Ethics and standards for photographing a family wedding

Just because I shoot for free and when people want to pay me for work done, that's great. But I don't even come close to paying for the equipment or the time.

My take on this, don't take this personally. Some people are like this, always wanting something without truly wanting to do a service. If this had happened to me after a verbal agreement, I would have said one of two things: 1. "Enjoy the flash." Then I would have asked friends to shoot for free. Put disposable cameras around and go nuts. It would cost around $100 for all those pictures and you're out $400. 2 "Since I paid $300 for the flash, can you at least give me back the flash and I can find another person to do the job. You said yourself, you're not a pro, but you want to be treated like one. I think this is fair."

IMO she's in the wrong.

I wouldn't want her to shoot the wedding anymore if she behaved like that. What's she going to do later? Offer prints to you at 50 bucks each?

DocFrankenstein wrote in post #2281989
IMO she's in the wrong.

I wouldn't want her to shoot the wedding anymore if she behaved like that. What's she going to do later? Offer prints to you at 50 bucks each?

I agree with you, Doc. I think it's the right thing to do just to say, okay, we'll find another way. But that's so harsh. Don't you just want to give them copies of some of the good wedding pictures here and say, "If you can give me this, then I'll pay you!"

Wow, sounds like she's being a total jerk about it, to be honest. She basically used bait and switch, and but the law doesn't really work that way for a unliscenced amateur. I'm sorry you are having to go through this.

Actually, I have a somewhat different take. First she is not family. Period. She may be your sisters partner but family, good family does not do this to each other. I just flew all the way to Florida from CA to shoot my brothers wedding. And even though it was a PIA I would do it again in an instant.

Start small claims proceedings against both the photographer and the pro she talked to.
Make it very clear in no uncertain terms that you are not to be *Ahemed* with.

Most folks when the get served with paperwork toss in their cards. Use that 'Pro" to your tactical advantage. His name is now part of the suit as legal advisor for the defendant. See if he really want to be a part of the court case.

When you sue, go for the actual damages, and court costs. I am pretty confident that they will settle out of court, quickly. No matter what if she decides to stick by her guns make sure that you have printed copies of the webpages to show the judge, used by her for advertising, but never given to the actual client. That will weigh against her heavily.

Remember don't have any further conversation with her from this point forward. No threats to sue or cajoling etc. The judges are there because someone decided to renig on an agreement verbal or otherwise.

Les

How unfortunate. If you have tried speaking with the partner to no avail i would definately at the very minimum get the pictures removed from the website. And as far as if shes considered "family" if the issue doesnt get resolved fairly and the same situation happen to me the partner would definatly not be "family" IMO anymore. After all the wedding is over its too late for pictures. I would have a hard time spending any time around them thereafter. Whats it gonna be like at family get togethers now? What a shame. Hope everything works out for the best.

I'm from Ohio and somewhat familiar with tort law. I can easily see a judge saying this. She received $300 for a flash and wants $150 for prints. The judge may give her $150 for prints and you the $300 for the flash. it's not your responsibility to buy her the equipment. you get the disk adn $150 back. contact a lawyer if she won't be reasonable

very simple... take her to small claims court and let the judge decide. and be done with it.

I'm always surprised at so many's reaction to tell them to go to a lawyer. I don't know about the US but in Canada it cost a few hundred dollars to walk through the door of a lawyer's office (at least a reputable one). This is such a small thing I doubt that they would take it on a percentage.

It's not that they do not have access to their pictures, just not in the original fashioned agreement.

I still think that small claims may be the way to go. However, it is going to be a case of he said, she said, and who is the judge to believe when all they have to go on is a verbal agreement (as binding as it may be) and one of the parties is obviously not telling the truth.

Go to judge Judy and let us all see.

Dont go to the lawyer yet, dont even mention it because it will make her dig her heels in more. Just talk with her "as adults" and explain that you had an agreement. Explain to her she was doing you a favor and in turn you paid her "with a $300 flash". You both won on this deal, she was going to the wedding anyway "I assume", and she got experience and a decent flash out of the deal. If the pictures are decent (you never mentioned if they were) tell her you'll help spread the word and give her business.

Thanks to all of you for your thoughts and advice. My husband is not in favor of going to small claims, even though I think I have a good case, he dosen't what this to create bad will and hard feelings in the family. So far I haven't told any other family members what's going on, I just keep smiling and saying the photos aren't available yet. Because folks would definately be taking sides. So I've decided to send her a cease & desist letter as adviced to get the photos off her website, but only after I get the proof book (for $150)as I'm worried that I may not get anything from her. It's a lessoned learned, a hard lesson at that. If I can't talk her into honoring the agreement of giving me a disk (with at least the proofs) Can I, once I get the proof book scan the photos and just make some personal copies for myself, daughter and her in-laws? Hopefully they are good photos, I don't even know that for sure, except the 3 that are on her website.

morninglory wrote in post #2291200
=mornin'glory;2291200]​Thanks to all of you for your thoughts and advice. My husband is not in favor of going to small claims, even though I think I have a good case, he dosen't what this to create bad will and hard feelings in the family. So far I haven't told any other family members what's going on, I just keep smiling and saying the photos aren't available yet. Because folks would definately be taking sides. So I've decided to send her a cease & desist letter as adviced to get the photos off her website, but only after I get the proof book (for $150)as I'm worried that I may not get anything from her. It's a lessoned learned, a hard lesson at that. If I can't talk her into honoring the agreement of giving me a disk (with at least the proofs) Can I, once I get the proof book scan the photos and just make some personal copies for myself, daughter and her in-laws? Hopefully they are good photos, I don't even know that for sure, except the 3 that are on her website.

Let her know even though she owns the copyright, she still needs a written consent model release from you to use the images for any type of promotion.

Hell, I'd tell all the family what is going on. Maybe if she gets a rash of crap from the rest of the family, her and the sister will start to see what she has done to the family and maybe see the light.

Me, too, but I tend to be known as "Oh, That cousin!"