How do you reply to LOWBALL offers?

[AzzKicker]

I got this email from someone: "I'm interested in buying a cd copy of the weslaco vs laredo playoff game. I purchased a cd from a photographer back in December in Edinburg for $20.00. Would you be able to sell me this gallery for that amount?"

They want to buy all the images in this gallery http://www.valleysportspics.com/gallery/7471683_DmcdP#482057975_FiwWP for $20.00 lol. 157 pics.

[jbrown7815]

Counter-offer with a more reasonable amount, or simply tell them your work is worth way more than that.

[Michael_Lambert]

As said, Reply advising them of your rates and what you are willing to sell the item for. If they are un willing to pay fair price for the work that is there problem.

[stathunter]

Tell them they left out a zero or two.

[AzzKicker]

I guess this is also an example of how joe dirt photographers go selling their work for ridiculous low price affects those of us who actually value their work etc.

[stathunter]

I guess this is also an example of how joe dirt photographers go selling their work for ridiculous low price affects those of us who actually value their work etc.

I had a potential wedding client email me the other day telling me she loved my work and her daughter was getting married-- she did not have any money but asked if I would photograph her wedding for free. (I am totally serious here)
I replied to her very kindly that I appreciate her email but I work very hard to provide a living for my family. I told her that is was not fair to my kids to have me work for free and that I might be able to provide a discount but would need to interview the mom and bride before considering such a discount. In order to begin the process I would need a $2K retainer which would go against the total fee should they be chosen.
Needless to say she replied back telling me thanks but no thanks.

[tomd]

I checked into your site. For the small size, they are $4 each. Thus 157 pics at $4 each is 628. I'd tell her she can have a limited use CD for 50% off; or $315.

She'll probably make duplicates of the CD and give them to all her friends.

[AzzKicker]

I checked into your site. For the small size, they are $4 each. Thus 157 pics at $4 each is 628. I'd tell her she can have a limited use CD for 50% off; or $315.

She'll probably make duplicates of the CD and give them to all her friends.

That's what I have a feeling they want to do. Once that CD is out, I can almost guarantee all the players will have copies. And now that I think about, that High School I have yet to sell a single picture from. I bet its because they copied that other CD the other photographer sold them from the previous games. It's just too obvious. Of all the high school basketball games i shot, that is the only school i never got a sale from.

[bacchanal]

I'd offer her high res print ready files with reproduction rights at $50 a file. That would be about $7850. ;)

[jcpoulin]

A low rez cd with huge watermarks is worth the $20.......tell her you can take the watermarks out and add some rez for more$$$!!!!

[tomd]

That's what I have a feeling they want to do. Once that CD is out, I can almost guarantee all the players will have copies. And now that I think about, that High School I have yet to sell a single picture from. I bet its because they copied that other CD the other photographer sold them from the previous games. It's just too obvious. Of all the high school basketball games i shot, that is the only school i never got a sale from.


yeap...seems to be the case.

[AzzKicker]

I'd offer her high res print ready files with reproduction rights at $50 a file. That would be about $7850. ;)


If only :) that could pay off all my equipment :)

[dreamcatcher23]

You could offer to sell her a CD with only photos of her in - that way you know she can't get them for the whole team.

I'm still not comfortable selling digital files, but generally price them at about the price of my most expensive print for (personal use only), as that's what they could potentially make from the file. Most people who buy prints only buy 1-3 copies of the same photo anyway, so i'm not worried that by selling a file for such an amount I'm losing out of selling 10s of copies of the print.

[dcad10]

high ball an offer back at her... perhaps $50,000 for all the files

[Just Be]

Don't believe everything you hear from a prospective client on what they paid last time to some other photographer.

To get around the whole cd thing...

My company doesn't sell the cd to anyone, for any reason.

We give it to them for free when they purchase our largest packages.

It's a great way to up-sell. Nearly everyone buys one of our large packages because they get so much for their money and because it comes with the cd.

Selling just a cd to someone who is so worried about cost, will just go to the local pharmacy and end up with poor prints.

