Require higher deposits for Thanksgiving and Chistmas holiday bookings?

12 years 6 months ago #160319 by Frisco
During the holidays it seems like I get more jobs. But also I get more cancellations. Now my contract requires a 5% deposit and clearly says no refunds. I'm wondering if my deposit is to low and that is why my cancellations may be higher than others?? Do you increase your required deposits during the holiday season? When someone cancels last minute or they don't bother to call and just skips out. This is lost opportunity and revenue as you can image.

I would be curious to know how much do you require for deposit? Does this change during the holidays?

I appreciate your help ahead of time.

Frisco

Nikon 18-55mm VR, Nikon 70-200mm VRII f/2.8, Nikon 50mm f/1.8, Nikon 10.5mm Fisheye, Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8, SB-700 & SB-800
Photo Comments
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12 years 6 months ago #160326 by Henry Peach
Yes, use your retainer fee to encourage serious clients only.
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12 years 6 months ago #160365 by 4UThomas
I require 50% deposit. It doesn't matter how big or how small the event is or what time of the year it is.


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12 years 6 months ago #160411 by Arkangel7x3

Frisco wrote: During the holidays it seems like I get more jobs. But also I get more cancellations. Now my contract requires a 5% deposit and clearly says no refunds. I'm wondering if my deposit is to low and that is why my cancellations may be higher than others?? Do you increase your required deposits during the holiday season? When someone cancels last minute or they don't bother to call and just skips out. This is lost opportunity and revenue as you can image.

I would be curious to know how much do you require for deposit? Does this change during the holidays?

I appreciate your help ahead of time.

Frisco



I think that's very fair are time is are money we can't afford to waist it I think you have the right approach. O yah CASH AND CREDIT ONLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NO CHECKS they can be bad for business believe you me

"If it's to good to be true best to shoot it again"
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12 years 6 months ago #160951 by Happy Snapper
I would charge 25% to 50%

Gripped Nikon D810 --- Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 --- Sigma 10-20mm f/4 --- Nikon 50mm f/1.4 --- SB600
Photo Comments
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12 years 6 months ago #160982 by Maria21
I require a sitting fee & photographer fee that is non refundable. The photographers fee is the fee i charge for my 1st hour of shooting. The sitting fee is an additional charge to the photographers fee for each subject after the main subject (2 or more people). Usually this is enough that I don't have that many cancellations. (I do it this way so that if I raise my rates the deposit is also raised & it does no change throughout the year.) I do however, offer an incentive to have them keep their appt. I offer a free 8x10 sheet of the pose of their choosing from the session.

Zerfing's Photographic Imaging
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12 years 6 months ago #161249 by Stealthy Ninja
What's thanksgiving?
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12 years 6 months ago #161339 by Garbo

Stealthy Ninja wrote: What's thanksgiving?


Doesnt China have their own version of This holiday?

Nikon D300: 24-70 2.8 | 70-200 2.8 VR |Sigma 150 2.8 | 50 1.4 | SB-800
Photo Comments
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12 years 6 months ago #161394 by Ford Plus
I would never charge a higher deposit for the holidays. On the client end, it could make you look bad. Just figure out what % you want for a deposit and keep it at that. I do believe your 5% is way too low. I know some photographers require 25% or 50%.


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