What’s Your Preference?

Creative · #1 (**permalink**) 04-19-2011, 08:06 PM

Hi Everyone! I am new here and I have been doing photography for the past 2 years. I have a home studio and I also venture out into the community and so far so good!

I've decided to post here to get your opinion with an incident that recently happened to me while shooting a wedding in Cuba. I'll stick to the facts to make it as short as possible!

A couple proposed to pay for an all inclusive trip to Cuba in exchange for my photography services. I agreed and there were no other stipulations. They procrastinated so long to purchase my ticket because they were waiting for the price to go down that the resort sold out so I had to stay at another resort (I chose). I booked the ticket and they were to reimburse me prior to leaving but they didn’t. (yes, I was gullable)

We arrived at our resort on Friday and all I can say is that it was something from the Ghetto! I cried and tried to get a flight back home and then I phoned other resorts to see if we could switch but they were all booked. The wedding party contacted me Monday night and I took a taxi to their resort Tuesday morning, the day of the wedding. To my surpirse, I had to pay $210 for a day pass onto their resort ($70 for myself and $140 for my two teenage kids).

An hour into the wedding I took the wedding bands to the beach for pictures. I put them in a wine glass with sand next to the ocean. Unfortunately, a wave came and took the bride’s band out to sea. (Gulp!)

I went back to tell the bride and I was so upset that I said not to worry about my fees and she was the only one I told. She said not to worry about it. However, when the groom found out he went wild, screaming, jumping and pounding doors. He arrived to the bride’s room twice and tore a strip off of me – at one point I locked myself in the bathroom because I thought he was going to hit me! Even his family freaked and told me to leave, which then started a fight with the bride who wanted me to stay. I was sick to my stomach. After the groom found out it wasn’t the diamond and only the band he calmed down and wasn’t upset anymore. After the ceremony he came over and rubbed my back, I assume he was letting me know all was well. I spent the rest of the day/evening taking pictures. Then two days later I took another cab over and to do Trash the Dress but I didn’t have to pay to get in that day. 1877 images were captured in total.

The trip cost me over $3000 and I know some things could have been avoided and I can handle not being compensated for some costs but I am having a really hard time not getting reimbursed for the basics. I have spent at least 30 hours editing the images since I returned home and they will/might be getting over 500 in total on a CD in high resolution.

I sent them a list of the basic fees that totaled $1500. They replied and said the ring was $429 to replace so they offered $300. In the same breath, the bride also commented that the wedding band was replacable but the pictures aren't.

You know how much hard work it takes and you also know the work that goes on behind the scenes so that is why I am asking what you think is fair? I tried to be proactive before I left and bought a new DLS Canon body just to ensure I had back up! Since there were no stipulations and I did deliver what I promised, actually I delivered way more - Trash the Dress and over 500 images with over 50 edited!!!

Other professional photographers has said, a deal is a deal, no money - no pictures. I feel guilty and I am not sure what to do? What is right?

Biomech · #2 (**permalink**) 04-19-2011, 08:17 PM

Cool pics - although not a fan of that ring around the sun, maybe that's the band that went missing? ;P I love Cuba, awesome place.

Anyway, personally, it sounded like a nightmare! I probably would have jumped on one of those street horses and gone for it. I think you should definately get some money for what you've done. OK the flight thing and your buying and extra camera etc wasn't all planned but you've put in alot of work since so I - personally - think if you quoted 1500 and they said the ring was 430. Charge them a grand

Jim Bryant · #3 (**permalink**) 04-19-2011, 08:29 PM

You should have gotten a sign contract for about $4000.00. Did you have liability insurance? If not, you were screwed. Infact, I'd tell them....no tickey..no laundry.

dakwegmo · #4 (**permalink**) 04-19-2011, 08:31 PM

What does your contract say?

Would your insurance policy cover the loss of the wedding band?

Creative · #5 (**permalink**) 04-19-2011, 08:43 PM

That's the issue - no contract! It was a few messages between each other and all it said is "If we pay for your trip would you be willing to come down and do our wedding photos?" I replied with yes and that was it! I know - I am in the process of creating a contract! Lesson learned!!

I can't see my insurance covering it because I didn't have it listed like I do with all my equipment??

BuddhaPi · #6 (**permalink**) 04-19-2011, 08:44 PM

why do i have a sinking feeling there was no contract???

Creative · #7 (**permalink**) 04-19-2011, 08:45 PM

I guess the bottom line is if they want the pictures they will have to pay! I just didn't know if I should charge them at all.

gturner · #8 (**permalink**) 04-19-2011, 09:24 PM

You can be darn sure that the moment you hand over the images you will never see them again.

It is time for an adult conversation.
1. You need to break even, even if you write of the profit as school fees. Document you hard costs and that is your starting point. Show them this and be open about it.
2. Their wedding and your work should not be at your expense. Lets remember who is doing who the favour here.
3. Losing the band is your fault, you need to make that right.

They need to take an equal share of responsibility for their lack of planning