Cancelled Wedding

[LexPhoto]

Hello!

I booked a wedding back in November 2008 for October of 2009. There was a $100 deposit received which was clearly stated as non-refundable in the contract. :deal
So I received an email the other day stating the wedding will not take place. The client wants to know if she could use the $100 for her daughters birthday in July. :scratch
I am leaning toward no, since I met this couple once, haven't "built" a relationship and the deposit was specifically for a wedding, that isn't going to take place, not for another session.

Just wanting to get some other input. :thumb

Thanks!

[Candid Arts]

Tough decision. If you say yes, then you get the daughters shoot (assuming they don't cancel) and the rest of the money for that. If you say no, then you get $100, but no daughter shoot and more money, assuming they go with someone else after you decline the offer.

Hmmm...:scratch

[SCP]

Why would you say no and shoot yourself in the foot?

Use that $100 bucks and do the shoot. Gain a client for life.

Or say No, lose a client and all her friends she tells.

[LexPhoto]

Good call! I wasnt thinking of when she said "toward" the shoot and I was just assuming she wanted the shoot for $100.

I will have to make sure she knows that it is to be applied to the final price and a new contract signed.

Thanks!

[Candid Arts]

Why would you say no and shoot yourself in the foot?

Use that $100 bucks and do the shoot. Gain a client for life.

Or say No, lose a client and all her friends she tells.

Good call. Do that.

[Art Scott]

Do your self a HUUUUUUge favor and change your DEPOSIT to RETAINER FEE and if you want specify it to be for that one day and time only.......but at the same time I get much more than $100 for my retainer........I haven't had a $100 retainer in over 25 yrs................but it is still part of the final wedding price..............

[bob swanson]

:wink I agree with Art. In some areas "deposits" are refundable where "retainers" are not. Also agree about raising your retainer amount. If a B&G changes their mind $ 100.00 is that much to lose where as $ 500.00 or more is a chunk of change. Also definitely get a new contract. Just my thoughts, bsvirginian

[LexPhoto]

:wink I agree with Art. In some areas "deposits" are refundable where "retainers" are not. Also agree about raising your retainer amount. If a B&G changes their mind $ 100.00 is that much to lose where as $ 500.00 or more is a chunk of change. Also definitely get a new contract. Just my thoughts, bsvirginian

All very good points! Thank you...I will definitely change the wording. My prices are pretty average right now, so I thought $100 for a wedding (total cost $1200) was enough and a $50 for a $150 session. Yes / No??

Also, I did contact the Bride and let her know that I could do the birthday shoot. She wants to proceed. But wants to know if she can get the negatives to make copies. I have to draw the line somewhere.....

Thoughts?!?!

[mbellot]

All very good points! Thank you...I will definitely change the wording. My prices are pretty average right now, so I thought $100 for a wedding (total cost $1200) was enough and a $50 for a $150 session. Yes / No??
You ask for 1/12 up front for a wedding and 1/3 up front for a session? Seems upside down to me since you're locking up an entire day (or most of one) for the wedding.

Also, I did contact the Bride and let her know that I could do the birthday shoot. She wants to proceed. But wants to know if she can get the negatives to make copies. I have to draw the line somewhere.....

Thoughts?!?!
Digital images for the customer are always an interesting debate.

Many people follow the "shoot and burn (a CD)" line of reasoning, making all their money in one shot.

Others prefer to make the real money off print sales.

Personally (because I'm not a Pro photog) I'd probably do the shoot and burn for a child's birthday, with images sufficient to print good quality 8x10s. Now you just have to figure out how much the CD should cost :rofl

On the off chance the mom wants something bigger she can come back to you for it.

[bob swanson]

:D My wedding retainer is $ 800.00 with the complete balance paid 2 weeks or so prior to the ceremony. Typically my location work is 100% in advance. For the less expensive jobs you wouldn't believe how ofter customers forget to let you know they have found someone else. If there is a monetary loss then they are more attentive. As has been mentioned I also just give them a low rez CD sized to 4x6 so they can make their own proofs. Good luck, bsvirginian
:thumb :barb All very good points! Thank you...I will definitely change the wording. My prices are pretty average right now, so I thought $100 for a wedding (total cost $1200) was enough and a $50 for a $150 session. Yes / No??

Also, I did contact the Bride and let her know that I could do the birthday shoot. She wants to proceed. But wants to know if she can get the negatives to make copies. I have to draw the line somewhere.....

Thoughts?!?!

[Blaker]

All very good points! Thank you...I will definitely change the wording. My prices are pretty average right now, so I thought $100 for a wedding (total cost $1200) was enough and a $50 for a $150 session. Yes / No??

Also, I did contact the Bride and let her know that I could do the birthday shoot. She wants to proceed. But wants to know if she can get the negatives to make copies. I have to draw the line somewhere.....

Thoughts?!?!

If you are handing over a cd with all of the images on it for her get printed, then you will obviously not be selling her any prints. So, in order to make a profit, you will have to price the cd accordingly-
you will have to make your profit by charging a very high sitting fee and a nominal amount for the cd, or charge your usual sitting fee, and then charge a very high fee for the cd.
When determining your price, be sure to take into consideration the amount of time you will have to spend editing and post processing the images on the cd. You are doing this to make a profit, so figure out how many hours you will put in during the sitting and in the post processing, and figure out how much profit you need to make on this shoot to earn your living, and just do the math.
Be sure to get enough non-refundable $$ up front to cover your time and talent for the sitting, in case she ends up not wanting to spend the $$ on the cd.
Good luck.

[LexPhoto]

If you are handing over a cd with all of the images on it for her get printed, then you will obviously not be selling her any prints. So, in order to make a profit, you will have to price the cd accordingly-
you will have to make your profit by charging a very high sitting fee and a nominal amount for the cd, or charge your usual sitting fee, and then charge a very high fee for the cd.
When determining your price, be sure to take into consideration the amount of time you will have to spend editing and post processing the images on the cd. You are doing this to make a profit, so figure out how many hours you will put in during the sitting and in the post processing, and figure out how much profit you need to make on this shoot to earn your living, and just do the math.
Be sure to get enough non-refundable $$ up front to cover your time and talent for the sitting, in case she ends up not wanting to spend the $$ on the cd.
Good luck.


I normally charge $350 for a high-res cd of images. Since this retainer is on a canceled wedding should I use the same price or give her some sort of discount? I would be covering for 2 hours, unlimited photos taken.

All this information is VERY helpful! Thank you!

[Blaker]

I normally charge $350 for a high-res cd of images. Since this retainer is on a canceled wedding should I use the same price or give her some sort of discount? I would be covering for 2 hours, unlimited photos taken.

All this information is VERY helpful! Thank you!

Why would you give her a discount?

[LexPhoto]

Why would you give her a discount?

I guess because I am too nice and to get the job?!?!
Your right it should be a no-brainer since I am actually "out" the money I would have got for the wedding.

Guess I already knew that answer! LOL :rofl

[Toshido]

I am with Art in this case.

I would have told her sure you could use the deposit, but it must be on that specific date. Turning it more into a retainer fee.
After all you may have had to turn down work for that day and be out that money. The client does not and should not know if you actually had to turn down work or not.