Keep your turnaround time short or...

Every day you learn something new. Here’s a story I read on PetaPixel: A photographer is hired to shoot a wedding. She is paid before the wedding upon the signing of a contract, where both parties agree to this condition. In the contract, the photographer specifies that the turnaround time is three months, keep in mind that for weddings this amount of time is not unusual. She delivers a preview of about 100–200 photos and continues working on the final product. However, one month after the wedding, the bride files for divorce and asks the photographer for a refund on the basis that he no longer needs the final product.

 

On one hand, you have the photographer’s work—eight hours of shooting and delivering the previews. On the other hand, you have a bride who no longer wants anything to do with the wedding or to keep photos that will remind her of it.

I do not know if in the contract the photographer mentioned anything about refunds. I for example have these two points included:

- Do you require a deposit?

Yes. A non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your date and time. The remaining balance is due on or before the day of the shoot. Payments can be done via Zelle or PayPal. 
 

-What if I’m not satisfied with my photos?

My goal is always your satisfaction. While refunds aren’t possible after a session, I will gladly work with you to make adjustments through editing—or even schedule a reshoot when appropriate. 

But this scenario is different. It’s not that the bride is dissatisfied with the final product—which hasn’t even been delivered yet. Rather, it’s a case of someone saying they don’t want the final product at all.

What is my opinion in this case?

In this case, the bride is not entitled to a refund.

Here’s why, in neutral and straightforward terms:

• The contract was fulfilled on the photographer’s side. The agreement stated payment upfront, a three-month turnaround, and the photographer had already worked the wedding day and delivered previews.

• The product/service was provided. The photographer spent time, effort, and resources covering the event. The fact that the marriage ended shortly after does not undo the fact that the service was performed.

• Client’s change of circumstances is not the photographer’s responsibility. A divorce (or simply not wanting the photos anymore) is unrelated to whether the photographer upheld her part of the agreement.

So unless the contract explicitly includes a clause for refunds in the event of a divorce or change of mind (which is highly unlikely), the photographer is within her rights to keep the payment.