Another photography contract question

[ringster]

Ok - I am sweating here over the contract. Don''t know if this is standard or what? HELP .. please!

Are these terms that I am questioning normal?

1) there is a retainer fee of 1/3 the price that is non refundable, then 1/3 is due 90 days before the event and then 1/3 due week before

2) if the event is cancelled or postponed then I lose all of the money I paid

3) if the photog is unable to comply with contract due to something that is our of their control, liability is limited to the retainer - does this mean that even if i pay the full fee they can only refund the retainer to me?

I am going to talk to the photog today to see if anything can be negotiated but like to get a sense of if this is standard.

 

[surfgirl]

ringster, I dont remember the details of our contract but I do remember a retainer of a few hundred, with the balance due 2 weeks prior to the event.

 

[ringster]

thanks surfgirl -

I think it is these two items esp 2 that really makes me go huh?!

2) if the event is cancelled or postponed then I lose all of the money I paid

3) if the photog is unable to comply with contract due to something that is our of their control, liability is limited to the retainer - does this mean that even if i pay the full fee they can only refund the retainer to me?

 

[sumbride]

#1 and #2 are standard. I''m not quite sure about #3. I think it means you get everything EXCEPT the retainer back, but that''s why you need to call and ask.

 

[Gypsy]

#3 can mean a lot of things depending on how it''s exactly worded. Can you give us exact contract language?

 

[ringster]

Whew - I talked to the photog and she was able to address ALL of my questions and changed the contract to address all of the items - she was really first class. I feel so much better about her and about the photography for my wedding!!

Thanks for all your input ladies

 

[Gypsy]

Good news and good job!

Now, please, SPILL. Who''d ya book? Inquiring minds (in the Bay Area, sitting in my chair) what to know.

 

[ringster]

Date: 1/15/2008 4:59:20 PM
Author: Gypsy
Good news and good job!

Now, please, SPILL. Who''d ya book? Inquiring minds (in the Bay Area, sitting in my chair) what to know.

Will let you know once I sign the dotted line . We are just wrapping up some stuff. I''m super duper excited now!

 

[Gypsy]

I would be too! Congrats!

 

[Gypsy]

VERY nice from what I saw on the website.YAY FOR RINGSTER! I like her associate''s work too. Does she shoot with someone, or alone? Do you mind if I ask you ball park on price?

 

[ringster]

Date: 1/15/2008 5:53:37 PM
Author: Gypsy
VERY nice from what I saw on the website.YAY FOR RINGSTER! I like her associate''s work too. Does she shoot with someone, or alone? Do you mind if I ask you ball park on price?

Gotta run to a meeting but will address your post in about 40 min

 

[ringster]

Date: 1/15/2008 5:53:37 PM
Author: Gypsy
VERY nice from what I saw on the website.YAY FOR RINGSTER! I like her associate's work too. Does she shoot with someone, or alone? Do you mind if I ask you ball park on price?

well that was a short meeting!

anyway, I didn't talk to her associate - I just met him briefly - so don't know his pricing. The packages I was looking at were all with Bambi. She does shoot with someone in all of them.

I met with mid level photogs and I can say that the difference is very evident. After seeing them, it was hard for me to justify spending about 4-5K (which I think is a lot!) for mid level when I could spend a few k extra for really stellar talent and work.

ETA : It depends on what your priorities are. One of mine happens to be Photog. Also, I will be doing it on the cheap in other areas.

ETA : Removed info on Price

 

[Gypsy]

That definitely is a splurge. But one I totally understand and I''m so happy for you!

I''m just looking for the ''right'' photographer. We''ll have to see if one comes along at my price point, or if I''m gonna have to take the bite and increase the photo budget.

 

[lucy.lucy.80]

Good to hear you booked your photog!!

You sound like me with contracts...i scrutinize every word (too much judge judy i watch!!!) Just as an FYI if you come across it again, our contract said no refunds but we were able to get them to change it to be refundable at any time. Some vendors wont negotiate on that point but a suprising amount actually do!

