What would you do??

Photographer #1 takes engagement photos.

With permission, posts photos on Facebook, tagging client in photos.

Within a week, client cancels wedding photography claiming "they broke up".

Client continues to post on Facebook about how they cannot wait to get married "this weekend" and post photos of the couple together including the day after they "broke up".

Client posts weddings photos on their Facebook less than a week after "breaking up".

Photographer #1 finds out that out of the blue, unknown photographer #2 had contacted couple via Facebook and offered to do their photos for a large discount.

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We do know that at least one other couple has been contacted. Since social media plays such a large part of word of mouth advertising, short of completely stopping posting photos online, what would you do to prevent this from happening in the future? Can you even prevent something like this??

I'd be happy I didn't shoot their wedding and move on with my life. Also being content that their non refundable deposit money had adequately covered my time.

Was there a contract signed? Did Photographer #1 get a deposit for the wedding?

memoriesoftomorrow wrote in post #16745038
I'd be happy I didn't shoot their wedding and move on with my life. Also being content that their non refundable deposit money had adequately covered my time.

This 100%.

memoriesoftomorrow wrote in post #16745038
I'd be happy I didn't shoot their wedding and move on with my life. Also being content that their non refundable deposit money had adequately covered my time.

Indeed. It's always for the best when this stuff happens. You'll find out later why that is exactly.

cdifoto wrote in post #16745084
Indeed. It's always for the best when this stuff happens. You'll find out later why that is exactly.

Exactly!

And when you see the substandard photos from their "discount" photographer on Facebook, you can smile a little too...

Yes, contracts are signed and deposits are made so the photogs are getting some money. You can't do much when the bride sends a 2 page email saying how sorry they are but they broke up and there will be no wedding when on Facebook you can clearly see that's a lie. The part that's bad is that these couples are canceling within a week of the wedding and there isn't time to secure another wedding.

It happens - people can be flakey.

Let's just hope that the cancellation terms were in the photographers favour so close to the wedding.

the flying moose wrote in post #16745337
Yes, contracts are signed and deposits are made so the photogs are getting some money. You can't do much when the bride sends a 2 page email saying how sorry they are but they broke up and there will be no wedding when on Facebook you can clearly see that's a lie. The part that's bad is that these couples are canceling within a week of the wedding and there isn't time to secure another wedding.

That's partially why your deposit is non-refundable (the other part is the time invested in the wedding before you even get close to shooting). Does it suck you won't get full fee for that day? Yes. Is it part of doing business? Yes again.

Consider some of it free money for taking a day off. Book a portrait session. Sleep in. Get your car's oil changed. Edit another client's photos. Whatever. You can still be productive.

the flying moose wrote in post #16745337
Yes, contracts are signed and deposits are made so the photogs are getting some money. You can't do much when the bride sends a 2 page email saying how sorry they are but they broke up and there will be no wedding when on Facebook you can clearly see that's a lie. The part that's bad is that these couples are canceling within a week of the wedding and there isn't time to secure another wedding.

My final balance is non-refundable and due one month before the wedding date. I'd have a pretty fun Saturday with my family.

Thomas Campbell wrote in post #16745384
My final balance is non-refundable and due one month before the wedding date. I'd have a pretty fun Saturday with my family.

I'm not sure I could do those terms. It's great money for sure but I wouldn't feel right taking the full day's pay without doing the full day's work.

Thomas Campbell wrote in post #16745384
My final balance is non-refundable and due one month before the wedding date. I'd have a pretty fun Saturday with my family.

That's the way to do it! The customer is reserving a block of time in which the photographer could find other clients to fill. Time is money!

cdifoto wrote in post #16745391
I'm not sure I could do those terms. It's great money for sure but I wouldn't feel right taking the full day's pay without doing the full day's work.

The couple lying to me about breaking up and calling off the wedding would make it much easier.

I've been paid a month in advance for years with no problem. I've also never had a client cancel, though I have had a few that I wish did

cdifoto wrote in post #16745391
I'm not sure I could do those terms. It's great money for sure but I wouldn't feel right taking the full day's pay without doing the full day's work.

Maybe I turned into a bit of a b!&$% over the years seeing people not value photography, but I wouldn't care and not refund them any money .

Thomas Campbell wrote in post #16745384
My final balance is non-refundable and due one month before the wedding date. I'd have a pretty fun Saturday with my family.

This is why I love this forum. I am learning so much. If and when I am able to break into the wedding scene, these little tidbits of wisdom are invaluable.