Pixtus - Photography Forum, Photographers, Photo Tips

doctahjones · **ever feel like you received too much $$? -** 05-10-2009, 02:37 AM

ok, so i'm just starting out, and i know that you should price your work like you've been doing it awhile.

but here's the situation. i've done one 'pro bono' esession so i could get some experience.

afterwards my gf's mom -highly- recommended me to her friend for an esession. i quoted a price that seemed to be inline with other photogs for a 1 hour portrait session (which is really like 2 hours for me because i'm slow at setting up and such and i don't count that time). then i also quoted a very low ball amount (i mean really, probably a 1/4th of what most of the real wedding photogs price things at, but she asked for a quote) for also shooting her wedding, but she only wanted like 5-10 'traditional' posed family shots, some -basic- coverage before/during/after the wedding and there would only be like 30 guests. she didn't want me to be that 'crazy photog' that takes 100 shots a min so that's why i agreed (i don't do weddings).

so anyway, after our esession today she gave me an envelop and said "here's something to start with". she overpaid/tipped me $150.

it's not that i don't think i am "good", but i don't think i'm -that- good yet, if that makes sense. i just feel i don't have the experience yet. and there's no way i could accept any more money from her if that's what the "here's something to start with" meant. i mean they're well off and stuff so i wouldn't feel "bad" like i was taking their money, but i basically just don't think i'm -that- good yet.

so, for the experienced folks on here, do you remember when you first started out? did you ever have an experiece like this? how did it make you feel?

to top it off i don't feel like i did a very good job during the esession. i totally botched one of the posed shots (i totally effed up the lighting. like so bad i really don't think i can fix it in pp). and then to get the payment afterwards...it honestly just doesn't make me feel good. i just don't feel like i performed to what she paid me. does that make sense?

CaptainTom · 05-10-2009, 07:06 AM

James
We have been brought up to be humble people. When someone pays us a compliment it is our nature to say something like " well, I didn't really do anything special. or That's just what anyone would have done " etc.
What this does is to denigrate the person who is bestowing the praise.

Your client believes that they got what they paid for, and maybe some more.
It may be their nature to give something extra when they are happy with someone who has provided a service to them.

I've had the occasion when a bride, groom, parent has given me an envelope at a wedding. They've paid me already, but they just want to show their extra appreciation in my hard work and professionalism. It's hard not to say "that's OK, I don't deserve any extra". I have learned to just say "thank you".

We are our own harshest critics.

doctahjones · 05-10-2009, 07:47 AM

thanks tom, that makes sense. it's just hard for my brain to accept a tip when i haven't actually done anything yet.

kinda like tipping a waiter when you get seated.

it -does- however make me want to give 130% off the bat, not that i wouldn't give a shoot my all to begin with.

while i'm not expecting to make photog a full time gig (but if i ever started making 80% of what i make in my day job i'd quit my job!), i do want to make this a "respectable" 2nd income. so i'll working on saying "thank you".

HotHolly · 05-10-2009, 11:42 AM

Good business people are not humble. You cant be.

You made lots of reasons why you dont feel you deserve the payment, but they thought you did. Smile and say THANK YOU. Its part of being in business.

One of the things with having a business - IF THEY LIKE YOU, YOU ARE MORE LIKELY TO SUCCEED. I suspect that they like you very much. Being patient, helpful, and kind goes a long way. And if you want to be a total skeptic - they knew it would ingratiate you with them so you'd work harder.

You can also look at it this way - we are all learning. None of us are there yet. Art is never perfect. There are just different stages along the way. If you wait until your 100% perfect to charge for anything, you'll be dead. (Im a perfectionist...so perfection never happens). That's why artistic people go nuts.

Anyway, back to my mothers day hoe-down.

paul48503 · 05-10-2009, 12:30 PM

Sometimes not taking the money will become habit forming. Be careful not to fall into this trap in your business venture. Don't feel bad taking the money. Think about it this way the next time it happens... Take the money, say thankyou, then think about what an investment that person has made to allow you the opportunity to grow(Buy equipment etc.) and become a better photograper in the process. Just think the next time you take their photo's you can break out your new pocket wizards, light stands etc.... Hope this helps.

toverman · 05-10-2009, 03:27 PM

I'd make sure I understood what "here's something to start with" means. Unless you've said "no" to the wedding coverage, she might believe she's putting a down payment on your future work.

If that's not the case, do as the others said above: accept the extra money and the learning experience you got from the shoot. Good job!

doctahjones · 05-10-2009, 08:15 PM

oh, yeah i did agree to do her wedding, only because it's going to be a small (30 or less guests attending, no bridal party) ceremony.

but yeah, i don't know what "here's something to start with" was supposed to mean. i'm hoping that she just meant it as "here's something to start your business with".

we'll see!

Aric C. Hoek · 05-10-2009, 11:41 PM

every once and a while, I sell my largest package and they add more on to it. I always feel a bit nervous running the credit card.

Howard Barlow · 05-11-2009, 02:05 AM

ever feel like you received too much $$?
Absolutely not! Every time I buy gas, groceries, pay my electric bill, etc., I realize how I am not paid enough.

Tom · 05-11-2009, 07:48 AM

I have felt like I wasn't paid enough many times, but too much never. :)

toverman · 05-11-2009, 08:39 AM

If she has a habit of wanting to overpay, I'll gladly be your second shooter!

doctahjones · 05-11-2009, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HotHolly

One of the things with having a business - IF THEY LIKE YOU, YOU ARE MORE LIKELY TO SUCCEED. I suspect that they like you very much.

forgot to comment on this...

yeah they like me alright. she says i remind her of her son -alot-.

and 9 times out of 10 people do like me. i mean heck i sold used, i mean pre-owned cars for a bit and did quite well. i figured out then, that you sell yourself, not the car. 17.5 cars (.5 means it's a deal shared with someone else) sold my first month on the floor solo. funny thing is i never thought i was 'over charging' someone for a car then.

anyway, thanks ya'll for the comments. i'll try and get used to being paid and taking money for this "hobby" of mine. it really is about time it starts making me some money!