Bobbee

Just smile and answer her questions. If you are quick, give her an explanation. She has probably signed on to UHH and is echoing what she reads.

Xantoz Loc: Delaware

Lots of insurance!! Non returnable retainer up front! Signed contract. Signed list of necessary must have shots. At least 1 good assistant and a second shooter. Keep the mother of the bride in the loop. If they are young she is probably paying your bill and will want to look thin and as gorgeous as the bride.
Sounds like you are in for a good time!! And at least 2000.00 for a package like that. Have fun with it. If you can't have fun doing your job then don't do it. She will sense the angst, it will ruin her day and she will sue you.

Photogmikeg

I dont shoot weddings but I have had clients who try to manage my business. The portable dressing room is a perk one guy offers (and bills for no doubt). If you really want to try and keep up with the guy who didn't get the job you can go to a camping store and buy a folding dressing room people take to the beach. It sits up like a tent and folds down to nothing. If you don't do that I doubt it will cost you the job.

As far asking questions about the equipment. Talk about how you have the tools you need to do the job. You can remind her that the results depends less on the equipment then it dies on the guy using it. At the end of the day she isn't going to care what lens you used when she is wowed by the results.

Hammer Loc: London UK

Hi,

Dealing with people is tough and getting angry about dealing with idiots is natural . However, when you are getting paid very well the anger subsides. In these situations it is necessary (but difficult ) to look to yourself as the cause of the problem . Please do not take this as being critical, its just necessary in a business environment. If you have a problem with a member of staff , the first port of call must be to question whether your handling of them could solve the problem.

Can I suggest that you have a look at a book called “Influence “ by Prof. Peters. I have been in business for years and have got it wrong most of the time, this book tells you how to get a yes out of people and why it works. And It does work , I used it only yesterday.

Can I also suggest that you have a service level agreement with the client , setting out what you will do and when and what you expect the client to do and when. This will answer a lot of their queries. Also make sure there is lots of detail in your SLA or on separate sheets. What you take for granted in your business borders on something of wonder and amazement to the client . They will like to talk to their friends etc about the wedding and shoot , give them something to talk about , What make and model of camera you use and why . Things that show your skill and experience . We all tend to underestimate what we do .

The book “Influence” will tell you why you should price high. offer concessions and make it very clear that they are getting a good deal.

Alos consider using differential pricing , offer say three levels of service . The inexpensive basic service package , an intermediate package and an expensive package. The intermediate package should not sit in the middle but be priced towards the higher end . If possible use a number of individual bolt ons that can be price individually . This gives people a price option so that clients on a budget can still use your service . Again , “Influence” converse this .

Believe me , I bleed for you . I have been in this position in my business loads of time and still get angry. The problem is that one accommodates people and does thing for nothing , do them favours because its in your nature and all that happens is that this is seen as weakness or stupidity. It hurts .

Happy to speak about this further if you want and suggest some other reading material for you . Just PM me to arrange a call.

Nikonhermit Loc: In This Place

Sandheinrichc, Bad clients also follow the 80/20 rule. Twenty percent of them are responsible for 80% of your woes. Get rid of them f-a-s-t and give your best to the remaining 80%, and you won't miss the "lost" money.

Grnway Loc: Manchester, NH

I'm not a professional photographer, but I do own my own business. My customers hire me to perform a service. As soon as they start making demands that I use a certain product, piece of equipment, technique, I immediately inform them that the work will get done as it should be and they will get the desired result.
As has been said before, by others here, if you're feeling this weary of this customer now, what's going to happen when she starts going even more insane as the event approaches?
I'd say it's time to review your contract with her and have her list her desires accordingly. Make it clear to her that you'll meet her expectations. If she still insists on unnecessary intervention, then adios!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

This is why I don't like dealing with people, except online. If there are problems, I just don't go back. :D

Do you have a written contract? Can you sit down with her and determine exactly what she wants, with no future changes? A year is a long time to be going through this misery, and it will only get worse.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

You think you have it bad, sandheinrichc? Imagine what her poor husband will have to endure - till the divorce.

Hammer Loc: London UK

Hi ,

This is a really good principle but its worth considering qualifying this .

