Weddingbee boards

I'm a wedding/engagement photographer part time (I take a few clients here and there). I am honest with my couples in that I am not a full time "professional" and all my couples have been happy with the coverage they have recieved and I am proud of the finished product.

  I'm in a unique situation where I'm not located near my home for six weeks so I began offering discounted coverage in the area I am staying. I let one my brides get away with scheduling e-pics without a contract or deposit. It was understood she would pay in full before the shoot. Now she is asking if she can make 50 percent depsoit and pay the rest when the finished product is presented.

  I know some photographers practice this, however, I am under the impression it is rare. When I had my own wedding/engagement photos taken I had to pay a 50 percent deposit just to book and the rest of the payment the week prior to the wedding.

  How were your contracts structured? I want to know I'm not totally off base here- I was going to contact other photographers but we were supposed to shoot Monday and she just sent an email requesting this so I'm out of time.

  Thanks ladies.

Thanks ladies- and for clarification this is for engagement photos.

@MissAB- even with a contract it matters. If the bride doesn't pay I have to hire an attorney/take her to small claims court. Usually this wouldn't be an issue- however, I am not in my home state. Travel and expenses would make it a hassle.

We had to pay 50% when we signed the contract and then the remainder is due 1 week before the wedding. 

Like @MissAsB: said I would create a written contract for the balance that your client is requesting to pay, since its after her wedding and/or event date.  Have you been communicating via email?  I would def. keep all of the written correspondences.

@jackie-O All my brides sign contracts stating the amount paid, due, relevant information etc. The contract protects me in the event something out of my control goes wrong and lays everything on the table (A lawyer drafted my contract).

@Miss AB- the contract the bride has yet to sign states if I do not give her a finished product  I will return her full payment. I have references (in her area) for the bride to check and recent work posted on my website.

   I don't have that same luxury- all I know is when she contacted me last week I explained how my process worked and she wants to change it two days before the shoot.

  Again, the issue is I'm only in the state for three weeks before moving back home. I'm hesitant about allowing this since it's not like I can drive down to the local court house and file.

@maureen9004: got it, I didn't comprehend that you were in a completely different state   And what about the option that @Future Mrs. Martin: mentions!?!?!?

@jackie-o: Future Ms. Martin had a great idea, but my policies were outlined in the contract/first email.

@jmissfirelayers: lol.. think I need to man up and tell her no :) I'm such a push over. I'm so afraid to make a client mad- I don't take very many so when I do I want to make sure they're happy.

@MissAsB: I wasn't offended, I am in serious mode :)  That and I just got screwed over on a real estate deal so contracts are a touchy subject for me. Our contract stated the seller's were to reimburse us for  lost fees after we were released from the sale (they couldn't close- they were not paying their mortgage and never disclosed this information to us. We drove across the country with three cats)- they didn't pay so we took them to court. They are probably never going to  reimburse us because they are broke. It was a reality check contracts don't mean very much and life isn't fair<-- that's probably why I'm making this into such a big issue.

Thanks, ladies. We worked it out. I was afraid because I hate telling people no (first born people pleasing tendency). We talked and she was super understanding- I don't know why I'm such a freak sometimes :)