Backing out of the wedding?

[olgabe]

So, I have a wedding booked for Thanksgiving weekend. Turns out, my real job is sending me to the UK - starting mid October thru the end of the year.

My contract says that I can back out anytime and give money back. I shot their engagement photos already, they will remain theirs for free if I back out. Obviously, there is damage to reputation if I do back out - and this is a client that came from a good recommendation.

Flying back for that weekend will cost me $1800, I am charging $1000 for the wedding. It is possible, but inconveninet and very obviously not profitable.

I know a couple of people that will shoot for $1000, but they are not very good. I don't know any good wedding photographers in Dallas personally, and based on the websites I've seen, there are none that would match my quality for this price.. although I may be biased...

Would it be reasonable to approach a photographer I don't know and offer them to step in for the fee? Even if the fee is less than their asking price?

What would you do?
Thanks for advice!!

Olga

[Niresangwa]

I think your options are to contact the couple asap and explain the situation, and offer to find a suitable replacement. It is a damaging situation, but what can you do? I would say that that late in the season you may find another photographer who may discount their usual rates a little to take the job and help a sister out... of course you may not. sucky situation :/

[Jim Poor]

Or, you could tell your real job to go "pound sand."

[bhursey]

Originally Posted by Jim Poor

Or, you could tell your real job to go "pound sand."

LOL..... Most people make more $ at the real job.

[gturner]

You can only be honest with them. It is just about the best "excuse" one can have.
Tell them well ahead of time so they can't point fingers at the last minute.

If you want the punishment, tell them you will fly back to shoot it if they pay the air. (IE you shoot it for free)
I wouldn't but stranger things have happened

[Jim Bryant]

Originally Posted by bhursey

LOL..... Most people make more $ at the real job.

How so true!
yea, you should have let them know yesterday. Try to find a replacement photographer to shoot it for them. One that you can trust on doing a good job. Contact one of the photographers from the daily Dallas newspaper. Maybe they'd like to earn a few bucks on a weekend. Most of them freelance in their off time.

[olgabe]

Originally Posted by bhursey

LOL..... Most people make more $ at the real job.

Yeah.. The real job pays the bills. I'd quit the real job if I was confident that I can earn 40-50% of my current income with photography - but based on the way it's going, photography will stay a hobby that pays for equipment, but not for mortgage

[olgabe]

Originally Posted by Jim Bryant

How so true!
yea, you should have let them know yesterday. Try to find a replacement photographer to shoot it for them. One that you can trust on doing a good job. Contact one of the photographers from the daily Dallas newspaper. Maybe they'd like to earn a few bucks on a weekend. Most of them freelance in their off time.

Yeah, that's what I'm working on right now... Trying to find someone trustworthy that would take the job - I really don't want to let those kids down, they are such a cute couple. Worst case, I think I'd just fly back - will try to squeeze my boss to pay for the ticket.. who knows, maybe there is spare travel budget that needs to be used up.

I have not contacted the client cause I don't want them to freak out when I got no solutions yet - and if I don't have a solution, I'll need to shoot it myself. Grrr.

Jim, I do definitely wonder if all this drama is worth $1000

[Xposurepro]

The only option, if you plan on continuing to take your photography business serious, is to fly back and shoot the wedding. You lose $800 and learn from your mistake. After that I would seriously look at my wedding prices .. $1000 is pretty cheap. It sucks losing $800 but that's what I would do.

[gturner]

I have to disagree - it is completely reasonable to pull out of the shoot. What would happen if you were hit by a bus??
This is a reality of life and business. Just be straight up with them as soon as you can. What is the worst thing that they could possibly do in this case??