Return of a deposit

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I paid a deposit just once, she no showed. Lost my deposit. Never again. If a model insists on a deposit i wont be booking her. I know not all models are the same, and neither are all photographers. I dont need to shoot so badly that ill lay out deposits to do so.

I once cancelled a day before a shoot.  Family thing came up.  I paid 50% of the fee.  Just seemed reasonable.  Model never asked.  I also have in the past offered deposits to secure a shoot with a model who didn't ask but who I was particularly keen on shooting.  She refused but came anyway.  Finally I have paid on model's request a deposit, she no-showed and I never heard from her again.

There is no rule of thumb here.

Edited by GDSandy Photography

The good thing is, photographers have a clear choice as to whether they wish to pay one or not and models have the choice as to whether to have a policy that requires them or not.

Both can change their minds on their policy if they wish to based on their experiences.

Edited by FunPhotographer

AshleyAshton if the photographer cancels you request full payment, as per terms. But if you cancel very short notice, the shoot gets cancelled, and just like you the studio asks for full payment, who pays that ?

ThePictureCompany

No.

If the photographer cancels, he looses his deposit, I don't take the full payment until the day of the shoot.

If the photographer has specifically booked a studio for the shoot, whose conditions are non refundable, then I will also cover that and their travel if they have a receipt.

I have done this before and would do it again, sure no problem.

I can't understand these models who cancel frequently, it is their own business they destroy by doing so.

I try to avoid a cancellation at all costs.

Edited by AshleyAshton

FunPhotographer said

FiL

Yes. Though, as with most things, you just have to be sensible.

I paid a deposit on my last shoot which was with Rose Magdalene Child. 1000 references and 500 FPI’s meant it was an extremely safe bet.

Someone relatively new to the site, with no or few references and/or negative references is a much greater risk and I would say no to anyone who asks for a deposit.

I have to say I'm struggling with the relevance of the FPIs in the following equation:

"1000 references and 500 FPI’s meant it was an extremely safe bet"

I'm also aware of a popular model with well over 400 references who, to my knowledge, failed to return deposits to five photographers after cancelling. It's likely there will be more instances that I'm not aware of. All of her references here are positive.

Of course, some photographers have a level of risk they're prepared to tolerate and criteria they observe in order to manage that risk. But all that does is push 'sooner' towards 'later'. If you're lucky.

Just to be clear, I'm not referring to Rose Magdalene Child.

FiL

Feel free to disregard the bit about 500 FPI’s if you wish as the rest of the post still adequately expresses my point.

AshleyAshton said

ThePictureCompany

No.

If the photographer cancels, he looses his deposit, I don't take the full payment until the day of the shoot.

If the photographer has specifically booked a studio for the shoot, whose conditions are non refundable, then I will also cover that and their travel if they have a receipt.

I have done this before and would do it again, sure no problem.

I can't understand these models who cancel frequently, it is their own business they destroy by doing so.

I try to avoid a cancellation at all costs.

Edited by AshleyAshton

Thats good to hear, thanks. I'm generally assuming everyone in the equation does their best to avoid a cancelation.  But with all these new deposit requests by all parties (I'm NOT singling out Models) It seems that, considering that the photographer is the source of income for most people here, why should they also be the source of compensation and liability for everyone to fall back on as well.  Especially when its just as likely to be anyone else's fault as theirs.

FiL said

I'm also aware of a popular model with well over 400 references who, to my knowledge, failed to return deposits to five photographers after cancelling. It's likely there will be more instances that I'm not aware of. All of her references here are positive.

So those five photographers didn't say anything or report her to Admin?

Try the sale of goods and services act.

Edited by STERLING PHOTOGRAPHY

Gothic Image said

FiL said

I'm also aware of a popular model with well over 400 references who, to my knowledge, failed to return deposits to five photographers after cancelling. It's likely there will be more instances that I'm not aware of. All of her references here are positive.

So those five photographers didn't say anything or report her to Admin?

Self preservation.

400 references, big following on Facebook.

Would you leave a negative reference if you were a new photographer?

Same kind of exploitation of newbies that happens to models (even if the abuse is different).

Huw said

Gothic Image said

FiL said

I'm also aware of a popular model with well over 400 references who, to my knowledge, failed to return deposits to five photographers after cancelling. It's likely there will be more instances that I'm not aware of. All of her references here are positive.

So those five photographers didn't say anything or report her to Admin?

Self preservation.

400 references, big following on Facebook.

Would you leave a negative reference if you were a new photographer?

Same kind of exploitation of newbies that happens to models (even if the abuse is different).

Yes, absolutely I would.  My self preservation means nothing to me. I'm quite happy to cut my nose off to spite my face.

or perhaps in the spirit of Commander Worf in 'First Contact';  "Maybe today IS a good day to die, prepare for Ramming Speed!"

It's 2024 this argument should be moved on.

Up to even five years ago it would have been necessary to do a bank transfer if a deposit which is unrecoverable but today if a model works professionally they should be able to accept cards. 

A simple challenger bank business account as a sole trader (no monthly/transaction fees), Stripe or other payment processer (no monthly fee just 1.5% + 20p per transaction) and some accounting software to produce click-to-pay invoices such as Xero/Quickbooks etc (maybe £30 month) would let the model invoice for the deposit and the photographer pay by card for security. 

Would I pay a deposit by card to a model who acts professionally with their finances as above - yes.

Would I pay a bank transfer deposit to a name on the internet - not a chance. 

Models need to act in a professional way if they want deposits and before a model/white knight complains models can't afford £30 month for accounting software then those are the one's who shouldn't be asking for deposits they obviously can't afford to repay.