p.2 #3 · So a potential Brides Father called me and .......Advice Please
I'm glad it worked out, but I sometimes feel like photographers just have no desire to work with their clients. Normally, I require payment, but if a dad called me with this I'd say, you know what man, I totally get that you got burned. How about you pay me half of the remainder when I show up, and the remainder when I personally deliver you the DVD?
It's not often you get a FOB talking about how great a certain wedding photographer is, but I bet that would do it...
p.2 #4 · So a potential Brides Father called me and .......Advice Please
truehuss wrote:
she emailed me letting me know they were booking (for 2014) but that her dad wanted to talk to me as he was checking out the contract. Cool.
"Cool?" Are you relatively new to the business?
When I hear something like her dad is looking at the contract and wants to talk to me, it's always a bad sign. It means there is going to be conflict right from the get-go with this client. It means they want to make a change to the contract that goes against my best interests. It means, even before talking to the dad, I know that most likely this job is falling through.
p.2 #5 · So a potential Brides Father called me and .......Advice Please
glad it worked out man.
same kind of thing happened to us last year, a bride contacted us. we had a skype meeting and it was great. we send over a contract and a few days later her father (a contract lawyer) sends us back a copy of the contract that he completely rewrote. Including changing our delivery schedule from 30-60 days to 7 days.
I did the same as you and wrote the bride back ready to refer the wedding off, but the bride wrote back that she was horrified and signed the contract immediately. It was a beautiful wedding and the dad was great the entire day.
p.2 #6 · So a potential Brides Father called me and .......Advice Please
TRReichman wrote:
It takes 2 to create bad vibes.
BS! I walk into all meetings with the same attitude and sometimes you can just tell it's gonna be a cluster**** of a situation dealing with a particular family.
p.2 #8 · So a potential Brides Father called me and .......Advice Please
D. Diggler wrote:
"Cool?" Are you relatively new to the business?
Yes, I am relatively new to THIS business, but not relatively new TO business . A father looking out for his daughter doesnt send red flags to me at all as I am a daddy - 2 boys-5 & 2- and if they were getting married ( of course not at 5 & 2) and I am paying for it I would look over the contract to make sure my children are being taken care of. Period. Thats why I said "Cool". I have no problem dealing with parents...just not unreasonable ones .
p.2 #9 · So a potential Brides Father called me and .......Advice Please
D. Diggler wrote:
BS! I walk into all meetings with the same attitude and sometimes you can just tell it's gonna be a cluster**** of a situation dealing with a particular family.
p.2 #10 · So a potential Brides Father called me and .......Advice Please
Where's my love? I was the first person saying the father was just being protective and they'll likely come back to you... saying that while the others were saying "run"!
p.2 #13 · So a potential Brides Father called me and .......Advice Please
It's sad that he never received his final wedding photos. After hearing that, I probably would have offered that if they booked, I'd be happy to also have a complimentary mini-session with the dad and his wife (renewing the vows, anniversary, etc.) I mean, photogs throw in comp sessions quite often (engagement, formal bridal portrait), but in this case it would be to right a wrong. How often do we get the opportunity to do that?
Others might certainly disagree, but heck, I'd still probably offer it to him even if they are going o book with you regardless...since he and his wife will be getting all dolled up for the daughter's wedding, why not have a mini-shoot a couple days before, or after?
(Edited to add: I am not suggesting a huge wedding session for the dad, just a small 1-2 hour shoot...maybe add it to the engagement shoot, if you're already doing one)
p.2 #15 · So a potential Brides Father called me and .......Advice Please
There are certainly some who do not feel comfortable paying 100% up front. My standard practice is $1250 up front as the retainer and balance paid 14 days prior to the affair. However when pushed I have gone to 1/3rd to retain, 1/3rd 30 days prior to the affair and the final 1/3rd delivered when proofs are ready, typically 3-10 days after the affair. Either way I am covered. I mean the album it around 1/3rd of my package price, typically more, so if they blow me off, I still have the images and I am not really out anything since they still have to pay the final to get the proofs and album.
p.2 #18 · So a potential Brides Father called me and .......Advice Please
truehuss wrote:
Hey FMers,
I met with a potential bride, we clicked-somewhat (she was trying to be "face of stone" and all business but still pleasant enough) we yada yada yada'd and then she emailed me...
p.2 #20 · So a potential Brides Father called me and .......Advice Please
julieawhitlock wrote:
I'm not a fan of power struggles that early on.
+1
Best way to create the worst enviroment.
why do we have contracts if the contract says they get the files why does he doubt unless he doesnt even beleive in contracts then you are dealing with a caverman (with all my respect).
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if the contract says they get the files why does he doubt unless he doesnt even beleive in contracts then you are dealing with a caverman (with all my respect).