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Question from Felicia: “Do all photographer’s require a deposit? I require a non-refundable deposit of $50 to hold the specific date and time. If a check is mailed to me I cash it before the session to make sure it goes through. I had a client reschedule for 6 months later the night before her session and is upset that I already cashed her check and wants her money back. Just would like everyones opinions on this. “
Suz: if she signed a contract she can not get it back and you shouldn’t use “deposit” should be retainer because deposits are tech refundable.
Dana: I am intersted in responses, and am thinking of starting to require deposits!
Natasha: you said a “Non-refundable deposit”, so i would stick with the non-refund! that’s your policy so stick to it! just my opinion though!
Melissa: I have the session retainer (the full session fee) paid in full the day that the client books. If needed, I do payment plans, but it’s still paid in full BEFORE the session.
Lesley: I don’t require a deposit – just starting out with the portraits, so right now I don’t feel I need to. However, I don’t give the customer the photos until I recieve the payment… either during the shoot or when I deliver the photos.
Critty: I just started requiring a $100 deposit for portrait sessions and a 50% deposit for weddings. I kept getting burned on dates so making them non-refundable is incentive to keep their session!
Lori: I do for seniors and weddings.
Bekah: I’d use retainer too, and make sure they know its non-refundable if they cancel. One photographer I know allowed “refunds” in the form of a gift certificate with the deposit amount to be used towards a rescheduled session, but not a cash refund. Something I might start implementing.
Dejah: I’m also in the starting out stages and I booked a senior photo shoot. I confirmed the date. I went to the location of their choice, I waited 45 min! No show, no call, no reply! I was extremely upset. I didn’t want to have to ask for non-refundable deposits but I’m thinking of having them because I (along with many) don’t have time to waist and then be ignored.
Cheryl: i would….i just ate 200 of a hotel room boudoir session due to no shows….i was willing to eat a little because this is only my third but i amped up the room and the two that didnt show were the ones who were the most encouraging me to go to a higher and awesome venue with the promise of giving me a $50 deposit each…a small deposit 25 or 50 is not unreasonable….when i did my own boudoir with JFY photography she asks for $200 and its non refundable
Dejah: No shows are the worst! At least call and come up with some excuse. But please don’t make me feel like an idiot for waiting around!
Tracey: Non refundable is non refundable.. Over time if you have no shows you will realize and explain to them..this holds their time slot, it also prevents you from being able to book someone else instead..this is a business!!
Sheila: Mine is called a Nonrefundable Reservation Fee, and is used to reserve a certain date and time just for them. If they no-show, its their loss. I was ready and waiting for them, which is what the $$ was for. They paid for your time, and they got it. They’re the ones who did not hold up their end of the deal.
Megan: no way a deposit is to hold a specific date… you could have booked something else that date… you should charge her another deposit for the new date.
Jessica: I do a 30% non refundable deposit. And I make sure the client knows its mon refundable before the session is even scheduled
Felicia: Thanks so much guys. At the beginning of my starting out I didn’t require a “deposit” but I got screwed over so many times on cancellations and I would lost a whole day of work. This is the first client I have ever had that requested her check back so I didn’t know how to react. She was upset that I even cashed her check before the session. She thought I would of waited until afterwards, but I have also had checks bounce so I wasnt taking that chance also. She feels like she shouldnt have to pay for something she never received. But it’s not my fault that she wanted to reschedule for 6 months away. I will be switching to retainer!!
Megan: As far as weddings i require 50% if they change the date and I’m not booked NO problem at all. However, if they change the date and I am booked they are S.O.L I don’t like doing it but I’ve had girls back out two weeks before a date where I could have booked other weddings. So in the end I only have the deposit when I would have made 100% for someone who hasn’t canceled. SO in the end with deposits if someone cancels on you, you are still the only losing out… even though you are making money for doing nothing, You could have made a lot more money for doing work ( and expanded your portfolio ) Also, In my time as a wedding photographer I’ve found that clients who ask to pay the deposit in 3rds are always looking to weasel out of it… or they will take a year to pay for the final balance… or the just won’t pay for the final amount and never receive their high resolution photos… or their albums. Don’t let clients take advantage of you because most people won’t but some will.
