Photography contract states - 'Studio is not responsible for acts of personal harassment by individuals connected with this occasion' Huh? Anyone have a Contract Lingo to English Dictionary?
Also, is 2 months after the wedding date not enough time to pick out proofs and bring them back? My sister's contract allowed for almost a YEAR to choose the proofs.....
ChristineC68
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Re: What does this mean?
I don't know about that statement.
And two months could be enough time for brides on the ball there. But 8 months later, we still have not selected proofs for our album. I spoke with our photographer a few weeks ago and they said there are some brides for 2 -3 years ago that still have not planned their albums.
i have a friend who got married in 2000 and she still hasn't picked out her proofs...she had mark kaufman...but she says there are so many...she can't make heads or tails...lol
michele31
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Re: What does this mean?
Sounds like Patken or Verdi about the proof time-frame. I DO NOT agree that 2-months from the wedding date are enough time. Here is why: -you DO NOT get your proofs that day. You have to wait about 1-2 weeks, usually you are away on your honeymoon. Now you have only6 weeks. When I got my proofs I had to review them multiple times before I could really begin to see which were my favorites. I mean, there were some that I loved right away but the more I looked at them, the more I was able to find just the perfect photos. Plus I needed the parents to make their selections. Also, I believe that the photographer should sit down with you and help you design your album, not just hand him/her a stack of photos and say 'Here you go'. When I was with Mark Kauffman designing my albums I learned a lot about what photos look good together, the sizes that worked best etc... You cannot do that all on your own. So that means, while getting back to work, unpacking, possiblity just moving to a new place you HAVE to figure out all of your photos? Makes NO sense to me and honestly, I think brides end up making quick decisions that they might not like in the end-product. And this doesn't even take into consideration enlargements for my home!
I guess the other clause means that if a guest wants a photo and they miss an important moment of yours it isn't there fault?
Sassyz75
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Re: What does this mean?
Weird clauses... I picked everything in about 3 months.. I got 450 great proofs- and I have to say I am THANKFUL that I didn't get the 600-1,000 that some of you girls get--- too much! I really think it's best to go for quality over quantity.... and eliminate confusion.
Sonicstef
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Re: What does this mean?
Personally I think having any set time frame is ridiculous. They had plenty of time to take your money they should make sure they are available to help you with your wedding photos when YOU ARE READY - be that 1 week or 1 year after your wedding. The only reason they set up such a strict schedule is a ploy to get exhausted brides to give up some of the features they paid for. There must be a small percentage who just cant do it in 2 months and lose out.
Aside from the general principle, I think you need a little 'distance' from your wedding day to pick out the photos that you will still appreciate 20 years from now. A few months after the wedding, you are still in wedding mode and its harder to have an objective eye about whats important to keep/cut.
Sonicstef
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Re: What does this mean?
Sassy: I have a lot of proofs and I think they are all quality shots. You can have 20 quality shots out of 10000 or 500 out of 1000 or 10 out of 10...there is no correlation in my opinion. You can have both quantity and quality.
Sassyz75
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Re: What does this mean?
Sonicstef- I think you are the exception to the rule- you are artistic and do a lot of your own photoshop and photo editing work- to you, all those shots are useful and you will be able to do a lot of your own special things..
but I've seen a lot of people more concerned with the number of proofs they are getting than the fact that their photographers take old-school 1960s style pictures... that's all I'm saying..
But-you can DEF have both.
ChristineC68
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Re: What does this mean?
Further to Stef's point about length of time should not be defined. I think the longer you wait to place your album order the more expensive it is for the photographer.
We booked our photographer in 2001 with a package set at 2001 prices for albums and reprints. Now when we place our order, he will be paying 2003 prices for printing/binding etc. I know there is a ridiculous mark-up, but I it's still less money then what he could have received.
Sonicstef
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Re: What does this mean?
I agree that quality comes first. Whats the point of having a lot if they are not good in the first place? But I dont think its fair to say that someone should go for quality over quantity b/c I dont think they are mutually exclusive.
(What i do with the photos after the fact has nothing do with the quality of the photos that hte photographers took. Even if I let them sit in a big album and never do a thing to them, I have hundreds and hundreds of good photos from the day. That may not be important to everyone and thats what makes the world go round...i just dont want the impression that you have to choose one over the other.)
