Kweenk Loc: Alberta, Canada

Hello everyone. I was wondering if I could get some advice from some pros on how they collect payment from clients. I am newer in the business, been shooting professionally for a little less than a year. I need to get myself in to a set of rules that I can stick to for collecting payment on a session. I was waiting before to collect payment on delivery of the photographs but now have a few sessions sitting on my hard drive without any payment and don't know how long I should keep them either. I don't do prints with my clients and only offer up the discs included in their session price. I hate that I have spent all that time editing for people to decide they can't afford it now. When I ask for people to pay at time of the session, some seem really put off by it and don't like giving money until they see the finished product. Any suggestions or maybe the normal protocol that I'm not aware of ?

jimni2001 Loc: Sierra Vista, Arizona, USA

Asking for a partial up front is common practice in a lot of fields. Get enough of a deposit that it will at least cover your expenses. Put in your contract that it is non refundable. If you notice most ask for payment before they shoot. If they seem "put off" they probably do not plan on paying any way. I would call those that haven't paid and tell them that you will hold there photos for a month at which time they will be discarded. You could even send a letter with a small print to show what they would be getting if they paid up. I always get paid up front but I deal mostly with motels and offices that want a package.

Steinmetz Loc: Oregon based

CAVEATE -- money deposits up front **

Have confidence in yourself and your work is a must.
If you are running a business, treat it like a business.
Have people sign Contracts, photo releases, etc before the shoot ( always find out what they want before the shoot ).
Only edit the ones the client likes ( if you are paid to do such );
and, you only put on the disc the pictures you want unless the client likes others )

Do not fall into the trap where you "give" the client everything they want ( when they really do not know what they want ).
As a restaurant can prepare and cook many different dishes,
the restaurant and cook would not stay in business long if they offered everyone a sample of every dish when they came in, and so in photography -- you delete pictures you do not want your name on and then let them pick from the remaining for what they want and only edit the ones they really like enough that they are willing to pay you.
Good luck...

In regards to asking monies up front -- I do not do that, although I know many do -- I release NO pictures until ready and then payment in full or as agreed in contract is due.....

** Deposits or monies up front --
If a push would come to a shove,
I can tell you that if the client decided to sue you for some reason, the judge may say you anticipated that they would breach your contract; and, therefore give back all of the deposit monies etc.. and put both parties back where they were before the transaction happened. You do not want a ruling from the judge(s) that you are guilty of "Anticipatory breach of Contact".

tlbuljac Loc: Oklahoma

Send them a bill

Steinmetz Loc: Oregon based

There are NO shortcuts.

This situation deals with simple " contact law ". Preferable in writing, not verbal. Start your business right from the start; and, you will be prepared for most that comes your way -- including people that do not want to pay for they ordered ( wanted ) from you....

Again run your business like a business, not necessarily like every one else does ( they might be flying by the seat of their pants ).

LouEllen

I am just getting started, but if you feel strongly about it, there is always Small Claims Court. I would always have them sign a contract ahead of the shoot. That way, everyone is on the same page.

Lou Ellen

Kweenk Loc: Alberta, Canada

Thanks guys :) I don't usually have the clients come and look at the shots they want. I do have the confidence in my shooting and editing that I don't have them come for a preview before editing. I have never had a comment or complaint about it either. I am very generous with my edits and usually include around 40 shots in color and black and white. The ones I want my name on ;)
I really like the idea about the letter with a small picture added on the page! Good idea!
As I usually shoot families and a few concept shoots, I normally don't have anyone sign contracts, but always releases. Does anyone have a link or anything to a portrait/family session contract they use?
Thanks again everyone.! This place is always so helpful!

LouEllen

Or if you want to be 'nice' about it, you could send a letter stating their photos turned out great, but unfortunately you can only hold photos so long. If not paid and claimed by 30 days from now, all photos will be deleted.

Lou Ellen

Steinmetz Loc: Oregon based

THERE ARE NO SHORT CUTS. I repeat this often.

I have two photography businesses; and, work with many photographers. I am very firm when I am dealing with new photographers starting their own businesses, especially if they have just spent 40-100 thousand dollars for a fine arts education. They think their first priority is a need for a website and the list goes on.. I have shown them that is not their priority. Have showed them how to meet a client and sell their photography skills to get well paying " jobs".

What they usually need is to sit down and take the time to lay out their business plan, & paper work necessary ( it is a part of being in business versus a hobby ).

Depending on which state you are in, surround yourself with professional people : accountant & attorney for a start.
You have your cart ahead of your horse -- take time and
reverse: start again before you keep skipping all around hoping to make it in photography.

There are no short cuts in anything done correctly and successfully; albeit, you might "be lucky and win the big one in the lottery".

If you run a car in the Indy 500, you have to plan to get to the finish line -- you do not just get in the car and push the pedal to the metal. :D and then hope for the best.... :XD:

BillHill Loc: Saint Augustine, Fl

Back in the Dark Ages when I was taking Photo lessions, one pro related how he sold more wedding photos. He would have most of the shots printed then have the couple in to select the ones they paid for. As they rejected a photo he would rip it in half and toss it into the trash can. The reaction of the customers were that you was "ripping their souls asunder" thus they would purchase beyond the agreement.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

At least he wasn't a delivery room doctor.

;-)

BillHill Loc: Saint Augustine, Fl

LRF I could tell you some stories about that !!

Steinmetz Loc: Oregon based

When this dropped into my mail box... I just about laughed my head off.... Fantastic idea...

That is great negative selling... I Love this idea still laughing.... ....
sorry never thought of this before.... I am still laughing; and, only wish I had read this earlier this year... when a couple were looking at quite a few printed pictures.... 20 engagement pics, one of which was going on table where guests signed in... by ripping up ones they did not want could have saved some time.. They liked them all, but only needed one for the sign in table, of course, ... LOL

I am going to do this in the future... LOL this one is for the record books of hedge hog photography.... :thumbup:

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

I'm not sure how asking for payment in advance could be construed as Anticipatory Breach of Contract. Could you please elucidate?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anticipatory_repudiation

Steinmetz Loc: Oregon based

Regardless what you might read or believe, it has happened in the State of Oregon. It took three years for the appeal and the defendant lost $10 grand. And this was a written contract where nothing was done wrong by the defendant. Judge(s) just decide to put them all back to the state they were in before the transaction.
Although I am no attorney, I do have a colorful background. If you want to collect monies up front... that is your decision.... and live with whatever the consequences might be. Deposits and Fees -- can be differentiated -- but the judge will make his decision(s) -- in this case it was termed a fee ( which is normally not refundable ) whereas a deposit may possibly be refundable... semantics and sharp knives at work... Like I said,
I do not collect any monies until any job is complete.
I have 100% collections too. I know many people collect monies for various reasons up front -- that is their business and not mine. I use written & signed contracts only, and no verbal either.
In the old days it was just a good old hand shake... believe me those days are really gone. :XD: