Initial Meeting

[HillPhotos2009]

I'm meeting with a bride and groom on Thursday to look at my portfolio and talk numbers. They've looked at my price sheet and decided on the package they want.

The bride and I were friends in high school. We weren't close friends or anything, but we played on the same soccer team, had some classes together, etc. I didn't think about this until now, but should I think about giving her some sort of benefit for knowing her? Idk, what's standard practice for shooting weddings of people you know? Give 'em a complimentary package of Thank You cards for booking with me?

I feel callous, but I don't want to give them anymore of a price break than they'd already be getting by booking with me and I don't want to shower them in product that will take all of my profit. I'm not going to lower my prices for them - they're ridiculously low to begin with and I was just going to stick with that. But does that make me an ass?

[Tom]

If anything, charge friends more. Often, friends you aren't close with will take advantage of the 'friendship'. Just treat them as though they were any random Joe that walked off the street and you want to impress them with your professionality and earn their referrals.

There is nothing callous with charging your prices.

[HillPhotos2009]

Thanks Tom. That makes me feel better.

[LadyShutterBug]

don't mention any sort of friend-price-reduction, and you're good to go.

[HillPhotos2009]

I was actually planning on upselling her. She said she might be interested in my first package which is 3 hours and buying an extra hour for $80. My next package is $200.00 more and is 5 hours plus a print.

[morech]

dont give discounts to friends.... but that has already been said.

you asked "what's standard practice for shooting weddings of people you know? Give 'em a complimentary package of Thank You cards for booking with me?"
... this might be a little off topic. But for my wedding packages (and higher priced boudoir packages) I make sure I get each on of my brides a spa or massage gift certificate. I don't go cheap on it, but I don't go top of the line. How can I afford it? Simple, I raise my price to cover it. I also send them cards after booking and after the wedding. I even follow up with them after they receive the prints (of course including information on how they can order additional prints and special products).