Difficult Bride :S

Rewen

I am sure most of you have been there, the title of my post says it all. Difficult brides are the one thing about wedding photography that I have been trying to avoid for the last while, but I was asked (begged) to take on a wedding by a really nice couple who are strapped for cash. Since I am new to the wedding photography scene, I asked what their budget would allocate, being that I just got married I was trying to be sensitive to their needs paying for a wedding. So they told me their story, and said they didn't really want anything but some ceremony photos and family photos, which I was fine with. We settled on $300, and a dvd with the photos on it. For me being new, I figured it was great. I tried to upsell them a bit, and said if they wanted engagement photos to get a feel for me as their photographer I said I could for another $150.
I didn't hear from her for almost two months, so I took some initiative and emailed her to touch base with her and see how things were going, and now they are asking what my prices are again? So i said that we agreed on $300 for the ceremony and reception, but if they wanted engagement, getting ready and more pre-wedding photos i could do it all for $500.
So for those of us that aren't confused yet, she emails me back asking if we could meet, which of course is great with me, and if I could include the getting ready photos for the same price....$300
Now i know im new to the wedding photography, and a job is a job, but am I getting jerked around? Should I just do all of it for the $300 and use their photos for a portfolio? I am a bit torn, they are being a bit pushy, and they are already getting a steal of a deal. I used a first year college student for my wedding, and it still cost me $600.
I feel pretty silly, like I made a mistake. Advice?

Angelo

if you already feel like you've made a mistake how will you feel when they get even pushier and make all sorts of demands on you about what they want, or when they don't want to pay you because they claim they don't like the pictures.

there's an old saying: if the water smells bad, don't drink it!

well, maybe it's not an old saying... maybe I made it up but it sounds good

Rewen

What to say?

Angelo wrote:

if you already feel like you've made a mistake how will you feel when they get even pushier and make all sorts of demands on you about what they want, or when they don't want to pay you because they claim they don't like the pictures.

there's an old saying: if the water smells bad, don't drink it!

well, maybe it's not an old saying... maybe I made it up but it sounds good

There is a large part of me that really wants to shoot their wedding, but the other half, does not like how demanding they are, I understand that it is their wedding and what not. But, how would I tell them that I am not interested in shooting their wedding, when I already told them I was.......I am kinda stuck.

Candid Arts

I would just try and be as polite as possible. Something to the affect of for the price they are wanting to pay, and the the needs they are wanting, that is something that you are just not able to do. Maybe give them a recommendation, or at least just some ideas. They are wanting to trade in a '86 Honda for an '09 Ferrari. I wouldn't do it. $300 is literally nothing for what you'd be doing. So them asking for more is just ridiculous. You want more, you pay more. That's how life is isn't it? I know the economy is bad, etc etc etc... If it was a friend or family, it'd be a different story, but since its a customer...

You gave them a HELL of a deal already, and they just keep pushing for more. Making you worth less and less money. I'd say don't do it. But be polite in declining.

Angelo

you meet with her after she "begs" you and you agree to do the shoot for a low price.... then she strings you along for two months... and doesn't recall what you originally discussed and asks to meet again and for further discounts...

you're already losing money on this deal.

you really want to do this and she can sense that so she's going to take advantage of you as much as she can.


.

bob swanson

I'm certain you know what the sensible thing is to do. As has been mentioned, when the client gives you a hard time and strings you along in the beginning it will only get worse. Do you have any idea what the going rate with an experienced wedding photog is? Personally (and I have done this) I would just become "not available" for their date. Just state that there seems to be an incompatible aura with the situation. Just my thoughts, bsvirginian

Blaker

For the ceremony and reception you are already booking about 3 hours, probably at least another 2 hours for editing , post-processing, and burning to cd.

My advice?

1) written contract specifying hours/amount and type of photos/ your fee

2) non refundable retainer for 1/2 the amount due at the signing of the contract

3) balance due prior to the wedding

4) if you can't agree on terms, then walk away. (Unless you are independently wealthy and are doing free weddings for anyone who asks!)
It's just not worth the hassle, or your time and money , to deal with people who really have no intention of paying you.

ian408

I think this is situation that can be avoided best by treating your engagement as a business deal. You meet, decide what and how much and then formalize that in a written contract. At that point, there is no forgetfulness because it's written down.

If you wanted to take that a step farther, keep notes for each meeting/phone call you have with your client--this is a great way to capture important information that you wouldn't necessarily put down in a contract. Think of it as a way to track where your clients are in the process and what was discussed and when.

Cygnus Studios

Blaker wrote:

My advice?

1) written contract specifying hours/amount and type of photos/ your fee

2) non refundable retainer for 1/2 the amount due at the signing of the contract

With the limited amount you are charging, I would get 100% up front. A contract should be done immediately. Get it in writing, get your money, and get it over with.

The more talking you do prior to a contract, the more you will feel like you are being walked over.

johng

Great advice so far. Let me just add this is a great learning opportunity for you - not the shoot, but the process. You've had one meeting already and are going to have a second one. How many more will you have? The point I'm getting at is time=money. The less you have prepared/documented/signed off on the more time you have meetings you didn't intend on having so your effective hourly rate is dwindling. The bride is being a good budget shopper. She's like a person that goes to flea markets / garage sales trying to talk someone down from $5 to $3 for an old lamp. If you want to do wedding photography don't act like a seller at a flea market. This is a BUSINESS transaction - one that absolutely must contain a contract specifying what is and what is not included. Part of that contract must include your time spent shooting and in meetings/discussions. You're selling your time not just the photos. And, as mentioned make sure the verbiage is in the contract that you're paid in advance (if there is enough time, final payment should be made 30 days in advance - 14 days if you're close to the date now).

Rewen

Thank You!
Thank you everyone for all your advice and support. I got up the guts to tell her that I was no longer available for her wedding date, and recommended some other photographers to her that would probably still be available.

You are all right about how she was stringing me along. And right now in my life, i dont need that crap from a client, no matter how much she is or isn't paying me. Plus I have other obligations other than wedding portraits.

Thanks again everyone for the support. I am really glad I asked for your help rather than being a whipping post for a disgruntled bride.