The model reduced my price

[[godfather]]

I have been asked by one of my model friend to shoot her and 3 of her friends' model folios.

I told her that I charge approx 200USD per shoot. She said OK I will ask my friends. Now shes saying that she can pay me USD 150 per shoot. First I said ok ask your friends about it n let me know the dates.

But now I am thinking that it reduced my price and I should not do at that price. This is because for the same, I will be going to some other city, which is 5 hour drive away and will be staying at a hotel. The expenditure here would be around 200USD.

This is my first PAID shoot so I dont want to lose it. Can someone help me, should I go with the price she quoted?

[Karl Johnston]

Go back to her and apologize, but you cannot go under 200$ otherwise you will be cutting into your own expenses to go there.

Just a thought, I have no idea how it works over there in India but shouldn't she come to you?

[Nathan]

Just explain it to her. By the way... $200 per shoot per model? or all the models?

[[godfather]]

Go back to her and apologize, but you cannot go under 200$ otherwise you will be cutting into your own expenses to go there.

Just a thought, I have no idea how it works over there in India but shouldn't she come to you?
She can, but not all the other models. Since at first she told me that there are 5 girls who are willing to get the portfolio done. Then I said that if that is the case, I will charge a bit low than $200 per model. She was OK.

But when I asked her to final the things, she said some of our out of town and she will inform me in a day and asked me that what price I should tell them. I said its upto you, I was in impression that she would say ok I will ask for 180USD or something, but she said I will tell them $150 and I could not make the decision so prompt I said ok but then she said that there are 3 girls (rather 5 as she said before).

As I said before, this is my first shoot for which I am getting paid and thats from models who are willing to get into the Glamour field, I do not want to lose it.

[[godfather]]

Just explain it to her. By the way... $200 per shoot per model? or all the models?
No its $200 per model

[DennisW1]

;7836610']I have been asked by one of my model friend to shoot her and 3 of her friends' model folios.

I told her that I charge approx 200USD per shoot. She said OK I will ask my friends. Now shes saying that she can pay me USD 150 per shoot. First I said ok ask your friends about it n let me know the dates.

But now I am thinking that it reduced my price and I should not do at that price. This is because for the same, I will be going to some other city, which is 5 hour drive away and will be staying at a hotel. The expenditure here would be around 200USD.

This is my first PAID shoot so I dont want to lose it. Can someone help me, should I go with the price she quoted?

I wonder how much she's charging her "friends"?

Either way, if your rate is $200 then it's $200. Your model "friend" had no right, unless you agreed to let her negotiate rates, to change the price on you.

Personally, I'd politely stick to my quoted rate and call out her bluff. It's a long drive with considerable travel expenses, and even at your rate it would be a break-even. If she can't or won't pay your rate then in this case I think I would simply and poitely decline to do the shoot. What's the point in losing money on the deal?

With "friends" like that you'll be on your way to the poorhouse in no time.

[[godfather]]

Yes I know 200 will not be a profit for me. But I want to start at that rate. The Price which other pros are charging here is from $300 to 700 per shoot.

I think I should have a talk with her.

[Nightstalker]

Being blunt, if you are getting $450 to shoot 3 models and it is costing you $200 to do the shoot then you stand to make $250 profit.

You gave the model room to negotiate on your behalf without setting any guidelines - indeed she told you what price she would like to propose and by letting her go ahead on that basis you agreed to it.

I feel that the decision that you now have to make is do you want to do the job, make $250 and add some shots to your portfolio, or do you have something better or more profitable to do with the time you would put into this shoot?

I understand that professional photographers would charge a lot more but they are professionals making a living doing this sort of thing - you are not.

Whatever you decide to do about this shoot you have learned a valuable business lesson.

[Nathan]

;7836750']No its $200 per model

Then tell the girl that you spoke to that the $150 applied to her but her friends would be $200 each.

[egordon99]

;7836610']I told her that I charge approx 200USD per shoot. She said OK I will ask my friends. Now shes saying that she can pay me USD 150 per shoot. First I said ok ask your friends about it n let me know the dates.


You offered 200USD, she countered 150, you accepted. End of story.....

It will look REALLY bad if you come back and say "hey, I've thought about it and I really need 200 to make it worth my while...."

You're just starting out and this will KILL your reputation!

My first wedding, I was caught totally off guard when the bride contacted me and I tossed out $300. So for $300, I did an engagement shoot, six hours the day of the wedding, and probably at least six hours of PP-ing to deliver to them about 600 pictures THAT THEY LOVED! (oh, they did toss in an extra $50 :) ) But I was new, THEY were taking a chance with me, and it was a great learning experience. Did I "profit" from it monetarily? I probably ended up making barely minimum wage, but it got me experience, pictures for my portfolio, etc.....

Let's just say I've since raised my prices a bit...

[[godfather]]

Alrite. But I'v already text her about the price. Lets see if she agree, otherwise I will do for 150.

[Drozz119]

You offered 200USD, she countered 150, you accepted. End of story.....



You're just starting out and this will KILL your reputation!



+1.. You can't go back now. I would explain to her, that she is saving $$ because she provided you with 2 other shoots. And the future price for all shoots is $200. Or $300, and you will give her a $50 finders fee for each model she provides. Then you make $250 with NO marketing.

[jackies35]

Yes. Once you agree to one price, you are pretty much stuck. What about the images or CD(s)? Did you offer print outs, cd of the shoot. If not, I will charge her extra for that... I would try to make it up some way or another.

