How far do you go for clients?

[NicoleScraps]

So I had a lady email me last week about maternity photos. She is due this coming Friday 3/5 so she wanted them done asap. I emailed her back with my availability during that time and for several days, I hear nothing back so I continued to fill my available spots. Saturday, two days ago, she emailed me asking if I could do them the next day, but since I had not heard from her, I scheduled something else for that day. I emailed her back letting her know. Then I got another email from her last night at 9:30pm asking if I could do them today at her house, over an hour away. And I cannot do that. If she were closer or willing to come to me, maybe. But I am not available for that length of time today.
So now I have to email her back and say no. I am booked with photo shoots every day for the rest of the week so she'll probably have the baby before I can get her scheduled. On one hand, I hate to lose the business and probably make her mad. But I cannot stop my life and business to work around and wait for one person.
So I am wondering, how far out of your way to you go for clients...as far as rearranging your business and personal schedule, traveling and all of that? I just feel like I need to maintain control over what I want to do. I want to be flexible but not bend to the point that I break and no longer enjoy this. What do you think?

[Jim Poor]

Sometimes, you just have to say "I'm sorry, I can't help you."

If you're booked up that tight, then you're not going to miss the business of one customer who sounds like she could become a real pain down the road.

[BigFuzzy]

I see not one thing you need to feel bad or hesitant over.
You're doing exactly what you should be doing, that's that. Tell her sorry and move on. I know it's difficult, but unless you're going to charge more, you're screwing yourself over and setting a bad trend for yourself.

Unless she comes to you or bends to your schedule, don't do it is my advice. It's her fault for waiting so long anyway, the best time for maternity shots is past anyway..

[NicoleScraps]

Originally Posted by Jim Poor

Sometimes, you just have to say "I'm sorry, I can't help you."

If you're booked up that tight, then you're not going to miss the business of one customer who sounds like she could become a real pain down the road.

I am sure you are right. I wish I were booked up this tight all of the time, but it is just this week. I had a big rush of people calling/emailing me scheduling stuff asap. In 10 days, it will all be over and I will be living inside of photoshop and lightroom. Well, hopefully not OVER over, but over for now.

[Jim Poor]

There is one other option.

Charge an additional fee for a rush session and offer 50% of that fee in the form of a print credit or discount to a client that will reschedule their session.

Still, I think you'd regret having this person as a client in the long run.

[NicoleScraps]

Originally Posted by BigFuzzy

It's her fault for waiting so long anyway, the best time for maternity shots is past anyway..

I actually had not thought of it this way. Thanks for pointing this part out. I am so not business savvy. I need to work on that. My natural tendacy is to be nice and try to make people happy.....I think I spent too many years working as a bartender and waitress....cause that is how you are supposed to be in that industry.

[NicoleScraps]

Originally Posted by Jim Poor

Still, I think you'd regret having this person as a client in the long run.

Yeah, I think this is the important part. I have a real problem dealing with pushy, demanding people. I just don't have the skills to deal.

On another note, I very easily turned down another photo opportunity last week. A man called me and asked if I would take nude photos of him. I said "I am sorry, but I can't help you" and ended the conversation. My husband googled him after I got off the phone...he was 59 years old. Yeah....that would have been a fun portfolio boosting session right there.

[BuddhaPi]

Originally Posted by NicoleScraps

A man called me and asked if I would take nude photos of him. I said "I am sorry, but I can't help you" and ended the conversation. ...he was 59 years old. Yeah....that would have been a fun portfolio boosting session right there.

Thanks so much for that mental image first thing in the morning!

[mshockley]

Originally Posted by NicoleScraps

Yeah, I think this is the important part. I have a real problem dealing with pushy, demanding people. I just don't have the skills to deal.

On another note, I very easily turned down another photo opportunity last week. A man called me and asked if I would take nude photos of him. I said "I am sorry, but I can't help you" and ended the conversation. My husband googled him after I got off the phone...he was 59 years old. Yeah....that would have been a fun portfolio boosting session right there.

LOL....well you never know, he might've been in terrific shape...lol....I take it you didn't get that vibe?

Okay, seriously now. I know how you feel about being busy, but worrying about next week hanging out here in front of the computer! But she's really way too late for the maternity thing anyway.
In an effort to remain professional maybe your email could simply say that you are now booked full for the week, your very sorry, etc. and suggest she schedule a newborn session with you?? You may still keep her as a potential client.

[NicoleScraps]

Well, I ended up telling her a day and time that she could come to me and left it at that. She is "trying to figure if that will work out" so we will see.