Wedding contract

[fredroj]

hi all. i don't know if this goes in here but i amhaving a slight problem. someone asked if woud shoot their wedding in a month and a half. i am no way close to being a professional. the couple has seen my work and they like it. my question is...is there a contract out the for the amateur photographer? I just wanna be in the 'right thing' mode and don't want to let them or myself down. thanks please email me if you have an answer.
fredroj@comcast.net

[Vegas Poboy]

Once you start getting paid there is no such thing as an amateur. A contract states your providing services for a fee. Consider turning the job down or get a crash course in wedding photography.
Good Luck

[robertwgross]

Yes, you have lost your amateur standing when you shoot a wedding for money.

Even though it is a contract, don't call it a contract. It will scare the B&G away. If the same document is called an agreement, it won't scare them.

If your friends ask the reason for an agreement, tell them that it makes everything legal so that you can remain friends afterward, but business is business.

---Bob Gross---

[Maureen Souza]

Last year my niece and her fiance asked me to shoot their wedding becuz they were on a limited budget. They had no preferences other than a "few good shots" of their day. Well being the over-zealous photographer that I am, I took over 500 shots and most of them were decent to fabulous. As the newlyweds showed the pictures to friends, co-workers and family members, I started getting the phone calls. Now I am shooting one wedding or family event per month (I already have a full-time job an an RN). I have written up my own agreement and so far, things have gone smoothly. I tell everyone up front that I am very amateur, show them some of my stuff and we take it from there. Mostly it has been tons of fun and so I recommend that if you are too stressed and not having fun, DON'T do it.
Maureen

[robertwgross]

Maureen, do you shoot weddings with a photojournalistic style (which is a new trend), or do you do it the traditional way? If you shoot 500 frames, then that suggests maybe the former rather than the latter. Shooting traditionally, I have never gotten more than 200-250 frames at one wedding plus reception.

---Bob Gross---

[Maureen Souza]

Well Bob...that was my first wedding.... I really love to capture the moments of the day without a lot of posing. I really encourage the bride & groom & wedding party to do pre-wedding pictures so they can spend the rest of the day enjoying it. I never yet have gotten a "no" answer on that and then I can happily shoot the wedding & reception as it unfolds. Now I shoot upwards of 1000+ pictures...the pre-wedding photos are more traditional and the rest is more photo journalistic. I like to mix it up a bit.
Maureen

[robertwgross]

Now I shoot upwards of 1000+ pictures...

That must make for a huge editing job.

If I shoot 200, then editing takes me 4-8 hours.

---Bob Gross---

[Maureen Souza]

Ha ha ha...mine takes about a week!!! But it is worth it to me because I am fussy about my quality of work and I get a lot of satisfaction from the creative side of it. You don't think I'd do this just for $$$$ do you (another chuckle)? That's why I am at work right now.
Maureen

[Fer]

Hi Maureen... I am shooting my 1st wedding this saturday. I am not charging $$$ because she is my cousin and this will be like my wedding gift, but I am curious about your agreement. Do you think (if I am asking too much just tell me, ok ;) ) I could have a copy to adapt it to my country?

Thanks in advance.

[Maureen Souza]

Fer: I sent you an email. If that doesn't work, let me know.
Maureen

[TSEE]

Last year my niece and her fiance asked me to shoot their wedding becuz they were on a limited budget. They had no preferences other than a "few good shots" of their day. Well being the over-zealous photographer that I am, I took over 500 shots and most of them were decent to fabulous. As the newlyweds showed the pictures to friends, co-workers and family members, I started getting the phone calls. Now I am shooting one wedding or family event per month (I already have a full-time job an an RN). I have written up my own agreement and so far, things have gone smoothly. I tell everyone up front that I am very amateur, show them some of my stuff and we take it from there. Mostly it has been tons of fun and so I recommend that if you are too stressed and not having fun, DON'T do it.
Maureen

I've found some wedding photography contracts online, but most are so tedious (lots of things I don't understand nor would use) and from the looks of them, have been written up by a lawyer (maybe why I don't understand what they mean!?). What would be some of the basics to cover? Any ideas since you seem to have written up your own. I'd appreciate some advice.
Thanks!!!!