Most clients pay on time and don’t need you to chase them—but you need to set expectations with them before the shoot.
When you start freelancing, you might want to take on every job that comes your way. Consider, though, that clients who don’t pay and make things harder for you generally aren’t worth the extra hassle. If budget is an issue from the outset, think about whether the job is worth the time and effort you might need to spend just to get paid.
Setting expectations from the beginning lets your clients know that you’re professional and expect them to act the same way.
Get Paid: How to Avoid Payment Issues
Here’s how you can help your client understand that you’re a business and weed out potentially bad clients.
Communicate When The Deposit is Due
Use your initial correspondence to let your client know that a deposit must be paid before the shoot.
Do Not Hold The Shoot Date for the Client Until They Pay
I know it can feel awkward when talking about getting paid. This lets the client know that you have regular work and systems in place to handle workflow. They must pay a deposit to secure your services.
Ensure The Client Signs a Contract Before You Book Them In
This will help weed out clients who aren’t serious or are unlikely to pay. Even having them sign an estimate agreeing to the terms and fees is better than nothing.
Getting Paid Hot Tip: Require Full Payment Before You Release Images
This works well for small businesses. Magazines usually require images before they’ll pay you, but they’re less likely to deny payment. I always stipulate this in my contracts.
Add a Clause in the Contract that Images Cannot Be Used Without Full Payment
If your client uses the images before paying you, this constitutes a breach of copyright.
I use this for jobs that have a tight turnaround. Clients may pay after the supply of the images or the money may be an international transfer that takes up to a week to receive.
If your client is paying instalments or with a payment plan, do not transfer approval to use the images until the final payment is complete. In these cases, you’d outline the terms in a signed agreement.
If you found it helpful reading about how to get paid you might also be wondering, ‘Should you increase your rates?’. Find out when it’s time to charge more.
Interested in learning more about the business of food photography? Read all of the articles in our Food Photography Business Series:
Everything You Need to Know About Client Estimates
Building Your Base: Finding New Clients for Paid Work
Knowing Your Worth: How to Handle Free Work Opportunities
Stop Chasing Clients! A Quick Guide to Image Licensing
Signs You Need to Charge More – 3 Tips to Raising Your Prices
How Many Images to Supply (And When to Give More)
Onboarding and Educating Clients—What it is and How to Do it
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