Wedding Photographer Payment

rebel-paddy

Hey,

Just wondering if anyone has the been told by their wedding photographer that they need to pay in full prior to the wedding. This is the case with the photographer for our wedding which I find very strange. What if the photographer doesn't turn up, the photgraphs are not what you expected and are not happy with them, what if the camera falls into a big puddle and gets destroyed the list goes on with what ifs!!!!

When I asked the photographer ha said that it is recommended by their professional institute SWPP (Society of Wedding abd Portrait Photographers) based in the UK.

Anybody have the same experience or is this now normal practice?

Cheers

Ashlynn

Any of the photographers i have looked at have not looked for full payment untill you have received the photo's & are happy with them. I'am thinking of going with Terry Smeathon he looks for a €100 deposit & the rest afterwards. His web site is terrysimages.com if you would like a look he is very reasonable priced aswell

mikeanywhere

There are loads and loads of photographers who ask for payment up front so this is quite normal practice, don't be put off by any un-neccesary scare mongering. Every photographer has different ways of doing things which include payment terms, products on offer and delivery timescales.

If the photographer is established then he/she wont be running away with your money as their reputation is worth me than the cost of a wedding. Get a contract signed so that you are covered if anything goes wrong and have the necessary comeback.

At the end of the day, if you are unsure, talk it through with them to get re-assurance. If you are still not happy, then simply don't go with them!!

DotOrg

rebel-paddy wrote: »

This is the case with the photographer for our wedding which I find very strange. What if the photographer doesn't turn up, the photgraphs are not what you expected and are not happy with them, what if the camera falls into a big puddle and gets destroyed the list goes on with what ifs!!!!

this is pretty normal. it's the same with lots of services, flowers, the cake, the dress. it is because most professional photographers are self employed and if they wait until after the day, they have no way of getting payment on time.

all you need to do is get references from the photographers previous clients. make sure you've seen lots of full sets of photos from the photographer.

no photographer will capture every shot you want and some couples use this an excuse not to pay.

As regards things like if the photos get lost/stolen, simply ask the photographer for proof of insurance covering every eventuality which professionals use.

if you don't get all these questions answered or the photographer refuses to answer, simply go elsewhere until you find a photographer you can trust

jubi lee

this is totally normal. most photographers will require full payment at the latest the day of the wedding.

as someone else pointed out, you wouldn't eat the cake and then pay for it afterwards... or if you didn't like the cake would you not pay etc ???

make sure you do your homework like what style of photography ,what you expect of him etc....

in the event his equipment falls in a puddle or something. a professional will normally have 2 or 3 of everything so it shouldn't be a big problem. also professionals will have equipment insurance etc which will allow them to rent equipment if needed...

if you don't like the photos...hmmmm ...guess you'd work that with the photographer afterwards. no 100% guarentees on anything in this life!

patsieb

i don't know how ye do things but where i'm from u only pay for the cake when you recieve it ,u only pay for the dress when it is ready ,and with the photographer i agree with rebel paddy full payment on delivery off goods @ most 50% before and 50 % on delivery of goods

let me know if ye agree or not