When do you show your price list for portraits?

[reader0428]

If your client doesn't ask to see your price list up front, when do you introduce it? When they don't ask, I've been waiting until the viewing/ordering consultation, but I'm wondering if it might be wise to leave them a copy at the session, so they can get used to the idea of spending some $$$. Another option I've thought of is emailing it after they fall in love with their sneak peeks. I'm just thinking it might be a good idea to start them thinking about what they might want to purchase in advance of the ordering appointment.

FYI - I shoot on-location and do in-person viewing and ordering appointments, where I show a slideshow on my laptop and then step through the images one-by-one with the client. I also bring a large portfolio with sample print sizes and finishes, float and gallery wrap samples, an album sample and framing samples. My goal is to collect the order and payment right then but if they ask for more time I give them an online gallery for three days.

[suerenee]

I send it with my contract. Then there is no "surprise" later. I don't want someone to do a session and then be disappointed when they can't pay for prints.

[MSooner]

They booked a session without checking your prices up front? Hmm...never thought anyone would do that.

[apollo.11]

Originally Posted by MSooner

They booked a session without checking your prices up front? Hmm...never thought anyone would do that.

Ditto...better bring it up before the shoot. That way no surprises for either of you.

[J Eddington]

I give them an idea when they call to inquire about a session. I do this with every call that is not a client who has made a prior purchase. If you do not, then they may go home all ticked off and you will have wasted your time. This is what I say EVERY time.
If they want the price first, "May I ask you a couple of questions to get a better idea of your needs?" I then find out why they want photos taken and why it is important. After I have this information then I say,
“Before we go any further, let me give you an indication of how much you can plan on investing. Is that Ok? Most people in your situation can plan on investing between five and seven hundred dollars (fill in your own amounts!), and get a large portrait for themselves and some smaller ones for gifts. Does that fit within your budget?” It works. It lets them know that they could spend more or less, but to get a large portrait and some small ones they are going to spend $ XXX.00.

At the purchasing session, they see the full price list with all the options THEY might want.

[reader0428]

I do have some pricing info on my web site - session fee $100, gift prints range from $25-$45, wall art starts at $125, collections start at $425 (in the process of updating my pricing right now) - but not the whole price list with every item I offer. So people will have a general sense of what they may spend before they contact me.

Janice, I like your approach. I don't have a huge volume of phone calls but I have had a few people that ask right off the bat, "What are your prices?" The tacky side of me wants to say "Too expensive!" But Janice I like your language a lot better. :)

[Outlaw]

I've seen this question on several forums, and I honestly don't think there's a best practice. Some photogs hold those cards until after the emotional slideshow set to music during the sales session, some post it right on their web site.

I've had the best results from just telling them what my prices are when they ask, or I'll say "Prints and files start at just $XX." That way they at least know the ballpark to get in the door. If they want specifics, I gladly provide them. If someone's going to have a problem with my prices, I'd rather it be before, not after, we've invested our time together.

I don't post my prices online, just because I like to visit with each client (by phone, e-mail, in person, however they contact me). I'm very casual when it comes to talking about pricing, and I really do want to give them a great experience and great products within their budget. My clients pick up on this, and when they know you're on their side, it makes it so much easier to build a great relationship with them.

[MSooner]

I do have some pricing info on my web site - session fee $100, gift prints range from $25-$45, wall art starts at $125, collections start at $425 (in the process of updating my pricing right now) - but not the whole price list with every item I offer. So people will have a general sense of what they may spend before they contact me.

In that case, I wouldn't worry about it. If there is a way she can get to it, it is her responsibility. I would only worry if she had no access whatsoever.

[LadyShutterBug]

I want people to be fully informed and IN NO WAY feel cheated or as though they're being played. As soon as they inquire about a session, I respond with a personal note (most of my inquiries are web-based) and link to the price sheet, which includes session options as well as print pricing.

I stand firm in the "treat others as you'd like to be treated" way of doing business.

[HotHolly]

part of this depends on your target demographic. more affluent clients dont care. they want what they want and drawing attention to prices minimizes that understanding. <--that isnt my opinion, its a socioeconomic difference b/t upper class and middle class.

i don't provide them the full price list upfront, but i do tell them that they can request it. but, honestly - they dont know what they are looking at yet. besides loose prints, they dont know which album is which or why this one is more than that one. imho, it confuses things. providing a reference point is fine imho. encourage them to contact you with questions. many times when people are asking for price lists it is so they can determine which photog is a better deal - which may not be determined solely by prices. (btw, if you dont know how you differ from everyone else, figure that out - its important).

my average portrait session sale is about $2K. i do have it posted that most clients spend X amount on product, that print prices start at $125, and we are a fine art studio. sometimes i get a client who is very $ conscious, and we discuss what they want, and try to fit it into their budget. one client donated plasma for months and spent all that money on her shoot. i dont just email them a price list though - they come in and talk to me and see what they want to buy.

do as much as you can in person. it eliminates confusion and helps you help them to see what they need to do.

[kayumangi]

Ms Janice and Ms Holly are spot on.

Admit it or not, photography is all about emotions, if everyone followed the left side of their brain then we all be out of work.

People ask for the price off the bat because that's the only thing they know or I should say we know. I mean if I'm buying snow tires (which I'm clueless about) the first thing I ask is price. Thus, asking pertinent questions from the client will help determine if we are a fit or not.

Also, I believe that if we post everything that we have on one page then we're forcing our clientele to be price shoppers and I don't want my clients to be like that. And unless they are repeat customers how will they know exactly what we're offering, even if we spelled it out in big fonts?

I present all packages during consultation not during inquiry where I only provide a ball park or if they're not sure what they want at least the sitting fee and the avg print order sales.

When I grow up I wanna be like ms Janice and ms Holly =)

[TxTowman]

ME TOO! Just not a female. I like being a guy!

[HotHolly]

ha ha. "ms holly." dude, so formal!

[STP Images]

Originally Posted by HotHolly

ha ha. "ms holly." dude, so formal!

My guess would not be formal, but maybe some Louisiana somewhere in the family tree? My Louisiana employees used to always address me as Mr. Todd.

[kayumangi]

Hahaha nah. More of a reverence to ladies I admire =)


Apologies for being out of topic but just explain some more:

Being a Filipino it is our custom to address people we admire with reverence by ending our sentences with the word "po", but given that the english language has no equivalent word, the closest I can do to show my admiration is addressing the person as Sir, Madam or in this case Ms.

Although I have a couple friends from Louisiana =)