DPChallenge: A Digital Photography Contest You are not logged in. (log in or register) 
 

DPChallenge Forums >> Business of Photography >> When to have them sign?
Pages:  
Showing posts 1 - 6 of 6, (reverse)
AuthorThread
 09/17/2009 10:46:20 PM · #1
I've just started my part-time biz. I'm working on contracts and keep running into the same question...when do I have them sign?

All of my clients so far I've just verbally booked over the phone or via email (right now, 99% of my clients come from the place I work and it's easy), but because of word-of-mouth, I'm getting people calling that I don't already know (which is the point...but now it's getting serious!). In knowing people, or at least what department they work in, I can just tell them to pay me at the shoot and it's done. But I want to move out of this...and quickly.

I only do portraits, no weddings, so when I do a booking, there's not a lot of time involved...so having a meeting/interview seems pointless. I'd just be saying, "who am I shooting? Ok. What time? Ok. Thanks, bye!" Basically.

So my question is...would a 5-minute meeting be worth it to have them come to my house to sign and put down a deposit? Or should I email them the contract, have them sign it and mail it to me with the deposit? That sounds a little off, too.

How did you start when just beginning?

Thanks! :)
 09/17/2009 10:53:15 PM · #2
Right now the way I do it is I have the contracts available on my website and I allow the clients to download them, sign them and bring them to the session. If they don't then I have a copy on hand that they sign before I even begin shooting. As far as weddings I get together with my wedding couple as far out as I can and have them sign a contract then. But the general rule is to have them sign any release/contracts before you start shooting. If you forget or need one after the shoot/session you can always ask them to sign something but I would have them do it before at all costs. It will save you time and money in the long run.

09/17/2009 10:56:19 PM · #3
I have absolutely no experience with this, so ignore everything I have to say! :D

Definitely have a signed contract before you start shooting (it can be done right before you're shooting). But why are you wanting the deposit? Are you wanting it in case the skip out of your session? If that's the case, you'd need it before the shoot. Otherwise, I'd just do it at the shoot. It's easier for the client, and clients hate going out of their way for things.

Message edited by author 2009-09-17 22:57:17.
 09/17/2009 11:04:54 PM · #4
Thanks, guys. :)

Yeah...I've tossed the idea of the deposit back and forth for awhile and still don't know for sure if I'll do it. Since I'm just doing portraits, it's not like I'm getting any huge amount that people would have to make payments on...so I guess doing it all (sign and pay) at time of session would work.

I did initially think the deposit would be a good idea in case of day-of cancellations. I've not had any yet, but if I'm already booked out a month, I don't want to be losing spots because someone decides last minute to change their mind.

Maybe I should just cross that bridge if/when I come to it?

Thanks again - having them available on the site is a good idea, too!
 09/17/2009 11:12:27 PM · #5
Originally posted by ttwphoto:
Thanks, guys. :)

Yeah...I've tossed the idea of the deposit back and forth for awhile and still don't know for sure if I'll do it. Since I'm just doing portraits, it's not like I'm getting any huge amount that people would have to make payments on...so I guess doing it all (sign and pay) at time of session would work.

I did initially think the deposit would be a good idea in case of day-of cancellations. I've not had any yet, but if I'm already booked out a month, I don't want to be losing spots because someone decides last minute to change their mind.

Maybe I should just cross that bridge if/when I come to it?

Thanks again - having them available on the site is a good idea, too!


definitely! I'd skip the deposits!
 09/18/2009 07:43:56 AM · #6
I only ask for deposits on my weddings, and senior portraits. Only because I want to make sure that if someone is paying a large amount of money I want them to keep the date they asked for. I believe in deposits but only on those two sessions, everything else is pay before if you want or pay me on the day of.
Pages:  
Current Server Time: 06/08/2025 10:00:49 AM

Please log in or register to post to the forums.


Home - Challenges - Community - League - Photos - Cameras - Lenses - Learn - Help - Terms of Use - Privacy - Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2025 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 06/08/2025 10:00:49 AM EDT.