For various un-avoidable reasons, we didn't deliver a photograph of the entire ceremony site previous to guests arriving. Between EVERYONE running late, including the decorators, planners, the groom. It just didn't happen. Despite many detail photographs of the decor being included in the 500+ proofs, the bride is livid about this one missing photograph, and seems to be... politely threatening me with bad press. She claims to love all the other photographs, to the point that she has accepted 1 free parent's album to make up for it (my idea). But now she feels that the one album isn't compensation enough (sigh). It really upsets me that she is so unhappy. She was a beautiful bride, and there were many wonderful images from her day.

However, i see this as an opportunity to beef up my contract.

(i find that most amendments to my contract come from that good ol' hand on the burner experience.)

My current contract says,
"..makes every effort to be detail oriented in photographing your wedding. If you have very specific requests of images you would like or need, it is your responsibility to communicate this with the photographer. In the event the Photographer fails to perform for any other reason, in any other capacity, we will make a reasonable effort to satisfy the disputed service. The Photographer shall not be liable for any amount in excess of the retail value of your order."

i need it to say something to the effect,
"..makes every effort to be detail oriented in photographing your wedding, however there is no guarantee of specific photographs. If you have very specific requests of images you would like or need, it is your responsibility to communicate this with the photographer, and we will do our very best to meet your request..."

But that almost sounds like a cop-out to me. Can anyone help with this?

Mine says:

No Guarantee of Particular Images Photographer does not guarantee to capture any particular photo or image, to photograph every person in attendance at the wedding, or to meet any particular aesthetic criteria as part of his performance under this contract.



It's called covering your ass... the way yours is written they could get a full refund over one missing photo... meaning they could just make something up that's missing just to get a refund. No thank you.

Well said..succinct, to the point. I like your attitude

+1

I don't guarantee that I will take any specific images - though I will certainly try to make it happen should a bride request one.

I think you have been over generous with a free parent album, and she should be happy with that - it's just one picture.

I agree with Becky...more than generous. Do you think she was going to order a 30x40 of it for over the sofa? I would imagine it may have been nice in an album, but probably only as a 1/2 opaque background picture.

Your contract should be more about protecting you and less about what you'll do to make it up to them if you mess up.

Melody's is right on. For comparison, here's mine:
SPECIFICALLY REQUESTED IMAGES: While every reasonable effort will be made to produce and deliver outstanding photographs, certain aspects of any event can not be controlled, therefore we provide no guarantee delivery of any specifically requested image(s). We make no warranty of any kind, whether expressed, implied, statutory, or otherwise under this Agreement.

I also have a specific "limit of liability" clause.

That is ridiculous of her to think you should give her more than what you're already offering her for one missing shot. You definetely need to revise your contract - mine pretty much is worded like Melody's.

Let us know how this goes.

+1 as my wife would say, i think i just shot out an egg

hilarious!