When your rate is too high for someone.

[mlee]

Hi everyone,

I'm officially turning my hobby into a profession this year. Recently, I have been in contact with a very good friend of mine. She's asked me if I could take photos of her family on their silver wedding anniversary.

I told her it'll be $150 for the session (editing included) and prints will be extra $ although I will include one 8x10, 5x7 and a 4x6 as a gift from me.

It's been a week now and I haven't heard from her. No emails no calls. It's a bit strange as we email each other almost every other day.

I feel that maybe she didn't like my rate. I can't lower it down further as this is already discounted (as I plan to charge $200 for family+kids) and has free prints. Consider the 1 hour drive and hours i'll be spending to post process and cost to order prints.

I understand that she's a senior lady and that she is used to the traditional way taking pictures. a.k.a - going to a studio like Walmart and pay for PRINTS not the skill.

What would you guys do in my position? Your thoughts on the matter please.

[hibou]

I think what you're asking for is more than fair. You can follow up by asking if she made a decision. If she doesn't like your price, too bad. She can take the fam to Walmart. You can't charge the volume-informed prices of a big box retailer.

[wannabephotographer]

It would be interesting why she won't pay. Does she not think you're worth $150 or she won't pay $150 period.

[k8et]

maybe your best bet is not to assume anything yet. try asking her if she needed any further information in order to reach a decision? and maybe suggest some of the things you offer that set you above places like walmart (without necessarily saying "I do XYZ and you don't find that at walmart!" and without excusing your prices for being too high because you don't know that for sure yet.)

[mlee]

Originally Posted by k8et

maybe your best bet is not to assume anything yet. try asking her if she needed any further information in order to reach a decision? and maybe suggest some of the things you offer that set you above places like walmart (without necessarily saying "I do XYZ and you don't find that at walmart!" and without excusing your prices for being too high because you don't know that for sure yet.)

That's a good thought. Thanks k8et!

[Jim Bryant]

Don't lower your rates, stick by your guns. BTW just how long have you been at this hobby before you decided to start a business? What lighting equipment do you own as well as camera make, model and lenses?

Everything you ever wanted to know about photography! On DPS!

You need to go read my threads on portfolios, and business. It's might piss ya off while reading them, but they are certainly an eye-opener and provides some insight to running a photography business.

I just bought a DSLR and I'm amazingly awesome, how can I start charging for it?

Answer: Read Jim's thrice daily columns on the photog biz. Here's a few to ponder.
Want to make $$$$! Educate yourself first
Building a portfolio
How to Shoot sports
How to become a professional photographer part 1
Cost of Doing Business
On being a photojournalist
How to build a website that sells to photo buyers and editors
making money with digital cameras

[sk66]

Don't work for friends and family....
There's just really no good way to go about it. If they insist, tell them your normal rate and what you are willing to do for them so they understand you are giving them a deal, even if it is more than they would like.

[Jim Bryant]

I give friends and family a 10% discount on orders over $100.00.....period! Excluding the sitting, travel and pping fees.

[mlee]

Originally Posted by Jim Bryant

Don't lower your rates, stick by your guns. BTW just how long have you been at this hobby before you decided to start a business? What lighting equipment do you own as well as camera make, model and lenses?

Thanks Jim. The links are great a reference. I'll definitely check them out. I've been doing this hobby for a good 3.5 years now. For a while now, I have been putting some money aside and investing on equipments while keeping a day job.

I have been doing this hobby mostly for friends and family for free, including 1 wedding. Since that event - I felt this is what I truly wanted to do in life.

As per lighting and equipment, I do own a Nikon D700/D90, SB900 commander flash and S600+umbrella+softbox. Lenses: Nikkor 18-200mm, 70-200mm VRII, 14-24mm 2.8, 50mm F/1.4G (my favorite)

Originally Posted by sk66

Don't work for friends and family....
There's just really no good way to go about it. If they insist, tell them your normal rate and what you are willing to do for them so they understand you are giving them a deal, even if it is more than they would like.

I believe Friends and Family are connections to future clients aside from marketing source. Although, most times it seems as if there is this expectation of giving them a bargain.

The only thing I am concerned right now about the situation is - maybe it's a little unthoughtful of me to be charging her at all as she is a retired senior and all she wanted was to have a family picture of all her children and grand kids?

Now, if I decide to do this for free, it'll be yet another free shoot.

[BCampbell]

You have lots of options.

First, it's smart to get in touch and ask if she's had enough time to consider and if she wnats to make an appointment. You never know, she could just be busy.

If she fires back that it's too expensive, don't get defensive. Don't try to justify your rate -- she already thinks it's too expensive, you're not going to convince her over the phone. Just thank her for her time and tell her to contact you if you can do anything for her in the future.

If you really want to do the shoot, I would not advise lowering your rates -- don't cheapen yourself. Only do that if you can justify it by lowering your services. If you had a set amount of sitting time, you could slash that and give an appropriate discount; for example, if you told her one hour, you could say well we can do a 30 minute shoot for $100. Only drop your rate if you are also dropping your services.

If you can't reduce the services, and still want to do it, just do it for free. You seem to have a concience over this, and since it's not your day job, it won't burn you to do it as a "gift". Give her a few business cards, ask her to refer you to her family and friends, and hope you build some goodwill.