Then they show their friends and tell them that you were the photographer.

We want full control of the quality of the images we sell.

[hypertech]

Just tell them no if you don't want to do it for the price they are asking.

What a CD is worth depends entirely on the target market. Would I spend half a day shooting portraits and then sell them a $30 CD - no way. I need to make more than $30 for that amount of time spent and since there is probably just that one client, I can't sell them a CD for that.

However, I do sell CDs starting at $30 for events that have lots of participants. That same morning of work can generate 10+ CD sales. It is also a market that won't pay a whole lot more than that.

[AzzKicker]

ya I replied already stating that I couldn't sell it for that price. We'll see what they respond with.

[tomd]

J

However, I do sell CDs starting at $30 for events that have lots of participants. That same morning of work can generate 10+ CD sales. It is also a market that won't pay a whole lot more than that.

chances are the participants don't know each other. A team will no doubt clone the CD and spread it around.

[hypertech]

Don't be so quick to say that. They want me to come and shoot and they know that if I get screwed on sales, I won't come back.

I'm sure there is some sharing here and there, but so far, my overwhelming experience has been that the people who want the pics are willing to pay the fair price for them so that I come back in a few months to their next event.

It works out well for both parties.

[tomd]

Don't be so quick to say that. They want me to come and shoot and they know that if I get screwed on sales, I won't come back.

I'm sure there is some sharing here and there, but so far, my overwhelming experience has been that the people who want the pics are willing to pay the fair price for them so that I come back in a few months to their next event.

It works out well for both parties.

great point. OP, if you can't make $$ from a shoot, then you won't do it again next year.

[Zansho]

Don't be so quick to say that. They want me to come and shoot and they know that if I get screwed on sales, I won't come back.

I'm sure there is some sharing here and there, but so far, my overwhelming experience has been that the people who want the pics are willing to pay the fair price for them so that I come back in a few months to their next event.

It works out well for both parties.

Then they'll end up hiring some other person to shoot the photos. You're not the only photographer out there shooting that specific genre. I do feel your pain though - I once had a mom contact me and ask if I'd be willing to shoot a wedding for her daughter in exchange for some South by Southwest Tickets (it's a huge music venue in Austin, TX). I'm deaf, so that's kind of.. well, stupid trade to make, lol. AND THE KICKER IS, SHE KNOWS I'M DEAF! I just politely declined, and said my rates are clearly documented on the price sheet I gave her. This is not a hobby for me, I do make my living being a photographer.

[superdiver]

when someone isnults me with a lowball offer I counter with a much higher offer... they either take the higher offer or walk away... Mostly walk away, thats what I want cuz dealing with losers like that are NOT worth your time!

when yoiu deal with them all you do is validate their lowball offer and then they think that they should always lowball people...

Its like saying its ok to abuse ppl, just gives them the idea that what they do is OK...

[dreamcatcher23]

Pick a price and stick to it. I often find a good tactic is to pretend I'm not the boss, and just say I'm not allowed to discount etc. In fact, counterintuitive as it may seem, pretending you're not in charge is excellent for bargaining and stopping other poeople bargaining "I'm sorry, the boss had said I'm only allowed to go to $750 on xyz, is there no way we could do that?" etc.

[Clint]

how many hours did you spend at that event ?, download time to your computer and download time to the c.d. Gas to the event batteries, digi card, ect. ect. ect. No less than $200.00

[AzzKicker]

how many hours did you spend at that event ?, download time to your computer and download time to the c.d. Gas to the event batteries, digi card, ect. ect. ect. No less than $200.00

Considering it was a playoff game, i had to get early to get a few warmup shots. Probably was there 3.5 hours. spent 30 minutes driving to the event each way etc. lets just say its not worth the 20 dollars LOL..

[Newfoundland_RCMP]

I'm not a professional photographer but I will throw my two cents worth in here. As some other people have said its important to set a price and stick to that price. If you lower your price for one team or offer a cd with all the picture from a game at a low price every parent in your area will be looking for the same deal.

