| Author | Thread |
|
|
02/12/2007 09:10:47 AM · #26 |
Personally, I see no need to justify your pricing to her. It is what it is and she'd be getting a great deal. As others said before, if she doesn't feel she's getting a good deal, she's free to shop around.
If you're willing to accept her request for a 25% deposit, then just tell her that, no more.
If anything, you should tell her that May is indeed a very busy month for weddings, that you have all of the other weekends in May booked and that regretfully, you cannot guarantee any date without a deposit. I know you don't want to rush her or appear rude, but that's the way any similar type of business works and she ought to know that. Would you seriously turn away a client who is ready to hand you a deposit in order to wait for this lady to get off the pot and make up her mind? I know I wouldn't.
|
|
|
|
02/12/2007 10:20:39 AM · #27 |
Don't try to justify. She'll just have more ammunition for argument.
PLEASE get the capitalization right in the letter. I understand that online communication has lessened our respect for it, but keep your "high end professional" hat on and stick with the rules of English and grammar :)
Also, I recommend removing the line about discussing this with other photographers. Too much admission of an activity that many would see as inappropriate, even if it's common, and even if it's not inappropriate or illegal.
You really need to meet with this lady face to face before you accept any money. Just my thoughts.
|
|
|
|
02/12/2007 10:56:37 AM · #28 |
I agree. Don't justify. The fact that she is still trying to negotiate with you is an indication that she has not even tried any other photographer. I realize the importance of not offending ANY client, as she may discourage other people.
Sometimes you just have to bury the old saying of "The client is always right". In my experience, the client is never right. Also, tell her that you can only keep her date free for another two days as you are getting requests and could be loosing potential clients.
Jan.
|
|
|
|
02/12/2007 11:00:23 AM · #29 |
Originally posted by jan_vdw:
Also, tell her that you can only keep her date free for another two days as you are getting requests and could be loosing potential clients.
Jan. |
I can't condone lying, sorry. :) It always BYITB. |
|
|
|
02/12/2007 11:22:09 AM · #30 |
I would definitely go down the "less is more" route. I would not tell her how you make your profit, or where the work lies, nor what you are told by others (stick to your own professional experience).
I would say something along the following lines.
"Dear Ms xxx
Thanks for your e-mail of [date]. I hope that the rest of the wedding planning is going well!
You asked me about renegotiating my prices based on the prices I offer for studio work, and also because of the change in venue.
Unfortunately, I cannot offer an hourly rate for wedding work, or reduce my prices because my travelling time is shorter. This is because photographing your daughter's wedding will prevent me from taking any other wedding bookings that day. I will also have to carry out a lot of work behind the scenes in the days following the wedding to make sure that the pictures will look great (on CD or in print). This time is all taken into account and represents excellent value in my wedding packages.
I do normally require a 50% deposit up front for wedding work because I have to book a whole day away from other business. [If this will be a problem, please let me know and we can sort something out.] OR [In your case, I am willing to make an exception and work on a [25/35]% deposit.]
If you would still like to go ahead, I will send you my usual contract to be signed and returned with the deposit. Please let me know if you would still only want me from 1pm-4pm, or if you would like me to take some photos later on in the day at the wedding reception.
I am happy to hold your daughter's date in my diary for another 10 days, but I have already received enquiries and bookings for other weekends in May and so cannot hold it longer without a deposit.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Kind regards
[etc]"
|
|
|
|
02/12/2007 11:31:12 AM · #31 |
As some people have mentioned, you are not charging near enough for all the work that goes into wedding photography. I wouldn't leave the comfort of my home for that, much less shoot and process a wedding.
However, you already gave her a quote so stick with it. Tell this lady "industry standard" is to collect a retainer, NEVER call it a deposit because deposits, by law, ARE refundable, the amount of the retainer though is set by the individual photographers. I personally require 50% of the total amount.
Reading the original post, it wasn't clear to me whether or not you actually had the client sign a contract but if you didn't by all means, ask them too and make sure it is the bride or the bride and groom the ones who sign, no matter who is paying.
I can't believe someone wants a wedding shot for $200! I would personally be insulted by that.
June
|
|
|
|
02/12/2007 11:35:22 AM · #32 |
Originally posted by Matthew:
I would definitely go down the "less is more" route. I would not tell her how you make your profit, or where the work lies, nor what you are told by others (stick to your own professional experience).
I would say something along the following lines.
"Dear Ms xxx
Thanks for your e-mail of [date]. I hope that the rest of the wedding planning is going well!
You asked me about renegotiating my prices based on the prices I offer for studio work, and also because of the change in venue.
Unfortunately, I cannot offer an hourly rate for wedding work, or reduce my prices because my travelling time is shorter. This is because photographing your daughter's wedding will prevent me from taking any other wedding bookings that day. I will also have to carry out a lot of work behind the scenes in the days following the wedding to make sure that the pictures will look great (on CD or in print). This time is all taken into account and represents excellent value in my wedding packages.
I do normally require a 50% deposit up front for wedding work because I have to book a whole day away from other business. [If this will be a problem, please let me know and we can sort something out.] OR [In your case, I am willing to make an exception and work on a [25/35]% deposit.]
