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Fortunately I’d already rehearsed that scenario. So I thought I’d give you a little background info into how well I archive all my digital images to minimise risk of totally losing any of them.

First of all, whenever I return home and download any files to my computer, the files are automatically backed up to 2 separate external hard drives, so even if my computer were to crash I’d still have 2 independent backups to fall back on.

Next, while I edit and work on the images, all the working data is also being daily backed to another external hard drive, so that at the most, I would only lose one days work if my computer were to go belly up!

But I know what you’re thinking: “But if your house burned down, then wouldn’t everything be lost?” The simple answer is: “No!” Because that’s were my next live of defense come in. The next step after downloading and backing up my files, is to make an off site backup too, as I use a secure online backup site to archive all my images. This makes it easy to retrieve my images from anywhere I happen to be in the world.

These steps are the least I feel, that are necessary to protect your priceless digital images.

I suppose the extreme scenarios is: What would happen if your online back up were to also fail? Well, if ever my computer went belly up and at the same time my 3 external hard drives were to crash and at the same time my off site back up were to fail, by then I’d image the world is about to end. In which case I think we’d all have a few other things on our minds to worry about, rather than how to retrieve my digital files!

Using it will mean I can provide a better customer service, as it’ll keep all of my information in one place, and mean I can finally do away with paper diaries, spreadsheets and pieces of paper floating around on the desk!

Imagine Bride A rang and said “I’d like to book you” There are 2 options available. 1) Secure the date over the phone by paying the Retainer Fee with a card, then I can send the Booking Form to be returned or 2) I can send a Booking Form to be returned with the Retainer Fee cheque.

In the above senarios  I would hold the date (for a reasonable amount of time e.g. 7 days) while waiting for the details to be returned. Under those circumastance I’d consider myself now booked for the date, so if Bride B enquired about the same day then I’d not be available as I’ve got a firm provisonal booking, but would still let Bride B know that should things change and Bride A changes her mind, I’d be able to let her know within a week or so, at the latest.

Imagine the situation: Bride A is interested in booking me for July 4th, but doesn’t book me at the first meeting as she’s seeing other photographers. In the meantime Bride B phones and asks if I’m free for July 4th and would like to book a meeting.

Just thought I’d share what I and other professional photographers do in this situation and why. My general policy is that I never hold dates while someone decides whether I’m the photographer for them. The only way to secure a date is with a Retainer Fee , currently of £250. Simply put: The first past the post with their fee books me!

So in the situation above I’d tell Bride B that I am free.  Which means that if she decides to book me on the spot, I’d then no longer be available for Bride A.

It may sound simple/harsh depending on your point of view. But here’s why professional photographers follow this same general policy.

If I’d promised to hold July 4th for Bride A and decided to give her 7 days to get back to me also telling her that I’d let her know if anyone else is interested in July 4th, what if I can’t get in touch with Bride A when Bride B enquires? Bride B will decide to go elsewhere because I can’t confirm my availability. Then, what if Bride A finally decides not to book. In the end I’ve lost both bookings!! Or if I did get in touch with Bride A it could come across as pressure selling, forcing her to decide there and then, when she may have other things on her mind! I don’t like that happening to me so I’d never put someone else in that situation.

You may think: “But what are the chances of 2 people asking about the same date? Believe me, it happens many, many times, especially for the months from May to Sept!!

You may have noticed that I said above that this is my general policy, ie. are there any circumstances when I would hold a date? Yes! Check back in a few days to find out under what circumstances.

After the session Marverine said she’d like me to give her a quick video interview for her consumer blog detailing how different people and companies are dealing with the credit crunch. Thus began my 1 min and 44 secs (or there about) of fame!

(The full report that accompanied the video on the blog is dated: Oct 28th) But looking at the video I’m more convinced that I’m better off staying firmly behind the camera lens in future!!

I’m half way to solving the problem, so until I’ve sussed it completely please use this e-mail to get in touch: clive_blair@hotmail.com