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07/08/2008 06:50:26 PM · #1 |
I just hung up with my first-ever "I found your web site" potential client, which initially made me very excited. That excitement turned into confusion.
Short story -- bride wants a photographer to cover her wedding, coming up early next month. She is on a tight budget (which will become even more obvious momentarily) and is pricing photographers in the area. I start a very friendly and nice discussion about wedding photography styles, the importance of communicating what you expect from your photographer, the importance of matching your expectations with your photographer's style, etc, etc, etc... and I start to get the feeling this is sort-of "going in one ear and out the other" on the other side of the phone, so I switch over to Listen-Carefully mode.
Then, here it comes... She has six shots she wants.
Me: "Okay, so you have picked out six specific posed sittings you'd like with friends and family?"
Her: "Yes, that's it. I just want those six pictures and that's all."
Me: [ pause ]
Her: "I've talked to two other photographers. The first lady wanted $1,000 [ laughs ] and I said 'no way.' The next lady said $75, so for now I'm going with her. Do you think you could do it for $75 or less?"
Me: [ pause ] Well, you'll wanting the rest of the events photographed, right? The actual cerem---
Her: [ interrupting ] No, no, no -- I'll be giving out cameras for people to take pictures at the wedding itself, and I have a couple of friends who have cameras, too -- that will cover everything else.
And so on.
I just... I have no words. I felt like I was walking on eggshells, not wanting to tell her what she wanted, but trying to convince her those disposable cameras and a couple of friends really aren't going to get you the same quality images you're going to want to remember this day, etc, etc... And got no where. She's sure she just wants to hire someone to take six formal posed shots; everything else is...um...."covered."
I guess I'm just posting this to ask -- is this common? I mean, even semi-common? I completely understand trying to work with a budget -- but this is YOUR WEDDING. I'm sure, without a shadow of a doubt, that I'm biased because I love having pictures of everything; when my wife and I got married, we hired the best @#%! photographer we could find, and paid more for him than the entire reception (not that how much you pay is a guarantee of success, but you get my point...).
Just... I just.... It's..... $75 for your wedding photographer? SIX PHOTOS?
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07/08/2008 06:56:19 PM · #2 |
| I certainly hope you told her no! |
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07/08/2008 06:57:13 PM · #3 |
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07/08/2008 06:59:02 PM · #4 |
Some people are poor....those people can deal with disposable camera shots.
:D
sucks for them...but you don't see me driving around in a porsche ...do ya?
life isn't fair..
I hope you said no.
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07/08/2008 07:09:17 PM · #5 |
My prediction: She hires the $75 photog and her check bounces.
It is probably very common. I would've told her not to waste any more of my time. Or I would take the job for $50 and pay a 12 year old with a Fisher Price camera to take the 6 shots.
On another note, sometimes it helps to use your website to help weed these people out before they call. Like give them your pricing, minimums, etc. |
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07/08/2008 07:11:47 PM · #6 |
| Yeesh. Tell her sure, you'll take those shots for $70, so long as she doesn't mind paying $50/mile for your travel, and the ever-popular standard $500 Having to Dress Up in a Suit Fee. |
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07/08/2008 07:18:58 PM · #7 |
I said something like "Well, I definitely can't beat that." (Referring to the other offer of $75).
The softee side of me is thinking I'll keep a note of the date and I might call her back if I'm still free that weekend and see if she's got anyone lined up to shoot the rest of the ceremony; and if not, do a little pro-bono work (if I'm free for the weekend, I might as well be taking pictures of something), just so she has some hope of having some good photos of the event.
I like the idea of weeding out via the web site -- I could certainly use a little more info content on mine, and a pricing schedule might be a nice addition!
I just really want to know if other folks here have been approached like that? I mean, I'm sure we all have our "war-stories," but that was just a very bizarre conversation for me...
[ edit for speeeelinnng ]
Message edited by author 2008-07-08 19:19:42. |
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07/08/2008 07:19:21 PM · #8 |
Nevermind. Too slow.
Message edited by author 2008-07-08 19:21:09.
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07/08/2008 10:39:59 PM · #9 |
I get calls now and then for 'ceremony and formal' coverage, about 2 hours. I got so many calls that I made up a package for it - not available on saturdays of course. I got my first coming up next tuesday. There's him and her, and there parents and a few friends. No MOH, no best man, no bridal party....and it's 2 hours on a tuesday afternoon.
Give her an hourly fee, 2 hour minumum to cover your prep/drive time, and the price is for web proofing. Prints extra.
A successful business man never says No. He says How Much.
