Photographer's Little Rant... And Some Opinion Questions For You

in #photography6 years ago (edited)

So, a few days ago I was emailed by a possible client and I'm still feeling a bit upset about it, I still don't know how to reply. I have not worked for this person yet but they want me to shoot a big property for them, I shoot a ton of real estate photography and architectural photography and I am always happy to get new jobs. However... this person started out by asking for a huge discount, they want to pay $400 for a virtual tour package I normally charge $700 for. Really?! Oh, wait, they are willing to wait until "slow season" for the discount.

I know most people don't understand the amount of work I put into boring real estate photography, they also don't understand the amount of money I invest into top of the line gear, and into my websites and into image storage. Many people think this kind of work can be done as easily as taking a snapshot with a phone. I'm trying to be understanding and patient but I'm having a hard time with this email.

I have some questions for you...

Do you think it's OK to approach a business and ask for a huge discount right from the start? With the attitude that if you don't ask, you don't get?

How would you handle an email like this? I'm not sure if I should even reply since I have nothing nice to say... Should I take on an educational approach and waste my time explaining why I charge what I charge? Should I let him know that I'm offended so he hopefully doesn't do the same to my photographer friends/colleagues in the area? Or do I simply ignore the email, this is what I am tempted to do but I'm not sure it's the right thing to do...

Here are a few of the images I have shot over the years to give you an idea of what I do. If you are curious about the virtual tours I provide, my prices, samples, and these images can be found on my website HERE.

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Thank you for your time reading my little rant and I appreciate your answers to my questions! Have a great day out there!



Now, it's time to shoot two more houses today...

Scott Thompson
Scott Shots Photography
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Click to view my Dynamic Steemians Discord channel. Feel free to ask me photo related questions there:

EDIT:

I decided to keep my reply simple and emotionless. Experience has taught me that this is the type of client that will not be happy regardless of how great of a job I do. My response was "Hello. Thank you for your interest in my photography services. I’m sorry but I don’t feel comfortable shooting for someone who is asking for a $300 discount. Have a great day."

Sort:  

Always a tough one.
The approach I try is usually a firm slight education approach.
I appreciate your interest in me... and then I mention that my fee is $700, and also, try and explain what a session involves.

On their side, if they don't ask, it never happens, so I don't fault someone for asking. I explain politely but firmly, no. Sometimes I mention that there's no bargaining hen they walk into a restaurant. There's no deal making when they call a plumber. Hourly rate, plus costs, etc.

So, there's the rate, this is what I provide.

Thanks @bluefinstudios! Yeah, that's the approach I usually try but I also agree with what @d00k13 said in his separate comment. They probably will just act unsatisfied in order to try to get a discount after the shoot. The older I get the less I feel like wasting my time replying to this type of client lol! Thank you for your opinion and outlook, I will definitely take it into consideration... Have a great day!

thats why I mentioned reminding them of the $700 and sticking with it!

Yup, cool thanks!

thats the problem with someone asking for a complete deal.
they always expect it next time too...
pretty soon, they are asking for a photoshoot for Exposure

What? People ask for free photoshoots in exchange for exposure? That's crazy!
Haha! Yeah, I've been approached that way more than a few times too...

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Hey, thank you! That's great news!

I’d just say I am booked solid .... and had to recently raise my rates to $1,000

Yeah, he will definitely be charged extra if I end up shooting for him... But I don't plan on taking on that type of a client. Too much trouble guaranteed.

Yeah... I just tell these people I am booked solid with other Clients.

Yeah... I just tell these
People I am booked solid
With other Clients.

                 - offgridlife


I'm a bot. I detect haiku.

Not the kind of business you want IMO. People that consistently push for discounts usually in my experience end up being the ones which complain of the outcome no matter how good it is to get further deals at the expense of the other party. I like to feel good about my work and you do have the right to refuse service as I would just because your not entering the project feeling good about it!

