Aggrivating!!

[kmp1191]

Ok...here's the background....
I have a full time & part-time job. My part-time job I'm a professional photographer. I've been to school for it and have worked my way up through the ranks. I have purchased approx $5000 worth of equipment. I work with one of the studio's in town and we have an excellent reputation. Here's the problem....alot of my jobs(not studio's) are through word of mouth. Friends of friends wanting Sr. pics, or family pics or weddings... or whatever. Most of the time when I tell them what my sitting fee is ($95.00) it's not a problem. They are happy with that because most of the photog's in town won't leave the studio for less than $200. If it's a friend or neighbor, I discount it to $50.00. What do they get for the $95? About 50 to 100+ proofs in an album to keep and they get however much of my time that it takes. My reprint prices are very inexpensive and I don't make much off any reprint orders. I feel that since I enjoy doing it, I feel bad for charging alot like at the studio's.

Now the delimma... I have people, (that I don't know) that want me to do their child's Sr. pictures. They want this done over Thanksgiving weekend, (when I have family in town). I don't have a problem with doing it that weekend....I have a problem with them "scoffing" at the sitting fee. Their comment was...."What if I don't want to keep the proofs?" I tell them that I have to pay to have them processed so you can see them...whether you want to keep them or not is up to you. Then they say, "Well, is that negotiable (sp)?" I say, yes, everything is negotiable, but I still have to cover my up front expenses. Then the lady says, "Well, I guess we can discuss this more at the time of the shoot."

I get so aggrivated because some (not all, and not even most) people think that since I do this for a part-time job, that I can just up and leave my family and do this for them for nothing!! My time is worth something. My equipment was not free. What they get from me is not cr#$. I guess I'm just venting. I get tired of people wanting something for nothing. The world doesn't work that way.

Thanks for listening, and any advice on how to respond to these situations is appreciated.

 

[Kae]

I would print up a fee list & stick to it. If some one calls about your service I would ask if you can fax or mail you the info then it is in black & white. And stick to your guns-you are a professional & should not be taken advantage of. You might not get some of the business but it will more than likely even out.

Kae

 

[kmp1191]

I called these people today and told her I was going to mail her my price list. She said she already had it, and that's why she was using me, because of my reprint prices. And she still scoffs about the up front costs.
I don't know how to make it any clearer.

 

[corie161]

I would also print up a fee list. You could even include a friends and family discount to use at your discretion. Since this lady isn't considered a friend or family I would charge her the same rate as anyone else.

Non quite the same situation, but same concept...my sister is a hairdresser. Sometimes she charges me, sometimes she doesn't. I don't mind paying her, but I think she should have a set discount that applies to all family instead of picking and choosing what to charge people if she's not going to charge full price.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

I agree with what the pp have said about being firm. I think it was a mistake to tell this person that your fees were "negotiable". I would explain to her that you are a professional photographer with set prices and if she's not happy with them she is welcome to shop around.

 

[kmp1191]

My husband says that too. If they don't like it, then they can pay twice as much somewhere else. I guess I'm just too soft in that department. I need to toughen up!!

 

[Jsme]

If they want to use you then they need pay the piper!! Get real people your time is money and she wants you to do this over a HOLIDAY!!! She needs to get a life remember you are doing this part time for a reason. Probably to be with your family more!! And here she is wanting to take you from your family. She is lucky you are not charging more for having to work when you would not normally work due to a holiday. I would not feel comfortable waiting to discuss this at the time of the setting. I would want this settled before time. If you do not do this, remember to use this to your advantage, do not let her use it to hers. Remember you are using valuable time to do her pictures when your family is there for the holidays. Good Luck.

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

As I see it, the sitting fee is what you charge to leave your home, drive to theirs, set up the equipment and do the shoot. The proofs are theirs to keep as a courtesy, but they are not paying for them. Tell them that they are not comfortable with your fee, they are welcome to shop around for another photographer who is willing to do a shoot on a holiday weekend for less.

Some people will try to get everything they can for next to nothing. You charge what you charge because you believe it to be a reasonable cost for your service. Don't let someone bully you into a discount just because of their attitude.

