Getting Rejected because I don't do Video

[MrsOpie]

So, I met with a bride 2 days ago and I showed her an Asuka album and a graphi studio album. I also put together a custom package for her and I thought it was a screaming good deal but then toward the end of the appoitment she says to me, "I'm also meeting with SUCH AND SUCH and he will do photography AND video for $750". Then she said, "How flexable are you with your prices?"

I walked away from the meeting feeling very disapointed. :(

Any ideas on how I can convice people I'm worth the money and seal the deal?

[SuzyView]

More and more people want video these days. Would you consider having an associate that does video and have the bride pay them directly?

[bcap]

See Suzy, my thoughts were opposite. I am under the impression that video is getting less-and-less popular.

At least that's my thoughts towards the issue. I'd much rather have nice photos that'll hang on the walls and a nice coffee-table style book that sits out than a video that i'll watch once and archive.

[italianfemmy]

I would have said something like, " It's great to see a bride who wants to look around and make an educated decision about the biggest day of her life! If you meet with so and so and so and so and find something you like better about their STYLE, then by all means, feel free to choose the photographer that is going to best photograph your wedding." If after looking at a couple places, you realize that you like my style and think my photos are different from anything else out there, then maybe we'll meet again."

I have 10 years of telemarketing under my belt. Having been the top sales person at every company I have ever worked for and taught years of effective sales techniques to different companies. So, I always suggest putting it to the client in a way that is professional but also makes them feel a little bit stupid if they don't choose you. It's subliminal stupidity. You'd never outright say, " well if you pick so and so who does the same thing as every other so and so instead of picking me, you're stupid!" Lol. I definitely think you need to sell yourself though!

Photos and video for 750? Can you spell CRAP? I mean..geesh too bad we can't say things like that without seeming pushy because obviously this bride needs her eyes opened. But in all sincerity, you need to stick firm with that price raise of yours. You are worth every dang penny of it.

[SuzyView]

I know some brides who insist on video. I personally feel that an album is better way to show off the day. And $750 for the work we do is really cheap. Maybe you need to charge more because you are worth it. I don't understand it, but some clients judge you by your cheap price thinking, you should do more for them. I don't get that.

[italianfemmy]

She did raise her prices considerably. She needs to do a couple more before just raising them again. I think she just needs to be confident that her services are indeed worth what she is charging and know that if she stands behind her products, that same bride who went to look at the photographer that offers video for 750 might see his/her album and be like.. god mrs. opies was way better..now I see why it costs more and come back!

[thewavebb]

I have found that my life has gotten a lot easier now that I am more selective with my clients. I only do weddings as a second job and normally do 2 a month most of the year. If I get a strange vibe from someone or they are trying to lowball me after I have shown my value. I stick to my guns and will often turn them down as clients even if they decide they want me to shoot their wedding. I will refer them to other photographers I have networked with and let them decide what to do. This has gotten rid of almost all of my crazy's that I have dealth with.

[CyberPet]

To be honest, be glad you won't get that gig. Bet she'll be a pain in the rear ;)

[sblais]

Bah, you didn't lose anything! She was probably going to be a cheap bride always asking for more. I dealt with a few of those already and they aren't exactly fun to deal with. You're worth much more than that.

Plus, she was probably only trying to get you to lower your prices. You did good to stand your ground. You don't want clients running your business! And, if all goes well, she may come back to you if wedding photos are actually important for her.

[Ronald S. Jr.]

ROFL...I'd love to see the video she gets. 10 bucks says someone comes in with a super vhs camcorder over their shoulder. :lol:

[jessiper]

To be honest, be glad you won't get that gig. Bet she'll be a pain in the rear ;)

I know it sucks to get turned down, but I agree w/Petra. Video and photography for $750?? I'll bet they get what they pay for. I've found that it's not necessarily the "budget brides" who are difficult to deal with, it's the ones that try and get you to lower an already overly generous price. They missed out not booking you!

[cdifoto]

Screw 'em. That's not the clientèle you want.

[Philco]

Ouch.

I've worked on my 'about me' pitch for when I first meet a client, and I basically tell them that now is a good opportunity for them to book me at a 'first year' rate because I won't be charging this little for much longer. Based on my studio portfolio, they tend to agree and often feel like they're getting a great deal. I try to get this idea out there right up front so it's more about them feeling they are getting in on the ground floor, so to speak, rather than getting the idea that "hey, this guy's only shot 20 weddings, should we trust him?" Tell them how you've been shooting like crazy these days and your calendar is just filling up faster than you'd imagined and that you're really enjoying being in the wedding business, etc. They need to see that many other couples value you.

For a request such as hers, I'd convey that often you get what you pay for, so take a good look at their work - this, after saying my above speil so they already understand that I have a bottom line and I stand behind my work.

Hopefully you get a chance to chat on the phone with your prospects before you meet in person, or at least ask them about their budget/priorities before sitting down with them. I think that can go along way toward sparing you this kind of feedback more than anything.

