agree Bloo, BBB is practically useless and I wouldn't worry about these nitwits unless they actually sue you in small claims court. Even then, your carefully documented account should be enough to convince a judge. Good Luck.

[Kadath]

In a nutshell, Bloo Dog = best poster 2004, top 3 at a MINIMUM. 100% guaranteed to be accurate, insightful and humorous.

[PhotosGuy]

My advice to those who are contemplating entering the exciting and glamorous profession of wedding photography is this: if you own a handgun, get rid of it.:D:D:D:D:D

[jonniewalton]

I dont do weddings, never have, never will but i would have thought that a detailed letter of engagement setting out the scope of the work, the various responsibilities of the parties and the basis of the fee would stop some of this.

By the way Bloo dog, you could have put the embarassing pictures as a link for us all to see!!!

Ok, perhaps not!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[cricket]

i would have thought that a detailed letter of engagement setting out the scope of the work, the various responsibilities of the parties and the basis of the fee would stop some of this.
Yeah. You would think!

It seems that on the wedding day, emotions, the need to get the details perfect (thus taking up a lot of time), or people who just don't give a hoot, unforeseen circumstances, all can get in the way. It is a job, dealing with people, and sh** happens!

As far as after the wedding and the aspects of orders and such, some folks have selective memory, or try to screw you out of more than they paid for. But, this happens in lots of businesses...

My 2+ cents.

[robertwgross]

The terms of my contract ALWAYS stipulated that I be fed, but I'd ask if it would be possible for me to have a place at a table rather than having to eat in the hotel kitchen.

At every wedding reception where I have photographed, all of the "hired help" is seated at one common table, which is generally the one farthest to the back. That includes photographers, assistants, videographers, sound technicians, and all that sort.

That's OK. We all sit there, quietly exchanging trade secrets and chatting. Then, all of a sudden, the next reception stunt begins, so we all leap to our feet with our equipment dangling around our necks. Our food and drink goes untouched for those 5-10 minutes, and then we all return to the hired help table.

It beats a sharp stick in the eye.

---Bob Gross---

[PhotosGuy]

...and then we all return to the hired help table... ...and the help has cleaned it off! ;)

[ilya]

Please post pictures for the group to enjoy :D

[Claire]

I told two of my friends about your wedding Bloo Dog (one married and one to be). They couldn't believe their ears! The one who's going to be married in April promised to be an angel. She even promised me to keep the champagne out of my reach... ;)

[TSEE]

Ok you got me a bit freaked.
So how would you go about protecting yourself from nightmare B & G's?! Write up really super duper good contracts or what? I mean no everyone will get drunk, high or whatever. =o/

Thanks for your horror story, sure brings the whole business back into focus that not everything is peaches and cream.

[PhotosGuy]

you've got to write a book... I think you should give this some serious consideration! There could be a lot of "L"s in there for you.
Use online publishing to keep costs at a minimum. Don't forget scandalous pics of the B&G with black rectangles over their faces. ;-)

[GerryDavid]

You can publish a book through www.lulu.com and pay a per print price. Example $5.50 or something for the binding, then 2 cents per page for b&w, or 15 cents per page for color *note you can only go all b&w or all color*. So you can get a book that will cost you less than $10, sell it for $20, and make like $8 from each sale *they take a cut of the profit for cc fee's, etc* and sell it right from the website. ISBN is like $35 or something and ISBN pro to get it listed in barns and noble, etc is like $150 or something. Both are optional.

It doesnt seem like it would be to much work. Just type each story up in word, and refer to each story/chapter in a table of contents. :0)

It would be a really good read.

[Lissa]

This reminds me of something you'd see on www.etiquettehell.com. There are some astounding people out there.

[GerryDavid]

If you interview the couple at thier house, I can see walking out, but what if their at your office? I would find it hard to ask them to leave just like that. And their perception from that might be that once the legal talk started I got scared and sent them away. There might not be good word of mouth after that.

Ive been lucky, every wedding ive assissted went well and the couple/parents were all nice. Of course I dont see what goes on after the fact since im just assisting on the day.

[sorashell]

I'm going to go read everything you've ever written here, I swear. Totally entertaining!

[triangle]

I kinda wish that I had sent the letter about the negatives fashioned from type cut from magazines:

wE HAvE ThE neGAtiVEs! LeAve The MOney On tHe cORnEr...

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:


Funnnnnnnnnnnny.

The only thing is I am starting to get calls for weddings. I am thinking really hard about going down this path.:confused:

[Crimsonn]

Bloo Dog,

I have to thankyou for such an entertaining post, I myself am looking at getting into Wedding photography and I can honestly say that you've probably helped me cover a few more bases that I would have never thought of having to cover.