 

[Wish I lived in Fl]

My husband says that too. If they don't like it, then they can pay twice as much somewhere else. I guess I'm just too soft in that department. I need to toughen up!!

Leave them a message that something came up and you'll have to cancel.
And what came up is your professional pride in doing a good job for a fair wage.

 

[pyrxtc]

I'm just starting doing this and I realized what I am charging does not cost anything and it is costing me to print proofs and stuff. I may make a little bit of money but it is costing me more in time than I thoguth of. I am thinking of charging for touch-ups to skin and stuff like that. I was on the computer for 4 hrs last night re-touching acne off of photos.

 

[disneymac]

Definitely get the fee up front - she sounds like the type who might not pay that day! I don't understand people like that, but there seem to be plenty of them around! Good luck.

 

[Lyn5]

I would walk away from this lady. If she is giving you a hard time now, why continue to relationship? I doubt she will get better.

 

[kmp1191]

Definitely get the fee up front - she sounds like the type who might not pay that day! I don't understand people like that, but there seem to be plenty of them around! Good luck.

Yeah, I'm feeling that way right about now. The way I do it is...If you don't pay, you don't get. Period. If she doesn't pay me, then the camera stays in the bag, and I go home. I don't like being that way, but I have to be.

Thank you all for your input.....I felt like I was wrong in feeling that way, but I guess I'm not. I appreciate all the advice...keep it coming.

 

[Shelby5514]

Leave them a message that something came up and you'll have to cancel.
And what came up is your professional pride in doing a good job for a fair wage.

I agree 100%.

If you do end up taking the pics, I'd be sure I had cash up front or at least a signed contract.

 

[kmp1191]

I'm just starting doing this and I realized what I am charging does not cost anything and it is costing me to print proofs and stuff. I may make a little bit of money but it is costing me more in time than I thoguth of. I am thinking of charging for touch-ups to skin and stuff like that. I was on the computer for 4 hrs last night re-touching acne off of photos.

Charge a set fee....and like I'm being told...STICK TO IT! When I was starting out, I would do it for cost. Then, like you, I realized that it was a lot of work, that my equipment was a major expense, and that my time involved was just that...involved. Most people...(unlike the one I'm currently dealing with) are completely acceptable and acknowledge this, and are fine with it...they know they are getting quality work at a great price. I know you are just starting out, but cover your costs...plus some.
Good luck....and I wish you the best of luck.

 

[~Kathie]

Definetly make her pay in advance.

She sounds like a looney-tune who is looking to get something for nothing.

 

[kmp1191]

I talked to the woman this morning and very pleasantly told her that my fee was not negotiable. She laughed and said she was glad I called. Then she proceeded to tell me how talented I am and how she felt bad for even asking for me to do it cheaper. She told me that I need to charge more, and stick to my guns! LOL...sounds like the advice I got here!!
Anyway, it was a very pleasant conversation and we are all looking forward to the photo shoot this weekend!
Thanks for listening and advising....you guys are great!! Thanks for making my backbone a little stiffer!!


(this guy makes me laugh!)

 

[CarolA]

Don't make it cheaper.

Tell her the fee is not open for discussion.

Next time someone says "Is this negiotable?" The responses is NO! That is where you are getting in trouble.

 

[etwinchester]

I talked to the woman this morning and very pleasantly told her that my fee was not negotiable. She laughed and said she was glad I called. Then she proceeded to tell me how talented I am and how she felt bad for even asking for me to do it cheaper. She told me that I need to charge more, and stick to my guns! LOL...sounds like the advice I got here!!
Anyway, it was a very pleasant conversation and we are all looking forward to the photo shoot this weekend!
Thanks for listening and advising....you guys are great!! Thanks for making my backbone a little stiffer!!


(this guy makes me laugh!)

Hey, maybe she is a member of the DIS and read this thread (hehe). She noticed how many people told you not to negotiate and now as she is reading, she feels bad.

Ok, it was just a thought!!!

 

[rocky7]

You can charge whatever you want and the market will determine if you are worth what you charge. If she can find it cheaper then she can go to that person. Never let people tell you what you should charge, let the market determine if you are worth what you charge. If you are good at what you do, people will pay more for quality.