Forcing my hand...

[laurie millar]

I've tried to keep my little business casual....hassle free...fun....but then I get clients that make it so that I have to change. I learned early on to take non-refundable deposits but this summer I've had two different clients in the last two months decide about 15 minutes AFTER they are supposed to meet me for a shoot that they don't want to do it that day anymore. This happened tonight. I let them reschedule because I'm freakin' nice. (:

Does this mean I should think about taking a small deposit for portrait sessions? As a wife and mom, I have to do quite a bit of maneuvering to even do shoots.

I think I'm just venting. Anybody have a happy story to put me in a good mood?

[candleman]

wow... i havnt had it that bad before.. i have had people 2 hours late before tough!

Hmm... If i were you.. I would ask for another 50% on the sitting fee to cover your time and travel.
I dont think thats unreasonable at all.

Happy story? none i can think of.

EDIT:

Originally Posted by laurie millar

Does this mean I should think about taking a small deposit for portrait sessions?
?

you dont make them pay a sitting fee in advance?
i ask for $80/hr sittng fee for portraits before the shoot... sine i've done that i havnt had people mess me around as much.

[Jim Bryant]

I have my clients sign a contract that has date and time of shoot. Only when the weather is crappy can we agree on a cancellation and reschedule the sitting. But I always get 50% up front incase these short notices happen. My reasoning is that I can't schedule another shoot for that day and timeframe. Most folks don't want to loose that 50% and don't cancel.