Earlier this summer I shot a wedding.

My typical second shooter couldn't make it, so I found someone else online who I felt did good work.

Anyways her and I did the wedding, and everything seemed business as usual. Photos were edited, delivered to client, all was good.

Then this morning I got an email from the bride.

She was wanting a refund because the lady I had hired as second shooter for the day ended up sleeping with her husband at some point after the wedding, and she also included photos from his phone to prove it.

I haven't responded yet, but what's the best thing to do here?

She hired me for a job and the job was completed and product was delivered.

But I also feel like this would be as if I were a professional dog walker who walked a client's dog, then came back and shot it later.

Of course the second shooter is considered a private contractor and not an employee....

Anyways what is the best thing to do here?

I really feel for this lady, but that's also a lot of money to have to give back for work that was done.

Says u/wedding_dude2

This is by far the best post of the year in this sub. Congrats. You win

Says u/Idflipthatforadollar

I swear. This is why I like Reddit. A peep into the madness of life.

Says u/Bachirtra

Offer her a discount on her next wedding.

says u/ByronscottJones

Tell them you are sorry to hear that but there isn’t a way for you to refund for a service that has been completed per your contract. The second shooter is a contractor who I will not work with again but she is not directly involved with my business. I can not refund you because something unfortunate happened that I had no control over.

Also you're not responsible for her/ex husbands behavior, it's his doing

Says, u/nicgom

Yes, this is a perfect response.

You did a job and the job was completed, and what happened with her husband has nothing to do with you and your money at the end of the day. You're a business owner, not a charity.

And even though it's really unfortunate what happened with the groom + your second shooter, any man who is willing to do that on the night of his wedding has never respected his partner and would have done the same thing with someone else anyway...if not the night of his wedding, then at some other point.

The only way I might "get involved" with the situation as it pertains to your business and the photography community in your city, is to no longer work with this person again - to tell her that you know what happened and will not work with her again - to also let her know that she has no business working in this industry anymore - and that you will be informing other lead shooters in your community of her conduct (and you absolutely should.)

People in my community share information with each other if a second shooter is late. Her behavior is just beyond.

While I stand firm that the husband is the person who betrayed his wife and holds the upmost responsibility for that, her actions and behavior are beyond unprofessional and completely disgusting.

And assuming that she was not drinking during the actual wedding, it's safe to say that she was on a much more sober level after the wedding, when all of this allegedly went down. Meaning that at least the some degree, she took advantage of the situation & him presumably being more intoxicated. She's a dangerous person to hire as a (second) shooter and others deserve to know.

u/nycphotogrl1

This is obvious. It should be in your contract.

Offer to sleep with the bride.

u/Ctmanx

First - this is the funniest shit I ever heard. Seriously, this is some sitcom level writing right here. I know you may not see it that way, but come on.

Second - Tell them to eff all the way off. You run a business, and don't offer infidelity clauses in the contract. Work done.

Work delivered, obligations met. We are human, and can feel remorse for others, but we are also a business. Unless there were serious issues with the work or deliverables, no person in their right mind would expect to get their money back.

If she wants a refund for a wedding service, she can sue her ex husband. This is an open and shut no. Good luck out there.

says, u/lordicefalcon

I'd ask your second shooter for her side of the story.

And make sure to update us. 🤣

Says, u/jayfornight