- This topic has 26 replies, 20 voices, and was last updated 1 year, 5 months ago by
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UI’m not sure if this is the right place to discuss this, but I’ve often seen people sharing their experiences with photographers and highlighting their issues. Today, I want to share an incident from the perspective of a wedding photographer—one that left us completely disheartened.
A client booked us in October for their engagement and wedding in January 2025. To be precise, their engagement was scheduled for today. We even provided them with a pre-wedding shoot just two days ago, and they seemed so happy and excited about working with us. They actively participated in the planning, shared ideas for the wedding highlight songs, discussed timelines, and requested our chief photographer’s presence on their big day.
We blocked the dates, rejected other potential bookings, and put in extra effort to meet their expectations. Everything seemed perfect—until Thursday night (just two days ago). Out of nowhere, they informed us they were canceling because they found a cheaper package elsewhere.
No explanation, no proper reasoning—just a sudden cancellation. Even when we asked them to settle the payment for the pre-wedding services they already availed, the groom’s brother responded rudely, threatening us and saying, “Do what you can. You won’t get a single penny from us.”
This is not just about money; it’s about the lack of respect and accountability. As entrepreneurs, we dedicate our time, effort, and creativity to make someone’s special day memorable. We also plan our schedules around these commitments, often turning down other opportunities.
Is this how small businesses should be treated? Where is the justice for us when clients cancel at the last moment without considering the consequences?
Wanted hear your thoughts and if anyone else has faced something similar.
PS:
The agreed package was 1.5 lakh and the advance they made was 15,000/-
We had our terms and conditions specified in our package , in which its specified that they are suppose to pay 70% of the package if they cancel the event close to the date. -
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UNever gona give the output, but today is the engagement, they hired another company instead of us,
They just made us fools, i wanted to do something against them, so they don’t do it to anyother person
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VLet this be a lesson to improve your internal process.
Reach out to a lawyer and get an agreement template from them. Including a format for payment of fees.
Use it for every contract/project you get.
Have milestone payments set as per your experience
10% on onboarding
20% before pre wedding
Etc etcPayment terms and mode should be specified. Including interest on delayed payment.
Let certain amount be payable on you finally delivering.
Execute the agreement on a 100 rs stamp paper.
Take your business seriously for others to take you seriously.
If you go the legal route from day 1 you wouldn’t encounter such problems.
Most of my friends in media never executed contracts until they got fucked over. Which will happen sooner or later.
Every business owner should have some legal budget and use it wisely. It really doesn’t cost that much.
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UNot everytime this signature and stamp agreement works for us becoz we have clients from all over the world and mostly we see them on the day of work, or for prewedding
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VAgreements can be digitally executed. Stamp paper could be bought digitally.
And you can always sign it on the day of your event.
This is also a good way to filter out bad customers.
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UI got married in Dec 2021 and still I have not gotten my output from the photography team. 3 years waiting and continuously following up. And still no output. Currently looking to file a case.
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UI shot weddings for a decade. You must be not more than 2 years into the business if you’re charging such less advance. Look at Joe and Rathi charging 100 pc upfront. I used to charge 60 pc when I quit. You’ll see many of these in the future. Contracts in India don’t mean much. You’ll be burning a hole just fighting for a lac. I’ve had issues too. Once, I even let about a lac go because who will do chik chik, get to work on the next wedding cause it is season and take this as a lesson.
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