Seating & meals for Vendors?

[BRENDASTAR]

Okay so how does it work for the vendors? Photographer, DJ, Videographer, etc.? DO we include them in seating? Dinner? What have y'all done or will be doing?

[jthrasher]

Yes, always include your vendors in your meals. and leave a seat for them as well. Fortunately my clients have always been kind enough to mention it before hand so I didn't have to bring it up but I've heard many other photographers get upset about "vendor meals" and being stuck in another room.

 

Caterers sometimes will put together a vender meal which is usually less than desirable. After being on my feet for 10+ hours its nice to have a decent meal and I'm always grateful with clients leave a seat and meal for me.

[BRENDASTAR]

Oh great! Thanks for the tips!

[gkashmira]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jthrasherphoto.com Yes, always include your vendors in your meals. and leave a seat for them as well. Fortunately my clients have always been kind enough to mention it before hand so I didn't have to bring it up but I've heard many other photographers get upset about "vendor meals" and being stuck in another room. Caterers sometimes will put together a vender meal which is usually less than desirable. After being on my feet for 10+ hours its nice to have a decent meal and I'm always grateful with clients leave a seat and meal for me.

Hi Jonathan - I had a quick question regarding your post. If you are hired for only 4 hours do you still ask your clients for dinner? I am wondering if I should include my photographer in my headcount. Since I am only hiring my photographer for 4 hours and our dinner is 1 hour long does that mean that I really only get 3 hours of pictures? Your help and advice is appreciated!

[dragonfly]

I am wondering the same thing, and what about if all your vendors are supplied by the resort? Do they just want to do their job and go home?

Kelly~

[gkashmira]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dragonfly I am wondering the same thing, and what about if all your vendors are supplied by the resort? Do they just want to do their job and go home? Kelly~

I would think they would. Wouldn't it be weird to pay a resort to pay for additional meals for their employees that you're paying the resort for?

With Jonathan and other photographers who are traveling just to shoot your wedding I think it makes more sense that you're feeding him. But I'm not so sure what to do about local vendors who aren't hired for very large amounts of time...

[jthrasher]

Sorry, I forgot to mention that when I'm shooting a wedding I'm there the entire day until the end. If your photographer isn't going to be there during the meal then there would be no need for you to have food for them. But, if they are going to be there during any part of the meal, I think it would be a nice gesture to have food for them even if they've only been there a short time.

 

I would also take into account when their time is done though. If they are leaving within 10-20 mins of the food being served, there probably isn't a need to feed them.

[Shelley]

Thanks for the help Jonathan - these are important things to know!