lesson learned

I just learned earlier today a valuable business lesson I will not soon forget. If you recall the previous post titled Plan, Plan, Plan, you will read how excited I was for shooting the wedding tomorrow. I was planning on doing nothing but focus on organizing and shooting. I was going to get there early and scout out the entire location for angles and get an idea of what the light might be. I was going to set-up way before the guests arrive to make sure everything was as perfect as I could get it. I say 'was' because tonight I got a text that says "I don't have the money. I'm going to have to cancel."

So the lesson is get a contract and get a deposit.

I also recall some words of wisdom I read from wedding photographers online somewhere:
"Its better to lose clients because they think your too expensive, than to lose clients because they think your too cheap." -Someone

I really felt I was going against that quote by pricing myself dangerously low. So low in fact that I was about to pay my second shooter the same amount for half a days work as I was for the entire project. I should of seen the signs when they started to try and lower the price. But that's the last time I price myself cheap. My next wedding I'm charging at least double this one and getting a deposit(non-refundable).

I guess tomorrow morning I will be sleeping in.