Clients says my prints cost too much :)

[Jim Bryant]

A customer recently email me saying my prints are too high.

Your prices are outrageously high. Photos are good but not $5.00 a piece good, maybe $2.00.

I will check with the other parents who had cameras and get copies from Costco for .14 each.

After what we paid to send them there and then to pay these prices for photos, I may consider one photo, but can’t pay these prices.

My response: I understand the way you feel, sending kids off to sporting events aren’t cheap. I have a son who wrestles and goes all over Washington and Oregon to participate in Tournaments.

Last year I had to lower my prices so that clients could afford them, but I can’t give my photography away for $2.00 a print. This is what I do for a living period as I was laid off from the 146 year-old Seattle PI when it closed its doors in March. Being a 40-year plus veteran photographer and without the benefit of another full-time job to rely on, this is now my full-time job that brings in money to support my family of four.

When you look at my vast experience and the costs involved with the purchase and upkeep of digital camera equipment and lenses, not to mention the computer, software programs to post process the images and then add the costs of DVD’s and external hard drives to store the images on, this is expensive. But wait, there’s the monthly fees associated with posting the images on Exposure manager, not to mention the costs for other galleries.

$5.00 for a 4 x 6 is pretty damn cheap for what you're getting. With my experience I'm provide field access (other than shooting from the stands) and know where to stand on the field to provide my clients the best sports action photography available.

All I can say is go online and check out other photographers prices. Some are about the same if not higher than mine.

It’s unfortunate that the advancements in dSLR technology and digital age has made it so easy that about every Molly the housewife, Tom the plumber and cave person can become instant pros after a few short months behind the viewfinder. Unfortunately, these folks, who already have full-time jobs, look upon photography as a way to make a few extra bucks don't know the actual costs of doing business is in photography and therefore either charge 25 cents a photo or they give them away to friends for free.

You can however purchase digital downloads and take them to Costco and get your unlimited low resolution at.14 cents a prints printed.

Regards,
Jim

Ive got this once or twice myself! I have to admitt I was quite offended! people really need to understand that they are not just paying for a print, they are paying for our time, our experience, the image quality, ect! your answer was PERFECT! I charge OVER $5 for a 3.5x5!!! and i have many clients willing to pay that...but every now and then, you get those cheap "donkeys" that want everything for nothing!

[kirbinster]

You ARE overpriced, for THAT customer! Either you need to convince them of the value you provide, or walk away from them. Remember that there is always someone that will provide a competing product cheaper. If they cannot see the difference between your quality product and the inferior one then you are in fact expensive - for them. Just walk away.

[sk66]

"I'm sorry you feel that way. If you want prints that are worth .14 ea. then I'm not the photographer for you."

[Jim Poor]

I've had this sort of thing now and then as well.

I think straying into the "sob story" about being laid off and how expensive it is from behind the camera is counter-productive.

My answer focuses on what I can provide that nobody else can. My skills, experience, etc make my images more valuable than Jo Snapshot.

[Jim Bryant]

Originally Posted by Jim Poor

I've had this sort of thing now and then as well.

I think straying into the "sob story" about being laid off and how expensive it is from behind the camera is counter-productive.

My answer focuses on what I can provide that nobody else can. My skills, experience, etc make my images more valuable than Jo Snapshot.

True......still some folks don't seem to understand just how much our gear costs and look upon photographers as having a full-time job to support their habits.

[WVCoalMiner]

Give them a low-res digital copy to take to costco and get printed so that they look like literal CRAP LOL and include a high res PP'd 3X5 with the disk so they can see the value of your trade LOL I have even put it on metallic paper so it looks about 2000% percent better than costco's .14 print LOL. They'll call you back LOL

[SusanH1970]

Dang, she'd shit a brick if she saw my prices. My 5x7's are $25 and that's LOW for my area, some start at $50!

Send her to this blog: Why are Professional Photographers so expensive?

[Jim Poor]

Not for sports though, right? Totally different world than portraits. I have separate price lists for each.

Originally Posted by SusanH1970

Dang, she'd shit a brick if she saw my prices. My 5x7's are $25 and that's LOW for my area, some start at $50!

Send her to this blog: Why are Professional Photographers so expensive?

[SusanH1970]

Originally Posted by Jim Poor

Not for sports though, right? Totally different world than portraits. I have separate price lists for each.

Ah, so true! Good point. I don't do sports, so consider my last point null and void.

But I still think if she finds $5 too much, she's not worth the trouble.