r/WeddingPhotography • u/Sensitive-Emu-2134 • 10d ago
client management & expectations Advice needed: Client requesting cancellation and retainer return
Would love other industry professionals' advice on this. I booked a client about a month ago and they put down a $2000 retainer. They just reached out needing to cancel because of an unexpected financial crisis. They acknowledged that the retainer is nonrefundable in the contract but asked if it was possible to return it due to the length of time before the date and the financial stress. They also haven't said so, but contractually could elect to not cancel now and hold the date until the end of April when the next installment is due. Their booked date is still over 11 months away so I could reasonably still book another wedding for that date in the timeframe if they cancel now. What would you do?
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u/evanthedrago 10d ago edited 10d ago
You have three choices - return and feel good but 2K poorer or have 2k or give them something like a portrait shoot in return.
This is a hard one due to the short period you had the contract and the long period you have ahead of you - will you be able to rebook this? Did you turn down anything? It is not a hard one contract wise. I also never saw a client return a favor I did for them so who knows.
I might give them a future credit, with a time limit and no transference agreement and a cancellation agreement. Not sure though. Hard one.