First Unhappy Bride

Well it has came.

The bride is unhappy due to me 'missing' some photos.

First of all I had myself and 3 other photographers working for me.

Basically she wanted 1/2 her money back because I didnt take a photo she asked for.

Let me explain... the photo she wanted i did take, actaully about 12 from 4 photographers of her drunk dad, who would not stand still for sh*t.
that wanted to fight everyone.

My staff finally got him to stand in place, and we fired off about 40-50 photos of the wedding party.

Afte reviewing them, she said she wanted a diff view ( angle ), which I showed her 4 angles. then she said she was unhappy, and since that was supposably her "only" photo she wanted she wants half.

I showed her the contract, which has a list of must haves, and she rated the wed party a 0. because of the history of her dad.

Still unhappy.

I wouldn't give her a refund. You got the shot more than once. Can you show us one of the shots and tell us what she says is wrong?

I have a clause in my contract that no photo is guaranteed. I would a portrait session, perhaps with a discount, and offer to put her Dad into the group photo using photoshop for a fair hourly rate.

I realize you haven't given names...but your real name is on here and it wouldn't be the first time for a client to read about the controversy here...

food for thought.

sounds more like shes mad at her dad... id say no way...

If you have the photo that you agreed to get, then id say no to refund. You did your job, and just because the angle is not right in her eyes, does not breach the contract.

Stand firm; she's gaming you, and it isn't about the pictures.

There are so many varibales that are beyond your control at a wedding - never mind that family dynamics are usually playing out that makes photos interesting to say the least. We allow the bride to make a shot sheet wish list and we do not ever guarantee any shot. You never know what's gonna happen - someone could be drunk, wander out of the frame, etc. It sounds like you managed to get her shot. Her whining that she doesn't like the angle is too bad, but not grounds for asking for a refund. Stand your ground. You provided the shot under difficult curcumstances. You fulfilled your end as long as your contract didn't have anything specific in it about posing or angles. (hope not)

I have yet to have an unhappy bride (Knocks on wood). I also give them a check list of shots they would like me to get, but stress that sometimes things just don't work out. 99.9% of the request shots are basic formals though. So unless it is clearly stated in her contract that you will 100% provide said shots, tell her to take a hike, but nicely! This sounds like the people who will complain about anything just to get free stuff.

I myself do not put up with any crap from people. I have a specific clause in my contract that says if anyone is continuously rude, mean, ect..., and if I have spoken to the bride/groom several times and it still continues, I walk- with no refund. Don't ever let people push you around!

Sounds to me like she had more angels than Home-run 756

Wouldn't do it. She is going to get some money back. Is there anything in your contract that states you can't guarantee shots?

Sounds like she is looking for a "after the fact" discount. 1/2 off is pretty steep for a single photo pose. You have met your contractual obligations. If in your mind the requested photos do not meet expectations then you might want to off a lessor discount for that photo op...surely not 50% however. On other hand if you hold firm, the down side, of course, is that she may complain about you to other potential clients.

JimAskew wrote in post #4024105
On other hand if you hold firm, the down side, of course, is that she may complain about you to other potential clients.

Let her complain. It's not like she could possibly complain to anyone that matters. People who agree with her are the type you want to avoid anyway. It's the reasonable folks that see her as being ridiculous you want for clients.

JimAskew wrote in post #4024105
Sounds like she is looking for a "after the fact" discount. 1/2 off is pretty steep for a single photo pose. You have met your contractual obligations. If in your mind the requested photos do not meet expectations then you might want to off a lessor discount for that photo op...surely not 50% however. On other hand if you hold firm, the down side, of course, is that she may complain about you to other potential clients.

Out of princinple I wouldn't give a refund, but since you missed 1 shot out of what 1000 you could offer her a 0.1% discount

cdifoto wrote in post #4024108
Let her complain. It's not like she could possibly complain to anyone that matters. People who agree with her are the type you want to avoid anyway. It's the reasonable folks that see her as being ridiculous you want for clients.

I agree with you totally, but so much of the wedding business is by referral or word of mouth then that is a risk the OP will have to evaluate.

JimAskew wrote in post #4024129
I agree with you totally, but so much of the wedding business is by referral or word of mouth then that is a risk the OP will have to evaluate.

Yeah but I could care less about irrational people badmouthing me. Only other irrational people will believe those doing the badmouthing, and I don't want them for customers anyway.

It's like my sister when she says she's going to boycott Wal-Mart because she had a bad experience at the checkout counter. Doesn't mean I'm going to boycott Wal-Mart too...I know she's nuts. The others in the family who side with her are also nuts.