[[godfather]]

I have told her to mail the photos.

[noxcuses1]

Do you have an written agreement? Or a booking form? That may be a wise idea to have one for all clients.

[hawk911]

I also agree that you should stick with the initially agreed upon price. Given this is new for you, and you don't have a lot of experience, take the $$ and be happy.

[Nathan]

I think before we hold him to the flame, we need a more detailed account of what was said.

There might be some room for him to clarify that when she said she could pay $150, he would accept that as her price. Did he offer that same rate to her friends? If he did not so specifically, then he might be able to say that he agreed to her $150 because she was getting for him some additional clients. They would still pay $200. Changing the price for her, however, is a big no because he had already agreed to it.

[[godfather]]

Ok let me put the things again.

I have on of my friend, who was a model in a TV Channel before. He introduced me to a model, who is a local face of Samsung and some other companies for print advertisements. My friend told me that his one of friend told him that she wants to get the folio done, she also some friends, if you want to do, you have to give me some commision. I said Ok you ask her and let me know.

He asked her out and told her that I do the shoots at $200 rate. Then she said that she have only 100 dollrs right now and she want to get the folio done, because there is some Model hunt on 7th May. But he (means me) can charge my friend as per his rate, $200. He told me the same.

I had done that girl's shoot before so I had her contact details, I asked her out directly. She said yes I do have some money problem. I said if you can give 3 or 4 assignments at $2oo, I wil do your folio for free, because then I wont have to pay the commision to my friend, if those shoots will come from you. She said I can get you 5 shoots. I said ok then its great, I will do your for free.

But when I asked her the next day, about any update, she said one is ready and two of the girls ar eout of station and I will let you know tomorrow. And asked what price should she tell to her friends, 150 is fine with you? I said ok ask your friends. But then I asked her how many girls are there she said 3 (instead of 5 before).

I said ok let me know when things get final. But now I am thinking other way, as I had to keep that sum of money which I might had to pay if those shoots have came from my male friend. But its the other way now. Because I pay some 20USD as commision and now I am getting only 150 for the whole shoot(per model) which is even lower than the amount I would have earned if I had paid the commision.

so this is all the case.

[Nathan]

If that is the case, then I say you shot yourself in the foot. Lesson learned and don't do it again.

You agreed when she asked if she could tell her friends $150. A self-respecting photographer would honor that. Even if you lose money on this, you already stated your price.

Oh well. If you're single, maybe you can ask one of them out on the date and it'd be all worth it. Can we mix business with pleasure?

[[godfather]]

LOL, yes we can! but what if she is committed?:(

[Nathan]

Whatever you do professionally or personally, in photography or in your private life, do so with respect and dignity and you will be the better person for it.

[[godfather]]

Exactly. Anyways, should I tell her that since she was saying she will get 5 shoots then I will her for free, she should get 5 at $150 since I comitted that??

[hawk911]

If you told her $150, with the understanding that she had 5 models, then tell her that. You had an expectation of a certain $$ amount. If she can't bring in the 5 models, renegotiate the price.

[[godfather]]

I was thinking of the same. That Ishould tell her that I was under impression of 5 shoots, but since these 3, it would be not economical for me.

But in any case, she refuse both the things, I mean only 3 shoots and those are for 150, what should I do in that case?

[Nathan]

What did your text say?

I'm afraid that what you're telling us here on the forum is better thought out and phrased than how you're telling her. There's a lot of room for miscommunication in these sort of things. Resolve it quickly and clearly.

[[godfather]]

I told her that if there are 3 shoots, please make the money 200 because 150 is not doing well with me.

[Nathan]

Did you say it just like that? That's not very professional. No offense.

[[godfather]]

Not exactly like that. I dont know whether its professional or not,

here it wat I sent her

"Hi, Aman this side, I tried calling you but your number is out of reach. Dear please ask you friends USD200 rather 150 because its not economical for me to come there for that price."

[Nathan]

I suppose that's fine. Good luck.

[Alleh]

Ignore all the muck from the people that haven't even ever shot a model portfolio.

I don't know what your work looks like but I assume you are an amateur sense you are asking about pricing. That being said you are lucky to get $150. If they are actually trying to get signed with an agency and become models it is going to be a waste of money for them anyway cause your photos will probably get tossed. I also don't know what the modeling industry is like in India but where I live everyone is hurting for money and all the guys that were shooting model portfolio's for $500+ have lost all of there work to younger guys with more talent that were willing to get there feet in the door and charge less.

[hawkeye60]

Whatever you do, get enough money up front to cover your expenses at least, before you travel 5 hours to find out one or more of them have changed their minds.

[[godfather]]

That is also a cocern. Because last time this happened. When I was shooting her without any charge she was supposed to get one more girl, but when I reached there her friend refused.

[[godfather]]

I had just talked to her, she said all of her friends are busy and they are saying that they wont be able to get the folios done this week. But she asked what price should I tell them, I said 200, she said ya I told them the same but we are busy so please call us after a few days.

[Karl Johnston]

Just curious but if its a 10 hour commute, how much are you profiting from this shoot?

[[godfather]]

I am spending only 200 which includes fuel, food n hotel charges (INR 10,000)

[Mick_I]

How hawt are these girls? you may have options here.

[[godfather]]

I dont know about the hotness, BUT I want to complete this assignment in a respectful way, so I could work with more hot faces to earn something to marry my girl :)