Good Luck,
Phil.

[daclozer]

I agree with the fact that you don't want clients like that anyway.. I have been in sales my whole life and affectionately call these type of people "mooches" They want to pay the least and then expect you to crawl over broken glass to please them. They are the worst clients to have and seem to never be satisfied no matter what you do. There is nothing wrong with someone wanting to get a great deal, but I always remind them that you get what you pay for and it is the moment of their lifetime. Also keep in mind that you cannot be everything to everybody, just do what you do best...

[GertS]

Video and photography together. What kind of results do you expect if you hire one person doing both. Either you video or you photograph, so you will miss always things.
So it's better that two individuals are doing this independently, that's my opinion.
See the number of persons who can deliver a good video AND great images. They are really rare.

MrsOpie, of course you feel disappointed being let down, but isn't it better not having this job than a bridzilla, who can't get enough and on the long run you're losing.
That's life with ups and downs. ;)

Good luck for future meetings.

[cdifoto]

You know, you could have said "Well I do have a 'First Kiss' package. For $250 I'll photograph your first kiss as husband and wife, and only your first kiss. It includes an 11x14 print."

[Toogy]

I totally agree, in fact I used to shoot video and last year I actually did a couple photo/video jobs and I don't wish that on my worst enemy. It sucked!! I had to hire people to shoot the video and they sucked... and I had to try and edit it to make it look good, it was SO not worth it.

[MrsOpie]

I really need to put together a relationship with a videographer so I can refer people over to that person. Of course it wont be the same company doing both but they can still get video and photography. Also, the other company she was talking about have a few people working their so its not 1 photographer with a video camera strapped to his head. LOL

[cdifoto]

Call her back and ask her if she minds wearing a Tiaracam.

[MrsOpie]

Call her back and ask her if she minds wearing a Tiaracam.


TIARACAM! LOL :lol:

[cdifoto]

Oh and hey I think you should change your angle on this.

They didn't reject you because you don't do video; you rejected them because you wouldn't lower your standards.

[bcap]

Oh and hey I think you should change your angle on this.

They didn't reject you because you don't do video; you rejected them because you wouldn't lower your standards.

BAM! And there aint no other way about it! LOL

[turbo212003]

because you can be her wedding planner also?

[Banbert]

When we were very cheap last year we had a couple of brides contact us about covering their day with just one photographer (we always shoot as a pair) for a reduced rate and also one bride who just wanted a couple of hours coverage from us to do formals, we explained to them all that we didnt really do things in that way and pointed them to our index site with a list of other local photographers that may be able to help, theres some that are just better to walk away from.

So thats one perspective

Fast forward to today, and the FOB and MOB for our gig on saturday contact me in a bit of a panic because they have realised late in the day that they arent going to have any video footage of their daughter getting married and is there anyone I can recommened. I give them the names of the 2 companies we have worked with so far this year plus our index site thats got more listed, but 2 days before the wedding I dont think there gonna have much luck finding anyone. So then I get a call this evening saying they have been on the phone all day and not been able to get anyone and is there anything else we can do to help ..... its very hard to say no in these situations, so on saturday we will be setting up a couple of static video cameras on tripods for the ceremony for em.

I know its a mistake and ive spent a long time telling them not to expect anything from us and they accept that were doing this as a favour and that video isnt our thing, I know this can change after the fact but I am sending emails to confirm all this.

Even though I know its wrong weve done this to try and protect our photography on Saturday as the alternative is them giving cameras to guests to run around with, so at least this way we can set cameras up in static positions out of our way.

Anyway, when we have a disaster on saturday I will of course post it and let you all mock us :)

I do actually think that in the future providing a multimedia solution to B&G's will be attarctive, but thats not something we reallyw ant to consider for a few years... apart from saturday .. yes I know were mad for doing this, its just hard to say no to customers!

[philpereira]

I really can't wrap my brain around the concept of wedding videography. How many times do people actually watch the video? My cousin happened to have his video camera and got some of the action and burned it to a dvd for us, but we've watched it a whopping zero times. The photos are still on the wall though! That's just my personal perspective.

I'm afraid that client is going to be severely disappointed in the quality she gets for $750

[bcap]

I really can't wrap my brain around the concept of wedding videography. How many times do people actually watch the video? My cousin happened to have his video camera and got some of the action and burned it to a dvd for us, but we've watched it a whopping zero times. The photos are still on the wall though! That's just my personal perspective.

My thoughts exactly.

[MarkAnthonyPhotography]

wankers......just wankers. You don't need 'em!!:lol:

[LeesaB]

I don't think you want that wedding anyways...It seems that people who are out looking for the cheapest...have no idea what quality is, nor do they want it..or care...Don't waste your talents...SURE..having another booking would be great...but sometimes down the road..the hassle would not have been worth it...

stand your ground, I've seen your work. Don't lower your standard, make them rise up to you or find someone else...

