Do you shoot seniors?

[thelegend1472]

We're not talkin old people either. I'm curious as to what you offer clients for proofs. I give them digital proofs on a cd. Between 12-18 photos to choose from and have only been charging $50 for a sitting fee which includes a 2-4 hour block of location shooting and my time in editing. My print prices compensate for the low price for my time. I just delivered 16 proofs to a client of mine who then demanded that she wants to see every photo I took of her daughter even if they are unedited and she'll decide which ones she wants and then I can edit those. I understand that you're always going to run into those customers, but seriously...this isn't a wedding and she knew before hiring me what to expect. Am I not giving my clients enough choices or am I thinking clearly and that is an absolutely ridiculous request? I spent a lot of time with this lady and her daughter, and a lot more time going through shots and editing them. If she orders nothing I basically did it peanuts. I'm not one to get discouraged, but this lady definitely has me wanting to shake the you know what out of her. Thoughts?

[Shelby Lane]

Hi BK. I don't know what kind of photography you usually do, whether it's portraits or what, but from this post I see a few things here that are going to bite you in the butt with seniors... actually with most portrait clients. The proofs on a disk are not the way to go if you want to sell prints. And I know you stated it to her up front, but 16 proofs for 2-4 hours of shooting time is very very few. You are thinking, I spent a lot of time with these people and they don't appreciate it. They are thinking, we spent a lot of time with this photographer -- what are we not seeing? I'm not saying to show all. But for that amount of time I think you do need to show more. Personally, I would up that session fee so you are being paid for that time up front and lower the amount of time you spend with the client, or show them way more proofs in a way that they aren't "owning" them by having them forever on a disk. Even if they're watermarked to high heaven, they will feel like they already own those images in their minds (or that you "owe" them a certain amount because you promised a disk).

[Michael Lyons]

I agree, I would up your price and even lower the amount of time for the shoot. A 1 hour senior shoot is nice.