Message edited by author 2008-07-08 22:42:11.
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07/08/2008 10:54:41 PM · #10 |
Myself... I would have said I could do them for about $75.00 per photo! $75.00 total would probably not cover gas and surely not cover your time to process, etc....
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07/08/2008 11:07:19 PM · #11 |
The second one is not a photg... $75 bucks... sheese.... No chance a photg could turn on the camera for that price..... obviously someone who wants the experience or likes taking effectively free shots.
Forget about it..... I gota disagree on the businessman never saying no... you have to. |
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07/08/2008 11:11:18 PM · #12 |
Laughable really, until I read Prof Fate post. I think that is the best idea I have heard in a very long time.
but you could think of it this way. 1/2 hour work for 6 sitting shots and then PP them, you just made 75 bucks for 1 hour, especially if you are right near the area and it doesnt cost you for gas
Message edited by author 2008-07-08 23:12:59. |
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07/10/2008 11:24:41 AM · #13 |
I would do it if I didn't have anything going on and it was close by. Tell them you will be there at say 5pm for a 4pm wedding. YOu will shoot the six photos and leave. It will take you what 20minutes to shoot and 10 minutes at home to download burn to CD and put in an enevelope. I would get cash only.
My setup would be....
Dress up, get girlfriend to dress up and come with me. Pick a nice restuarant near the wedding. Give them a time that makes for decent dinner plans. Shoot the photos, take the $75 and go to dinner w/ girlfriend. Buy a nice bottle of wine and enjoy.
Why not make $75 when you would be doing nothing? |
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07/10/2008 11:29:18 AM · #14 |
I would think of it as this... This is YOUR time that you are giving to her, not just those 6 pictures. Is your time worth $75, or would you rather give your work to a more deserving client?
I think the choice is easy.
I give you kudos, I probably wouldn't be able to keep from laughing on the phone!!
Good luck! |
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07/10/2008 11:43:45 AM · #15 |
| You think that's a bad deal? I got a call from a cousin who I see on the average of once a year. Her daughter is getting married in a couple weeks. Mind you, I wasn't invited to the small backyard wedding and reception initially. They are trying to keep it small. But, they hired a photographer for $300 and have just found out that not much is included in that price. So, would I please come (by myself, no husband or kids) and take pictures for free? ROFLMFAO! She got a big emphatic NO and hung up on. |
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07/10/2008 11:51:35 AM · #16 |
| This is my take on why I will never do discount weddings again... more often than not the people who are just looking 'for the cheapest deal' are the ones you want to stay away from. they do not understand what it takes to make great photos, and figure that any monkey can do wedding photos... don't be their monkey... |
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07/10/2008 12:12:11 PM · #17 |
I just did my sister-in-law's wedding for free. My first "hire". In fact I didn't even realize I was the official photog. until 2 days before the wedding.
Anyway, if you did follow through and do it for free or "near free", I would bet that she wouldn't appreciate the quality of the photos. Not everyone has a sense of what makes for a good photo. If they can identify the people and location, they are content.
My sister in-law's first comment to me was NOT "thank you so much" ... it was "I didn't see any pictures of me and Dan together" (the groom). BTW, there were about 10 shots of just them in different settings aside from the formal shots we did.
People are funny. |
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07/10/2008 12:21:10 PM · #18 |
| Are there any budding photographers in the AZ area interested in getting started in wedding photography? Perhaps this could be an opportunity. |
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07/10/2008 12:44:37 PM · #19 |
Perhaps offer to do it for 10$ and unlimited open bar for you and your assistants.
Tell her you normally charge 800$ but you (and your 7 assistants) intend to drink 790$ worth of quality booze during the shoot. Bring along a cheap point-and-shoot and take the shots she wants. Wedding Crasher Photography, LLC. |
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07/11/2008 04:07:56 PM · #20 |
Originally posted by metatate:
Perhaps offer to do it for 10$ and unlimited open bar for you and your assistants.
Tell her you normally charge 800$ but you (and your 7 assistants) intend to drink 790$ worth of quality booze during the shoot. Bring along a cheap point-and-shoot and take the shots she wants. Wedding Crasher Photography, LLC. |
That post had me laughing out loud -- thanks for that advice; if she calls back when her $75 lady bails on her, I'll give her that pitch.
...and that thread gave me a couple of laughs, too. I'm glad to find out I'm not alone (I didn't think I was, but it's nice to get confirmation from kindred spirits).
Thanks to all for your insight/stories/advice.
As Tate/metatate said: "People are funny."
Message edited by author 2008-07-11 16:09:24. |
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