He Wanted to Pay Upfront — But Refused a Phone Call. Red Flag? Absolutely.

 

⚠️ Scam Awareness for Photographers: A Real Email Thread Breakdown ⚠️

Running a photography business requires creativity, professionalism, and occasionally, a bit of detective work. I want to share a recent experience that began as a typical inquiry but quickly raised several red flags. I hope this helps other photographers and creatives recognize the signs before it’s too late.

The Initial Inquiry

It began with a simple email:

"Hello, this is Raymond. I would like to know if you offer family reunion photography?"

I responded in a professional manner, asking for details about the event and how he found me. After some back-and-forth communication, he confirmed that August 16th worked for him, provided an address, and requested five hours of candid and posed shots.

I quoted my rate of $1,750 for the five-hour session, which includes digital delivery. I also outlined my usual process, which includes:

• A signed photography agreement

• A 50% non-refundable retainer to hold the date

• A quick phone call to confirm the event details

That phone call isn’t optional. It helps ensure I’m the right fit, prevents miscommunication, and protects both parties.

The Pushback Begins

Raymond replied:

"Ok sounds good, I’m comfortable with the price and I’d like to make full payment upfront to lock the date. Time: 2pm. What's the turnaround time?"

That raised my first red flag. Most legitimate clients don't offer to pay in full before confirming the agreement or having a conversation. Nevertheless, I responded politely and reminded him that a brief phone call was necessary before I could accept any payment or send booking documents.

What came next confirmed my instincts:

"Sorry I’m just recuperating from hearing surgery, please let’s email or text instead."

Medical issues are sensitive, and I empathize with real health concerns. However, when someone refuses a basic business safeguard that I clearly explained multiple times, it raises a red flag that I cannot ignore.

Why This Matters

There’s a common scam tactic in creative industries:
Rush the process. Skip communication. Offer payment fast.

Scammers hope you’ll be flattered or distracted by money and move too quickly to think clearly. But any real client should understand why you have boundaries in place.

It doesn’t matter how eager someone is, or how legitimate their story sounds — if they can't respect your process, they are not someone you want to work with.

My Takeaway (And Yours)

This interaction reinforced why my client intake system exists. That phone call requirement isn’t just a box to check. It’s a key part of protecting myself from fraud, miscommunication, or worse.

Fellow creatives: stick to your process. Don’t feel pressured to make exceptions — especially for vague explanations or fast money offers. It’s OK to say no. In fact, it’s sometimes the smartest thing you can do.

You deserve respectful, communicative, and transparent clients.

Stay smart. Stay safe.
— Erica Cameron, Photographer