I'll give an example that happened to me. As I said, I am not a professional photography but people do compliment me on my pictures and I have been asked by several brides to photography their weddings. I have turned down all but one offer. I always give people the names of the professional photographers in the area and tell them to contact them. Last summer a friend of my wife asked if I would photography her wedding. I told her the same thing I have told everyone else but she informed me that all the other photographers were booked that day. I agreed to do her wedding but told her I could not guarantee the quality of the pictures so I would not accept any payment and she could consider it a gift. I did the wedding and she loved the pictures. She showed them to all her friends including some who were getting married. I received 10 requests over the next couple months asking if I would photograph their wedding and they all expected that I would do the wedding for free.

[tim]

Just tell them the pricing is online, if they want every image in the gallery you'll happily offer them a 20% discount. That'll come to about $2000 still.

[Gentleman Villain]

ya I replied already stating that I couldn't sell it for that price. We'll see what they respond with.

Generally, I try to refrain from saying "no" about anything unless it is backed up by a moral reason. Otherwise the people think I'm being unreasonable. But if I add a moral and ethical aspect then they usually respect my "no" and don't think I'm being a jerk.

For example...in your situation...I might say something like ," Sorry, I can't sell the photos for the price that you asked because it would be unfair to the other people that have already purchased photos at the normal rates. But thanks very much for your inquiry."

The fact that other people paid the asking price means that you have an ethical obligation to enforce the current price in order to be fair to previous clients. Most people will respect that approach...

[hollis_f]

I got this email from someone: "I'm interested in buying a cd copy of the weslaco vs laredo playoff game. I purchased a cd from a photographer back in December in Edinburg for $20.00. Would you be able to sell me this gallery for that amount?"

Tell her that a CD of special edition 320x240, exclusively watermarked, images is only $25.

[eigga]

I agree it is a ridiculos price. However pissing off a client by responding rude seems silly too- as suggested by some. Have you made any sales from this gallery?

I dont think giving away pictures is a good practice at all but the economics of the matter is the pictures are only "worth" what people are willing to spend. Sometime I think we value ourselves too much...and quite often not enough. Deciding is what makes a good business person.

[cdifoto]

Pick a price and stick to it. I often find a good tactic is to pretend I'm not the boss, and just say I'm not allowed to discount etc. In fact, counterintuitive as it may seem, pretending you're not in charge is excellent for bargaining and stopping other poeople bargaining "I'm sorry, the boss had said I'm only allowed to go to $750 on xyz, is there no way we could do that?" etc.
Kinda hard to do that when you own the company. ;) :)

I seriously tell people that as much as I love what I do, I'm in it for the money too. Loving it doesn't mean I'll do it for free or less than a car wash.

[hypertech]

I'm surprised at seeing how many people would lie or feel the need to make an excuse or justify themselves. What is the issue with just saying, no, I can't sell it for that, my price is X? or in the case of a friend of a friend who got a deal, I'm sorry, that was a special one time price for a friend. My regular price is X, would you like to schedule a time to do it?

[tim]

Tell her that a CD of special edition 320x240, exclusively watermarked, images is only $25.

That'd take way too much work.

[DennisW1]

I got this email from someone: "I'm interested in buying a cd copy of the weslaco vs laredo playoff game. I purchased a cd from a photographer back in December in Edinburg for $20.00. Would you be able to sell me this gallery for that amount?"

They want to buy all the images in this gallery http://www.valleysportspics.com/gallery/7471683_DmcdP#482057975_FiwWP for $20.00 lol. 157 pics.


I think a simple statement declining their low offer and stating your prices would be sufficient. I doesn't have to be terse or wordy, simply businesslike and to the point.

Of course if you want to play the haggling game then go ahead and counter-offer but keep in mind that once you start lowering your prices it's darn hard to get them back up to where you had them again.

[RDKirk]

I'm surprised at seeing how many people would lie or feel the need to make an excuse or justify themselves. What is the issue with just saying, no, I can't sell it for that, my price is X? or in the case of a friend of a friend who got a deal, I'm sorry, that was a special one time price for a friend. My regular price is X, would you like to schedule a time to do it?

