Well said queenie, if people want to pay beer money, then don't expect a champagne reception, I don't think that the poster has anything to apologise for, he never named anyone, and it is people's own interpretation that put 2 and 2 together and made 6. That's why, overall, I don't agree with posts with "PM me for details"...........

Not fair Errigal08 - not fair at all.
He explained how trees post inspired him to teel another point of view, never claimed it was the same story. I for one never thought it was the same story. Think you need to relax.

+1

If you let the title of threads lead you a final conclusion without reading the facts then don't comment.

They were both VERY clearly different stories

Birds - I really hope you get sorted soon, obviously these people have no respect for anyone.

Wow OP, that was a bad one! It is good to let our potential clients know the reasons for our contracts, packages, payment requirements etc and unfortunately this is one of those examples, albeit a very bad one.

I realised very early on, in fact in my first few jobs to be honest, how important it was for payment on the day along with a good working relationship. I always say to potential clients that it is extremely important to meet with me beforehand to make sure we get along, sometimes, for personality reasons, a client and a supplier may not be a good match but on rare occasions a supplier may quickly realise they may be up against something and bow out of the race so to speak.

These days there is a very much 'haggle the price' attitude rather than book before someone else does. There are so many photographers out there trying to make a name for themselves, be it whether they always wanted to be a wedding photographer or that they have lost a job and need an income, the competition is plenty. I would echo what is said in this thread, what many people say to me, photos and video are all you have after the day, it is not something to be scraped on, invest in your memories, be sure of what you want and really consider the worth. So many people assume we do one days work when in fact it is plenty more.

I gave a class recently on wedding photography, ametuers wanting to know the ins and outs. I love my job dearly, before becoming a wedding photographer I had tried so many professions and nothing has given me so much happiness as this, I don't go to work, I go to a celebration, I enjoy every second of it, I put my heart and soul into it and despite the fight to get to where I am, the endless hours networking on forums and social sites, my obsession with anything photography related, my husbands irritation when I sit up until 3am because I am 'in the flow', to me it is all worth it but let me tell you, that class did not expect half the costs and time to go into a wedding and they were ametuer photographers so the average non photography person really would find it hard to grasp the work, attention and costs.

For those reading and thinking, sure it can't cost that much, well consider travel time, which can be 50+ miles for a meeting alone, of which there may be 3 or 4 between booking and album delivery, insurance, equipment (cameras, lens, flash, computer, software nevermind time) and like mentioned those of us who have kids do of course need to cover costs there. To do this job my kids from time to time need to be sent to a relative for a weekend if both myself and my husband are working. Whilst being a sociable job in one way the hours are very unsociable.

To end all I can do is offer you my sympathy and say hold your head up high, often naysayers are just that, naysayers, smart people will pick up on this attitude quickly and realise that in fact you are an honest, reliable supplier who was unfortunate to take a bad one. Thankfully in this business bad ones are few and far between so lets hope you have a long time ahead before you are up against anything of that nature again. My advice, if accepting cheques, request the cheque to be delivered a week before the date to ensure it clears before you do the work.

I really hope this hasn't affected your enjoyment of work!

errigal08 wrote:

curlysu wrote:

Shazl wrote:Not fair Errigal08 - not fair at all.
He explained how trees post inspired him to teel another point of view, never claimed it was the same story. I for one never thought it was the same story. Think you need to relax.

I have to say I thought it was the same story...the way the title was copied definitely led me believe that. Whether it was done on purpose, or whether it was a silly mistake, i have no idea

i read both of them and i honestly thought the two were the same,to me there was nothing in his post to in my mind suggest otherwise,i did kinda question why he had given her the photographs if she hadent payed,but i still thought the two were the same...and if i thought it, im sure alot of others did too..

+1

I certainly thought they were the same story-the thread title in particular made me think that as well as the details, yes few were different but generally when you get two sides that is the case. Think Birds should have made that clear they weren't connected.

God love you OP. My heart absolutely goes out to you. I have had the misfortune to have been on the receiving end of a few bounced cheques in my time (footballs, we used to call 'em) and it's one of the most hateful, hurtful, annoying things that can ever happen.

I have to admit, you're a brave man to have gone ahead with that job at ALL though - you didn't feel comfortable in the house, she tried to batter you down to half price, she was over a month late sending the deposit, then wangled another discount? I'd have ran for the hills.

I really don't like the whole "PM me for details" thing when it comes to suppliers too either - people have no idea on there that they are easily identifiable and the last thing I would ever want is for one of my suppliers or my wedding co-ordinator to see me ranting and raving about them. I think it's disgusting. I've no problem passing on helpful advice via PM or recommending suppliers or sites, but this whole "I didn't get what I wanted for free so basically, screw you, I'm going to blacken your name" is horrible.

I hope your business picks up for you, I really do. The couple sounded like an absolute nightmare and I'd wager a lot of their suppliers probably have similar stories to yourself.

Best of luck with your business in the future.

Hi Birds. I'm hopping mad reading your post. That bride and her husband are horrible people. She knew from the very start she wasn't going to pay you. I'm getting married next June and am just starting to book suppliers. I am straight and upfront. If a price is too high I say it straight and that I understand the supplier has overheads. I work in the shopfitting industry and I see everyday people losing their companies because of bad debts. It is unfair and unjust. I hope you get all of your money. You sound like a very genuine person and you obviously put alot of work into the day. Please let me know the name of your company I'd like to look at your website as I still have not picked a photographer yet. Also with regards to the comments of people saying that would not pay up front before the wedding. You don't get to take home your dress and pay for it after it has been worn. If your driver turned up and said I've no petrol in the car you wouldn't be happy. Suppliers have to pay for the services they provide.
I genuinely hope you get treated better.

Sounds like an awful experience.

I don't have an issue with haggling or trying to leverage a better price(someone will do it for 50% less), but once a contract is agreed and signed then it should be stuck to.

Personally, I would never pay the full amount before getting the finished product, but if that's what they agreed to then not following through is an awful way to behave.

Hopefully you get it sorted soon.