Wedding Issues...

[HotHolly]

So, I was wondering if this is just part of the wedding trade. This ONLY seems to happen with weddings. Family sessions, baby sessions, children - not an issue.

The client thinks they KNOW what photo I took, and asks where it is when they get their proofs back. Thats one issue.

Then my latest issue has been - why arent there more images of ABC? With one of these weddings the bride was in her PAJAMS until 5 mins before the wedding thereby ditching her extra bridals.

Then we had one groom asking why there arent more images of him. He was 100% drunk and steered clear of us. I wasnt going to chase him into his trailor. And its not like I can remind him of that later. I think he'd take my head off.

It just erks me...We tell them as we go along whats happening and what images will be cut if they are running late. The bride still has several nice portraits of herself, but not as many as the groom. And it just goes on an on.

Is this a wedding industry phenomenon?

[brad]

Had a similar problem with the last wedding I shot.. had to dig a few out of the virtual trashcan (no, we don't actually throw ANYTHING away except complete trash shots) to appease them...

However, my contract explicitly states that unless they provide someone to point out important people, we are not responsible for missing their pictures.

[HotHolly]

Thanks Brad. Our contact states no guarenteed shots, however, this has been driving me totally nuts. Our drunk groom had met us before and we do collect a shot sheet, but dont guarentee it. The shot he wanted wasnt on the sheet. How was I supposed to know? It was rather obscure and he was wasted...sigh.

I was guessing that this is an industry related issue since it isnt happening with other areas, and only with weddings.

Feel free to chime in. Like I said in previous posts - trying to learn as much as possible and make necessary revisions.

[ndsimm]

Originally Posted by brad

Had a similar problem with the last wedding I shot.. had to dig a few out of the virtual trashcan (no, we don't actually throw ANYTHING away except complete trash shots) to appease them...

However, my contract explicitly states that unless they provide someone to point out important people, we are not responsible for missing their pictures.

Exactly!
Here is the clause from my contract:
Cooperation: The parties agree to cheerful cooperation and communication for the best possible result within the definition of this assignment. Photographics is not responsible if key individuals fail to appear or cooperate during photography sessions or for missed images due to details not revealed to Photographer (Photographics). Photographics recommends that Client designate an "event guide" to point out important individuals for informal or candid photographs to the photographer (See above) during the wedding that they wish to have photographed and client agrees to not hold Photographics responsible for any images missed.

[brad]

That's really similar to mine...

COOPERATION: The parties agree to cheerful cooperation and communication for the best possible result within the definition of this assignment. Jenies Technologies Incorporated recommends that CLIENT designate an "event guide" to point out important individuals for informal or candid photographs to the photographer during the wedding that they wish to have photographed. The photographer will not be held accountable for not photographing desired people if there is no one to assist in identifying people or gathering people for photograph's. Jenies Technologies Incorporated is not responsible if key individuals fail to appear or cooperate during photography sessions or for missed images due to details not revealed to photographer.

Edit: geesh.. just noticed a couple of typos.. I gotta clean that up.

[HotHolly]

Ditto - too bad it doesnt seem to matter in terms of complaining about it.

[KeepsakeGirl]

I also get a witness...usually a sober bridesmaid to nudge and remind them throughout the night of some shots that they haven't taken yet and that I, the photographer, am still trying to get them together for....most of the time they comply but there has been one occasion where they brushed it off and when it came time to make the book, i had ONE shot of her w/ the groom...yup ONE actual formal shot...and i used it...and she didn't like it..and i reminded her that I urged her to complete her shot list and she declined...she decided she could live with it...

[HotHolly]

So, it sounds like this is just part of the weddings?

We remind, have prep sessions (1 on 1), collect a shot sheet (that isnt guarentted - but gives us an idea of what they want), and then the shot sheet goes to a 3rd person that holds it and grabs the correct people. Still doesnt help if they forgot to write the shot down, or were in PJs at the time allocated for their formals and they dont want to pay for me stay longer.

I thought we were in overkill area with this topic. A 1 on 1 meeting specific to shots 1 week prior to the wedding, an open door policy 7 days B4 the wedding, a shot sheet, a 3rd person with the shot sheet, 2 photogs intentionally cover their sheet and our own, and in writing in the contract...come on.

They act like Im beaning them with this info, yet they still are seriously bothered that the shots are missing /not what they thought - even if they are the reason the shots are missing. Guess it goes with Bridezilla Land...

This senario is happening with several, but not all of our weddings. Not sure whats causing that...Maybe its just the nature of the job?

[dfwlens]

I love reading all Holly's posts and the more she relates the more I think about photogs I know that fell to their knees weeping with joy when they developed their business (portraits, seniors, etc.) to the point that they didnt have to shoot weddings anymore!

[bondarnes]

Just as an aside. We call our shot sheet "Wedding Portrait Wish List". It's like the list you gave Santa as a kid. You probably won't get everything on the list, but we will do our best( time and circumstance permitting).

[HotHolly]

Originally Posted by dfwlens

I love reading all Holly's posts and the more she relates the more I think about photogs I know that fell to their knees weeping with joy when they developed their business (portraits, seniors, etc.) to the point that they didnt have to shoot weddings anymore!

Getting there SO fast!

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

OK you are dealing with people who have been drinking or are giddy with excitement and they just expect the world and won't accept anything less.

Just get a tougher skin and say that the photo in question does not meet our standards because of actions/events outside of our control.

Nice thing about shooting Protestors THEY CAN'T SCREAM AT US to much if we make em look bad.

[HotHolly]

Originally Posted by bondarnes

Just as an aside. We call our shot sheet "Wedding Portrait Wish List."

I've been thinking about that - very good wording. Cuts to the quick - pronto. I'm thinking that I may need to borrow that phrase. You keep throwing such good stuff out there, I cant resist! Thanks Don!!!!

[MarkM]

I hate to admit it,.... but your price list dictates the level of client you'll be working with.

Early in my career I faced many drunk grooms as well as brides. (classy).
But as my price and talent level increased, my client level did too. AMAZING.

[Xposure Photo]

I tell all my weddings to expect the unexpected and that nothing go as planned..so I will try to capture as much as possible of depending on circumstances...I keep asking them thru the night if there is anything else they would like...and if they get drunk or fall "I TAKE THE PIC" ussually they will buy the crazy ones just because it was a memory and it was them...if not it did not cost me a think... I will say do like the Police...shoot EVERYONE..and ask questions latter! nothing bad on having wedding bloopers!