 

[ringster]

lucy.lucy - glad to hear that i'm not the only stickler around here . it's good to know that the contracts can be negotiated and very significantly

gypsy - you should totally call elley. after looking at some mid level photogs, i think her work is almost on par with them and the price cannot be beat. plus she really wants to do a great job for her client and will give 200%. i liked that she has been through her own wedding and when i discussed thoughts i have about how i want the event to go, she had some good ideas and i could tell that she was really thinking things out. and did i mention - she is really nice.

 

[goldenstar]

Ringster, I have an appointment with the same photographer in the near future! How cool!

We are also meeting with another photog this week. I'll probably be choosing one of the two.

However, I just discovered the most amazing videographer. I am in LOVE!

Their work is first rate. I got goosebumps watching the demo videos online. Its edited so beautifully, I've never seen anything like it. I might decide to divert some of the photo budget to video so I don't know how things will pan out yet.

 

[ringster]

cool goldstar - i''ll be interested to hear what you think after your meeting. btw who is the videographer? just curious. i don''t have any money left for that now ;P. i''m hoping a friend who is into filmmaking will be able to do it.

 

[Gypsy]

Date: 1/16/2008 2:16:50 AM
Author: ringster
lucy.lucy - glad to hear that i''m not the only stickler around here . it''s good to know that the contracts can be negotiated and very significantly

gypsy - you should totally call elley. after looking at some mid level photogs, i think her work is almost on par with them and the price cannot be beat. plus she really wants to do a great job for her client and will give 200%. i liked that she has been through her own wedding and when i discussed thoughts i have about how i want the event to go, she had some good ideas and i could tell that she was really thinking things out. and did i mention - she is really nice.

Elley? Link me lady! I''m eager to see this elley!

 

[ringster]

her email is [email protected]. she doesn''t have a website but she will send you pics that she has taken and she will prob meet with you. neatfreak used her so if you look for neatfreak''s wedding thread you will see pics that elley took.

 

[ringster]

Date: 1/16/2008 2:30:26 PM
Author: goldenstar
Ringster, I have an appointment with the same photographer in the near future! How cool!


We are also meeting with another photog this week. I''ll probably be choosing one of the two.


However, I just discovered the most amazing videographer. I am in LOVE!

Their work is first rate. I got goosebumps watching the demo videos online. Its edited so beautifully, I''ve never seen anything like it. I might decide to divert some of the photo budget to video so I don''t know how things will pan out yet.

more curiosity - who is the other photog that you are considering??

 

[goldenstar]

Go to weddingsonfilm.com—they are based in San Francisco. I watched the demos here and they were very touching. I smiled, laughed, and even got teary. And I don’t even know these people. Imagine what it would be like watching my own wedding. I’m hooked. I’m going to rework by budget. It would be totally worth it to me.

I am also considering Tanja Lippert in Los Gatos. I already am leaning heavily one way, but we’ll see what happens after the meetings. I prefer one’s style over the other but I’m not going to say who yet.

FI and I want to take engagement photos in March, so we'll have a decision pretty soon.

 

[ringster]

Date: 1/16/2008 11:30:22 PM
Author: goldenstar
Go to weddingsonfilm.com—they are based in San Francisco. I watched the demos here and they were very touching. I smiled, laughed, and even got teary. And I don’t even know these people. Imagine what it would be like watching my own wedding. I’m hooked. I’m going to rework by budget. It would be totally worth it to me.


I am also considering Tanja Lippert in Los Gatos. I already am leaning heavily one way, but we’ll see what happens after the meetings. I prefer one’s style over the other but I’m not going to say who yet.


FI and I want to take engagement photos in March, so we'll have a decision pretty soon.

very cool. keep us posted on what you decide and how the end result works out - i'm sure it'll be fantastic!

tanja's work is very nice too. good luck making your decision i know how hard it can be! but i'm sure either one would do a top class job. i think it ends up with what photog has the package that meets your needs and who you like.