RE: Deposits

[Winsonapm]

Wedding, commercial or any advance booking for your service, would required a commitment in the form of monetary deposits.
The clients want to pay lesser deposit, you, the service provider want more.
What are the numbers now?
This poll is for the initial deposit, progressive payment not inclusive.

Hi MO, pls help delete last posted thread. it was posted before the poll is set.

[tommon]

How about including NONE on the poll? Deposit sounds so unprofessional.

In the corperate / commercial world, we make clients sign a PO or Job order which becomes a contract.

[Winsonapm]

Originally Posted by tommon How about including NONE on the poll? Deposit sounds so unprofessional. In the corperate / commercial world, we make clients sign a PO or Job order which becomes a contract.

Yes, I've came to realise that most in commercial shoot do not insist on a deposit. But it was kind of late to add when it was posted.
Some in the wedding market also do not need a deposit to book their service, especially those in the high-end market. They have their terms covered in the contract.
The practice of accepting deposits seemed to be prevalent in the wedding market and consumer centric.

[mo2]

I've been doing Wedding Photography for the past 8 years professionally.

During of which there's at least 5 cases of verbal confirmation by friends of my wedding clients,
whom nearer the wedding date canceled without courtesy of even telling me. Imagine which other i clients i had declined. Opportunities lost.

If you want to be 'Professional' and deem it not necessary for deposit, GOOD LUCK TO YOU !!

In any event of deposits collected for wedding bookings, the photographer is obliged to carry forth the wedding assignment regardless of other higher paying opportunities that may surfaced.

Bear in mind that photographers are called upon for other photoshoots that may not be just weddings. I personally have incurred opportunity losses due to wedding assignments.

My 25cents worth of thoughts....

[snowspeeder]

Originally Posted by mo2 I've been doing Wedding Photography for the past 8 years professionally. During of which there's at least 5 cases of verbal confirmation by friends of my wedding clients, whom nearer the wedding date canceled without courtesy of even telling me. Imagine which other i clients i had declined. Opportunities lost. If you want to be 'Professional' and deem it not necessary for deposit, GOOD LUCK TO YOU !! In any event of deposits collected for wedding bookings, the photographer is obliged to carry forth the wedding assignment regardless of other higher paying opportunities that may surfaced. Bear in mind that photographers are called upon for other photoshoots that may not be just weddings. I personally have incurred opportunity losses due to wedding assignments. My 25cents worth of thoughts....

Fully agree with you. That's the way to go.

[STEV]

most clients wouldn't mind to put an deposit to block the date for wedding... if possible pls collect all payment before shoot. that's what im currently doing now.

depend on how u lay the terms... no right or wrong.

[vince123123]

Its up to you. If you ask for a deposit, you may lose some work, but you gain certainty in the work you secure. If you don't ask for deposit, you will end up getting more jobs but you may gain uncertainty as some cancel.

Usually, those who have capacity will not ask for deposit, since that time is wasted anyway. Those who do not have capacity will ask for deposit.

[creampuff]

A deposit is certainly a good method to secure a commitment for both the client as well as the photographer. That to me is the professional way of going about things. Unlike dealings with companies, when one deals with individuals there really is no way to determine the person's credit worthiness or whether the person will keep their end of the bargain.

Anyway the whole issue is an agreement or contract to render a service and the deposit serves as the consideration to make such an agreement valid or the contract enforceable.

Housing agents, and other small businesses ask for deposits, why should photographers be any different?

[vince123123]

Just like to comment that a deposit is not required to fulfill the legal requirement of consideration and the lack of a deposit does not make the contract invalid or any less enforceable.

Originally Posted by creampuff A deposit is certainly a good method to secure a commitment for both the client as well as the photographer. That to me is the professional way of going about things. Unlike dealings with companies, when one deals with individuals there really is no way to determine the person's credit worthiness or whether the person will keep their end of the bargain. Anyway the whole issue is an agreement or contract to render a service and the deposit serves as the consideration to make such an agreement valid or the contract enforceable. Housing agents, and other small businesses ask for deposits, why should photographers be any different?

[jetfynn]

Originally Posted by mo2 I've been doing Wedding Photography for the past 8 years professionally. During of which there's at least 5 cases of verbal confirmation by friends of my wedding clients, whom nearer the wedding date canceled without courtesy of even telling me. Imagine which other i clients i had declined. Opportunities lost. If you want to be 'Professional' and deem it not necessary for deposit, GOOD LUCK TO YOU !! In any event of deposits collected for wedding bookings, the photographer is obliged to carry forth the wedding assignment regardless of other higher paying opportunities that may surfaced. Bear in mind that photographers are called upon for other photoshoots that may not be just weddings. I personally have incurred opportunity losses due to wedding assignments. My 25cents worth of thoughts....

Well said, in the many years of being a photographer, there are several times where a solid verbal commitment was cancelled at the last minute. Then again, the other side of the coin would be couples who "thought" they have confirmed the date will pester for commitment.

There's always 2 sides to a coin. In my personal opinion, a deposit is to protect "both" parties.

Then again, we even had an experience of deposit paid and the couple kept quiet about the matter till the eve of their wedding to inform that our services is no longer required and the deposit we can keep!

(Another opportunity lost as there were bigger clients for the date and due to keeping our end of the contract, we declined them! So much for deposits even!)

[vince123123]

Then increase the amt of deposit lor.

[Cheesecake]

50% upon agreement. 50% when finished products are delivered.

nothing less. full payment upfront upon agreement is bestest.

[jOhO]

Originally Posted by jetfynn Well said, in the many years of being a photographer, there are several times where a solid verbal commitment was cancelled at the last minute. Then again, the other side of the coin would be couples who "thought" they have confirmed the date will pester for commitment. There's always 2 sides to a coin. In my personal opinion, a deposit is to protect "both" parties. Then again, we even had an experience of deposit paid and the couple kept quiet about the matter till the eve of their wedding to inform that our services is no longer required and the deposit we can keep! (Another opportunity lost as there were bigger clients for the date and due to keeping our end of the contract, we declined them! So much for deposits even!)

you can always try full payment upon booking.

[2100]

Originally Posted by jOhO you can always try full payment upon booking.

Wah lao eh...I like your style man.
But full payment a few days before customary is all I ever got to.....but i guess at least that is progress for me.

Ae btw, they implemented that nikonclub.com.sg thingy we suggested. LOL!

[vince123123]

Mods, kindly close the poll, it is 1 year old.

[ortega]

the poll may be old but the discussion is still valid

[vince123123]

Yup perhaps close the poll but leave the thread open?

[roygoh]

Poll is closed.