This is especially simple to do if you've truly calculated the cost of doing business and would like to continue in business.

[gromeo]

I had a parent ask me this year for a CD from our state finals in football, this was the first time this school had made the state finals in the 80 year history and won, it was around 180 pics, I qouted 450 unedited and 630 edited. Well as you would guess they said this was to much, since I new they probably wanted to make prints for parents and players so I suggested that they ask all the parents from the team to contribute for the cd, when put that way it seems less expensive and knowing that this school has never bought that much in the past 3yrs anything would be good, anyways they bought the edited version.

[snakekid]

people tend to undervalue photographers. How many times have you heard "those are great pictures you must have a nice camera."

[snakekid]

The person might have gotten the other photos from a photographer that was paid to cover an event and the images where already given away. Like 20 dollars for an extra copy.

[SteveNC]

My impression from folks who make such offers (or don't offer anything at all) is that they are not used to dealing with professional photographers. They honestly have never been exposed to the market pricing, and therefore don't think they are doing anything wrong. My difficulty is explaining to friends and other clients that my prices are in fact the standard for professional grade images. Friends expect images for free, and clients expect almost the same, expecting me to "just send [them] the high res image, you don't have to edit it." They are well-aware that my equipment costs more than my car (multiple thousands), yet they do not make the connection to the pricing schedule that I've set.

I wish there were a thread or other link that I could send clients to, just to demonstrate to them that "hey, it's not just me who thinks this way."

[cdifoto]

I once had a mom contact me and ask if I'd be willing to shoot a wedding for her daughter in exchange for some South by Southwest Tickets (it's a huge music venue in Austin, TX). I'm deaf, so that's kind of.. well, stupid trade to make, lol. AND THE KICKER IS, SHE KNOWS I'M DEAF!
I wonder what she offered the minister - a coupon for a free drink at the local titty bar?

[cdifoto]

My impression from folks who make such offers (or don't offer anything at all) is that they are not used to dealing with professional photographers. They honestly have never been exposed to the market pricing, and therefore don't think they are doing anything wrong. My difficulty is explaining to friends and other clients that my prices are in fact the standard for professional grade images. Friends expect images for free, and clients expect almost the same, expecting me to "just send [them] the high res image, you don't have to edit it." They are well-aware that my equipment costs more than my car (multiple thousands), yet they do not make the connection to the pricing schedule that I've set.

I wish there were a thread or other link that I could send clients to, just to demonstrate to them that "hey, it's not just me who thinks this way."
To be fair, people haggle when they buy a new or used car and dealerships have their set costs of doing business as well. So it's not like there's not a precedent for negotiating.

I hate to compare photography to car sales but really when you get down to it it's a product and service plan offered by a vendor to a customer. We're not exactly retailers with checkout lines, cash registers, and high schoolers with zero decision making powers operating the front lines so it's not unreasonable to think a "deal" can't be struck when you're talking to the owner and photographer of the studio.

I'm not saying I like it when people try to negotiate a "deal" out of me but no two clients are alike and therefore their needs will vary. That's why I ditched the entire notion of packages. I explain to inquirers that it's easier for both of us (me and clients) for me to have my necessary shooting fee and then they can order whatever they actually want on top of that without being stuck with anything. I can then discount them as if it was a preset package based on what and how much they're purchasing.

[harroz]

rofl :D :D

I once had a mom contact me and ask if I'd be willing to shoot a wedding for her daughter in exchange for some South by Southwest Tickets (it's a huge music venue in Austin, TX). I'm deaf, so that's kind of.. well, stupid trade to make, lol. AND THE KICKER IS, SHE KNOWS I'M DEAF! I just politely declined, and said my rates are clearly documented on the price sheet I gave her. This is not a hobby for me, I do make my living being a photographer.

I wonder what she offered the minister - a coupon for a free drink at the local titty bar?

[turbo212003]

"No thanks"

[photoguy6405]

Yeah, a polite "no thanks" would suffice. A reasonable counteroffer would be good, but not necessary. No need to be rude and alienate potential future clients. Even if they don't buy this, they still might buy something else in the future when they have a need.

