I am about to do something I thought I would never do!

[eric-holmes]

I am going to end up giving a client a DVD of their photos, simply to get them out of my hair!

I have got to raise my prices to bring in more experienced, higher-end clientele. And here is why...

It all started with this woman I work with and her wanting pictures taken of her family. Ok, no big deal. I would like to do that. Then we get to the location and she also want pictures of her child while playing on a swing set. I tried to make that work. The child was less than cooperative, but we made the best of it.

She gets to see her online proofs. She says she really likes them, etc. Then she says she wants to order a "sheet of 4x6's". I am thinking WTH is a sheet of 4x6's. Then it hits me...She is used to buying prints at Walmart and buying like 100 prints for $5.95. Thing is, she knew my prices up front. And my prices are FAR from expensive! $12 for a 5x7. I consider that pretty cheap compared to the professionals in my area.

So that was it. She wanted to order 4-4x6's. Are you kidding me?

So yesterday she says, "Hey, Can you make a college out of like a 16x20 and fit like 15-20 pictures into it? You know, so I don't have to order each one individually? Your so expensive." I just turned around and walked off.

Sorry [/rant]

 

[bigtwinky]

We all get those once and a while.

Its where the businessman sticks out from regular joe with camera. You had a contract, she knew the prices, you gave the service and then some, and she wants moooore.

Deal with it professionally. While we all want to just send them packing, word of mouth can be a ***** in this industry. The only issue with giving her the images is that she will get them printed at some crappy place, your images will look off and this might reflect badly on you.

 

[Robin Usagani]

Im still playing with my prices also. This is the way I am doing it. Decide your self how much you want to make from one session. Then make a package that includes all the files on DVD for that price.

With my zenfolio, if someone buys the DVD, I set the printing on my website only with 30% profit. The thing is they have the files already. They could easily just go to wallmart and print them. So I just increased the price of my print just tiny bit if they buy the DVD. If not, I keep the pricing really high.

 

[eric-holmes]

We all get those once and a while.

Its where the businessman sticks out from regular joe with camera. You had a contract, she knew the prices, you gave the service and then some, and she wants moooore.

Deal with it professionally. While we all want to just send them packing, word of mouth can be a ***** in this industry. The only issue with giving her the images is that she will get them printed at some crappy place, your images will look off and this might reflect badly on you.

I agree about the crappy print part and the word of mouth part. In actuality, this will probably make her the happiest and it would totally get her out of my hair. I could do it in a polite manner.

She mentioned me "shooting" her kids birthday party. I adamantly denied this because I am not interested in this kind of photography. I told her that my candids at a birthday party would look the same as hers. I just don't want to do it. Well, the other day she says, "I think I'm going to let you shoot his birthday party". I just wanted to say, um I didn't offer.

 

[bigtwinky]

lol... I'll let you? As in you have the honour of doing this? Almost like you are doing her a favor?

wow...yeah... run away...

 

[Josh66]

Whenever I go pro, I'll show up drunk to every shoot, have the highest prices in town, and never have to deal with any of this ****.

I swear, any 'noobs' reading the forums lately might be scared off. That's not meant as a comment towards you, Eric - just on the industry in general I guess.

I'm in no rush to 'go pro', but when/if I do, it'll be on my terms.

 

[kundalini]

Well, the other day she says, "I think I'm going to let you shoot his birthday party".

The reply: I'm so sorry, but I'm already booked for that day. There is a local seminar that I very much wish to attend, where one one the main speakers is addressing the topic of "How to get your clients heads out of their a$$es".

Sorry, but seriously.... I would be otherwise engaged on that date.

 

[eric-holmes]

lol... I'll let you? As in you have the honour of doing this? Almost like you are doing her a favor?

wow...yeah... run away...

Yeah, almost like she is doing me a favor.

Whenever I go pro, I'll show up drunk to every shoot, have the highest prices in town, and never have to deal with any of this ****.

I swear, any 'noobs' reading the forums lately might be scared off. That's not meant as a comment towards you, Eric - just on the industry in general I guess.

I'm in no rush to 'go pro', but when/if I do, it'll be on my terms.

No offense taken. I need to raise my prices so I also don't have to deal with this crap!

 

[thingsIsee]

I would give her the DVD but only put low res pic and explain to her if she wants better qual pics she will need to pay for them.

 

[eric-holmes]

Well, the other day she says, "I think I'm going to let you shoot his birthday party".

The reply: I'm so sorry, but I'm already booked for that day. There is a local seminar that I very much wish to attend, where one one the main speakers is addressing the topic of "How to get your clients heads out of their a$$es".

Sorry, but seriously.... I would be otherwise engaged on that date.

Oh, I plan to be otherwise engaged.

 

[e.rose]

Whenever I go pro, I'll show up drunk to every shoot, have the highest prices in town, and never have to deal with any of this ****.

I swear, any 'noobs' reading the forums lately might be scared off. That's not meant as a comment towards you, Eric - just on the industry in general I guess.

I'm in no rush to 'go pro', but when/if I do, it'll be on my terms.

How 'bout it!

I'm not scared of the industry itself... I'm just sitting here trying to figure out, when some day if and when I make a go at it as some sort of income, how to avoid bullsh*t like this.

I know it's not completely unavoidable, but dear God, how stupid are some people?

Well, the other day she says, "I think I'm going to let you shoot his birthday party".

The reply: I'm so sorry, but I'm already booked for that day. There is a local seminar that I very much wish to attend, where one one the main speakers is addressing the topic of "How to get your clients heads out of their a$$es".

Sorry, but seriously.... I would be otherwise engaged on that date.

:thumbup:

 

[Bitter Jeweler]

I need to raise my prices so I also don't have to deal with this crap!

You will always have crap to deal with. Always.

 

[eric-holmes]

Maybe then,though, it wouldn't be bottom line, redneck trash. Maybe higher end redneck trash.

 

[ghache]

I would stick to the plan, and tell her she has to pay the price on your price list.

 

[eric-holmes]

I would stick to the plan, and tell her she has to pay the price on your price list.

Thats one thought but on the other hand, she is going to nickel and dime me to death by ordering 2-4x6's every month.