Minimum order? What if they don't like the photos??

[fofazoju]

I am new here, so first, I'll say hello

I do have a question about minimum orders and how to implement them and also on the psychology behind it.

I often see "minimum print order $X amount". My question is how do you get the client to pay it? Is it in the contract? What if they do not like enough of the photos? Has this ever happened to anyone?

I wonder, why is there not just a flat session fee (ex: $600 session fee with $300 credit towards prints). Rather than, "200 session fee and 400 minimum print oder" etc. This way, you eliminate the whole "minimum print order" thing. Is it because breaking up the fees into "installments" (session fee at time of booking, print fee at time of appointment) makes the client feel as if they aren't paying as much?

Just trying to get an idea behind it!

This is a great site - lots of valuable information!! Thanks in advance

[Jim Poor]

Originally Posted by fofazoju

I am new here, so first, I'll say hello

I do have a question about minimum orders and how to implement them and also on the psychology behind it.

I often see "minimum print order $X amount". My question is how do you get the client to pay it? Is it in the contract? What if they do not like enough of the photos? Has this ever happened to anyone?

I wonder, why is there not just a flat session fee (ex: $600 session fee with $300 credit towards prints). Rather than, "200 session fee and 400 minimum print oder" etc. This way, you eliminate the whole "minimum print order" thing. Is it because breaking up the fees into "installments" (session fee at time of booking, print fee at time of appointment) makes the client feel as if they aren't paying as much?

Just trying to get an idea behind it!

This is a great site - lots of valuable information!! Thanks in advance

1. Get the session fee + the min order up front if you are going to go that route.

2. If you're worried that the client won't like any of the photos, maybe you should skip the min. order.

Personally, I don't have a minimum order as I feel that the work I do is important enough that it should accessible at whatever size the client can afford. That said, I state very clearly what my "average" order is and what a client can expect to pay. Additionally, with my sitting fee and print prices, even If I sell only one copy of my smallest print (heaven forbid) I'm making $400+.