How Best to Explain that CD is Not Included ?

[Norma_S]

I have potential clients contact me and ask or assume that a CD of images is included with the session fee (like some of my competition offers). I charge a session fee for my portrait and boudoir sessions. I offer prints, albums, and digital images on CD for purchase a la carte. Maybe my wording isn't as clear to others as it is to me.

I would like to reword my website and info that I send to potential clients about the fact that:

1. digital images aren't included and must be purchased separately
2. the session fee is for my time and talent

I want this to come off as informative for them and I don't want to sound like I'm full of myself for saying "time and talent" when speaking of myself. Maybe it's just me but I still feel a bit awkward when saying this. I value my images as a tangible result of their session and will never give them away (unless the session explicitly says it includes images and I've adjusted the fee accordingly). I just want some help with the verbiage.

How are you guys phrasing this to your potential clients?

Norma

[HotHolly]

I tell them the session fee includes the time it takes to create their images - the shoot, PP time, and their proofing session. (We include full PP on all their proofs).

Time and talent rings wrong in most people's ears, even though that is what it is. Even though it means the same thing - creation fee or creative fees tend to be received better.

Also, if you say CD is available for purchase it implies that you dont get their disc with the session for free. I was just on your site and didnt see that on your price list. I may be blind though - i only scanned it.

One more thing - double check your price point on portrait sessions to make sure it isnt in line with what others are charging for the session with CD in your hood. Lots of folks are offering the CD with a session for $199 and you are priced at $205. That is a geographical thing where you are drawing on the same client base based on price. Raising your session fee $50 may also fix it. Just a few ideas.

Hardly anyone asks me if our sessions includes the CD. When they ask I say of course not.

[ka5txl]

Originally Posted by HotHolly

I tell them the session fee includes the time it takes to create their images - the shoot, PP time, and their proofing session. (We include full PP on all their proofs).

Time and talent rings wrong in most people's ears, even though that is what it is. Even though it means the same thing - creation fee or creative fees tend to be received better.

Norma,

I agree with Holly about the wording of creation/creative fee vs time/talent. It just sounds better even though it's the same thing. I think your price list is pretty straight foward as it list's a cd for $100.

[Norma_S]

On my boudoir site, my current html text reads "Prints, albums, photo boxes, and/or digital images are available for purchase a la carte." The flash side reads the same but then goes into detail of the prices. On my portrait side, the price list reads "Prints and/or digital images are available for purchase separately".

Holly, are suggesting raise my portrait fee $50 and include the CD or raise it and not include the CD? I wasn't sure when you said that might fix it.

Thanks for your suggestion on the wording.

I'm definitely getting much more business from the boudoir side than the traditional portrait side. Is the boudoir site not clear? How can I make it better?

Norma

[brad]

"Digital Images" and "Digital Negatives" sound nice and fancy to us, but I've noticed that people don't see that.. it doesn't register with them what you are talking about. You need to explicitly tell them they are the full res (or web res) images on CD-ROM or they don't see it.



Hell, who am I kidding.. even then they don't all see it. My pricing is all on my headshots website, yet I am constantly sent emails asking me what my prices are....

[Norma_S]

Originally Posted by brad

Hell, who am I kidding.. even then they don't all see it. My pricing is all on my headshots website, yet I am constantly sent emails asking me what my prices are....

ROTFL, I know what you mean. I thought they were only doing that to me.

[HotHolly]

Originally Posted by Norma_S

Holly, are suggesting raise my portrait fee $50 and include the CD or raise it and not include the CD? I wasn't sure when you said that might fix it.

NO - totally not. Lots of photogs Ive met around TX offer the session & CD for $199. Im think your clients are comparing apples to oranges based on price.

Im saying by raising your session fee and NOT including the CD you may weed out those with the $200 budget who are comparing you to someone who you are not comparable to. The extra $50-$75 usually throws you into a different demographic where expectations change. They also tend to appreciate the art of the whole thing. Which I thought was what you were going for. ;o)

[Norma_S]

Ah, OK. I got you. I'm all for getting away from the bargain shoppers and "students" with a sob story. I think I will be raising my portrait prices right away.

Yes, you are right, I'm going for the art of the portrait and not for just snapping a photo and printing it out deal.

[HotHolly]

Originally Posted by Norma_S

Ah, OK. I got you. I'm all for getting away from the bargain shoppers and "students" with a sob story. I think I will be raising my portrait prices right away.

Yes, you are right, I'm going for the art of the portrait and not for just snapping a photo and printing it out deal.

Do it! Do it! $4999 per session. Negatives not included. Or $275. Ya know what ever your comfy with. ;o)