Re: Cancelled commission

In message <v7bJj.267$ra3.244@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>, HarrisVIII 
<acphotREMOVE_THIS@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> writes
>Hi,
>
>I've just had a client cancel a commission to take images of a building
>during its construction. I have written instructions from the client to
>take photos for them and had already spent an hour or so at the site
>taking some preliminary shots.
>
>This client has apparently now changed their mind and taken on another
>photographer informing me that my services are no longer required. I
>should add that they have not seen any of my work so far and I have no
>idea why they have cancelled. Cheeky gits have even requested I meet
>with the replacement photographer!

Not a problem... You have a 2 hour charge so far plus  charge to meet 
the new photographers.

BTW you may have done absolutely nothing wrong it is possibly whilst 
client was talking about it to partner (either sense) or friend they 
said my son/brother/nice does photography and will do a good job lets 
use some we know as a favour to them.

>What can I reasonably and legally charge this client?

Legally and reasonably are two different things.  However if you are 
"reasonable" it will get you further than being legal in the first 
instance.

As for "legally" you don't give any indication of where in the world you 
are. The law varies. Are you here or somewhere foreign  like the US?

>Can I only really
>just charge for the hour already spent on site or can I increase the fee
>as I had already started working and perhaps include some claim for work
>turned down on the back of this job? It would have been a good one
>lasting several months.

Depends on the contract. I would think you can charge for the couple of 
hours (a half day) if it was a large project they have cancelled after 
you have started a half day  (or a day ) is not unreasonable. I would 
also change for your time to meet the new photographer (who I will bet 
has some sort of relation****p to the client)

>Very odd situation that I can't seem to get to the bottom of but I'd
>love to pinch this time waster for as much as possible. Would appreciate
>any input.

Be reasonable. ... You will get a better deal that if you go in 
"legally" with all guns blazing. You should get a better result. Also IF 
you have to go legal you can show you were "reasonable" to start with 
and it puts the others on the back foot to start with.

Finally GET YOUR CONTRACTS SORTED OUT BEFORE YOU START!
-- 
\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
\/\/\/\/\ Chris Hills  Staffs  England     /\/\/\/\/
/\/\/ chris@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
      www.phaedsys.org \/\/\
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