Critique of client letter for photoshoot

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

10/07/2010 02:30:58 PM · #1

I do not have a lot of experience presenting myself as a professional during photoshoots, but I am in that position now. Last weekend I shot a reunion of Cairn Terriers. I originally had agreed to do it for the breeder in exchange for a puppy. She is getting the pictures for free. But I thought perhaps the owners would like to have prints of their dogs too. The issue is they didn't see me as someone "on assignment" because I had my own dog there. I let people know I would post pictures to my website, but I could already sense they thought I'd be happy to give them the high resolution shots for free.

Here is the email I am planning on sending to everybody. I wanted some input on it if people have a chance. Am I forgetting anything important? Does it make the transition from "you are getting the pictures for free" to "I'm a professional and have worked hard on these pictures" successfully? Anything else? DPC is always great for this stuff. Feel free to check out the pics if you want to see some cute dogs! :)

The email:

Greetings everybody!

Saturday was a great time and it seemed like the dogs really enjoyed themselves. I have worked the pictures up and you can find a link to them below. I have put a number of hours of work into them removing leashes and distracting elements, etc. It may not have been clear at the event, since I had my own dog there, but I am a professional photographer. Lynette had asked me to come and shoot the event for her.

If you like any pictures and would like prints, I am happy to provide them at a discounted rate (since everybody was so nice!). If you live in the area, I can arrange to deliver them; if not, we can handle it by mail.

Print prices:
5x7 $10
8x10 $20
If you would like something larger, let me know and we can arrange it.

Here is the link for the pictures:

//jasonfriesen.smugmug.com/Animals/Terrier-Reunion/

The password is "Friesen"

Sincerely,
Jason Friesen

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

10/07/2010 02:43:35 PM · #2

Your letter sounds OK, though I'd probably sell the prints even cheaper ... something like 3-4 times cost plus applicable tax/shipping ...

One possible bug in your plan is that, if you were working as a pro, you probably should have been obtaining releases to shoot all the other (than your client's) individual dogs. It is conceivable that some of those folks could tell you to take down the picture of their dog and don't use it for anything ... :-(

10/07/2010 02:46:43 PM · #3

Originally posted by GeneralE:

Crossed my mind, but I'm not concerned about it. If someone complains, I'll take them down. In the meantime it's a password protected gallery.

JaimeVinas

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

10/07/2010 02:52:12 PM · #4

I think the hardest thing as a photographer is getting people to understand that just because I enjoy what I do, it doesnt mean I will do it for free.

You're doing well, price problably could be lower, but thats me. You charge what you feel its right.

On a note about the price:
That depends on your audience. If its a bunch of rich folks, then its better to charge more :P

Message edited by author 2010-10-07 14:53:14.

Strikeslip

Canon EOS-5D

10/07/2010 02:58:19 PM · #5

"You photographed my dog in the nude! I'm going to sue! Poor Mitzy is so embarrassed. All of her collie-eagues are pointers paws at her and howling with laughter.

Message edited by author 2010-10-07 14:58:31.

LoudDog

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

10/07/2010 03:23:51 PM · #6

The doctor thing not working out for you anymore?

I'd suggest just selling them the files (paypal and email) and let them print on their own. You'll probably sell a lot more that way anyway and easily invest a lot less time. Or upload them to one of those sites where they can order prints, coffee mugs and keychains and you get a %, then just email out the link.

Do you really want to deal with printing and deivering and mailing and cashing checks for $10-20 at a time? If it's anything like motocross parents and their kids, they are only going to buy 1 each.

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

10/07/2010 03:24:13 PM · #7

Paul offered a formula for prices, what do people think is more reasonable? I certainly don't want to make it seem like I'm sticking it to these people. $7/$15 for 5x7/8x10 more reasonable?

Selling the files themselves crossed my mind too LoudDog and I'm toying with it.

Message edited by author 2010-10-07 15:25:45.

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

10/07/2010 03:31:19 PM · #8

The letter looks fine to me. I'd be 100% for selling the hi-res files to anyone who wants prints. I'd sell the file for $15, and I'd sell the print (5x7, 8x10, either one) for $25. Most of your expense is in the hassle of getting them printed and delivered. If they want you to do that for them, make them pay for it. otherwise let them have the files for a nominal fee to do with as they choose. It's not like you have a huge residual in these, they are more trouble than they are worth.

R.

LoudDog

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

10/07/2010 03:31:34 PM · #9

we sold photos at the motocross track, and after the first time it became very apparent that selling the files was much easier and more lucrative, especially after the event. If you can't get them prints instantly and capitalize on the impulse moment you lose a lot of interest. Weeks/days later a print becomes more of a "what am I going to do with this".

10/07/2010 03:47:32 PM · #10

Originally posted by LoudDog:

Hmm, you make sense. If you don't mind me asking, what do you sell the files for?

10/07/2010 03:54:01 PM · #11

OK, update. I ditched the prints and offered files for $15. For an extra $5 I offered to resize an additional file to be used as a screensaver (in case they didn't know how to do this themselves).

Thanks for all the help people! I'm not aiming to make a ton of money here, but I may as well see what shakes out.

LoudDog

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Carl Zeiss 50mm ZE f/1.4 Planar T for Canon

10/07/2010 04:00:01 PM · #12

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Originally posted by LoudDog:
we sold photos at the motocross track, and after the first time it became very apparent that selling the files was much easier and more lucrative, especially after the event. If you can't get them prints instantly and capitalize on the impulse moment you lose a lot of interest. Weeks/days later a print becomes more of a "what am I going to do with this".

