How far in advance?

poker

How far in a advance to you take reservations? I don't know if the wording on my contract will protect me enough if something terrible happens to me 1 year from now. For example, I have a customer asking me to just shoot just the ceremony in February 2011.

I know it's foolish to turn down work.

How do you handle it?

Thanks.

Art Scott

I will book and take a retainer fee or partial fee as far out as a client asks.......if it's way out .....over 2 yrs then I will take a smaller retainer with the final retainer fee due approx 6 months from the date of the shoot withthe full amount paid in full 60days prior to shoot date.........for such things I have a Palm TX that has calendars running out about 50 yrs...that is hwere I stopped.....I back up all calendars to my computer and to SD cards....I also copy to Google calendars......I don't see Google going out of business any time soon............and with in the calendars I keep track of what was paid when.

poker

Thanks for sharing your methods.

Art Scott

My Pleasure.....I am here to help ....if I can......

PhotoLasVegas

Simple answer: Your contract should have an "Act of God" clause (which would cover you if you are horribly injured/killed or whatever), and also should state that in the event that you'd need to cancel then your only liability would be for "retainers paid". Then no matter what, you only have to return the retainer.