p.2 #3 · **UPDATE** Lesson Learned - Working For Friends
Hi, read alot, don't post much, and decided to join recently.
I do not allow any friends/family to pay me for any services. If someones a "friend" (meaning that loosely) then a contract is required. Otherwise if I don't receive payment and they aren't happy they get what they paid for PERIOD whether its photography, computer/car repair or something else.
Also in the months I've read these posts on this board I can't understand one thing... In Ohio (I'm sure other states are similar) we have a "mechanics lien law" which gives anyone rendering a service, legal means by which to force due payment. The process is pretty simple here, you send out a legal letter (there is even an example in the ohio revised code), wait the appropriate amount of time, then file with the county court for a lien hearing. If the customer doesn't want to pay then a lien is awarded to you which is placed on the customers property until paid in full. If you have a contract you wouldn't even need to have a lawyer as its an open and shut case.
They still never have to pay, but they will suffer greatly for their mistake.
p.2 #4 · **UPDATE** Lesson Learned - Working For Friends
This is so sad, and I'm sorry it's happened to you just as you're starting out in your career. Here's my suggestion:
Since the bride is so young, perhaps her parents paid for some or all of the wedding. Send the parents an invoice with a really polite note. The invoice will tell them what is owed, and will (unspoken) imply you're assuming that the parents are paying for the photos. (it's not that much, so they won't have heart failure).
In the very polite note, mention you've enjoyed meeting both their kids & you were flattered when they asked you to shoot their wedding way back when. Tell them it was a pleasure working with the family, congratulate them on the happy marriage, and mention you've already delivered the photos they requested, you're so glad they love their album and you were pleased to see that Dear Susie posted "Blah-blah" about it on FB (be sure to take the screenshot & save it, first, of course). The invoice, will of course, have your address on it, so you don't need to tell them where to forward the payment; they'll know. Close the note by telling them to let you know how you can serve them again in the future.
I guarantee they will ask their daughter about it. This may prompt some discussion, during which they'll learn how 'polite' hubby is, and they'll figure out what happened. If anyone in the family is decent, in addition to noting what a jerk she married, they'll realize the family is getting embarrased over it. Maybe somebody will grow a conscience & send you your well-deserved payment.
p.2 #7 · **UPDATE** Lesson Learned - Working For Friends
Tanner_J wrote:
So this morning I receive a phone call from the husband cussing me out, telling me he's not paying for anything because there was no contract and how he makes the money and she has not right to make decisions and that just comment just blew me away.
p.2 #8 · **UPDATE** Lesson Learned - Working For Friends
Sounds like this is coming from a true New Yorker. I agree 350.00 is a piss in the wind. It would cost me 350.00 taking my wife and child to a apple farm. You would think it would be the whole day there but I only spent 15 min there ate lunch and went home. What a waste. Just like a waste of time it was for you.
p.2 #9 · **UPDATE** Lesson Learned - Working For Friends
Head2Heel: Thanks for the heads up. WIll have to fix that when I get home from this trip to shoot a wedding...imagine that.
ERoXsDaBox: $350 is two months car payment for me so don't tell me it was a waste or a piss in the wind. Sure it's low, but they were friends and it pays 2 months of my car payment...and no I don't have a crap car so get that idea out of your head...
p.2 #10 · **UPDATE** Lesson Learned - Working For Friends
Excellent story, in that you learnt from the experience.
Releasing the images was possibly the biggest lesson learnt that and not having a written contract.
The price is irrelevant, the experience is priceless
p.2 #11 · **UPDATE** Lesson Learned - Working For Friends
She has a proof cd with 800px wide images. Good news has come from the couples parents. After realizing they don't have a leg to stand on in a court, apparently the groom has agreed to pay. As with all things, we will see.
p.2 #12 · **UPDATE** Lesson Learned - Working For Friends
Glad you learned your lesson. I've learned the same one as many of us have. And to some people, like you and me, $350 pays a good portion of the bills. It doesn't matter if you're driving a Pinto or a BMW, it's money and it's well-deserved money. Hell, I wish I could just sneeze at $350. I could do groceries for 6 months with that much money. You know how much Ramen you get for $350!?
I've had people tell me they aren't happy with the photos and yada yada but they, like your bride, put them all over Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, etc. and talk about how awesome they are. I think people really have it in their heads that if they pretend to hate the images, they don't have to pay for them.
An email discussing price will hold up in court, especially if you have the FB screen shot to prove it. I'd be leery of this husband. He sounds like a real tool with a short fuse. Might request they mail the check instead.
Good luck to you in your future endeavors. You can get some really nice contracts for free online, or for a small amount of money, you could probably get a lawyer or law student to draw one up for you that you could then alter per job.
p.2 #14 · **UPDATE** Lesson Learned - Working For Friends
been at this awhile - this year did 2 friends + 2 family weddings. treat them the same (but w/discount). these weddings are tuff - want to be w/family + friends (+ to make sure they get decent pics) - at same time want to "party" w/them. we let them know that @ 8:30 - 9 pm the gear goes away so we can spend time w/them and enjoy ourselves. contracts ALWAYS employed. have done approx 20 thru the years w/o any problems. not a biggie.
p.2 #15 · **UPDATE** Lesson Learned - Working For Friends
i do shoot for friends at certain price but if they havent paid , no pictures will be given. That's probably at your fault to send pictures first without having the money in hand.
p.2 #16 · **UPDATE** Lesson Learned - Working For Friends
we never had problems with friends. but on other side, it could never happens from our friends. Friend is something else. Those were just your colleagues, not friends. For colleagues, same rules applies as to any other customer.
p.2 #17 · **UPDATE** Lesson Learned - Working For Friends
It is difficult to win in small claims court without a written contract. Proving an oral contract can be difficult since you were friends. If you decide not to pursue this any further, you might send them a letter expressing your position and feelings (civilized), state you are writing off their wedding as a loss, and will destroy their wedding images on file.
If they ask for the images, send them the cost (more than $350) and a contract requiring payment in advance.
p.2 #19 · **UPDATE** Lesson Learned - Working For Friends
Kittyk wrote:
we never had problems with friends. but on other side, it could never happens from our friends. Friend is something else. Those were just your colleagues, not friends. For colleagues, same rules applies as to any other customer.
Phew - I'm not the only one.
Some of the best clients we've had this year were friends. But I'm picky about what friends I work with and I am always professional regardless. One of the big differences is that we have signed contracts and we have always discussed everything well in advance to make sure we are all on the same page. I have turned down a few friends because I thought expectations were different.
Again -these don't sound like close friends. These sound like two people who happen to know you. Thankfully you have learned a lot and you will be able to apply that to future work.
