Getting Paid - Best Tactics ?

[sdotkling]

I've been freelance for many years, and find that the problem clients (and there are some, for sure) are the ones that fall in a gray zone of friends of friends, or friends of other clients. I usually get money up front, mainly to prove that this is a serious transaction, not a game, but let my guard down when a reputable person I've worked for before, or a good friend recommends me to someone else. I'll therefore dispense with the cash up front requirement because I feel all warm and fuzzy and then---bam---I get stiffed. Happens every few years, and I am really upset when it does. But it's my own damn fault.

 

[fdarnell]

Worst case I had ended up in a lawsuit in small claims (<$5000). Won a judgement, but I had the lucky chance to wait in the courtroom all day to watch cases in front of me come in where people were trying to get their judgement paid. Court did discovery of assets etc because people did not know where their clients assets where. Won my judgement end of the day. Now have to collect.

Few weeks later my ex-wife was lucky enough to be sitting in a local bank talking with a teller and notice the client's POP items on her desk. Banker then told my ex-wife that client was a regular, good customer. She called me, I went to the judge, Sheriff delivered the hold on all the assets in the bank at 9:00am next morning. I was paid by 3:00pm. Didn't release the hold until next day.

Moral of the story: 50% CUF, balance as "NO Tickee, NO Laundry". The 50% covers what I need to operate, balance is profit. CUF is the ONLY terms for photography "Cash Up Front".

With the internet, everyone thinks photos are free and worth nothing. I"ve gotten out of photography alone, but still employ the same terms. On big projects, it's all "certified funds" or wire transfer. Have yet to sue another client in 18 years since that event. Not sure I would ever want to be published in a magazine where they pay on terms. You WILL be chasing the money.

 

[willie_901]

...

Copyright register all images from each shoot (include registration cost in your fees so client pays them);
...

This is key.

Any attorney knows the cost of intentional copyright violation will like by orders of magnitude more more than the photographer's invoice.

If the copyright actually is registered (which can be done for groups of images on line), even the smallest photography business should be able to find an attorney who will work on commission.

 

[willie_901]

Worst case I had ended up in a lawsuit in small claims (<$5000). Won a judgement, but I had the lucky chance to wait in the courtroom all day to watch cases in front of me come in where people were trying to get their judgement paid. Court did discovery of assets etc because people did not know where their clients assets where. Won my judgement end of the day. Now have to collect.

Few weeks later my ex-wife was lucky enough to be sitting in a local bank talking with a teller and notice the client's POP items on her desk. Banker then told my ex-wife that client was a regular, good customer. She called me, I went to the judge, Sheriff delivered the hold on all the assets in the bank at 9:00am next morning. I was paid by 3:00pm. Didn't release the hold until next day.

Moral of the story: 50% CUF, balance as "NO Tickee, NO Laundry". The 50% covers what I need to operate, balance is profit. CUF is the ONLY terms for photography "Cash Up Front".

With the internet, everyone thinks photos are free and worth nothing. I"ve gotten out of photography alone, but still employ the same terms. On big projects, it's all "certified funds" or wire transfer. Have yet to sue another client in 18 years since that event. Not sure I would ever want to be published in a magazine where they pay on terms. You WILL be chasing the money.

Great story! Good for you.