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Thank you for your opinion @d00k13! I actually almost wrote that exact same thing but I wanted to hear what people had to say. I agree, experience has taught me that this is not the type of person I want to shoot for. They will not be satisfied regardless of how good of a job I do. And now I don't feel motivated to do a good job for them... So even if I reply, I doubt I'll take on the job. Have a great day!

No worries @scottshots and that’s a good plan. I wouldn’t argue your price, everything you share here is amazing!

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Thanks @d00k13! Wouldn't it be nice if one day I could make a living posting my photos here instead of shooting for clients... One day...

Hey one day we will be paying you to fly around the world and shoot for steem 🤞

ahh that’s the dream, never really thought about traveling anywhere till I started looking for new views to capture.

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Haha! Sounds like a plan! Yeah, I don't travel much out of Tahoe but I'm hoping that changes soon... Cheers!

First off, gorgeous photos. I mean your talent speaks for itself. Thats a hard one buddy. You kind of want to set a precedent. If you start allowing discounts now how do you know other people won't reach out because of that job and ask for the same discount. I understand the other side of the coin. My dad used to always say, the squeaky wheel gets the grease
. I would reach back to them and tell them that there really is no slow season. Gosh I'm already starting out bad... I already have an attitude and I just started🙄🙄😂😂 ok. Ya... ignore it HAAAA.
I would email back and tell them a price that you're comfortable with. What your off-season price is. Call it an off-season price so that they think or understand that you already have a system of pricing. A lot of people understand photographers are freelance and they like to take advantage. There's a difference between asking for a discount, a payment plan or little help. Then to intrusively ask, without thinking about the photographers pricing plan.. They automatically went in assuming... that's what I would do. And if you don't get them as a client, then it probably but it would have been more hassle then worth the money. But I understand a family man, that needs to work make money for his family. So you can go on all those fancy vacations Into the Wilderness. LOL.

Thank you! Haha! Yes, I need more of those fancy vacations in the backcountry, sleeping on the ground... Actually, that is my kind of paradise!
Fortunately for me, after being in the business for 20 years, I'm in pretty high demand and I don't need to worry about losing one potential client. So I kept it simple and emotionless:
"Hello. Thank you for your interest in my photography services. I’m sorry but I don’t feel comfortable shooting for someone who is asking for a $300 discount. Have a great day."
I'm hoping that get's all the points across quickly, in only a slightly insulting back kind of way...
Have a great day @prettynicevideo!!!

Sometimes you just got to be straight to the point. Cool. Im glad you got that straighten out!🤘

Yup! I'm glad I finally responded too. No reply back so I think the point was understood.

Never undersell yourself. Be as nice as possible and if they are persistent charge more than 700 or say yeah sure 400 but then charge per diem as well

Haha! Yeah, I like the idea of countering with more than $700. I'll call it the "pain in the butt client" discount, haha! I hope things are going great @dynamicgreentk! Have an excellent day out there!

Those are some dope shots @scottshots. People do not value art, simple. Well tbh I think he owes a hard hitting reality check from you. I don't want you to be rude to your potential customer but please explain them the things you mentioned in the blog. They should know how much ground work you did before enabling yourself to take such shots. Client should know that they are not just paying for the quality but for the creativity and the years of experience that you gained by spending your valuable time and money! Please send them an email so that they do not do something like this to another artist such as yourself.

BTW, keep doing the amazing work. I want to be a photographer like you. Hopefully someday :)

Thank you @hungryhustle! I'm sure I'll explain a bit but who knows, maybe I'll be a bit rude too haha! I still haven't decided on how to reply and still have not yet.
I appreciate your opinion! Happy shooting!

should have said you will do it for 550 in the slow season, and then let them wait for the "slow season" :D

And wait, and wait, and wait... Hahaha!

You're running a business, unfortunately you have to be polite. I think you worded it pretty well. People that want or expect a deep discount and when they do not get it will agree to the normal price then bitch and bitch about it, and refuse to pay, so your response allows you to say no a second time to the individual.

Haha! Yup, unfortunately indeed... Thank you, glad you think that mostly polite response worked. And yup, I don't want to provide services to someone who will probably do exactly what you said they will do. Have a great day @bashadow!

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