What would you tell this client (I think I know the answer)

[Ensleygirl]

I am thread happy today, I guess. LOL!. Okay, I do mostly family and children photography, and that's what I want to do. I do photography part-time, as I work as a nurse as well, and I have three children whom I homeschool. I am more than happy with a few shoots a month. That's just a little background before the question.

A woman I graduated from high school with (15 years ago) is getting married in March. She asked me a few months ago to photograph her wedding, which I declined. I have done one wedding, and I have no desire to do another one. Next she asked if I would do her bridal portraits, and I said yes. Last week she sent me a message on facebook asking if I can do the bridal portraits later this month and also do some pre-wedding photos at the salon and of her getting ready because she isn't comfortable with a stranger taking those kind of photos. She stated in her message she wants "digitals only, no prints."

Knowing she is on vacation so I cannot call her, I sent her an email stating that I do not offer digital only packages (though I will happily sell her a low-resolution CD), and that I would be more than happy to do her bridal portraits and the pre-wedding photos. I told her we would treat the bridal portraits just as I treat every other portrait session and gave her the link to my website with pricing. I also asked for more information for the pre-wedding shoot so that I can give her a quote for that. I asked her what her goals are for the photos since she doesn't want prints. This is her response: "I am looking to have the pics on a cd to print at a later date. The gal that did my engagement pics provided me with a cd that had what she called "websize" to share online and then a high resolution version of each pic so that I could choose when, where and which prints I wanted. Is this possible? I want the ability to order from Walmart a year or two from now for example."

I have no intention of selling her a high res CD. I have gone back and forth on that for the last year, and it's just not something I'm going to compromise.

If you were in my shoes, what would you tell her? Would you try to compromise, not by agreeing to sell a high-res CD, but by offering something else? Perhaps a low-res with a 4x6 of each for keepsakes? Or something else?

Thank you so much for all of your help!!

[autofocus]

Well, you're between that rock and a hard place..she being an old friend. However, friends more than others should understand that this is a business, and you have a set of guidelines that you need to adhere to. I would tell her that doing a photo job entails much more work than the 2-3 hours she'll see you behind the camera. And as much as you want to work with her you will need to charge her at a rate somewhat equal to what you'd charge for edited 4x6 images. Hypothetically, if you charge $4.50 for 4x6's, tell her you'll give her a reduced rate for a high res disk at say $3.00 for each image on disk. You'll want to set her cost expectations by telling her how many shots you will give her on disk @ $3.00 each so there'll be no surprises. Let's say you'll shoot 200 images @$3.00 each, or her cost will be $600 for the disk. You may want to consider this as a guide to model after.....BTW, I abhor giving away images on disks, but sometimes you have little choice in the matter.

[OsmosisStudios]

"we're friends, and I respect that, but I'm trying to be objective here and treat you as I would another client. This is how I operate, no exceptions".

[nickbedford]

The thing she needs to know is that she can order said prints through you at a later date.

Maybe explain that you use a high quality printing lab, and are able to offer her much more through print than simple 4x6s at Kmart (or wherever), photo books, calendars, whatever, but professionally designed and printed through you.

As a growing photographer who has been asked some times to do shoots, I'm starting to come across the people who don't value your photography. It's resulted in one "ignored" quote (she never accepted or not, just stopped responding).

[AnneWynne]

The proper answer is, "Of course I can sell you a high resolution CD, at $150/image. If you purchase package X, you can purchase the images in package X for $125/image, and if you purchase the Platimum Plus package at $5000, you receive the CD for free." Don't say no to a customer when you can say yes...

And, btw, I think she is bargain shopping and using what another photographer allegedly did to bargain you down to what she wants and wants to pay. She is trading on her relationship with you (however weak or strong that is after 15 years). You have no idea how many other photographers she has talked to or what answers she has gotten. I think she is fishing for a deal.

[Poider]

I am a little disheartened by the thought of what being a professional photographer means, I would have thought that if somebody wants some photos taken then they pay a price that covers your labour, your time and some costs toward the maintenance of your equipment and a little profit so as to keep you going, It seems to me from the opinions offered here that once you agree to have somebody take photos for you then you are held almost at ransom every time you decide that you want to print something, I would have thought that a peson would pay to have the photos and then choose when where and how they want to print them, if they don't want to print through me then I would assume that I am overcharging and would adjust my prices accordingly, If they only want standard print sizes shouldn't they be allowed to make that desicion.
After all they are paying you to take photos, not to decide for them size, shape etc.
Peter

[candleman]

uugh /facepalm

friends and family almost never work out if you don't treat them just like anybody else.

[zona5101]

Originally Posted by Poider

I am a little disheartened by the thought of what being a professional photographer means, I would have thought that if somebody wants some photos taken then they pay a price that covers your labour, your time and some costs toward the maintenance of your equipment and a little profit so as to keep you going, It seems to me from the opinions offered here that once you agree to have somebody take photos for you then you are held almost at ransom every time you decide that you want to print something, I would have thought that a peson would pay to have the photos and then choose when where and how they want to print them, if they don't want to print through me then I would assume that I am overcharging and would adjust my prices accordingly, If they only want standard print sizes shouldn't they be allowed to make that desicion.
After all they are paying you to take photos, not to decide for them size, shape etc.
Peter

They may pay for you to take the photos but you as the photographer own the rights to the image. There is residual value in the digital image just as there was in a negative. In the "old" days did you ever hear of a photographer giving you the negs? No, because the negative represents future business AND controlling the neg (digital or otherwise) allows the photographer to control what is done with his/her image so that it is printed properly and not edited by someone.
If a full resolution digital image is sold, it should reflect the loss of future business and the potential risk of the image being altered into a crappy image (with your name on it).

[oldwolf]

Originally Posted by AnneWynne

And, btw, I think she is bargain shopping and using what another photographer allegedly did to bargain you down to what she wants and wants to pay. She is trading on her relationship with you (however weak or strong that is after 15 years). You have no idea how many other photographers she has talked to or what answers she has gotten. I think she is fishing for a deal.

Have to agree wholeheartedly with this. We personally sell high res images as well as low res images but that's our business model. It's not your business model so don't do it. Stick to your guns.

The others have given good advice on what to say so I won't go over what I would say to her.

Good luck with it.

[autofocus]

Originally Posted by Poider

I am a little disheartened by the thought of what being a professional photographer means, I would have thought that if somebody wants some photos taken then they pay a price that covers your labour, your time and some costs toward the maintenance of your equipment and a little profit so as to keep you going, It seems to me from the opinions offered here that once you agree to have somebody take photos for you then you are held almost at ransom every time you decide that you want to print something, I would have thought that a person would pay to have the photos and then choose when where and how they want to print them, if they don't want to print through me then I would assume that I am overcharging and would adjust my prices accordingly, If they only want standard print sizes shouldn't they be allowed to make that decision.
After all they are paying you to take photos, not to decide for them size, shape etc.
Peter

You must be a politician Peter. First you support the photographer's plight then you say the customer's should have the right being that..."If they only want standard print sizes shouldn't they be allowed to make that decision. After all they are paying you to take photos, not to decide for them size, shape etc." They are always allowed...just that they have to buy your product (protected by copyright laws) from you, and not be able to buy it from whomever, whatever, or whenever.
When you are hired to do a photo session you are paid for your service based on your skills, knowledge, investment in training and equipment. Your prints and enlargements generated from your service is your product. If you only want to be paid for your service and not your product, it'll be your choice.