Situation

[dnpayne]

So, I had an engagement shoot scheduled for the other day. I had spoken with the bride-to-be throughout the day (due to the possibility of rain) and confirm the time of 6:00pm. I show up about 15 min early to get a couple shots around the area. 6:10 rolls around and I get a call from the couple.

"We are running a little behind". Understandable. I figured they were just a few minutes away. Nope. They were still about 20 minutes away still. So, I continue waiting and snapping pics of the area to somewhat make use of my time. 6:45 rolls around and I text them again worried that our sunlight was going down fast. "Are you getting close?" No answer, so I call. "We are on such and such road." The road they were on was about 30 MINUTES AWAY! This would have put them at the location after sunset. Somehow they got bad directions or something from a family member.

Well, I told them to not even come out because we wouldn't have any time to get shots out there before it was too dark (the sun goes down at 7:30 roughly). We decided to drive down to the riverfront and get a couple nice skyline shots (2 or 3) with the lights in the background. They turned out great and I was fine with driving the extra 30 minutes for them.

Here is the problem... they assume I will just reschedule their real engagement shoot for another day. I'm struggling on how to approach this. Obviously, I've wasted about an hour and half of my time and gas already on them. Not to mention I missed time with my newborn baby. So, do I charge them an additional engagement fee for the trouble? I am doing their wedding as well. I don't want to hurt the relationship, but I also am trying to run a business. I have my pricing set based on gas, time limits, etc... so when they double I'm obviously not making as much money nor making what I feel is an acceptable hourly rate.

Your suggestions, comments, etc.. are welcome.

[Niresangwa]

I'd see if I could book-end them with another shoot, and just swallow the fact that it's going to add another 30 minutes or so to the preceding shoot you add them to.

At least that way they get another shot and you appear accommodating, yet you're not dedicating a completely separate session for them again.

Sounds like they just paid for a shoot they didn't attend all of.

Same goes for my business too. if you are late, you still paid for my time.

[andyw]

They screwed up, you had no notice and attended - THEY PAY.

What they pay is upto you, if you want to be "nice" about it then just add an extra hour to the next shoots billing.

You're in the service industry, and sometimes it's necessary to go above and beyond the customers expectations. If this means scheduling another shoot for free, so be it. Think of it as investment...you're going to get several referrals from this wedding, which is worth way more than a single engagement shoot.

[Niresangwa]

It's all very well being a hard-nosed d!ck about it, and technically you'd be within your rights to assert a charge or release. However, bearing in mind the OP has to work with these people again and also (as I understand it) he's just starting out, a little bit of forgiveness and flexibility would go a long way.

Do you make a habit of being a door mat? Of course not. You simply adjust your contract or information policy to cover this situation in the future, learn from it and find a way to make them happy...

of course, just my opinion. You could of course stone wall them, charge an extra fee and hope no one's feelings get bent out of shape.

[dlambert]

Seems like it would be helpful to have them pay at least something to help underscore the idea that your time is valuable, but I really like the idea of bookending them with another shoot. Maybe something like, "If you can get here by _x_, I can squeeze you in ahead of this other appointment, but if you're not there on time, we'll have to set up a whole new booking (at full cost)."

[dnpayne]

Thanks for the responses. I hadn't thought of adding them to another shoot. That's a pretty good idea and a way I wouldn't have to be rude about things, nor mess up a future relationship. I'd really only be out the extra hour this time.

I really just couldn't believe that this would happen the way it did. I mean, I wouldn't expect anyone to accommodate me again after something like this. I think the worst thing for me is, my time. I wasted a night with my wife and daughter for this couple. Not to mention, took a night away from someone else who wanted to have a session. October is a popular month and it seems everyone wants in.

And, I'm definitely going to work up a section in my contract about this. Who would have thought? You really do have to plan for everything. :\

[dnpayne]

Originally Posted by Niresangwa

I'd see if I could book-end them with another shoot, and just swallow the fact that it's going to add another 30 minutes or so to the preceding shoot you add them to.

At least that way they get another shot and you appear accommodating, yet you're not dedicating a completely separate session for them again.

Yeah, I like this.

[Niresangwa]

Originally Posted by dnpayne

Thanks for the responses. I hadn't thought of adding them to another shoot. That's a pretty good idea and a way I wouldn't have to be rude about things, nor mess up a future relationship. I'd really only be out the extra hour this time.

I don't know that I would give them a full hour... it's one thing to be flexible, but another to break your back bending over backwards... I"d offer 30 minutes to get the stuff we couldn't get by the river... if they end up being a great couple and you're getting into it, that's cool, just keep going... but I wouldn't let them off the hook completely.