p.1 #1 · To Contract or not to Contract....This is my question
Hey All!
I've only posted here a couple of times, so if this is the wrong spot to do so - try not to pounce down my throat....lol.
Anyway - I am slowly getting into Wedding Photography (I've shot about 10 weddings), and have never used a contract of any sort. The more and more I read, however, I hear horror stories of photographers getting crucified by not having clients under contractual obligation. I'm beginning to wonder if its just a matter of time before I have my own horror story to share.
So, my question is two-fold.... Would any of you seasoned vets agree to shoot sans-contract? If not, what do I include in such a contract? Does anyone have a generic one they'd share - or is that something that is as personal as an artist's photography itself.
Anyway, thanks for reading - and if you have any insight/resources/experiences to share - they'd all really help me and my growth.
p.1 #2 · To Contract or not to Contract....This is my question
Never shoot a wedding (or any other event) without a contract!!! It doesn't matter how well you know or do not know the person involved. Weddings are an emotional time for all those involved and it can bring out the best and worst in people. People want their wedding to be perfect, and I have found they want the best service/product for little or no expense. They can often be delusional in their expectations. Contracts and non-refundable deposits save you from time wasters. Even with contracts and explaining our style and method of working, we get problems emerging post-event, but because everything is written in the contract, we are saved a lot of hassle. Recently a signed contract to fall back upon turned a potentially nasty post-wedding bride into a happy customer once she had refreshed her memory about our early meetings and terms and conditions.
p.1 #3 · To Contract or not to Contract....This is my question
You're crazy and/or flat out stupid if you shoot with no contract! The contract is what protects you from frivolous law suits. It spells out what both parties agreed to.
Do a google search and you'll find a ton of sample contracts.
p.1 #4 · To Contract or not to Contract....This is my question
jj sach md:
I have found they want the best service/product for little or no expense. They can often be delusional in their expectations.
THIS is where your horror stories will come from, especially when you start out with lower prices (which is how most freshman photogs start out). Lower-income bracket brides tend to nickle and dime you for all you're worth. This is exactly why you need a contract, and exactly the situation in which a contract has saved me.
p.1 #5 · To Contract or not to Contract....This is my question
Contract is the only way to go! Without one there is too much assumption from both parties… what I think may not be what the B/G is thinking. Just when you think you know what the B/G is thinking; someone throws you a curveball. I changed my contract a few times (for future clients). Recently, I had a bride hire me for only 3 hours… around a week later she emailed me and asked me if this was consecutive hours (never seen that one coming)… of course I said yes... Or should I have done 1 hour in the morning, go home, one hour in the afternoon, go home, and the last hour at night
Anyway it can be as simple as “B/G is hiring photog x for x amount on x date at x time for x hours, and for x prints/etc” “sign/sign”… but this does not include the assumptions/delusional expectations (or the fine print).
p.1 #6 · To Contract or not to Contract....This is my question
This HAS to be a joke!!!
Have you ever had a conversation with someone and you or they thought you or they said something but each party thought otherwise? No matter how much each side hammer it's points you both don't agree to what was said.
This can be something as simple as picking up something from a store for a friend but you buy the wrong product............Contracts help take care of that.
Edited on May 08, 2008 at 09:31 AM
May 08, 2008 at 09:30 AM
hassy501 Offline • • • • [X]
p.1 #7 · To Contract or not to Contract....This is my question
If you are in "business", then liability is the key word......contracts protect you.....and your business.
p.1 #12 · To Contract or not to Contract....This is my question
If you're in business to provide a service, then yes. Just go speak and hire a lawyer and an accountant. They'll help you get all of your ducks in a row.
And they won't react in rude and obnoxious ways either to answer your question.
