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02/21/2009 10:38:34 AM · #1 |
Okay, rather dumb noob question, but when is the norm for the B&G to pay the wedding photographer? I know there should be a deposit, and I'm guessing I just send the bill afterwards right? That's how I do portraits and the like, but I'm not sure on the wedding etiquette in this matter. Any help will be greatly appreciated!
_Nathanael |
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02/21/2009 12:21:12 PM · #2 |
do not perform work without being paid in advance. not just the deposit. ALL of it. period.
final payment should be received 30 days prior to wedding. bounced checks suck & just leave you angry about having to be there.
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02/21/2009 01:10:46 PM · #3 |
Half upon booking and half at least 30 days prior to the date of the wedding.
The simple rule is this; the camera never even comes out of it's case unless you've been paid :-)
There are far too many photogs out there who tried to bill after the event (hard), or worse yet, after they had delivered the images (nearly impossible). Once the client has what they want, where's their incentive to pay you? No, most people are not honest and good, blah blah blah, at least not when it comes to their parting with large sums of money.
A newly married couple can come up with a thousand reasons why they "just can't afford to pay you right now." Don't expose yourself to that agony. Payment up front, always.
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02/21/2009 01:23:50 PM · #4 |
Depends on you're business model, your area's customs, and your sales abilities.
I get $400 non refundable deposit to hold the day. why $400? Cause when I asked for $500 (or more) they'd walk away. $400 was less intimidation. Some ask for 1/3 or half, but it's a trust issue on the bride's part. it's somewhat sales on your part - can you convince them to give more? business model wise what works for you? I take the $400 and spend it as income. it's non refundable to them, so it's mine regardless. If you take 1/2 but will refund some of that if htey cancel then you best set some aside just in case you get a cancellation. If most of your competition gets $500 you should too, if they get 1/2 you should too. But then if they ask for 1/2 (say $1000) then you ask for $500 you may get more bookings because of the lower deposit requirement.
The balance of the contract is due 14 days before the wedding date.
I have packages, but anything that is prepaid is priced at a discount as an encouragement to have them buy that album or parent book or what have you. Based on experience the couple will not spend money after the wedding. OK, well 1 in 20 will if you phrase it right, but 19 won't spend a dime more. So get it all sold upfront and give them a reason to do it. The 'discount price' is the price I want - the higher 'regular' price is an inflated price.
You may still have issues with folks that can't pay the balance...I'm still waiting for $450 from a 1/3/9 wedding. They booked for $2100 and came up short as they bought a house...so I cut them a deal to $1000 for shoot and proof only...and they're still $400 (plus tax) short of that. Sorry, no money no pics. The groom promised he'd have the money the week after the wedding..you know, 5 weeks ago LOL But what was I to do? They're a referral from a former bride (who was their MOH) and that bride was a referral from a previous wedding too...they can't pay and they'll tell their friends some story where I'm the bad guy. I may still be the bad guy, I don't know what they're telling folks. But they have pictures (well, they exist anyway) and I got samples/experience/etc from it and more money than if i'd stayed home, and perhaps one day they'll pay (she said this week that 'the checks in the mail').
Yeah, get paid upfront.
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02/21/2009 02:32:38 PM · #5 |
I recently got married... paid about £1600 total... iirc - I paid £400 for a deposit to secure the booking, then another £400 on the wedding day, another £400 upon delivery of the proofs, and a final payment of £400 for delivery of the album (plus hi-res copyright free images, which was nice - part of the package deal).
Worked out quite well for us, staged payments, and the actual time elapsed was about 12 months so no hardship to pay that way. Obviously it worked for the photographer too as it was his standard payment model. |
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02/21/2009 06:24:51 PM · #6 |
I take 20% to secure the booking - so even if they say they are going to book I wont hold the date until I either take the credit card payment or recieve the cheque. Then the remainder is payable 60 days before the ceremony. I stipulate 60 days as that gives me a week before I even send a letter to the couple (so I dont jump down their throat as the deadline expires), then a week to await a reply. If I havent heard from them by that date it still gives me plenty of time to chase them up and get the payment in the bank. Bottom line is, if I dont have all the money by the date of the wedding, and I have tried my hardest (and in the most polite way) to give them chance to pay, then I dont turn up. Still, all my clients are `good sorts` and never not had a payment in time.
I also include deadlines that if they cancel cetain amounts are still payable. The following is an extract from my Ts & Cs.
CANCELLATION: A full unconditional refund policy exists for a period of 14 days from receipt of this contract and payment. After that date, booking fee refunds are at the discretion of Eyecandy Photographic. Cancellation charges will be as follows: (Number of days before the wedding) 60 days or less - 100%, 61-90 days - 75%, 91-120 days - 50%. |
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02/22/2009 06:54:48 PM · #7 |
| Waho, thanks for all the info, guys! Just got back from a bridal expo a few hours ago so I'm expecting a few calls soon! :D |
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02/22/2009 07:40:30 PM · #8 |
We usually just say that the balance is due on or before their wedding day. Most people usually clear it about a week before though we have done a few where the bride will pay us cash on the day!
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02/23/2009 06:33:50 PM · #9 |
I take 20% to confirm the date and whatnot.
I'd also search for wedding contracts online and
change all the info for about your company.
Then you can write when the final amount is due. |
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02/23/2009 06:41:17 PM · #10 |
| PM your email address to me and I'll send you a copy of my booking form and T&Cs if you want. |
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02/23/2009 06:48:46 PM · #11 |
I cannot add to the what to pay when conversation but.....
Careful about your local rules... Some places you are going to want to call that "deposit" a "retainer" instead so that if push came to shove you can keep the money. You kinda need to use a suit in the local jurisdiction to be sure your covered.
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02/25/2009 04:56:53 PM · #12 |
Here's what we do-
To hold the date, we require a $100 non-refundable, non-transferable deposit. The remainder is due on the wedding day, with a 10% penalty on any balance left after the wedding day. Until the balance is paid, they receive nothing. They receive no originals, no proofing CD, and their images aren't placed online. All the details are spelled out in the contract which must be signed before the deposit is accepted.
Keep in mind that we are based out of a small farming community about 45 minutes north of Indianapolis. Our business model reflects what it takes to get the business of those around us. |
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02/25/2009 07:23:14 PM · #13 |
Originally posted by robs:
I cannot add to the what to pay when conversation but.....
Careful about your local rules... Some places you are going to want to call that "deposit" a "retainer" instead so that if push came to shove you can keep the money. You kinda need to use a suit in the local jurisdiction to be sure your covered. |
Good idea, but...here in PA i've head (from other photogs) that by law a 'deposit' is always refundable, so there is no such thing as a 'non-refundable deposit'. So I called it a retainer. I met with a lawyer last year to go over such things and well, he never heard of hte non-refundable bit, but in the legal community a retainer is very specifically defined: it cannot be touched until the service is performed.
So think about that for a minute. You call it a retainer. Lawyers have retainers and they are not the same thing as our retainer...so they're gonna think the way they do about it and it's not going to go in our favor.
So it's best to do it this way:
Contract total of $2100 (or whatever it is).
Down Payment of $400 required at signing of contract.
Cancellation fee of $400 for, well, canceling the contract.
Plain, simple, no misunderstandings.
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