Blackburn Protocalphotography: Keep it its listed in the contract, maybe she should of actually read what she was signing
Laity: I would definitely hold firm. She cancelled the day before the sesh, so you missed out on the business. She was aware it was a non refundable deposit prior to the day. If you really feel bad about it, maybe advise her she can use it as her deposit for her next session…however if she cancels last minute again, you lose out again, if you cannot fill her session.
Kelli: With future clients, send a contract stating that it is a non refundable deposit that may be applied to a future session, to clear any further issues. Since your not allowed to post date a check, I’m surprised that she thought that was going to be okay. If you can’t find your policy in B&W through a contract or email exchanges with her, consider refunding. Word of mouth travels fast.
Nirusha: I only shoot seniors and family. I too, am starting out. I require full payment of session fee at the time of booking-no exceptions. Doesn’t seem to be an issue. I figure if they can’t afford my session fee up front, then they can’t afford my prints at the avg sale price point I would like to be selling at, and thus they are not the right client for me. As much as I client chooses us, we also get to choose the right client. Don’t be afraid to stick to your guns.
Colin: I require a £200 non refundable deposit to secure a wedding date and FULL payment 28 days before the wedding, same as most photographers in the UK
Sarah: In the past few months I have started to require a 50% deposit (or more) when booking a session. I have had too many people not show up for their shoots after booking with me. I find it very frustrating as normally I have 1-2 hrs already invested with set up, props, etc before the session even starts. I also tell my clients that it is a NON-Refundable, NON-transferable deposit as well. Good luck
Heylen: in your contract you should require and specify that they have up to 48 hours(or whatever you chose) before the session to cancel, reschedule or whatever they want to do. if they contact you the day of the retainer will NOT be refunded. this also gives you two days to cash the check!
Jeanne: Some legalists avoid the term deposit – non-refundable reservation fee does not imply they are making a partial payment on something to be received later. If they need to reschedule (everybody pukes sometime) I let them. But I have all cash in my hand by the time I’m ready to shoot. For weddings all cash in hand two weeks before because after the wedding “everybody’s broke” and that’s when the risk occurs. My only exception is if I really really know the people. And yes, that too, can be a risk.
For weddings, they get an engagement shoot free so if they were to ever cancel the wedding they might feel as if they’ve gotten something.
Hang in there! Think about the fun you have shooting and making people happy! This business crap can pull you down!
Amanda: I tell my clients that the retainer is nonrefundable and if, for any reason, we have to reschedule, the money will go towards the next date. I don’t know why she’d be so upset unless she’s planning on skipping out on the rescheduled date.
Kelly: I’ve been in business for three years and I do not require a deposit for newborn or family sessions, only weddings. I have had people reschedule but I don’t consider it a loss. They always reschedule and I use my free block of time to work or spend with my family.
Jaye: I do not get deposits, I get retainers. At least in my state (where crazy laws abide) a deposit is considered refundable whereas a retainer is not. So I use that terminology and require one from every person who books. No retainer = session not booked. I require 30% for weddings and half for portrait sessions. It ensures that I’m not wasting my time, energy, and money showing up for a session when the other person isn’t going to show because they have nothing riding on it.
To date, I’ve only had three people cancel (one wedding and two portrait sessions). I still have their retainers waiting should they ever want to rebook and I know the bride from the wedding plans to use it for a portrait session soon. I’m fine with that sort of thing but do require a smaller additional retainer to be paid to hold the date.
Colleen: yes…I have a non-refundable retainer (not deposit)…and since I do ‘free’ engagement shoots (typically 6-9 months before the wedding)….and they ‘keep’ those…I don’t really feel bad aboout it…
Christy: Deposits are always legally refundable, retainers are not. Reword the contract.
Jen: After reading these comments, I think I need to reword my contract so that I have a “non-refundable retainer” to help with the no-shows or the ones who want to always reschedule last minute!
Tom: What Kelly Decoteau said!
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