morganb4 wrote:
Have you ever been so sick that you could not attend the wedding and had to invoke your backup shooter.
If so, how did the B&G react and how did you manage the situation?
I just completed my March 27th wedding ill, with my wife and 2 children at home ill as well. The day before my 1 year old was at the hospital and Friday, following the wedding day, my 3 year old went to the hospital.
I've never evoked my 2nd or backup, but it was close this time. I loved my clients SO much and it seems God just works things out for me.
I'd say this though. I trust my backup 110% in the event of he/she (I have a backup for my backup!) were to shoot a wedding for me. I'm actually thinking of bringing someone on with my part time even if the bride/groom didn't book 2 shooters. Just to train another person in MY style. We'll see.
I think you have to have a good contract in which the client and yourself are clear on what would happen. Mine accomplishes that just fine.
Dennis and I go as a team. He had ammonia in Oct. 06. He was so sick that I didn't want him to come. I would have had to look after him and shoot a wedding. I found someone to help back me up and in this bride's case, they were fine with it.
On another note, we were asked to be the backup for a photographer that was in the hospital. The couple came and met with us 4 days before the wedding and right after finding out earlier that day that someone else would be shooting their wedding. I was trying so hard to assure her, that it backfired. I could tell that she was not happy and nothing I could say or do would make her happy. I talked to the photographer that had asked us to step in and told him he needed to see if she wanted to find someone else herself. My gut said that I need to give them an out. As it turned out, he was released the day before and shot the wedding himself.
I think it would go over easier if the news came the day before rather than 5 days before. There is too much time to think about it and panic. I'm sure most brides would be upset, but some would probably come unglued. Yvette