[KevinAldrich]

Simply decline and tell her that you cannot sell for that price. Then refer her to your pricing list.

[RDKirk]

To be fair, people haggle when they buy a new or used car and dealerships have their set costs of doing business as well. So it's not like there's not a precedent for negotiating.

However, to continue being fair, in the USA there are darned few purchases we make on which we can haggle (not like other places I've been where you haggle over virtually every purchase). Not many people in the USA can claim to be accustomed to haggling all the time--most of us pay the sticker price for most purchases.

People buy what they want to buy. If they don't want to pay your price, then they don't want your product hard enough. That's a matter of markets, marketing, and packaging.

[cdifoto]

However, to continue being fair, in the USA there are darned few purchases we make on which we can haggle (not like other places I've been where you haggle over virtually every purchase). Not many people in the USA can claim to be accustomed to haggling all the time--most of us pay the sticker price for most purchases.

People buy what they want to buy. If they don't want to pay your price, then they don't want your product hard enough. That's a matter of markets, marketing, and packaging.
Yeah not everyone tries to haggle though either. At least not in my experience.

[BscPhoto]

I made the effort once to drive 90 minutes to meet with a client only for them to tell me 2 minutes after I walked into the door that I'm too expensive and how they found a photographer in NYC that would do the pictures and video for the same price I gave. And that photographer was going to give them 600 prints!
I'm sorry to tell you this but if you get a client or potential client low balling you or telling you how expensive you are then it's in your best interest to be polite, say your sorry and get out of there. They will realize that professionals cost real money or they weren't for you in the first place.
It's a tough business!

[cdifoto]

Wow I would never have driven 90 miles for a meeting in the first place. I don't have an office but I do at least make them come to my town.

[BscPhoto]

Wow I would never have driven 90 miles for a meeting in the first place. I don't have an office but I do at least make them come to my town.
I have an office and studio but I get hired a lot out of state and for what I charge I feel like it makes the client very comfortable to know I will make the trip for them even if there is no commitment.

There was a saving grace to that trip, my sister and her family lived a few minutes away.

I also always make the clients come to my office for the final meeting closer to their wedding day.

[LBaldwin]

First of all I NEVER will sell all images for any price. It is a very bad business idea. Allowing anyone total control of your images without a hefty fee is just going to make you a financial faliure. I will sell prints, I will sell single or even groups of digital images with very limited written agreements as to usage, and hardcore notices of copyright infringements.

I am not sure that I would respond to the lowball figure other than a point to a web based print site or printer. Each print will have my copyright and contact info on both sides. Any electronic copies (usually for me commercial or editorial markets) will have blanket contracts keeping total control at all times.

[namasste]

lots of great replies here so I won't belabor the point too much. I have handled it many different ways depending on what I want to get out of the arrangement. Note, I said, what I want to get...if I can't get what I need, I respectfully pass. With prep sports, it can be easy. Client lowballs and I (acting like a friend) suggest that they even save the $20 and just have a parent shoot it since so many probably have a DSLR already). The client inevitably does one of two things...1) agrees and walks away in which case you were only going to frustrate yourself trying to negotiate with them or give work away or 2) says that they want professional images in which case I usually just let them come to the conclusion that there's a bit more than a $20 difference between the two. Rarely do those responding in scenario two argue with that logic. Quote them a minimum ($200 for a CD in my case assuming little travel time) and then act as if you really don't care either way. The seeming indifference (make sure it doesn't come off as rude) establishes you as a pro in their eyes as they assume you don't need the work. I find that often ices the deal.

[constrict]

watch this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mj5IV23g-fE

[cdifoto]

watch this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mj5IV23g-fE
When a guy rants that he doesn't even piss without getting paid, he loses his credibility. IMHO. He has a good point BUT his approach is completely wrong for the real world of business.

[constrict]

When a guy rants that he doesn't even piss without getting paid, he loses his credibility. IMHO. He has a good point BUT his approach is completely wrong for the real world of business.

um, it would seem the comedic value flew over you head.

