NINA LILY PHOTOGRAPHY PANDEMIC STATEMENT
It is painfully clear that 2020 may not return to the normalcy that we had anticipated at the beginning of the current COVID-19 health crisis. As spring transitions into summer, we are faced with a new reality and expectations are shifting daily.
In the words of Fanny Jackson Coppin, “Love wins when everything else will fail.”
While our hearts continue to break for our clients negatively affected by COVID-19, we trust that love wins.
We are inspired by the grace and kindness that we have experienced as couples transition their plans. There is beauty in the bravery we witness as our Clients make difficult choices to keep their loved ones and each other safe.
Here at Nina Lily, we continue to strive to help make difficult transitions as smooth as possible through communication and flexibility.
While we hope to join you on packed dance floors in the future, we also look forward to documenting increasingly more intimate events! I’ve said this before, I firmly believe that the most important aspect of any wedding is that the result is your marriage to your best friend. You’ve already committed to this and no matter what happens, you and your partner are going to start this next awesome chapter together. You’ve got this!
I want to assure you that Nina Lily Photography continues to operate at a place of optimistic preparedness. We are staying updated on the latest CDC information and we are acting responsibly by following all state and national guidelines. We have followed applicable state business mandates and have been as transparent with our Nina Lily family as possible. My team and I are very much looking forward to your wedding in the future!
NINA LILY PHOTOGRAPHY COMMITMENT
On any given wedding day, we cannot control the conditions that are presented to me. We take things as they come and adjust accordingly to create the best experience possible for my couples and their support network. We are applying this outlook to COVID-19. - Should you want to talk about things or would like some suggestions on how to unravel some of the stress, please consider us an ally. You are welcome to use us as a resource and/or sounding board. I have been to many events and have seen certain contingency plans enacted and would be happy to offer suggestions or just listen.
In the event that circumstances out of your control cause you to have to alter your plans or change your date, please let me know as soon as possible. Given that this situation is a first for many vendors, we are trying to remain as flexible as possible, keeping our clients in mind. Nina Lily Photography will do everything possible to coordinate with you in rescheduling your date. We have plans in place should you need to discuss this route with us. Here is the link to our currently available dates: Nina Lily Photography Availability
I am hoping to preemptively address photography fears. We have every intention of fulfilling our role at your wedding. Out of an abundance of caution for you and for all of our upcoming couples, we will be as transparent as possible should anything compromise our own personal health. The safety of you and your guests is of utmost importance to our studio. Since beginning Nina Lily Photography over a decade ago, we have put certain continuity plans in place in the event of emergencies both anticipated and unexpected. We have several associate photographers on retainer as well as a network of like minded photographers with similar photography styles who would step up in the event of an emergency. As small creative business owners within this network, we have all pledged to offer our services for a community member in need should unfortunate circumstances intervene.
With this new perspective, I have collaborated with my associates to form a wedding photography Collective. Nina Lily Photography is committed to supporting the photographic community. In 2019, Christina expanded Nina Lily from a one-women studio to a collective of creative female artists. As your personal historians, we offer a range of life experience and personal connection. By working with one of our associate teams, you will be getting the Nina Lily experience and signature photography values and aesthetic in addition to personal attention by owner Christina, who will begin to take a more administrative role within the community.
As of Thursday, March 19th at 8pm, the Wolf administration ordered the closure of all non-life-sustaining businesses in Pennsylvania. This included my photography business, Nina Lily Photography. The state of Pennsylvania mandated that photography businesses would no longer be able to document weddings until the order is lifted via a numerically determined three phased reopening protocol on a county basis. Cessation of services includes all gatherings, even microweddings of ten people or less.
On June 5th, 2020, we anticipate moving to the Yellow Phase which allows us to open our doors and photograph sessions and events of 25 people (including vendors) or less. Non compliance with county mandates could result in fines, loss or suspension of my business license and ineligibility to apply for aid in the future should my family need it. I continue to look at these closures as a necessary measure to keep my immunocompromised family safe and to keep my clients and their families safe as well.
