Mother to be won't sign contract

5 years 6 months ago #601954 by Sassy Girl
Well this is a first.  I just met up with a mother to be and her husband.  They loved my portfolio and verbally were saying they loved my work, they were excited for me to do the shoot.  They were OK with the pricing.  Then when I said I would email me them the contract for them to sign, the wife blows up and says she didn't want to sign any contracts for "just getting some pictures"  it "seems a little overkill, we aren't buying a car or house here".  

:huh:

OOOOOK.  Well that is a first.  For a job that is half paid upfront and half paid BEFORE photos are given, are there any down falls then? 


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5 years 6 months ago #601956 by effron
There could be, of course.

Why so serious?
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5 years 6 months ago #601962 by Jessa Layton
Plenty of things could happen!


For one, they could for some random reason cancel the job close to your scheduled date and you can't realistically place another client in that slot - lost $$.

Then what if the client doesn't like the photos?

Are they going to bail on paying you?  


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The following user(s) said Thank You: icepics
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5 years 6 months ago #601968 by Sassy Girl
Hmmm, I might need to think about this further.  This could get dangerous.  


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5 years 6 months ago #601973 by garyrhook
"Dangerous?" Seems a bit extreme. And nothing pointed out above has anything to do with just this couple. These are the hazards of this business.

Your job is to educate your potential client on the  value of a contract, to both them and you.  And why threes a release form in it. And how it protects them regarding your performance and commitments.

If they didn't care to execute their part of the business relationship, fine. They aren't your client. Move along.

It's simple: this is how you run your business. They can choose to go elsewhere, no harm, no foul.


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5 years 6 months ago #602126 by Francis
I'd just walk on this one.  This could get sloppy and become a PITA for you.  Most will have no problem signing a contract.  If she is giving you a hard time with out seeing it, that could be a huge problem.  


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5 years 6 months ago #602147 by icepics
Explain/describe it, offer to send a copy for her to review, provide an opportunity for her to ask questions, offer resources she can look at that explains standard practice in portrait photography, etc. Interacting with people is part of the job so learn techniques in how to do this.

It's your policy/procedure, if she doesn't want to sign it then suggest where she could find another person with a camera. She might do some looking and end up coming back if you handle this well (don't burn bridges).

Sharon
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