All the best with shooting,

Crimsonn

[robertwgross]

If you look at the total fee that you get from a wedding...

About a third of it is for having and using the right equipment, and using it properly.
About a third of it is for the hassles of business and risk (contracts, taxes, licenses, etc.).
About a third of it is for the hassles of dealing with people. Some people are good, and you would like to do lots of business with them. Unfortunately, wedding photography is not supposed to be a repeat business for any one client.

---Bob Gross---

[mak8ce]

UNBELIEVABLE! I was laughing so hard at that story. Good thing you had the upper hand at the end. Some poeple! :lol:

[Tixeon]

Before I retired from over 30 yrs of Wedding photography, my Agreement form (not Contract) stated something like this:
... Neither will the photographer be held responsible for missed pictures because of the lateness of any principal member of the wedding party or guest at the church or reception, change of plans, impatience, insufficient time allocation for planned photos, or other reasons beyond the photographer's control. Any Uncooperativeness and/or Drunkedness on the part of the Bride, Groom or principal member of the wedding party will automatically relieve the
photographer & studio of any obligation to fulfill any part of this agreement.

This sure sobered up quite a few B&G's. I actually got ThankYou's for including this in my Agreement.

[MattyB]

In a nutshell, Bloo Dog = best poster 2004, top 3 at a MINIMUM. 100% guaranteed to be accurate, insightful and humorous.

agreed!
*claps till his hands are blue*


off topic a bit, whats needed to get into wedding photography?
i'm guessing just a decent setup/camera and being a really good photographer?

[MackRoe]

After reading these posts, I have a number of thoughts I'd like to share. It seems like most of you guys on this wedding forum know each other, or at least have communicated heavily here. I do not know any of you, so please forgive my 2 cents worth if its seems out of line for a stranger's observations. Just as in a bad marriage. no "one party" is the cause of problems or disputes. it takes both sides to make a bad arrangement. I think the BBB is a much needed reporting agency for business''s that do a sorry "less than what was promised" job, don't fulfill contracts & agreements, ect.. There has to be an agency where we consumers can get some help when we are not treated like "valuable" customers, where shoddy business practices are done routinely, and to hell with the customer. I am not accusing anybody here of doing these things, but it happens all over the place. I know nothing about the BBB, maybe they need to be reported to the "macdaddy" super BBBBB, until they clean up their operation. Our contract should be clear & concise, our communication must be the same, and if our customers act squirrelly and dishonest, then the contract is our protection.

BTW, I'm shooting my 1st wedding this Saturday with my 10D, my Canon 70-200mm 4.0 L zoom, my Canon 100mm macro lens brand-new.I just bought (for this job) a Canon 550EX flash, and I'm cranked about what I can do with it. I've know these folks 20+ yrs, their daughter was actually already married last week-end but is having the ceremony this wk-end, and the cool thing is that their parents are not putting me under any great pressure about the shots I'm able to capture, but the internal pressure I've put on myself will be sufficient. Remember me in your thoughts or prayers as I step out in faith here. Will post some of my results after post-processing.

[tim]

Mackroe - get a wider angle lens. Tamron 28-75, Sigma 24-70, etc. The lenses you listed are too long for a lot of wedding stuff.

[AjP]

... It seems like most of you guys on this wedding forum know each other, or at least have communicated heavily here. .


We do communication here a lot and only few might know each other personally, I don't except forum.


Our contract should be clear & concise, our communication must be the same, and if our customers act squirrelly and dishonest, then the contract is our protection.

and yes I agree (pratialy) in order to create perfect/good contract will take you about 20-50 pages, because there are so many little things that might go wrong, no one gonna sign 20.30.40.50 pg contract... and u never know when u can meet customers like Bloo Dog did, it sad, but it might happen to anyone of us... people are people, there are good and bad and there are some a$$....

Looks like u have good gear and hope you will have great time and amazing pics at your first wedding and never meet any customer like in BB story

[PhotosGuy]

I just bought (for this job) a Canon 550EX flash, I suggest that you shoot about a gig of shots now & get used to it. ;-)

[escapehtml]

It was a pleasure reading this!

[LastLine]

I also enclosed pictures of the bride making out with the other woman along with the pseudoBill Murray dancing provocatively with a severely underage young lady.
Now there's one to enlarge, and send to the cops.

[Choderboy]

[QUOTE=MackRoe] Just as in a bad marriage. no "one party" is the cause of problems or disputes. it takes both sides to make a bad arrangement.

I have to disagree with this statement. Some people are simply unreasonable.

Dave