ATV Florida Forum

I'm getting married this weekend and were meeting the the photographer this evening. My question to you all is it normal for a photographer to ask for is moneys up front. If so then I'm in the wrong business. I wouldn't mine paying half down and the final on delivery of pictures. I've heard a lot of horror story's about wedding photographers. Any help would be appreciated.

 thanks Erik,

don't know anything about the subject but it sounds fishy to me E.

I would not pay All Money up front , normally a deposit yes ...but ALL up front....NO WAY..Beware

I agree with everyone else here. Half down and balance due when services are rendered. I would never pay the full amount up front. Congrats on the wedding by the way.

Thanks, Its going to be right in your back yard. (clearwater)

sweet that is close to me. i think i might come and crash your wedding Susan!

Cool. Where will it be? and do you need me to come by and rough-up your photographer?  ;D

if I were the photographer, I would think it to be fair to ask for half up front and the rest on delivery.

Id@

do you need a partner in crime to be the atvflorida wedding crashers?  after last weekend i think we could have a blast w/ messing w/ him!  j/k.  congrats!  and yes full payment up front seems fishy to me as well.

Erik,
Who is it? I've lived here most of my life and know quite a few photographers.

the photographers that do porn don't usually do weddings too ;-)

Id@

It is totally normal for a wedding photographer to ask for the money up front. I am NOT in the business any longer but was for 14 years.
Not saying you would, but too many burn photoraphers who do not get the money up front. Women never like the way they look and always blame someone other than themselves.
I was a commercial advertising photographer, but did some weddings. I always went over what it was I was going to shoot before the wedding day. This eliminated any questions. I would go down a list of shots I had to have. After that, I shot point-and-shoot type pictures of the reception. I always got the money up front. The poor guy is probably broke to begin with and needs the money to get the supplies and have everything developed. If you think it is cheap, WRONG.
I had to give all the money back one time !! It sucked! I rented all the equipment and took it for granted the setting on the camera was normal. It was not  :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(  
Cost me over $1,000  :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(

I have a friend that does wedding photography here in St. Pete. If you want me to give him a shout let me know.

if its open bar . ill come take some pics...lol ;D

If you dont decide to go with the photographer, check out www.rossrodgersphoto.com/minigal  I can get you contact info if you want.

He's in Tampa Augie photographing.

So I guess payment is due at the venue. We left a 300 dollar deposit already, we really scaled back our origanal package from a cost of 1600 to 800. We can upgrade the package after the wedding too. I figure if i like the pictures enough I'll get the better package after. No reason in giving them to much.
 And no wedding crashers!! :D

Nope, don't know him. I'm in St.Pete. Good luck with everything.