[picturecrazy]

I really can't wrap my brain around the concept of wedding videography. How many times do people actually watch the video?


Videos are just like our photos.

It's unlikely I'd go through a bunch of lousy guest photos taken on lousy cameras, from anybodys wedding.

Same as a lousy video by a lousy videographer.

But get a PRO video done, and (for the most part) it's MUCH more entertaining, better flowing, great pace, well composed and edited, and keeps your attention.

In any case, I don't think anybody's gonna get an astounding video if it's crumpled into a $750 package that includes photos.

Yup, don't be sad they're gone. You'll be happy when you book a $3000 bride later for the same day these people were looking for.

[videochicke]

I really can't wrap my brain around the concept of wedding videography. How many times do people actually watch the video? My cousin happened to have his video camera and got some of the action and burned it to a dvd for us, but we've watched it a whopping zero times. The photos are still on the wall though! That's just my personal perspective.



I shoot both stills and video (not at the same time) A wedding video is not the type of thing you watch over and over. But it has its place. A dear friend of mine died last year. There are great pictures from her wedding and a wedding video. The pictures are great, but with her gone at the young age of 34, nothing compares to hearing her voice and seeing her alive.

I also have an uncle who died in January of Alzheimers. I shot the video for his and my aunt's 50th wedding anniversary. Hearing him talk, and seeing him dance now is priceless.

At my own wedding, I danced with my grandfather who died in 1991. I have a photo of that dance that I cherish. But when I watch the video, I am back there and can hear his voice and feel his touch and he lives again. I may watch it only every few years, but I have my grandfather back when I do.

Video and photography are both important. Just in different ways.

Below is a link to a tribute to my best friend (who was a wedding photographer) that used the photos from her wedding and a small video clip frpm her first dance. (she got married in Vegas after chemo and had a reception in Hoboken after radiation). A special thank you to photographer Allan Reider who provided the family a copy of everything he shot for the reception in Hoboken when he learned of Stephanies passing at no cost to the family. Like a video, such a tribute does not hang on the wall and would not be watched over and over. But when it is watched, the emotional aspect is strong.

[Toogy]

Hey Videochicke, are you the same Videochicke from Video University?

[videochicke]

Hey Videochicke, are you the same Videochicke from Video University?
Yep!

[Toogy]

Cool to see you here! I haven't been on VU in awhile, and I think my membership expired, but I'm not shooting any videos these days anyways.

[MrTED]

I really can't wrap my brain around the concept of wedding videography. How many times do people actually watch the video? My cousin happened to have his video camera and got some of the action and burned it to a dvd for us, but we've watched it a whopping zero times. The photos are still on the wall though! That's just my personal perspective.

I'm afraid that client is going to be severely disappointed in the quality she gets for $750

It's funny how everyone has there own perspective on things. I love my own wedding video and I would not trade it for anything. Photos are a showpiece for the wall, and the album certainly has a wow factor, but hearing and seeing what happened is priceless. Like watching people who have passed on attending your wedding or giving speeches.

We offer both video and photo, my wife shoots video for us and I have a backup of another company we can tie in with if needed. It works for us, but in our current position, I would never be offering one for $750, let alone both for $750.

Just my thoughts...

Nathan

[philpereira]

I can definitely understand where the pro-video folks are coming from, especially with the value in seeing and hearing people who have passed on.

My aversion to video probably comes from the fact I hate seeing myself on video, I always feel like such a tool! lol

[ericdrichards]

We offer photo and video and she'll get garbage for $750 -- there's just no way it could be good - especially if he's trying to do it all!

[MKII]

Well guys ...here in greece wedding=photos and video together.....2 people in every wedding....its very rare for a couple to ask only for photos or video...they want both....and this thing excist since videocams invented....when i first saw that in usa or other countries
couples demand photos only i was surprised....

[goatee]

The photog I shoot for (as a second shooter) does both, but there's two of us for photography for a big wedding, plus optionally a videographer, who will often have an assistant as well. But. . . . $750?

If I shot a wedding by myself I'd charge more than that for a package. Say you work for 12 hours on the day (often it can be more), and you then spend another day putting together the proofs, that's easily 20 hours work. Plus once they've chosen their shots you need to spend time checking each one - this excludes a second shooter, or video.

This is why good wedding photographers are worth their prices, because you're paying for a lot of time from a skilled professional.

[videochicke]

I can definitely understand where the pro-video folks are coming from, especially with the value in seeing and hearing people who have passed on.

My aversion to video probably comes from the fact I hate seeing myself on video, I always feel like such a tool! lol

I know the feeling! I think that is how a lot of videographers end up behind the camera to begin with--they hate being on it! But the bride and groom have unborn grandchildren that will get to see their grandparents say the words that started their family and thus their life. They will not only get to see what their grandparents looked like back then, they will see what they were like--their laugh, their voice and what--grandma doing shots??? Grandma!!!