Get a Deposit

All to often people love to book things in advance and then decide they don't want that item or service and when you are in business and it happens to be your item or service they decided they didn't want you end up losing. With photography it is also common to book a shoot but at the last second a friend of the customer says "Hey I will shot those photos for you for free, look I even have a fancy camera just like the professional" and bam your client wont return your messages and you just lost a job. Once someone reserves a block of your time they are costing you money, collect it. There are situations that a deposit may not be called for such as return customers that have been good in the past and you want to keep a good relationship with them but for at least all new customers and the ones you may not have a closer relationship with get your money. Up till recently I never collected deposits but then I booked a client for 7pm Valentines Day only a 2 hour shoot but it very much interrupted the plans I could have made with my girl friend. I only even took the job because money is tight and my girlfriend told me I should take it. Low and behold as the day rolled around I was unable to get a hold of them but it was already to late to make any big plans for that night anyway. To wrap it up I ended up having a good time with my girlfriend anyway and later found out that they had had a friend shoot the photos for free but that they were terrible, to bad it was a small wedding session and they can't go back and do it over. Point is get a deposit not only will it help cover your loss when a client does flake out but you will notice not many people are willing to except the free photos from uncle Jim when they already have some cash invested.



Alleh Lindquist | Portland Fashion & Advertising Photographer