Deal Or No Deal?

[KeepsakeGirl]

I need food for thought. This is all speculative at this point, but its something my husband and I really need to decide on within the next few weeks before this meeting of the minds takes place.

We've recently met with an event decorator in the area who is a definite mover and shaker. She's got the contacts and knows the people you need to know to get "in" the small network of wedding vendors in this area (Austin). A couple days ago she met with the business owners of a reception facility and in her presentation she showed them some slides of our work - she said they were very impressed and want to see more.

Her goal is to become the exclusive decorater for their reception facility or at least a preferred vendor. In three weeks she finds out what their decision is regarding that. In the meantime, she has spoken to me a bit about the following:

When she returns to meet with them she'd like to present the option of bringing me in for a one on one meeting w/ the owners with the goal of being offered the opportunity to become the exclusive photographer(s) for their facility or at least a preferred vendor.

Now comes reality. The good vs. the bad of both situations and we've been brainstorming.

Exclusivity could mean:
1) guarantee at least 6 months of free dates to book at their venue or more
2) NEVER turn a job down - can be considered breach of contract = sue our butts
3) stability - They are booking full weekends and are slated to open a few more venues in the area in the next few years.
4) quicker name recognition in the industry to book w/ other venues

Preferred status is simply handing out our cards to their new clients and strongly suggesting they use our services, but its not required.

Believe me , we won't be signing anything without a lawyer and at this point its all speculative as I said before but I'd like to hear opinions on this. Is anyone in an exclusive relationship with a reception venue? What do you like/dislike about it?

Honestly, this is all overwhelming and exciting but our guard is up HIGH because we don't want to make the wrong decision. We have time to think about it and tell the vendor what we decided before she goes to her meeting and says we're either interested in one or the other.

So you big time wedding pros...any tips for us?!

[CaptainTom]

I'll bump this up to the top of the page.

What is your current business model ?
Are you booking lots of weddings on your own?
Are you prepared for a model where you are booked every weekend ?
If you become exclusive to them (that is rare, but not unheard of ) will you or they negotiate with the bride ?

It sounds like it could be a good opportunity, and being on alert to possible misgivings is good.

Some people would just jump right in and sink or swim. I'd have to see the paperwork and know exactly where the money was coming from, and go with my instincts.

Explore some more, and find out the details. Ask lots of questions.
With this much info, I would be inclined to recommend going as a preferred vendor with the possibility of moving to exclusivity down the road if all works well.

IMHO as always

[boxofrocks]

How about language that grants you the "first right of refusal" rather than "exclusivity"? That way, if you don't want the event, you can pass, but still have the right to get the first shot at the others.

That's the way I'd try to do it.

[HotHolly]

I'd be surprised if they took on a photog exclusively. That usually happens when the owner of the facitlity is also the photog. In my neck of the woods (Ok there are no trees, but you know what I mean) the wedding places that MAKE you use a certain photog suffer b/c the B&G want the freedom to choose who they wish. Some may have hired you anyway, some may be resentful that they HAVE to hire you and have no choice about...and a resentful bride = bad photos. It also wont be too much fun for you.

My wedding photog was sent from a place that did it all - shoes, dress, cake, photogs all on staff. As a photog, you loose a lot of freedom. They all had to conform to traditional wedding photography with specifications the place set down. So, as a bride I experienced this type of thing, and as a photog - talking to brides around the country - they carried similar sentiments and concerns about getting cookie cutter stuff when they used the places photog.

I'd be careful on this one. Your prices will be locked in, or you may be hired as staff and have to attend staff meetings and get chewed out with everyone else, there are legal ramifications you already mentioned, and you loose the freedom you have now. Unless it put you at a very comfortable annual income, I'd personally hesitate. But I like taking dramatic images - this may all sound appealing to you. Not tracking down leads and getting a firm annul income you can count on is tempting too.

So, in short - I don't think I was too much help. Sorry. :o(

[ShaneKislack]

Sounds like a great opportunity. But, read Tom's post 10 times today and 10 time before you go into a meeting with them.

[boxofrocks]

Originally Posted by ShaneKislack

Sounds like a great opportunity. But, read Tom's post 10 times today and 10 time before you go into a meeting with them.

Pretty funny. I wish my wife would give me a vote of confidence like that now and then.

[KeepsakeGirl]

Originally Posted by HotHolly

I'd be surprised if they took on a photog exclusively. That usually happens when the owner of the facitlity is also the photog. In my neck of the woods (Ok there are no trees, but you know what I mean) the wedding places that MAKE you use a certain photog suffer b/c the B&G want the freedom to choose who they wish. Some may have hired you anyway, some may be resentful that they HAVE to hire you and have no choice about...and a resentful bride = bad photos. It also wont be too much fun for you.

My wedding photog was sent from a place that did it all - shoes, dress, cake, photogs all on staff. As a photog, you loose a lot of freedom. They all had to conform to traditional wedding photography with specifications the place set down. So, as a bride I experienced this type of thing, and as a photog - talking to brides around the country - they carried similar sentiments and concerns about getting cookie cutter stuff when they used the places photog.

I'd be careful on this one. Your prices will be locked in, or you may be hired as staff and have to attend staff meetings and get chewed out with everyone else, there are legal ramifications you already mentioned, and you loose the freedom you have now. Unless it put you at a very comfortable annual income, I'd personally hesitate. But I like taking dramatic images - this may all sound appealing to you. Not tracking down leads and getting a firm annul income you can count on is tempting too.

So, in short - I don't think I was too much help. Sorry. :o(

That's how i feel. I do not want to be locked into anything. If that was the case I"d go looking for a job as a photography w/ someone ELSE owning it. We made up our mind over the weekend exclusivity would bore us QUICKLY.