If you would still like to go ahead, I will send you my usual contract to be signed and returned with the deposit. Please let me know if you would still only want me from 1pm-4pm, or if you would like me to take some photos later on in the day at the wedding reception.
I am happy to hold your daughter's date in my diary for another 10 days, but I have already received enquiries and bookings for other weekends in May and so cannot hold it longer without a deposit.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Kind regards
[etc]" |
I agree with most of this post with the exception of the paragraph in bold. Would you seriously turn away a client with a deposit check in hand to wait for this lady who may give you a deposit? I don't know any photographers who would. If anything, I would replace that with something like:
"While currently, "the date" is open, I cannot reserve any date without a deposit."
Of course, it's your business and you're free to decide what you tell her.
|
|
|
|
02/12/2007 11:39:05 AM · #33 |
Originally posted by Chiqui:
However, you already gave her a quote so stick with it. Tell this lady "industry standard" is to collect a retainer, NEVER call it a deposit because deposits, by law, ARE refundable, the amount of the retainer though is set by the individual photographers. I personally require 50% of the total amount.
|
That depends largely on the state/country in which the agreement is made. Some states do allow "deposits" to be non-refundable, others do not. It's just one more reason to have an attorney familiar with contract law review any contract form you use.
|
|
|
|
02/12/2007 11:48:28 AM · #34 |
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
I agree with most of this post with the exception of the paragraph in bold. Would you seriously turn away a client with a deposit check in hand to wait for this lady who may give you a deposit? I don't know any photographers who would. If anything, I would replace that with something like:
"While currently, "the date" is open, I cannot reserve any date without a deposit."
Of course, it's your business and you're free to decide what you tell her. |
I had thought from his draft that jerowe was booking up - but I see from other parts of the thread that this is not the case - I agree with you (I don't condone lying at all!).
|
|
|
|
02/12/2007 11:55:56 AM · #35 |
I am a negotiator - as a Realtor, it's what I do for a living. I also tend to do that in my personal affairs and have done the same thing in planning my daughter's wedding.
As a photographer, I would respond something to the effect of:
Dear Ms. xxxx,
Thank you for your email. Yes, I am aware of the change of location for your daughter's wedding.
For the services I have listed for you, my pricing is not negotiable. If you have a particular budget in mind, let me know and I will see if we can work out a custom package that will suit your needs. My contract and deposit requirements are also non-negotiable and protect the time and investment I have in my business.
Also, please be aware that until the contract is signed and the deposit is received, the date remains open and available on my calendar. Thank you for your interest and I hope to hear from you soon.
Sincerely,
xxxx
The sentence in bold would be optional depending on your mind set. I think your prices are cheap, however if you want to do this wedding perhaps you can cut services and work within her budget. For example, wedding coverage only (not reception), or a base price for doing the photography (no print credit) but selling each print "a la carte" with pricing good for a year following the wedding? (In that case..make sure you receive the balance of the base cost UPFRONT, before the wedding....maybe a month before.) That way maybe she wouldn't need so much money at the time of the wedding.
Okay...just my 2 cents worth, Good luck!
|
|
|
|
02/12/2007 01:18:22 PM · #36 |
|
|
|
02/12/2007 07:45:00 PM · #37 |
Matthew, i am not lying, i actually have 2 other weddings that month, but they are for dear personal friends who i'm not charging an incredibly large amount of money for. i will always conduct business in a fashion i would want it done to myself. i see where you're coming from no doubt.
thanks so much for the ideas, and the rewrites. i really appreciate this. i will definitely take this all into account and will reply to her tonight. :D thanks so much again.
|
|
|
|
02/15/2007 02:14:53 PM · #38 |
Holy cow do not take this offer from her she is cheaping you out. Maybe it is the fact that Louisiana is one of the poorest states in the union (I know I am from NOLA) and she is trying to save a buck. Industry standard is not 25% there really is no standard that I have seen (Deposits Vary Widely). Your work is good and your camera is expensive, if she wants it, have her pay! The price you quoted is a sweet deal to begin with.
Lance
www.justisphoto.com |
|
|
|
02/15/2007 02:21:22 PM · #39 |
you would be crazy to go any lower. Tell her to find someone else.
|
|
|
|
02/18/2007 01:41:10 AM · #40 |
I would like to thank everyone for their input. i told her i'd accept 25%, and she responded with "show me some of your recent work, and i'll decide based on that."
so i showed her a few from a wedding i did recently and she loved them and actually apologized saying "i didn't know i was actually dealing with a professional, i thought i was talking with a run of the mill college student with photography for a hobby."
so i'm excited, thanks so much everyone for the input.
i really do appreciate everyone that helped with this. Thanks :D
Jon Rowe
|
|
|
|
02/18/2007 02:28:12 AM · #41 |
| Glad you got your due respect, but still watch your back with her... she sounds very, um... strange. Good luck! |
|
Home -
Challenges -
Community -
League -
Photos -
Cameras -
Lenses -
Learn -
Help -
Terms of Use -
Privacy -
Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2025 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 07/31/2025 02:23:17 AM EDT.