NINA LILY PHOTOGRAPHY COVID-19 POLICY
NLP books are open for our COVID-19 affected clients for one (1) year following the originally contracted Event date. In an effort to maintain as fair of a rescheduling plan as possible, we are opening our books for COVID-19 affected clients for 365 days following their originally contracted Event to leave room on our calendars for newly affected families and our own personal situations.
For Clients looking at dates beyond 365 days from their original wedding date, we will make every effort to work with you, however, we cannot guarantee the availability of a particular photographer. A reservation with the Collective may be secured in order to move the contracted date, however, your photographer will be assigned based on availability as your new date approaches. Collective pricing at the time of postponement will be applied to the Event Invoice.
2020 Wedding Clients whose original wedding date fell between 03/14/20 – 12/31/20 and are negatively affected by COVID-19 will have one (1) opportunity to transfer their wedding date without incurring a rebooking fee for 2020 or 2021 dates.
We reserve the right to charge a re-booking fee for multiple postponements.
DATES ARE RESERVED ON A FIRST COME FIRST SERVE BASIS based on signed contract and retainer agreement or signed postponement addendum for COVID-19 affected clients. NLP cannot offer “HOLDS” on future dates.
We are a VERY small business and are unable to open our entire working calendars without a commitment from our valued clients. Thank you in advance for understanding. Please be kind as we also attempt to pay our mortgages and take care of our families. We are so grateful for your understanding and patronage. You are truly a patron of the arts and small business.
Postponement agreements must be signed in a timely manner in order to officially secure postponement dates. Postponement agreements must be signed within ten (10) days of email notification of the new Event date.
Many couples are hurting and we see you. Our hearts are heavy for all couples affected by COVID-19. 2020 and 2021 dates are at a premium for many of our community members negatively affected by this pandemic. We are all working together for a solution.
Contracts may not be transferred to 2022 without termination of original contract and agreement to new contract terms. Previous deposits will not be transferred to any 2022 dates.
As per contract, in the event of cancellation by the Client, retainers are non-refundable.
Please understand that NLP incurs overhead cost throughout the months leading up to an Event. Client retainers not only secure your Event date and photographer, they go towards the hours of work put in to ensure that we are providing our clients with the best service possible before, during and after the contracted project with NLP. This includes the time that we have already worked together during your planning process. Thank you for understanding.
Should the Clients choose to cancel their Event, the Client is responsible for payment in full pertaining to services rendered. In addition to the non-refundable retainer, Clients are financially responsible for the full value of contracted services that have already been executed, such as but not limited to, the engagement session and intimate ceremony prior to the wedding and reception event.
Retainers and payments previously made towards the contract are non-refundable. However, we will honor payments (less non-refundable retainers, deposits paid & service fees) towards future photography related services and products.
We realize that COVID-19 is no one's fault. The ramifications within the wedding industry are that everyone involved, including clients and vendors, are being asked to compromise and cooperate within a devastating situation. This has been a trying time both emotionally and financially for everyone involved.
CHANGE OF SCOPE AND POSTPONEMENT OPTIONS
Some of our Clients have asked what decisions other couples have made in relation to their marriages and wedding celebrations. Here are some of the options we can offer.
NOW & LATER: Intimate ceremony now & vow renewal and reception later.
We will transfer the full amount of your original investment to your new 2020 or 2021 postponement date. You will also receive an additional 25% off of the intimate wedding package of your choice for your original 2020 date.
NOW: Intimate ceremony now, with no future commitment with Nina Lily.
We will transfer any payments made towards your original wedding package with Nina Lily to the intimate wedding package of your choice. Deposits made in excess of your new package choice will be credited towards album or print products following the event.
LATER: Commitment to working with Nina Lily at a future date.
We will hold any payments made towards your original wedding package with Nina Lily in anticipation of transferring the investment to a new wedding date in the future with no additional fees for the first six (6) months of notification. Should Clients opt to change the scope of services in the future, applicable fees would be incurred at that time.
Thank you for taking the time to get familiar with our policy. Your patronage is so appreciated and we are looking forward to documenting and celebrating with you soon!
Wishing you health and safety as we navigate these strange times.
Christina
*page banner image by NLP Associate, © Maggie J Photography