Why??

[Mrs.HMW]

EVEN WITH A BUDGET.....I recently just got married and boy am I glad I paid more for my photographer then most of my friends. I don’t mean to be boasting but you get what you pay for. 2,400.00 Was well worth the price and I got exactly what I asked for my friends didn’t. Poor kids

Originally Posted by shphoto32

Wow, two asks for a discount and they are out. I like that.

That's based on experience. My photo booth services run $875, and I'm the only game in town. If someone asks for a discount, I say "No"...reason being that I have no competition, will probably book the same date with a different customer for full price, and if a customer is willing to pay $750, they're definitely willing to pay $875.

Now, if they ask again, I drop them. Past experience has shown that "negotiators" are PAIN IN THE ASS customers. They'll nickel and dime you, complain about your services, and be generally unpleasant. They're not worth my time to deal with, and (as stated above) I'll probably book that date with a happier customer.

[specialshadow]

A wise photographer once told me that if you are not hearing a few complaints about your prices you are most likely selling them to low to begin with. From my experience it is harder to push your free promotional work than it is to charge someone for your time and work.

[lakeshoreman]

lowering your prices is like doing crappy work....it gets around town real quick. been in photography business 35 yrs plus, and I have heard this forever.. the price is what it is ...they get over it or move on...don't need them anyway. you either cover overhead and make a fair profit, or you don't and eventually fail. Have the brass to charge what you think you are worth and don't look back. and as long as you are in business, don't worry about what the others in town charge...it's not relative to your work. your quality and style or work determine the worth...not what someone else thinks. someone elses opinion is like something else that everyone has one of. don't worry about it and move on and keep doing good work....it will speak volumes by itself.

[Rahul]

Originally Posted by Bluenoser

No matter where you go or what you're trying to buy, people (yourself included) will always try to get the best deal they can for their money.

I, as a consumer, feel the same way you do from the the other side of the spectrum. Why does the salesperson get all snitty when I try to get a few bucks off? I'm not trying to get the few bucks off because I think you should work for free, I'm trying to save myself money, even if it's only a few cents.

It's human nature, accept it, deal with it, move on to the next sale.



Having said that, I appreciate where you're coming from, and I don't go into every purchase trying to get a few bucks off, but it never hurts to ask either.

Couldn't have said any better.

[PermaSmile]

I've had a hard time charging enough for my photo services. So, I've resolved to the fact that it'll probably always be a side job, and I'd better get used to my day job.

But then .... I needed a plumber!

I came to the realization that, other services cost a bundle an hour. A plumber runs $70-100 per hour service charge -- Small engine repair costs $90 an hour -- a good massage is $80 an hour --- etc. etc. etc.

So -- now I don't feel so bad about my fees. Because for the amount of work that goes into post processing -- I cost much less than a Plumber!!!

[dahonner]

This is such an interesting thread to me. I am a recreational photography with no ambition to create a business out of it. I shot two weddings (as favors) and as a previous poster remarked, it was my least favorite thing to do and unless shooting backup, won't do it again. I prefer outdoors, close ups and animals to people.

I was approached several months ago to shoot a wedding (at Christmas!) and they only wanted to pay $500. The reason was the bride and a number of family members who "took good pictures" and they really only need someone designated for a few staged shots.

I didn't even consider it but it did get me thinking. What some people think is good work is really awful. And these are the same people who think that these cameras just take the pictures themselves. Had one person say well all you have to do is burn them to a disk. Yeah right.

[Ross_J]

I am not a professional photographer, but I used to do consulting in engineering. If someone complained about my price, I quoted Red Adair, "If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur." I rarely lost a sale. One client did hire someone that was 20% cheaper, then hired me at my original price to redo the work. Talking about the difference between mediocre and good usually gets people to agree to the right price.

[amymnc]

Someone who appreciates photography can certainly see the difference between your work and the local in and out x-mart, and can also appreciate that it takes more time, skill, and passion to create the images you do. They're willing to pay what you're worth. The customer who wants your level of photography for x-mart prices is not one to worry about. You're just gonna have to let them go to x-mart and get what they pay for.
I've had to come to terms with that lately.
You're very talented EnZee, try not to let it get you too frustrated.

[HenryD9711]

After looking at your site closely and reviewing your price, I find the services you offer are very reasonable. Anyone who gives you a hard time, offer them $5.00 and tell them to go to Walmart, buy a P&S disposable and do their own pictures.

Stick to your guns!

Henry-