[AzzKicker]

I thought that was awesome!

[madspartus]

nice video.

and yeah it is the amature that makes living hard for the professional. You see it all over the servies offered section where people offer to photograph for free.

BTW this comes from a HOBBIEST who has no intensions of whoring themselves out to get a portfolio going. This whole thread does make me wonder what I'll say the day I'm shooting a friends soccer game and the other team asks for copies though.

[Karl Johnston]

I got this email from someone: "I'm interested in buying a cd copy of the weslaco vs laredo playoff game. I purchased a cd from a photographer back in December in Edinburg for $20.00. Would you be able to sell me this gallery for that amount?"

They want to buy all the images in this gallery http://www.valleysportspics.com/gallery/7471683_DmcdP#482057975_FiwWP for $20.00 lol. 157 pics.

This is what I do:

Offer a package or a product that will fit the amount they want to pay, or adjust my offer to meet the value they want.

Recently someone wanted to buy 3 13x19" prints in a series and only wanted to pay 300$...but my price is 600$ for that order, so instead I said I wouldn't be able to do that for 300; my price is 600. They started to be swayed and the deal was nearly lost. However, I would be able to do 3 11x14" prints for that price; highlighting that they lose a mere 2-4 inches which isn't all that big a difference (in reality it is, but you have to work with these scenarios otherwise you risk losing them entirely and that means lost money).

Let's be honest, it takes less than 30$ to make 3 13x19" velvet prints ...even less to make 3 lustre 11x14s. Usually you can deliver an alternative price or an alternative product..those that value the difference have to pay the difference, though not everyone is an avid collector of fine art; some just want something pretty for the wall.

[charger912]

I wonder what she offered the minister - a coupon for a free drink at the local titty bar?

Kind of off topic, but can I put that in my sig? bw!

[mr_gir]

Gotta love Craigslist. Haven't bought/sold anything on there for quite some time now, have always used ebay for my golf addiction but I was trying to sell my Sigma 18-50 f/2.8 and first person to reply/convo went like this:

Hello ,
I saw your item on craigslist am in interested in it, please is the
item still available for sale?

Seems fairly normal, although the "please" was kinda desperate in my opinion but who knows, maybe he really wanted it... badly. Tell him it's available and fire off full res pics. And his reply.... after 2mins....

Thanks for the mail...Am really interested in your item and am buying
it for one of my company agent in oversea and i will be paying $120
for the shipping via USPS and i will be paying via PayPal course
PayPal is secure and safety and fast to send money online so get back
to me with the item prize and and your PayPal email account so as to
make the payment asap.

Hot damn! As soon as I saw "overseas" I pretty much knew it'd be a scam of some sort. But, is he offering $120 for my lens or $120 just for shipping? Hrmm, I'm bored, let's see where this goes. My response...

"Sorry, not understanding what you're asking of me... It is rather unnecessary to tell me how much your shipping will be to your overseas agent. However, what is necessary is to be clear about how much you are offering for the lens."

THEN, he has the gall to reply back.... after 15mins. I had thought I lost him with my last e-mail. :)

Ok am offering you you$350 for the lens and $80 for the shipping to oversea

Done playing, REAL offers coming in so I just end it like this. No more replies from "Mac James."

"I especially love to deal with Nigeria! Is your overseas agent there by any chance?"

[bildeb0rg]

Guy with a p+s shadowed me at a game a while back and posted his shots on his picassa account.
After mailing the link to all and sundry, someone gave him a link to my site, after which he contacted me asking for a cd of all images to pass on to his team mates.
FOC of course.
After thanking him for his interest, but declining his kind offer to give away my work, he insisted that I provide him a disc of images as payment for allowing me to shoot his team.
I merely told him to "listen for the pop...".
"Pop???"
Yes, of your head finally coming out of your a$$.;)

[mr_gir]

Guy with a p+s shadowed me at a game a while back and posted his shots on his picassa account.
After mailing the link to all and sundry, someone gave him a link to my site, after which he contacted me asking for a cd of all images to pass on to his team mates.
FOC of course.
After thanking him for his interest, but declining his kind offer to give away my work, he insisted that I provide him a disc of images as payment for allowing me to shoot his team.
I merely told him to "listen for the pop...".
"Pop???"
Yes, of your head finally coming out of your a$$.;)
Hahahah, fabulous.