Hmm, you make sense. If you don't mind me asking, what do you sell the files for?

This was years ago so it's all fuzzy. I think we sold the files for around $20? I think it was the same as what we charged for an 8x10. We sold prints and CD's at the track with a laptop and printer set up and that made most of the money (maybe 90%). It's so much easier to just sell the file, so why not?

We didn't do it long as i got bored shooting motocross every weekend and the money wasn't worth giving up my free time outside of my 9-5.

yanko

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

10/07/2010 04:03:49 PM · #13

$15 for a Friesen negative? Damn, I thought you were an exclusive fine art photographer, painter of light hitting waterfalls and ladybugs or something like that. Tell me you didn't throw in the ~~watermark~~ autograph for free?

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

10/07/2010 04:10:57 PM · #14

Originally posted by yanko:

Get 'em while they're hot Richard! For you, I'll cut you a deal...instead of $15, it's $150. Feel better? :)

chromeydome

Nikon D7000

10/07/2010 04:15:18 PM · #15

Since you use smugmug, can you simply use smugmug for their print ordering and delivery--direct from smugmug to them, you don't have to print/deliver, etc. at all...... If so, you can sell the prints at your proposed prices, sell the digital hi-res file for say, twice that rate, since you are probably losing at least two print sales if someone actually buys the file instead...

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

10/07/2010 04:20:12 PM · #16

Originally posted by chromeydome:

This is something I haven't investigated. How do I get paid or how does the client pay?

chromeydome

Nikon D7000

10/07/2010 04:29:24 PM · #17

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Originally posted by chromeydome:
Since you use smugmug, can you simply use smugmug for their print ordering and delivery--direct from smugmug to them, you don't have to print/deliver, etc. at all...... If so, you can sell the prints at your proposed prices, sell the digital hi-res file for say, twice that rate, since you are probably losing at least two print sales if someone actually buys the file instead...

This is something I haven't investigated. How do I get paid or how does the client pay?

I'm not sure if the free smug mug allows this or not--I got a free smugmug pro as part of a workshop gimme. But in general, you do a fair amount of work in the Settings and can select in advance the kinds of products, sizes of prints, etc, and you set your prices. The minimum price is the vendor/smugmug cut, and then you can add onto that. Turns out you can sell digital downloads there, too.

I checked the Help, and it does seem you need a pro account to do this....

Kelli

Canon EOS-D60

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

10/07/2010 04:32:00 PM · #18

No advice from me, you're getting plenty of that anyway. I just wanted to say the dogs are adorable. I really love shot #27 (with the stuffed duck/toy). And when do you get your puppy?

Olympus 7-14mm f/4.0 Zuiko Digital Zoom

10/07/2010 04:40:41 PM · #19

Originally posted by Kelli:

No advice from me, you're getting plenty of that anyway. I just wanted to say the dogs are adorable. I really love shot #27 (with the stuffed duck/toy). And when do you get your puppy?

The little guy with the duck IS my puppy. :) That's Finnigan. He's in pictures 24-28. We actually got him when he was 8 months old instead of just weaned. He's been awesome!

one2one

Olympus E-5

10/07/2010 04:40:54 PM · #20

Originally posted by chromeydome:

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Originally posted by chromeydome:
Since you use smugmug, can you simply use smugmug for their print ordering and delivery--direct from smugmug to them, you don't have to print/deliver, etc. at all...... If so, you can sell the prints at your proposed prices, sell the digital hi-res file for say, twice that rate, since you are probably losing at least two print sales if someone actually buys the file instead...

This is something I haven't investigated. How do I get paid or how does the client pay?

I'm not sure if the free smug mug allows this or not--I got a free smugmug pro as part of a workshop gimme. But in general, you do a fair amount of work in the Settings and can select in advance the kinds of products, sizes of prints, etc, and you set your prices. The minimum price is the vendor/smugmug cut, and then you can add onto that. Turns out you can sell digital downloads there, too.

I checked the Help, and it does seem you need a pro account to do this....

You can also set it up that you have a few days to make adjustments to your images before printing and shipping by whatever lab you choose.

Louis

Nikon D800

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D

10/07/2010 04:46:32 PM · #21

Canadians know there is only one dog named Finnegan.

one2one

Olympus E-5

Olympus 7-14mm f/4.0 Zuiko Digital Zoom

10/07/2010 04:54:18 PM · #22

Originally posted by Louis:

Canadians know there is only one dog named Finnegan.

Look up, look waaay up.....

Olympus 7-14mm f/4.0 Zuiko Digital Zoom

10/07/2010 04:55:52 PM · #23

Originally posted by Louis:

Canadians know there is only one dog named Finnegan.

Do you forget I'm Canadian? :) That is exactly where the name came from! That and the fact I wanted a Scottish sounding name since Carins are from Scottland. (Ok ok, the name is actually Irish, but it's close.) The other option was "Fergus" but that would shorten to "Fergie" and that would hurt Finnigan's masculine sensibilities.

Message edited by author 2010-10-07 16:57:27.

one2one

Olympus E-5

10/07/2010 04:57:32 PM · #24

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Originally posted by Louis:
Canadians know there is only one dog named Finnegan.

Do you forget I'm Canadian? :) That is exactly where the name came from!

What?!?!?!?

I knew there was something about you.....

Dual citizenship?