Balance due options

Been talking with a potential client about her wedding in October. Things have been really well and she's been quite impressed. Today, she asked me to contact her mom, who is paying for the wedding, and talk with her regarding any questions she had.

Conversation was going really well. She asks about payment and contract. I said contract and 30% retainer due at booking with balance due 1 week before the wedding. She got kinda quiet and asked if that was flexible. I asked for some clarity on what. She said I was the first photographer who didn't allow payment day of or up to 2 weeks after the wedding.

Come again? 2 weeks after the wedding?

Payment day of I might consider. But I can't see after the wedding.

The problem: I would hate to be passed due to this catch. Her daughter is going to be a very attractive bride and has the day laid out really well.

But still, 2 weeks after? Would you consider?

If you really want the job and want to appear flexible, just work it out with them. Maybe even a 30/50/20 split.

Put a clause in the contract along the lines of 'no editing/processing will commence until the final balance is paid'.

We are 25% with contract, balance due 30 days before the wedding. I have done day of twice and will not do it again, I hate dealing with money on the day of the wedding. What happens when you show up to shoot and they forgot the money?

jackinavox wrote in post #18047239
If you really want the job and want to appear flexible, just work it out with them. Maybe even a 30/50/20 split.

Put a clause in the contract along the lines of 'no editing/processing will commence until the final balance is paid'.

I told her she could pay throughout the time leading up to the wedding day - she doesn't have to save it up until the week before. I think I was more shocked that any photographer or vendor, for that matter, would not require payment prior to showing up/setting up for a wedding.

Isn't 'no pictures delivered till payment's been received in full' standard anymore?

Work with your clients and judge them on a case by case basis. Thirty days is not a remotely uncommon payment window in business, and I even roll with some clients (not photo related) who get ninety days after I finish the job.

I've also worked with a guy who I only trusted with cash up front and each bill verified by a banker before I started.

Don't be scared to negotiate and work toward a mutually acceptable arrangement. Just make sure the final agreement is in crystal clear and written terms.

Remember in Wedding photography you aren't just doing a job when a client comes to you, but you're also doing your advertisements for next year. Don't low ball yourself and don't let a client walk all over you and take advantage, but being "Difficult to work with" or "Rude and unfriendly" is not always the best long term business strategy even if it keeps you from being burned by a bad client who skips out on the bill.

The general principle that I had, when setting up pricing in the days of film was:

1. 1/3 to book me
   
2. 1/3 by day of wedding, so that the 2/3 paid to that point covers ALL of my expected COSTS (even the album and prints)
   
3. 1/3 upon delivery of previews
   

I'd offer what Wilt said as an option, it's what I used to do as default. What I do now is $500 up front and balance before the wedding. Your risks are low, obviously nothing delivered before full payment. You probably still want to blog/facebook a small number of images.

Im with 30% at contract, balance due three weeks prior to wedding date. Not flexible unless I know the person or have good confidence in them paying on time. Getting paid the day of sucks... Too much uncertainty even for people I know. I dont like dealing with money, except to pay my staff, the day of.

My best way to explain this is that I have expenses that I need to pay prior to the wedding date (videographer, second shooter, rental equipment if any is needed, and travel / lodging expenses all come out of my pocket if I am not remunerated before the wedding. Most people get that.

If you have to do this, just be sure the bottom line is really taken care of before... then no images until paid.

I'm a $1000 deposit and balance by two weeks prior. I won't shoot a wedding if payment hasn't been made in full beforehand. Not negotiable in my book.

I've always done 40% up front, 40% 30 days prior and the final 20% after the wedding when I deliver the images. Never had a problem and it holds me accountable.

huntersdad wrote in post #18047269
I told her she could pay throughout the time leading up to the wedding day - she doesn't have to save it up until the week before. I think I was more shocked that any photographer or vendor, for that matter, would not require payment prior to showing up/setting up for a wedding.

Put bluntly I don't believe they would. I think she is lying in order to get to you agree to a more favourable payment plan. I expect most of the other photographers and vendors in your area are just like those who have responded here - full or at least partial payment up front.

I hate to be bad cop here but I think you need to be ultra careful here that you don't allow the thought of a pretty face for your portfolio blind you to the fact that these may turn out to be really bad customers. Here are just a few of the potential problems....
1. No payment up front means no protection in the event of a last minute cancellation.
2. You put your terms and conditions in place for a reason - to protect your business. Agreeing to change them weakens that protection.
3. More importantly agreeing to changes gives the whip-hand to your client. You have told them they can get what they want and if they haven't paid any money yet that just puts them in an even stronger position to ask for more.
4. It is not unknown for unscrupulous customers to renegotiate the deal after the fact using the "the pictures aren't good enough gambit". They happily show them to their friends while telling the tog that they aren't good enough and that they want a partial refund. It is much easier to do this if you haven't paid the tog already.

The only way to protect yourself in a pay later scenario is to withhold the images but even that is problematic. It puts you in the position of being the bad guy and it is easy for the client to run to social media and Boo Hoo Hoo about how the evil photographer is withholding their wedding photos (while omitting to mention the fact that they haven't paid).

Basic principles, from the point of view of both parties, should apply to any particular payment schedule offerered:

1. The client should feel that they are not subject to final (full) payment until the time that the goods (previews) are delivered, so as to not have a feeling of 'risk' that their photographer skips out on them or does NOT come thru with images to see.
   
2. The photographer should feel that all their COSTS are paid for (plus a bit of their profit) at the time the wedding is covered by them, in case the wedding is called off suddently your own a$$ is covered
   
3. Both parties feels that 'payment in full' in exchange for 'the goods' are exchanged 'at the same time' so that neither party is 'at risk' in the transaction...no payment, no goods
   

• skips out on them without delivering a bunch of preview images (due to incompetence or equipment issues) or
  
• even fails to show up to cover the wedding.
  

Yes I would feel perfectly fine as a client to my own terms and conditions. In fact that is exactly what I did with my wedding photographer.

Put bluntly if a potential client wants me shooting their wedding they agree to the terms of the sale I'm prepared to make. It is not a negotiation. They can't buy me from anywhere else. Simply put people can't buy something that I'm not selling.

Wilt wrote in post #18050293
Basic principles, from the point of view of both parties, should apply to any particular payment schedule offerered:
Put yourself in the shoes of the client...would YOU as client feel somewhat secure in the transaction according to YOUR own terms as photographer?

This is a very good question I have asked myself in several places in my contracts: would I sign this myself? If the answer is "no" I can't justify asking my clients to sign it.