[charger912]

...he insisted that I provide him a disc of images as payment for allowing me to shoot his team.

Where do people get the audacity to do this? He thinks you should PAY him for him ALLOWING you to shoot HIS team? I really don't get it. :confused: This would make me want to slap the guy upside the head. Come on people...

[RDKirk]

When a guy rants that he doesn't even piss without getting paid, he loses his credibility. IMHO. He has a good point BUT his approach is completely wrong for the real world of business.

You're saying this about someone who has been at the top of his business for nearly 50 years.

When watching this video, it's important to keep in mind the specific context that has him enraged. He is a top professional--very well known in his field. His name on a program helps sell the program, like getting a top actor's face on the cover or a top director's name in the credits.

So here he's approached by a major commercial production company to provide his talent to (and remember--his name on the box in itself is an endorsement) a commercial, money-making product...and to do it free of charge.

He would be the only person not making money on the project. The cameraman will get paid. The gaffer will get paid. The grip will get paid. The kid running coffee will get paid. But this major commercial production company somehow expects that the writer should not get paid.

And he knows getting free work from wannabees and amateurs has caused this attitude with the company, because the company has the nerve say "it's good exposure for you," even though they came to him because his name is good for their exposure.

Sheesh, now I'm annoyed.

[Cole_Schmitt]

Tell that person they forgot to multiply the rate they gave you by 30...

[Thalagyrt]

I had one guy wanting some photos around Miami and other locations nearby (Orlando, Key West, West Palm Beach, etc) for an iPhone application that he was going to clearly be making some money off of.

I kept talking to him until he mentioned that he was looking at micro stock sites and saw photos for super cheap and asked if those prices sounded reasonable to me, at which point I simply stopped replying to him. $50 for me to travel to Orlando and Key West? Yeah right, that doesn't even cover a quarter of fuel usage, and heck, I drive a hybrid.

[Mctrician]

OK I just want to plat the devil's advocate here. How does the amateur go about getting a job and get paid the same money as the pro when they don't have the same experience as the pro? This undercutting or under bidding is present in many different areas and is not limited to photography. I work in construction and the only thing that the new contractor has to offer is a lower pay scale. The work may or may not be the same. Chance are it will not but some clients are willing to take that chance. OK don't kill me like I said I'm playing the devil's advocate here.

[LBaldwin]

Brian you hit the nail on the head. But the issue is not pricing so much as the quaility of the work presented prior to the shoot vs the actual images shot during the gig. The difference in any field are the capabilities of the person doing the work AND the ability of the client to see a visible difference between the work displayed.

In other words the buyer will go with the lowest bid if they think that the quality level of each photographers work is the same, the issue is most folks don't know the difference..

Photography is a creative endeavour, so comparisons between contractors, plumbers, dishwasher etc don't really apply IMO.

[danir.photography]

I am never the boss, even though I am. The boss is always someone else who is perpetually inaccessible. I'm just a worker bee... I can't negotiate price.

[Mctrician]

Les,

I guess it's true. You get what you pay for.

[Hogloff]

Les,

I guess it's true. You get what you pay for.

A lot of times yes, sometimes no. If I want a tee shirt, I don't need to go to Rodeo Drive to get a designer one...I could just go to Walmart and get what I need. Is the Rodeo drive tee shirt better than the one from Walmart. I don't know, you tell me...but they both work just fine for when I am cutting the lawn on a Saturday afternoon.

[Mystwalker]

Never wise to be rude or "smart" to potential clients.

I have a feeling many people do not know, understand or even care about going price for pro type photography. What you believe is a "lowball price" could be a legitimate offer (not saying it is). Take for example "Baseball Cards" for someone who does not care about them ... how much will they offer for the T206 Wagner card?