My photography contract nightmare… I was ALMOST SUED




⚡︎ Thank you to Adobe Acrobat for sponsoring this video. Watch until the end of the video to learn about my free Contract Checklist that will help you every step of the way when you’re working on contracts. You can download the free checklist here: http://adobe.ly/chrishau-contracts

⚡︎Pro tip: Download the PDF and use the Fill & Sign tool in Acrobat! #AdobePartner

⚡︎ MY LIGHTROOM Presets: http://bit.ly/2GDIEEH
⚡︎ “HAU TO” SUBSCRIBE: 👉 http://bit.ly/2KWxoZd👈
⚡︎ MY CAMERA GEAR: https://kit.co/TheChrisHau

FOLLOW:
⚡︎ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/thechrishau
⚡︎ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/thechrishau
⚡︎ FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/thechrishau
⚡︎ WEBSITE: http://www.thechrishau.com
⚡︎ WHERE I UPLOAD STOCK VIDEO TO MAKE EXTRA $$$: https://goo.gl/RZCRCz

Business Inquiries: chris@thechrishau.com

PLACES I GET MUSIC:
⚡︎EPIDEMIC SOUND (Variety and Selection): http://share.epidemicsound.com/DjWsJ
⚡︎MUSIC BED (Super High Quality): http://bit.ly/2IMLZ71
⚡︎ARTLIST (Best value for Business Owners): https://goo.gl/kj7WQ4

MY MAIN GEAR:
⚡︎ STANDING DESK (HIGHLY RECOMMEND): https://goo.gl/oncbqX
⚡︎ MY GO-TO CAMERA BAG: (Amazon) https://geni.us/CB7Q0gG
⚡︎ MAIN PHOTO + VIDEO CAMERA: (Amazon) https://geni.us/koADNg
⚡︎ LATEST VERSION OF MAIN PHOTO + VIDEO CAMERA: (Amazon) https://geni.us/AweTErq
⚡︎ SCREEN PROTECTORS FOR SONY CAMERA (HIGHLY RECOMMEND): (Amazon) https://geni.us/Y2dDzL
⚡︎ LITTLE RED THINGS ON MY CAMERA: (Amazon) https://geni.us/aGav9
⚡︎ ALWAYS KEEP THIS IN YOUR BAG: (Amazon) https://geni.us/zUkJ
⚡︎ SD CARD: (Amazon) https://geni.us/aBeK
⚡︎ FASTER SD CARD (HIGHLY RECOMMEND): (Amazon) https://geni.us/TPBJQ1

LENSES:
⚡︎ MOST USED LENS: (Amazon) https://geni.us/t9VA
⚡︎ VLOGGING LENS: (Amazon) https://geni.us/8Tmp
⚡︎ B-ROLL / PORTRAIT LENS: (Amazon) https://geni.us/4JcrlG
⚡︎ AWESOME TELEPHOTO: (Amazon) https://geni.us/TPzYnst
⚡︎ MACRO LENS: (Amazon) https://geni.us/sA866W

DESKTOP EDITING COMPUTER (CRUSHES 4k VIDEO): https://kit.co/TheChrisHau/my-desktop…

OTHER GEAR I LOVE:
⚡︎ BENDY TRIPOD (HIGHLY RECOMMEND): (Amazon) https://geni.us/Gw114WT
⚡︎ ACTION CAMERA: (Amazon) https://geni.us/moQSzW5
⚡︎ 360 CAMERA (A MUST HAVE): (Amazon) https://geni.us/sEyQ
⚡︎ WATERHOUSING FOR MAIN CAMERA: (Amazon) https://geni.us/i026
⚡︎ MOST USED GIMBAL: (Amazon) https://geni.us/CeN2B3j
⚡︎ MAIN DRONE: (Amazon) https://geni.us/TjDdMEB
⚡︎ DRONE FILTERS: (Amazon) https://geni.us/VbwPAH
⚡︎ ON CAMERA MICROPHONE: (Amazon) https://geni.us/Z4dF
⚡︎ MAIN TRIPOD : (Amazon) https://geni.us/WscX
⚡︎ AUDIO RECORDER: (Amazon) https://geni.us/Xi6I
⚡︎ “MUST HAVE” Diffusion / Reflector: (Amazon) https://geni.us/wHc9
⚡︎ SLIDER / TIMELAPSE: (Amazon) https://geni.us/9546mVa

Original source


24 responses to “My photography contract nightmare… I was ALMOST SUED”

  1. The moment you told me that there was a "Do not compete clause… that they didn't send you…" I just felt so cheated. How is this professional when they are supposed to fully disclose everything in an agreement.

  2. So the part you never explained was, if Company C did peruse legal action, could their case actually hold water if they never gave you the clause to review and sign? It seems like its invalidated by not providing it prior to the your signature.

  3. Hi Chris. Great video with great information BUT, it's only 50% of the larger issue. If you HAD been aware that company C wanted to restrict you from EVER doing business with Company A or B directly, how would you have navigated the issue? Very few photographers would have the clout to have such a clause removed. Had you made an issue of the non-compete, the likely outcome would have been that company C would have found another photographer.

    Awareness of the legal pitfalls is one thing. But I'm guessing in the end, most photographers would have taken the work regardless of the non-compete, and wold have been right back in the situation you were when Company A/B came to you directly. Would you have done things differently? Or would it have simply been an informed decision at that point?

  4. You got lucky with that one. Even legal disputes are nicer in Canada! In the U.S., many companies would file a suit just to prove a point and make you sweat hard before letting it go. And, many would try to get some money out of you first even if it costs them more than the few thousand bucks they would get from you.

  5. I "almost" had a similar situation – "There is a non compete clause in the contract!!!!" – "OK – please send me your complete client list and all of your prospects and I'll make sure not to engage with them." – "errrmmmm – It's OK – don't worry about it".

  6. Loved this .. first time tuning in. Great energy buddy and the style is sick. Thanks for creating this awesome checklist. I am creating online classes at the moment with a company and this is exactly what I needed to see.

  7. Good video, vewry important stuff. Getting the worst anxiety of your life with one legal threat is funny for me, try to be a architect or a contractor this is happening ALL THE TIME! Also they can't really sue you if they didn't give you a copy of the agreement…

  8. I am a 31-year pro commercial photog and former 8-year college photo instructor that also taught the business of photography. Been watching your videos for a year or so. Your quality of work is well above being a third-tier photographer for commercial work. I get it that sometimes work can be difficult to find you, but with a good marketing campaign and charging your worth you can easily bypass the middle tier money grabs. Many corporate marketing departments are well aware they are paying markups on agency found creatives and will gladly pay your worth. That amount will be lower than the agency recommended visual creatives and you can work less and make more profit. It is all your mindset. Of course, stay on course with your marketing plan. Let the big guys know you exist. The rest will come! BTW, I – generally – paid within 14 days, but never more than 30 days. I spell it out in the contract. Being upfront about payment is the same as being upfront with image delivery. Don't be shy about business practices. It will make you more professional in eyes of the client.

Leave a Reply