How would you take this?

[valleygirl]

Okay, friends, I have no idea what to think of this comment...

I shot another lovely family over the weekend. They scheduled and paid for a children's session but mom and dad decided they wanted pictures of themselves also, so I took a few of them, just the two of them (my first big mistake.) Second of all, I didn't charge them extra, as my fees for children and families are different.

So I put a few photos on my blog as a little sneak preview for them to see while I edited the rest. Mom loved the pictures of the kids but said her husband hated the one of the two of them and was "nervous" about how the rest of the ones of them would turn out. When she finally saw the final proofs she was very happy and wants to order a bunch. But meanwhile, I am uneasy about her comment that he was "nervous." I'm not sure if her husband didn't like how he looked or what, but the fact of the matter is, they only paid for the kids pictures and got me to take a few of them for no charge, then I am criticized (or at least it feels that way to me.)

Lastly and most significantly, I had given this family a discount on the session fee because they were referred from a friend. Now they have told three of THEIR friends that they can come to me for portraits and I will give all of them a discount too. RHAAA!

Clearly I have a big "L" on my forehead or something. How do I get out of this mess and what should I think about that comment?

This is strike two for me this week with family pictures. I am thinking I need to stick to just kids from now on, as the parents are turning out to be a pain.

Ugh.

[JodyGall]

Honestly, I wouldn't think twice about the hubby's comment. I hear it all the time from the parents I shoot. They hate the way they are smiling, or hubby isn't happy you can see his bald spot from that angle, etc. That's the first thing I thought of, he's just being self critical, like most adults are at pictures of themselves. No worries.

Now....the other thing with them telling 3 of their friends they can get the same discount. That's just wrong. But, I wouldn't do or say anything unless the people actually contact you for a shoot. Then I would tell them your price and all your info just like you do for anyone. If they mention that 'so and so' said you were only charging 'so much'. I would go on to explain that that price was not your regular price. These are your prices and have a nice day! So to speak! LOL! I would not give additional people that special 'friend' discount. I only give VERY few people the 'friend discount'. Good luck with all of this. Its definitley a learning experience. I'm constantly tweeking things for myself after certain shoots! LOL!

[valleygirl]

Originally Posted by JodyGall

I would not give additional people that special 'friend' discount. I only give VERY few people the 'friend discount'. Good luck with all of this. Its definitley a learning experience. I'm constantly tweeking things for myself after certain shoots! LOL!

Yeah, you can say that again. Here I try and do a nice thing for someone, and I get screwed. Don't get me wrong, I'm appreciative for the referrals, but I can't keep giving discounts to every referral I get. C'mon! I made zero money on these guys as it is. I realize everyone has a budget, but still...

Now I get a call from someone who wants a session but wants me to throw in a CD of the photos for the price. What the heck? Um...NO! That will be $500 as stated in my price list.

Why do people always think you are going to GIVE your work away.

Thanks for the support about the husband. I was a little insulted by what she told me. Like she was worried I hadn't done a good job or something.

[candleman]

is that an "L" for Lauren on your head?

hmm.. interesting choice of words "nervous"

don feel too bad. i think he's just self concious. i hate pictures of myself.. i think most ugly people do


but seriously.. if they ordered a bunch i think it says something otherwise

[zespri]

When I read your post, it didn't even occur to me that she might be slagging off your work. I automatically thought she meant they were nervous that they wouldn't like the way they looked, not the way you photographed them. And I doubt she would have made the comment as casually as she did if she'd meant it was your work they were questioning.

As for the discount, you might just have to take it as a lesson learned and tell the new people that it was a discount by arrangement with the previous family. Maybe you could soften the blow by telling them they'll get a discount too if they refer someone else to you who books & pays.

And maybe If you're going to give someone discount, explain up front (when you're making the deal) that this is a 'special' discount that only applies to them. You sound like you're just trying to be nice and it's being misunderstood as standard rates.

[candleman]

[QUOTE=zespri;289110]Maybe you could soften the blow by telling them they'll get a discount too if they refer someone else to you who books & pays.
QUOTE]


THAT is a first class idea.. nice

[valleygirl]

Originally Posted by zespri

When I read your post, it didn't even occur to me that she might be slagging off your work. I automatically thought she meant they were nervous that they wouldn't like the way they looked, not the way you photographed them. And I doubt she would have made the comment as casually as she did if she'd meant it was your work they were questioning.

As for the discount, you might just have to take it as a lesson learned and tell the new people that it was a discount by arrangement with the previous family. Maybe you could soften the blow by telling them they'll get a discount too if they refer someone else to you who books & pays.

And maybe If you're going to give someone discount, explain up front (when you're making the deal) that this is a 'special' discount that only applies to them. You sound like you're just trying to be nice and it's being misunderstood as standard rates.

Thank you so much. I think my taking this as an insult is just me being insecure, but maybe it is just him thinking he looks bad (one reason I would rather stick with child photos and not adults.) As for the discount, I totally shot myself in the foot. UGH!!! I thought I did tell this woman this was a special deal because she was a friend of my friend, but she somehow extended this to everyone she knows without my knowledge. I LOVE your idea, though, about how they can get a discount if I get a paid referral from them. That is an awesome idea. Or maybe I can do something like say that this was a one-time special, but I can give them a few free prints if they refer a paid client, yada yada.

Oh my. I am learning a lot, that's for sure. I guess all these little experiences are teaching me what "not" to do, so I should write them off as lessons learned! ;-)

[lputman]

Lauren, hold your head up high and keep it there!

The unfortunate thing is that we can't control peoples tongues and even if you inform the individual that you are providing a special discount, more than likely, it will be told the rate they paid. Inform any individuals that were referred to you what your prices are and offer them a print credit if it isn't someone that you would extend your 'friends discount' to.

[valleygirl]

Originally Posted by lputman

Lauren, hold your head up high and keep it there!

The unfortunate thing is that we can't control peoples tongues and even if you inform the individual that you are providing a special discount, more than likely, it will be told the rate they paid. Inform any individuals that were referred to you what your prices are and offer them a print credit if it isn't someone that you would extend your 'friends discount' to.

Thank you! Awesome ideas!! :-) From now on, my rate is my rate and I'm not budging for anyone.

[Mr Guy]

Originally Posted by laurenfitz

Now I get a call from someone who wants a session but wants me to throw in a CD of the photos for the price. What the heck? Um...NO! That will be $500 as stated in my price list.

Why do people always think you are going to GIVE your work away.

I just wanted to latch onto this because I've seen it crop up several places here and elsewhere lately and it's bugged me every time. Please take this as explanation, not a personal attack. It's only very, very, very recently that the idea of a set price for any goods and services has become popular, and now suddenly people are becoming insulted if someone questions your price. Bargaining and haggle have recently become considered "cheap" and "rude", but that's a completely new phenomena which only became popularized as spending money conspicuously because a status symbol.

As a consumer, it's their job to get the most use for their money.
As a professional, it's your job to be compensated.

If you want to stick to your price list, that's absolutely fine. Them asking if there's room for negotiation isn't an insult; it's reasonable and prudent. They ask and you either say yes or no, no slight intended.

Bargain hunting for a discretionary service should be expected. What it really means is they value your product and want to figure out if they are able to fit it into their budget. They harder they try to haggle, the more desire they have to actually obtain your goods and services; it's really a compliment.