Are you on contract?

[JohnT]

Do any of you have a contract with a business, church, or some other organization to be the photographer for all of their photography needs? Maybe something like a one-year agreement with a locked-in rate for that period?

[Elsaspet]

Not on contract really, but I do have some vendors who I appreciate, who also appreciate me. I put their name out there, and in exchange, they put mine out. Works pretty well.

[JohnT]

Originally Posted by Elsaspet

Not on contract really, but I do have some vendors who I appreciate, who also appreciate me. I put their name out there, and in exchange, they put mine out. Works pretty well.

That's where I am as well. I'm figuring that the contract situation is an unusual one.

[CaptainTom]

I am not currently holding any contracts.
I did have several last year, before I entered the day to day work world. It can be a real
help to have a predictable pay check each month. You just need to make sure your agreement is very well spelled out so the client and you know what they are getting.
My agreements were for up to a specific number of hours of photography services with at least 48 hours notice. Of course, if a last minute call came in and I could do it, I would be there. Today I can say I work for a professional photographer, but unfortunately neither of us are doing photography work on the job.........:)

[eswist]

I am on contract with various organizations and it certainly does help, as CaptainTom mentioned, to have a predictable pay check each month. When business is slow at least you know you can count on X amount.

It's always nice to have something on paper to cover your butt these days too.