Me vs Uncle Bob

[suerenee]

I've been working with a Bride for a July 30th wedding. She was booking me for 8 hours with 2 shooters, engagements, bridals and a photo booth for the reception. My entire month was going to be made with this wedding. I sent over the contract 2 weeks ago and finally got a hold of her via Facebook chat this morning. Turns out her mom is making her use her uncle as the photographer because that will be his gift to the couple. The bride really wants to hire me but mom insists that it will hurt Uncle Bob's feelings. Bride is 30-something and this is a 2nd marriage so part of me feels after it's all said and done she doesn't value photography in her wedding planning.

This is so frustrating because this in the past 6 months that I've lost two weddings to Uncle Bob. Does anyone have a comeback to this kind of situation or is this just part of life as a photographer?

[ChristopherCoy]

If your loosing clients to uncle bob, start marketing to a higher income client.


ETA: Just looked at your website. Your starting package isn't 'cheap' by any means.I would venture to say that if this mom is considering uncle bob for the wedding, she was never your client to begin with. Just part of the game that I'm sure everyone deals with from time to time. Loosing two in a six month period isn't that bad, I assume. How many have you booked, in comparison?

[suerenee]

I've booked 2 and have 2 more in the works. Booked tons of family/boudior/babies too. It's just been tough getting the weddings ramped up. My 2 that I booked purchased the $2250 package. She would have been the first to get over $3000. It hurts. but you're right. I think if she's swayed to drop it so quickly she's not my ideal bride. She came from a referral from a boudoir client so I figured it was in the bag. Still learning not to count my chickens until the ink is dry on the contract and the check clears the bank.

[Tom]

I had a bride who's mom did the same thing. Wouldn't pay for me because her aunt was a good photographer. And so the bride and groom paid me in installments over the course of a year.

And when the mom saw the engagements and bridals she told the bride "now I know why you didn't want to use Aunt Roberta"

It sucks, but her pics will most likely suck and there isn't much you can do about it.

[ChristopherCoy]

The year is just beginning though. We are getting ready to kick 'wedding mode' into high gear, and Brittany has been booking our LARGE package left and right. Last year we sold ONE. ONE single large package. This year we already have 5 on the books, and inquiries are coming in every day. One mom booked the large package... over the phone... without even meeting us. She was a referral of course, but still.

So don't worry about it Susan. Use it as inspiration to market more, heavier, and better than you have been.

[todd_a]

It seems like people are just really uneducated about good professional photography now. It almost takes them seeing the results and comparing them to "Uncle Bob's" snapshots for them to see and understand. I'd almost suggest having uncle bob do the engagements and a pro do them and compare to help the decision process.

As long as there are uncle bobs out there this will probably continue to happen. Unfortunately.

[suerenee]

Thanks Thomas and Chris! You're encouragement means a lot to me....I guess I need to stand in the mirror and say "I'm smart enough, I'm good enough, and darn it, people like me!" :)

Off to get ready for my esession this afternoon--Lake Travis, Chevy Nova and a super sweet couple!

[todd_a]

Christopher, that is awesome!

[suerenee]

Originally Posted by todd_a

It seems like people are just really uneducated about good professional photography now. It almost takes them seeing the results and comparing them to "Uncle Bob's" snapshots for them to see and understand. I'd almost suggest having uncle bob do the engagements and a pro do them and compare to help the decision process.

As long as there are uncle bobs out there this will probably continue to happen. Unfortunately.

You're right Todd. I hated it when the Bride I lost in October came back crying to me because her photos were not great at all. But I have to remember this is business and it's not my problem.

[ChristopherCoy]

Originally Posted by suerenee

Off to get ready for my esession this afternoon--Lake Travis, Chevy Nova and a super sweet couple!

Are you taking them to the nekkid spot? Hollow something or nother?

[suerenee]

NO, not Hippie Hollow, but near by at Windy Point. Talk about "Photobomb"! I don't want and old hairy nakked hippie in my e-session!

[ChristopherCoy]

Originally Posted by suerenee

You're right Todd. I hated it when the Bride I lost in October came back crying to me because her photos were not great at all. But I have to remember this is business and it's not my problem.

On the flip side... you have to remember the bride and mob's that come back to the studio a month later and break down into tears because 'what you do is so important, and they appreciate the wonderful job you did!'

And use that situation with your October bride as a business meeting. Tell her you're sorry about her wedding photos, but you'd be happy to do a 'Trash the Dress' (or After Party for Two as we call it) session for her. Its a way to get some good photos of her in her wedding dress for her, and a money maker for you.....

[Tom]

Originally Posted by ChristopherCoy

The year is just beginning though. We are getting ready to kick 'wedding mode' into high gear, and Brittany has been booking our LARGE package left and right. Last year we sold ONE. ONE single large package. This year we already have 5 on the books, and inquiries are coming in every day. One mom booked the large package... over the phone... without even meeting us. She was a referral of course, but still.

So don't worry about it Susan. Use it as inspiration to market more, heavier, and better than you have been.

That means your large package isn't large enough.

[texkam]

she doesn't value photography in her wedding planning.

Ding , ding, ding. People place different priority on things.

It seems like people are just really uneducated about good ..................

.... fill in any business here.

I hope you have better luck with future bookings Susan.

[Tom]

Originally Posted by suerenee

You're right Todd. I hated it when the Bride I lost in October came back crying to me because her photos were not great at all. But I have to remember this is business and it's not my problem.

Get her to write a "I wish I booked Robinwood. I wanted to, but my mom made me use my uncle and my pictures sucked ass and I have no memories from the wedding and no pictures to hang on my wall. Don't make the same mistake I did. I look at all the other wedding pics that Robinwood posts on facebook/blog and it makes me really sad because I know my pics could have looked like that." And include that in your raves.