Does Anyone Sell Image CD's?

[tessai4]

Hey all,

(Disclaimer :As I type this I'm rather flustered with a client so bear with me.)

First off I'm green to being considered a Photographer, but not green to being involved in business. At my wife's request, I went and shot her small event for one of her college associates and put her pictures online for purchase by those in attendance. Simple shoot followed by a no nonsense approach right? The client calls me today wanting to purchase all the pictures on a CD. I explained to her that they are online, and her reply is that folks are wanting to get some pictures of the event and that , and I quote, "I can just make them copies from the pictures that you are going to give me on the cd".
Basically, even not knowing that, would any of you print out a image CD and if so what kind of price tag do I attach to it?

Thanks for letting me ramble a bit....

Tessai4

[HeatherLou]

CD's are touchy, some photographers do them, some don't and others put a pretty hefty price tag on them. Without getting into the should I sell it.....I would price it for what you would expect to make if every person on it ordered. In other words, if your going to do it, make it worth your time! Or just tell her that you don't offer CD's, it was not in your original deal with that client, so you don't have to.

[J Eddington]

It would all depend upon what you agreed to before you shot the event. I might sell it for $1,000.00+ or everyone can just go on line an purchase directly from you.

[HotHolly]

Assume she doesnt know what she's asking for. She probably assumed it was $25. PS - Dont sell it for $25.

[CaptainTom]

A couple of ways to go here.
If you have 100 images on line and are selling 8X10's for $10 ea you could tell her you will sell her the CD for $1000. Or give her a 20% discount. She's not going to go for that of course.
Did you charge them to do the shoot ? Probably not, because you thought you would make an income by selling the prints.
You could tell her that since you aren't able to sell prints to cover your fees, you will charge her an hourly rate and provide HER with the CD. Of course, the going hourly rate is nothing less than $150.

She's just not understanding that you are in to this project to make some money and not as a free to them endeavor.

You might ask her if when she goes to a good restaurant, does she expect them to cook and serve her the food, or does she think they will sell her the ingredients at their cost for her to take home and make her own dinner ?

[Aric C. Hoek]

Always have a contract in place when shooting an event. This goes double when shooting an event for friends and family. Assuming you are going to be a professional photographer for some time to come, you can just chalk this one up to experience.

A contract lets your clients know what they can expect from you, and what you can expect from your clients. Never shoot an event without one.

[toverman]

We're in the digital age, so it's inevitable that at some point those who stay in business for much longer will have to figure out how to deal with it. I agree with all the posts here, you just have to find out what's best for you.

If it were me, I would sell the disc but price it so that I would be happy if that's all I earned from the event. Seeing as she'll be "sharing" with the class, that's probably what will happen if you do sell it to her.

[ESHernandez]

Best thing is to put on your business face and tactfully explain that, "it wasn't part of the deal".. Was it?

Shooting for friends and colleagues is usually dangerous waters, I personally don't do it anymore. Burned once, and that was enough..

IMO $200-$300 is reasonable..

Good luck..

[tessai4]

Wow...thanks for all the insight! I think that this will be the last , if ever again, image CD that i do for anyone.

I feel like I sit among Jedi's, hey I never said I was one...YET, and I keep looking around for Master Yoda to stroll through "Screwed over you must not get" or something along those lines....lol

Thanks Again!!!,

Tessai4

[DeLeon]

Originally Posted by tessai4

"Screwed over you must not get"
Tessai4

Nice...

[pbyd]

I hate to do this, but I agree with Tom :)
I do sell images in printable format for the same price as I would sell an 8x10. Some may think this is wrong, but I have learned that money in the bank will keep me open. I am not selling art, I am selling images the client has requested, and every thing has a price. My 8x10 price is not very cheap but if some one wants to give me money, who am I to complain or say no. And as Aric said, get a contract next time.
Wayne

[utdbear]

I just got married in December. I will tell you that I wouldn't have picked a wedding photog that didn't offer digital negatives as part of his package. Fortunately we(my now wife) found a photographer that priced them into his package(actually did what I would do, boost his prices and provide the DVD 'free')