photographer advice!!!

buchananjenn86 · January 2013

The photographer I went through I had met with a week ago and my husband, mom & I felt comfortable and satisfied with him.. though he is a bit more expensive than I wanted. A few days later after thinking it over I had called him and he said in order to save my date and to get the contract I needed to send the deposit in. Not thinking anything about it, I did so.I got the contract and now find out there is a traveling charge & taxes on pictures (which wasn't mentioned during the meeting) but he did work with me on changing the date of my first pmt bc I used my car pmt to pay for him. Do I contact him again about the traveling charge & tax issue?

Im the type who doesn't like to keep nagging people, and he was nice enough to change my first payment date.. but the cheapest package I got from him is $1600..

IDK WHAT TO DO!!!!

Tonya729 · January 2013

Are you not happy paying the extra traveling/tax charge? If you're not, you may lose your deposit if you dont want to go through with it. Most places take this deposit to hold your date, just like other vendors you wont get your money back. Depending when your wedding is, Im using Amanda Williams Photography, she is super reasonable and awesome! She is pretty booked already with 2013 weddings.. My videographer is charging gas, depending how far your photographer is traveling, they told me the most i'd pay for gas would be like $40 which isnt too bad. Its really up to you if its in your budget to do this, I would question him first and ask an estimate of gas and tax.

sopraffina · January 2013

Did you already sign the contract? If not, I'd ask for the deposit back and find someone else.

If you did sign the contract, and send it back to him , it might be tougher. You can still ask if you can get your deposit back. He might do it since it hasn't been too long since you booked him.

Where is your wedding? I'm only asking because of the travel charge. Amy at Pure Amour has packages cheaper than that. If you're able to get out of your contract, you should check her out. http://pureamourphotography.com/

belle fleur · January 2013

As a professional in the field (but on the fashion side of photography), I understand the travel and the taxes issue. However, that should have been discussed with you upfront. Some vendors have a travel fee for beyond ~60 miles from their home or studio. As a freelance / contractor, you still have to claim the income you make on weddings, even if it is not your full-time profession. But most build it into their packaging.

If you haven't already signed the contract (but it sounds like you did, if you sent him a payment) try to negotiate the taxes or the travel fee. If the wedding is far enough away, you may be able to get back your deposit. But it if is a popular date/month and coming up soon, he may have had to turn away another bride who was interested in booking him and you might be stuck.

Good Luck! Hope this helps.

Meegles4 · January 2013

Ditto everything Belle says. These things are standard, but are typically talked about up front or just worked into your overall package price. I would negotiate. He may not be able to completely erase the costs, but maybe he can meet you halfway with an extra hour of time, or some additional prints or something like that.

buchananjenn86 · January 2013

Thank you ladies. I did have an hour long talk with the photographer. Things were straightened out and the whole contract was discussed. I am more ease now.

He is a full time photographer & own his business. His mileage is based off of the IRS standard mileage deduction for a business. And the package was for unlimited amount of hours... which is why I went with that package.

Again, Thank you for the advice ladies!!!

photographer advice!!!

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