it's still ok to say no

[ndsimm]

I didn't want to hijack the other thread, but had to share what just happened to me. we sometimes get so focused on "making a dollar" that we forget about the reason we got into photography in the first place and I recently started reminding myself of that.

I had a bride contact me for her wedding - she loved my work, but when I asked her what she wanted, she kept going back and forth about how many hours she needed, packages, etc and after seeing the red flags, I followed up with an email telling her that I was already booked and couldn't assist her. she asked if I knew of anyone else so again, I asked her to tell me what she wanted to spend and what she was looking for and I didn't hear from her for a few weeks.

Today I get an email from her telling me that she found a photographer and thanking me for my help. Curiosity got the best of me so I asked her what they offered and what she got and what she paid -

8 hours
engagement session (16x20)
bridal session (16x20)
digital album
CD of images


for $1800
the deal came from the venue she is having the ceremony at and that also includes a 5 tier wedding cake for the bride.

If I had offered all of that, i would have felt like a prostitute for selling myself short. I have started being more selective about who I "hire" and while I may not be booked solid as I used to be, the quality of client that really appreciates photography is worth it to me....YMMV

[PhotoByLeal]

WOW!!!!! it makes me
Someone out there will do it for a lot LESS! Trust ME!

by the way, do you have there contact info! LMAO J/K
But I bet someone here will PM you for there info, oh well!

good laugh, thanks....

[texkam]

Good for her. Sounds like she got what she wanted.

[suerenee]

Good for you for holding strong. I'm finding it hard to do that since I was laid off from the day job but I know those budget brides are not worth the headache they bring.

I would gladly sit at home and eat Ramen with my family then deal with folks who do not value my work!

[texkam]

Once your stereotyped as "the cheap guy" it's really hard to overcome.

[brad]

I have one wedding package and one price.. and if I go all year without selling one, that's fine with me. (I also don't push or advertise it... its there for people who ask if I also shoot weddings.)

I sat talking to a bride (who is a friend.. but not a close one) and her mother for nearly two hours last week. Mom is paying for pretty much everything and money really isn't an object for her. They are spending quite a bit for a specific venue that mom insisted upon.... still, she's a friend, and for her, I told her we could talk about modifying the package and the price.

What they wanted was bridals and wedding day with second shooter on wedding day.. and a CD of everything.. that was all... I gave them a decent price.. slightly (and I do mean slightly) less than I would have for any Joe on the street.

Bride contacted me yesterday to say that Mom doesn't want to pay that much. I said.. ok, sorry, hope it works for you.

There just is no way I can come down farther than I already did. Bride didn't ask me to, either.. so that's a good thing. She wanted to do it, but doesn't have the purse strings. Mom would very likely end up being one of those mom-zillas anyway.

I will never understand the logic of spending several thousand dollars on a venue only to have no pictures of it... but I'm probably biased.

Tomorrow, it will be the right decision. Just doesn't sit with me well today.

[ndsimm]

Originally Posted by brad

I will never understand the logic of spending several thousand dollars on a venue only to have no pictures of it... but I'm probably biased.

Tomorrow, it will be the right decision. Just doesn't sit with me well today.

my feelings exactly!

[HotHolly]

Originally Posted by ndsimm

the quality of client that really appreciates photography is worth it to me....YMMV

totally. plus, cake! ha ha can u imagine offering cake with your packages?

[jaboonday]

Originally Posted by ndsimm

for $1800
the deal came from the venue she is having the ceremony at and that also includes a 5 tier wedding cake for the bride.

In all seriousness, what's the venue? I'm getting married this year and I'm trying to do my due diligence to select a venue.

[PhotoDude79]

I prolly say no more than I say yes... it's all about getting weddings that resemble to bride and weddings you want that best represent your brand. I don't have editorial weddings in my portfolio, so I'm more inclined to say no to those type of brides.

[williamkazak]

It is hard to say "no" when you need the cash, no matter what "your price" is usually.