What’s Your Preference?

thenimirra · #1 (**permalink**) 07-16-2008, 11:15 PM

I don't know what's going on. I haven't sold a single print from the wedding shots yet! The bride hasn't even paid me the $100 I charged her for a CD with 4X6 images on them. What gives and what can I do to get more sales? Someone suggested I only leave the galleries up on my website for a given period of time to force sales.

I still can't get over the father of the groom trying to give me less than what the contract was stated for, which was just a paltry $500. He told me someone else told him it would be only $400....that's not what the contract says that the bride signed. And he's the same one who wanted all the high res images on CD and then didn't respond when I told him how much it would cost for ALL the images (more than 600 high res images, $3000; or he could pick his favorite 25 for $150, favorite 50, etc. etc. instead of getting all of them on CD).

Liz Caldwell · #2 (**permalink**) 07-16-2008, 11:22 PM

I know another photographer going through the same thing. I think it's related to the dreaded R-word..... Recession!

The first thing people seem to cut out of their budget is photography.

lputman · #3 (**permalink**) 07-17-2008, 12:15 AM

I'm so sorry...

I do agree with the limited time for web purchases...

As unfortunate as it may be, you'll have to put on your billing/collections hat and send your invoice statements and follow up with your collection letters.

oldwolf · #4 (**permalink**) 07-17-2008, 12:35 AM

so did they pay you the $500 for shooting the wedding?

did you give her the cd before she paid you the $100?

i'd send her another invoice then take the pictures down off the web. it's been over a month since the wedding right? i'd keep pictures up for a month and then take them down for cases like this.

what resolution were the pictures you had on the web? anyway, they could've right clicked on them and saved them to their hard drive?

thenimirra · #5 (**permalink**) 07-17-2008, 01:09 AM

They paid me the $500 for shooting the wedding, and I made the CDs for the bride, but when she didn't have the money, I didn't give them to her. She said she would contact me two weeks ago to get the CDs...but that time has come and gone. I called to see what was going on but she didn't return the calls.

The images have my watermark on them and they are right click protected so they couldn't steal them that way.

oldwolf · #6 (**permalink**) 07-17-2008, 01:19 AM

In that case, she knows how to get a hold of you. I'd take the gallery down if it's been over a month since the wedding. She can get a hold of you if she wanted the CDs later. I know it sounds bad for business but if you've tried calling her and leaving messages for her as a follow up to her intent on buying the CDs then you don't want to keep bugging her. There's a difference between good customer service and babysitting someone.

I'd call the customer twice. The first time they could've forgotten or someone could've erased the message by accident. If they don't return your call after the second time you tried to contact them then they don't want to talk to you or they're busy. If they're busy then they'll get a hold of you when they have time. For the holidays you can always send them a card, thanking them for hiring you for the wedding. You can insert a blurb in there about contacting you if they ever need any other services or if they would like to order prints or CDs of past jobs you performed for them.

Just my .10

candleman · #7 (**permalink**) 07-17-2008, 02:19 AM

wow.. sorry to hear that. you did a good job and $500 is bargain bin...

if i were in your shoes i'd probably write them a letter.

give them a date of when you will remove tha gallery, and encourage them to consult other pro photographers so they can see first hand what it SHOULD have cost them.. and that you're not being unreasonable.

imagesbyjk · #8 (**permalink**) 07-17-2008, 04:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thenimirra

I don't know what's going on. I haven't sold a single print from the wedding shots yet! The bride hasn't even paid me the $100 I charged her for a CD with 4X6 images on them. What gives and what can I do to get more sales? Someone suggested I only leave the galleries up on my website for a given period of time to force sales.

I still can't get over the father of the groom trying to give me less than what the contract was stated for, which was just a paltry $500. He told me someone else told him it would be only $400....that's not what the contract says that the bride signed. And he's the same one who wanted all the high res images on CD and then didn't respond when I told him how much it would cost for ALL the images (more than 600 high res images, $3000; or he could pick his favorite 25 for $150, favorite 50, etc. etc. instead of getting all of them on CD).

First of all you should collect the money in full prior to leaving the wedding at the very latest. Secondly, never give them proofs or especially files until they place an order. As soon as they have any images in their hands they feel satisfied and their motivation to buy drops significantly. I've been in your shoes. Its the same whether its a wedding, a high school senior, or a family session. That's why I don't include any images with any of my packages. I don't supply proofs or CDs until they place an order.