A specialist marketing guy that I used suggested that we grade our clients A to D , then systematically get rid of the D clients .
The process of grading lead to honest communication with the D clients. Some responded positively and are now C opt even B clients , the rest were dumped. So before dumping them try honest communication with them explaining your problems in dealing with them . You may be amazed by the response you receive. Anyway if its a bad response , so what , you did not want them anyway.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

We do family photographs several times a year. I refuse to shoot them so we have hired the same photographer year after year. We did a shoot this week and we always invite the photographer and his help to dinner afterward. He knows I am a photographer and I never have a camera at the shoot. He is a highly sought after photographer and I find him interesting. At dinner the other night, I asked him about wedding shoots because he flies all over the country and out of country to do these shoots. I explained that I belong to UHH and this topic seems to come up often and there always seems to be problems of one kind or another. He said he usually doesn't have problems because his contract is specific and he gets paid up front in full. I might add that we usually pay up front and we have never had a moment of trouble. He said he learned early on that collecting before the shoot prevents problems and if a potential client balks he walks. Good advise, I think.

JCam Loc: MD Eastern Shore

I'm surprised that the court upheld your right to walk out (I assume it was at the Reception?). I don't see disposable cameras in the hands of amateurs as a significant threat to your contract as "the exclusive wedding photographer". Did the Bride even know about the disposables before her Maid of Honor passed them out? Usually they are sitting on the reception tables when the guests arrive. You still had your contract, fees, & the Wedding ceremony photo revenue. Even if you lost a few print orders because some guest took a similar photo would it have been a really serious hit to your revenues, or just to your pride? I'd imagine that the later talk by the Bride, Groom & friends would have done your business more harm than the few, if any, dollars lost because of the guests' photos. Disposable cameras have become 'the thing' at Receptions and your wedding shots should have been MUCH better than any the guests took if the Minister even allowed flash pictures.

I've been to a lot of weddings over the past 60 years and almost always have had a camera for candid shots and NEVER been told I couldn't take pictures, and the Professionals have most often been pleasant & accommodating.

Customers are NOT always right and can be a real PIA, but as a "professional" you should deal with it or not take the contract. In this case. I guess I'd side with the Bride.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Depending on what what was agreed to in the contract, it should be pretty simple. It's contractual. This is why my contracts are quite detailed and cover what, with what, and when it's to be done. Anything thing additional is a revision to the contract with an appropriate revision to the final price. Oh, there is also a non-refundable retainer, usually about 50% of the final price required, as well.
--Bob

catfish252

I agree with LFingar

You might want to run this whole thing past an Attorney to see how best to cya but if I were you I think I would do this:

1-Have a sit down with the Bride and Groom and her parents or whomever is paying (Bring a witness for yourself-second shooter maybe)

2- State what they are going to receive for the current contracted price and tell them no more no less (follow the meeting up with a letter stating what was discussed and agreed upon)

3- If you keep insisting on additional equipment or services I will be adding an addendum to the contract for each change - that increases the security deposit and overall price -- price addons at a very premium price(this may discourage them from further requests)

4- Set a deadline for when the contract will be firm, no changes after a certain date or if you do I reserve the right to terminate the contract

5) Go home and curse the day you became a Wedding Photographer

Atomicmechanic Loc: Corinth New York

Usually it's the Mother of the Bride from Hell, not the Bride herself. I've had a few of these in my day. The only advice I can give you, is that if she is satisfied with the pictures you have shown her, and she is satisfied with your work, and she wants extras, add them to the contract. Of course there may come a time in the next year that she will also become more of a pain. Depending on where you live, and how large or small that area is, word of mouth is a powerful tool. Sometimes we just have to bite our lip, as we book more photo shoots or weddings from one client. So, be professional, don't give her any ammo, and good luck. I just turned down a large wedding at a hotel because the hotel wanted to tell me how to run my business, how much to charge, and how many pictures to take. It was a package deal for them, and they wanted to maximize their profit.

infocus Loc: Australia

I would dump the client. No matter what you do for her "the climb is not going to be worth the view". I bet she will find a way of not paying the full amount (unless you ask for it up front) If you are a year out from the wedding and already having problems the warning signs are there for all to see.