LisaT
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Re: What does this mean?
Michele - I used Patken and didn't order my pictures until 8 months after the wedding (my MIL's fault). It wasn't a problem at all, and we still got the 50% discounts on additional prints / album pages. There wasn't anything in our contract about a timeframe.
edited to say, I totally agree with Stef about needing some distance before picking out the pics. Mine changed a number of times before we finalized everything.
Sassyz75
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Re: What does this mean?
You can have both... I just personally wouldn't want 1,000- I'm just not that much into it.. what I have I love and that's just enough for me. However, if people do want 1,000 I would suggest they make sure they go with the quality because I know too many people (not from here) that have gotten TONS of proofs that were horrible! That's all I'm saying- different strokes.
BUT- you should NOT have a deadline to decide what pics you want- two months is quick... if we didn't go with the digital album we would NOT have been able to pick as quick as we did.
Sonicstef
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Re: What does this mean?
Understand what you mean..and youre right...always go with the best photos.
LauraPete
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Okay so my next question is then do photographer amend contracts for you if that 2 month rule doesn't sit well with me? Still curious about that harrassment clause too. There is also a $200 addition if I want table shots. Weird but I don't need that. Do I? Do people regret it if they don't?
there was recently a discussion on whether table shots should be included or extra...
for the most part...I think the majority of photographers will do table shots included in your package...
whether to have them or not...thats up to you...It is a great way to make sure you have a picture of every guest...I didn't see the need
Sonicstef
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Re: What does this mean?
I did the table shots and Im happy I did. Im not going to use them for the album but I like having a photo of everyone that was there. They are not necessary and most photographers dont like to do them - its a personal choice. They are not worth an extra $200. (and I think its outrageous that a photographer would charge you extra to do what you paid them for in the first place but thats a whole other discussion)
If you have not already signed the contract, the photographer will most likely have no problem ammending it until he makes the sale. Once you have signed it, you are more at the mercy of his/her good nature. Either way - no harm in asking.
phyl
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Re: What does this mean?
I dont think that you should have to pay extra for table shots UNLESS you have a killer deal on the whole deal.
I would go with the table shots- not pay for them- because then you have at least some shots with EVERYONE in them. I did put them in my album...but chose a smaller size pic.
we were married 7/2 back from the honeymoon into a new home in about 3 weeks and had our shots picked in sept. the photog DID sit with us and helped us lay out the album. This is a GREAT feature since now the pics flow better. YEs, we did wind up getting TWO pages with specials features so it costed more...but I love my album and got it in time for Christmas that year!
JoRo
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Re: What does this mean?
JMHO - but if a photographer has a set contract and a set 'attitude' and way of doing things, even if he/she amends it for you, s/he is still going to be in that mind set and may not be as easy to work with after your money is in (and you may have to pay it all before your album is prepared!). You have to feel TOTALLY comfortable with your photographer. you shouldn't feel rushed and you shouldn't have any animosity between you. again, just my opinion.
michele31
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Re: What does this mean?
Charging for table shots in INSANE. I have posted about this before. Truth is the photographer is paid to be at your wedding and cover the events of the day. Some people want table shots, some don't. It should be your choice, and no charge. A photographer told me that the reason some photographers are charging for table shots is because no bride ever uses them in her albums or gets them elarged so they do not make any extra money on the shot! I think that is awful and would NEVER use a photographer who charged for them. My proofs (all 1800 of them) are mine to do with as I see fit! The are for us to reflect back on our day, not so the photographer can make extra cash on the deal afterwards.
And I agree you NEED quality photos no matter how many proofs you get. I just cannot imagine having 12-hours covered with only 450 photos. So much is going on that day. But everyone needs to do what is best for them.
sweetnessconfused
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Re: What does this mean?
I went to Patken and thought that 450 was a great number until I went to a bridal show recently and saw some AMAZING!!!! albums from companies that offer 2 or 3x's what Patken was giving me and a 1000 shots. No charge for tables either. I think I would rather have the more and like I said the quality was great if not more unique, so I can choose what I feel is important to me. The photographer shouldn't be the one choosing since he only takes 450 pictures. I agree with Sonicsteff. The day happens once in a lifetime, why wouldn't you want as many memories as possible?
One thing though, when I went to Patken and asked about the table shots they didn't say anything about charging us extra!
