To pay or not to pay ? Lunch consult.

[guitarbug]

So you have a wedding consult at lunch because it was a convienent time for both parties. Do you pick up the tab ? In most cases I do pick up the tab for my other business, but my budget allows me to do so. The Photography gig though is just starting out and the budget is not so deep. I am thinking it may be worth it to get the wedding, but just wondering how others handle this ? Thanks .

[bondarnes]

I would probably pick up the tab. You can write it off as a business expense even if they don't book. If it isn't in the budget then your prices are way too low IMHO.

[boxofrocks]

One should ALWAYS pick up the tab when you stand to gain anything from a business meeting (lunch). If they offer to pay, don't let them unless they throw an absolute fit.

[guitarbug]

Originally Posted by bondarnes

I would probably pick up the tab. You can write it off as a business expense even if they don't book. If it isn't in the budget then your prices are way too low IMHO.

Thanks Don! I need to rephrase that, its not in the Kitty! I think I am right in the ball park for my exsperience and the going rate. I don't do them for $300-400 like I have seen in some case's. I can go as high as $2495.00, but as my exsperience grows so will my prices! Its a lot of stress and work as you well know.

[guitarbug]

Originally Posted by boxofrocks

One should ALWAYS pick up the tab when you stand to gain anything from a business meeting (lunch). If they offer to pay, don't let them unless they throw an absolute fit.

Thanks Tom, makes cents! LOL....

[PeteQ]

I'm pretty much with Tom and Don on this, adding that I usually try to arrive early and make sure the server knows that the bill comes to me, not the middle of the table.

[CaptainTom]

It's really one of the business expenses that makes a lot of sense. You have a client who is at the least trying to decide whether to hire you. As your "kitty" grows, so will the level of establishment where you take them to lunch. Although, I've known some businessmen who take clients to lunch at the ritziest and most expensive place in town, even though they can't afford it.

[guitarbug]

Well, a 2 Gyro combos and 1 Grilled Chicken salad (with ranch) later and I landed it! I told you the kitty was not that big, but they loved the place. It was Tex's Star Burger on Ruffe Snow dr, close to both of us. I also learned a few things from our conversation over lunch. One , only take you're best stuff to show them. I took a few prints and a few collages along with my laptop and had it ready with all my best stuff on a Lexar 2 gig stick. Also stick to you're prices! They told me after they decided to use me that they love the stuff that I showed them and that my price was fair ($2495.00) , they had interviewed a bunch and said my price was not the lowest and definitly not the highest, but right in thier budget. They also mentioned the fact that they would not go with the lowest because they were afraid of what they would get. Which I told them, you get what you pay for. There was also mention of a fella who kept lowering his cost and that turned them off! The couple said that one photographer that was low cost showed them some prints that were horrible in thier opinion and ask why would somone show us a bride with her head turned away from the camere? I could only think to myself " Thank God I prepared for this because I am quite sure I have some of those" lol... This all reminded me of a conversation I had with my best freinds dad who I use to tag along with doing weddings 20 years ago! He told me not long ago that ever since he raised his prices his business closes a lot more sales than in the past! I only mention all of this because I did learn a few new things today that I thought could help some other's. This was not my first consult, but the first one that I heard some things that I think were very good for future marketing and consults! Thanks everyone!

[PeteQ]

Congratulations on landing the job!

[CaptainTom]

Chris
Good job on the contract.
Remember me if you need a second shooter.

[guitarbug]

Thanks Pete & Tom! Will do Tom, its Dec 8th 07 so I will let you know. I am trying to teach my wife how to shoot, but you know how that goes. You should have seen me trying to teach her how to drive, she is from Romania and never drove before! I take that back, she said she drove once to the store! We almost divorced over it, lol.. 10 years later, we are all somewhat safe with her on the road. I will let you know asap!

[AndrewCCM]

Good Job Chris...

That is a very good rate for this area considering the wedding experience you have. Most photogs shoot in the lower to mid $1k range for quite some time. You should be proud and I am impressed. Hope it rubs off on some of the others out there that think they must low ball to get gigs.

Good luck!

[guitarbug]

Thanks Andrew! I only did 1 or 2 pretty low, but they were friends and I was building my portfolio. After doing a few and 2nd shooting a bunch I vowed to never be the low baller! Its way to much work and responcibility to do it cheap. When I am doing a wedding or any shoot I am laying on the ground, climbing trees or on my feet for hours. I don't know if its because I naturaly slouch my back or the weight of my gear, but my back hurts so bad during and after any gig. Not to mention the sore cheeks fro PP, lol.. Its just not worth my time and energy to lowball. Another thing I forgot to ad earlier, was not to sound desperate. They also told me another reason for choosing me was I did not seem to desperate for thier money. I had no problem telling them that this was not a full time job for me and that my other business is what pays the bills and photography is just a passion for me! I hope this helps others land some weddings, that would make all this typing worth it, lol.. I do believe the things I mentioned were true from thier heart and it did help me land it!

[Aric C. Hoek]

Lets have some fun with numbers, shall we?

52 Weeks in a year, and lets say you have three lunch consultations every week.

52x3 = 156

Now lets say each lunch runs you $45 after tip.

156 x 45 = $7020 (full page magazine ad with web listing)

What is your average sale per wedding? $3500?

Out of those 156 lunch consultations, what would you anticipate your booking rate to be? Lets choose something low like 40%. At 40%, that would mean that you would book 62 out of the 156.

62x3500 = $217000 in wedding sales. This is excluding Bridal and Engagement sessions, unless of course you include that in your packages. Lets not forget the opportunity for maternity sessions and future family portraits as well.

I really have no idea where I am going with this. It’s the wine you see.

You will need a good amount of advertising to get three consultations every week of the year though.

My real problem is converting this initial inquiry into a consultation to begin with..