Someone wants to use my pic for their Christmas card

[AmandaM]

I took pictures at a party for a mom's club last weekend. We did Santa and a Christmas backdrop. I've done it before and I do not charge them to photograph these parties because it's good practice for me. After the party, they can buy the prints on my Smugmug.

One of the moms just emailed me and said she wants to use one of the pictures for her Christmas cards and if that was ok would I email her the picture?

I don't mind giving her the picture. She has already bought about $40 of prints from this party and I really don't mind. But I feel like I should in a very polite, professional way let her know that she is getting something for free...???

What do you guys think? I really thought this close to Christmas people would already have their Christmas cards, so I did not prepare for this.

Thank you for any advice.

[neil_r]

You said it yourself, "I don't mind giving her the picture"

[AmandaM]

Well I don't. But I also wouldn't mind telling her that's usually not a free service.

If she hadn't bought all the prints already I wouldn't even consider it.

Maybe I should just give it to her and not say anything.

[cory1848]

Just say, "normally I do not offer this for free but since you have already purchased a good amount of photos, I will throw this in"

If you dont say anything, my guess is you will start receiving a lot of emails from the other guests asking for the same thing...

[AmandaM]

That's what I was thinking too Cory.. that other people would start asking.

Thanks for the response.

[DrunkenGarbageCan]

Does this lady or club comp you some other way during the year (tangible or intangible)?

You might be a little short sighted and losing bigger opportunities down the road

[Lunajen]

Design a small 5x7 card and sell it to her...
She can then print them as 5x7's and mail them...I know Ritz/Wolf cameras have 5x7 envelops..and if you buy the prepaid cards...the 5x7's come to .79 a piece.

That's what I do for a customer of mine. I charge her cost of printing plus 35.00 for design and another 15.00 for profit.

Or sell her the image burn to CD( at a resolution that can be print no higher than 5x7) and let her print the cards herself...

[noxcuses1]

CHARGE THE LADY!!

Ask yourself this question: Are you willing to give everyone at the party their photos for FREE?? If you answered yes, then by all means, just give it to her. But get ready for her to tell EVERYONE that she got hers for free, and the masses of "customers" will NEVER want to pay you ever again and will expect you to do everything for free.

[AmandaM]

Thanks for the input y'all. I have had a busy afternoon and haven't had a chance to really figure out what to do or email her back. But your info is helpful. :)

[MJPhotos24]

I had a parent ask me about this a couple months ago, so I started offering holiday cards. Simple enough, she bought the cards from me and didn't get the image and print them herself.

Speaking of I really should get some cards ready, hmmm....plenty of time! :P

[smakelijk11]

Amanda, I think that you're question is a very valid one - thanks for brining it up!

I have had a similar situation in the past, and what I have done is said that it's normally not a free service. However, since I value you as a customer (you word it however it works for your situation), this job could be compliments of xx photography. Then, with the free photo, send an invoice with the amount that you would normally charge. On the second line, put a credit (I name this credit a "goodwill discount". Then the invoice can have a zero dollar balance. This way, you are showing that she is getting it for free, but would normally have to pay.

Just some food for thought. Good luck :-)

Shaun

[JMHPhotography]

Are you a professional, or an amatuer making a little side money?

If you are a pro... you should reply back with a quote for christmas cards and include some samples of christmas card templates so she can see what's she's getting. I am in this position and nobody has given me grief about it. If they did, I'd just tell them, that I'm in the business of selling photography services and prints.

If you are an amatuer making side money... and really don't mind giving it to her, go ahead and give it to her. But be prepared for similar requests from others. People have a way of taking advantage of you if you're giving stuff away.

[snails]

I don't see any harm in mentioning that your "gift" to her usually costs a particular amount of money. This way it's not looked upon as a freebie, and you won't get everyone else at that party asking for freebies as well.

[sunnygirl]

I don't see any harm in mentioning that your "gift" to her usually costs a particular amount of money. This way it's not looked upon as a freebie, and you won't get everyone else at that party asking for freebies as well.

+1, excellent advice from a business prospective.