Okay, I'm flabergasted ...

[RandySmith]

A dad came up to me tonight at the 7th-8th grade FB game and complimented me on all my action photo's that are on my website. I have tried very hard to keep my prices reasonable for the mom's and dad's that can barely afford two-5x7's let alone ordering hundreds of dollars of photos at one time. Having the website, has generated some wonderful results this year with different parents buying one or two photo's when they can. Now, this dad comes up to me and tells me that there are sooooo many photo's of his son, that he can't afford them all, and would I put them on a CD for him. Even "if" I would do this, I wouldn't be able to provide high quality images ... because then he would be able to go to Wally-Mart and get them printed and I would lose the revenue ... and if I put low res images, then the quality would be so poor that even if he did print them, they wouldn't be a true representation of the standard I want to set for my images ...

Anyone ever been faced with this kind of situation ? How did you handle it and not tick off the parent ? The population of the community is less than 800 people, so you can imagine that bad word-of-mouth can plument the best of business's that have tried to make a go of it out here.

[Craig]

I've had this situation a bunch. I just made it policy to never sell or give digital files, period(still is my policy). When asked, I tell them that it is the way I pay my bills. Of course be nice about it, but stand your ground. You can't let others run your business for you.

[ElanR]

What he's asking for is based on a simple concept: "From each according to his ability, to each according to his need." You can take better photos than he'll ever be able to, and he really needs them. It's all explained in detail here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/From_ea...ng_to_his_need

And yes, I'm being just a little funny, but not that much if you think about it. What you have to explain this guy that the free enterprise system has to work for you just as it works for him, otherwise, your family won't get fed.

[Dsheree]

Regular people don't see things the way we do. They are use to dealing with their p&s cameras and digital files. They think it is easy. They don't realize that is our money our dinner our kids shoes.....

It's along the same line as print credit. I'll give you print credit in exchange for something free. Like that does us any good.

Back to your problem and off my soap box tonight.

Come up with a policy and stick to it. Explain your policy to whoever asks and if they don't understand then they don't get anything. If you give it to him then you will have to give it to every other kid's parents.

[HotHolly]

Parents whine a lot b/c they are getting hit up every 2 secs from the kids school, team, pta, and what have you. They all need money. You are no different. And a photo is a funny thing - if the parents REALLY want them, they will buy them. No negs. No CD if thats your policy. And if you do it once, you'll have to do it again.

If he really wants to buy 40 photos of his kid after each game, offer him a deal on that many prints. The purpose of offering a discount on over __# of prints is to encourage future ordering. If it is the kind of thing they buy once every 6 months -they'll pay it as is.

I have a cheesy pro shot of my daughter before her ballet recital (total cheeser) - I LOVE that photo - its my girl in a tutu! I paid for the memory, not the paper.

[RandySmith]

I appreciate all your support ... most parents have been really great. This caught me a little off guard, so I need to prepare a professional and reasonable response to the dad.

Thanks for your inputs.
Randy

[HotHolly]

Oh, you dont have to be reasonable. lol. This is part of the way parents can sense if they should even ask you for an exception or not. If you are the rules are the rules type of guy, they might mention a discount, but not expect anything and then they still respect you for it, even if they get a little huffy. Kids are only kids once - I love photos! I'm probably the only retarded photographer that buys other photogs photos of my kids. ha ha. I want them. That's all there is to it. Many parents are the same way. They want what they want. The main thing is not to waffle on your rules/ prices - be confident man! Make a plan and stick to it.

[dcnctx]

It might be worthwhile to work out a price for a CD and you never know, he may want them bad enough to pay for it. The figure would make a worthy "compare and contrast" with the reasonable cost of prints on your site and probably direct him back there.

His compliment acknowlegdes your ablity and his request indicates his desire for the photos. If you successfully find the middle ground you will have a feather in your hat. Handled well you can use the small town rumor mill in your favor. (The small town aspect, I believe, is your biggest enemy in this situation.) All that said, a quality photo of someone's child in a memorable endeavor will sell itself inspite of negative individuals that would rather offer flattery as a form of payment. Good luck and I hope you sell a lot.

[Wil_Bloodworth]

Just tell him the truth... tell him that your wife runs the business and sets the prices. You are out there working for her and that he needs to talk to her directly. He'll never bother you again!

- Wil

[Howard Barlow]

Randy,

Do you run a business, or a ministry? Is it your calling to provide photographs for everyone who can't/won't spend the money for what they want? Is this purely a hobby? Did Canon adjust their prices for you, so making your equipment purchases were to your liking?

If you make him a "deal", every parent in town will know it before you deliver his photographs. Then, what do you do?

I don't wear a Rolex, I don't drive a Mercedes. Why? I can't afford them. But, I do not think it would matter if I went and told the dealers my situation. I think they would recommend Timex and Chevy.

Life is hard, we can't have everything we want.

[prncfarquad]

Originally Posted by HotHolly

I'm probably the only retarded photographer that buys other photogs photos of my kids. ha ha. I want them.

Nope you're not Twice this baseball season I have bought other's photos because I was shooting another child when my son made a play.

And thanks for all the good advice from everyone. as a newbie to the selling end of this business I appreciate it.

[Jake]

Hahahaha........you said ""flabergasted"...........

[Dobick]

Originally Posted by Howard Barlow

Randy,

Do you run a business, or a ministry? Is it your calling to provide photographs for everyone who can't/won't spend the money for what they want? Is this purely a hobby? Did Canon adjust their prices for you, so making your equipment purchases were to your liking?

If you make him a "deal", every parent in town will know it before you deliver his photographs. Then, what do you do?

I don't wear a Rolex, I don't drive a Mercedes. Why? I can't afford them. But, I do not think it would matter if I went and told the dealers my situation. I think they would recommend Timex and Chevy.

Life is hard, we can't have everything we want.

Harsh, but dead on the money. I appreciate these words, as I need a boost to the backbone from time to time.

[carrbowl]

Randy, I understand your point. This problem is more of a problem to you because of the small town. That raises very different issues. But unless you want to open the gates you probably want to keep them locked!! Because as you said the word gets around. So if you sell the cd to him, everyone will want one and expect one from now on...

It's tough...but I'm sure you can be kind yet firm. Good luck and let us know how it goes. I had to do something similar last night...it wasn't easy, but, ya gotta do what ya gotta do!!

[Ropinamoment]

Originally Posted by ParkImaging

Just tell him the truth... tell him that your wife runs the business and sets the prices. You are out there working for her and that he needs to talk to her directly. He'll never bother you again!

- Wil

Thats funny! LOL

Coming from a small town were word gets around, I know just how you feel and I've been there done that. I suggest that you set the price for the CD at the same price you have for buying single prints of multiple photos in the amount that he wants. If he prints or gets a cd, you get the initial same income. The cd probably costs less than the paper, so you'd make a little more off the cd. How many come back for more than one print in this type of case? I don't have many that do. That is unless you just don't want to give out a cd at all, and then, just stick to your guns or use the above excuse.

I wanted to add, that I don't give a authorization for reprint at a lab and I make sure to put a label on the cd showing who is the original owner of the images.