Turn down a job?

[5under5]

Hi.

So my question is, do any of you turn down specific jobs, like weddings?

[Pyromaniac]

I feel like most days after shooting, and I don't do weddings for anyone.

[Karl Johnston]

I turn down things I'm not comfortable with and think it's reasonable for anyone to do the same.

[TampaFoto]

Maybe refer them to a fellow wedding Photographer.

[Karl Johnston]

I do that a lot when people come to me for people work ^

[blackshadow]

One of the most important things to know as a photographer is when to say no. Either refer them to another photographer or charge them enough so that you do feel comfortable!

[TampaFoto]

What do you do if they do take your high offer?

One of the most important things to know as a photographer is when to say no. Either refer them to another photographer or charge them enough so that you do feel comfortable!

[Bumgardnern]

I say no a lot. When I say no though, I am always sure to recommend them to someone that I know and trust with that specialty.

[aepoc]

Tampa, I remember someone on here saying that they quoted an incredibly high price and someone took it... and they just did the job. I assume that's all you can do, and try to be professional about it. Perhaps it would help to let the client know that you're uncomfortable doing the job, but for $XXX you would do it anyhow. Sorry I can't be of more help. As others have stated, recommending someone else to do the job would be a good thing.

[JWright]

I've done weddings in the past and the quote in my signature sums up my feelings about it today...

[Marius B]

I have done 1 wedding last year and turned down 4 this year...

[tim]

Planning's essential, which is one reason amateurs have such a hard time with weddings - they don't know they need to plan, or how to plan.

[MJPhotos24]

Of course I turn down jobs, I'm a sports photographer and not going to rip off someone claiming to be this or that, there's different types of photographers who offer different services, sometimes people forget that. I've done two weddings for friends years ago (film days) and have turned them all down since, at least 4-5 a year. Though almost want to do one for a challenge, but then I put the pint down and go home when that thought comes in my brain.

[Mark1]

I turn down EVERY wedding! I have no interest in shooting one. And to be blunt have no idea how to do justice to the ceramony. So I say no every time. Even for friends.

[Karl Johnston]

Everytime someone asks me about weddings I send them tim's website.

I never get asked to do weddings anymore for some reason.

[Fernando]

What do you do if they do take your high offer?

You do the shoot and consider it combat pay.

Back in my grad school days ('90-'94) I had a buddy at another local college send me some of his students for private tutoring...that I didn't have the time for. I didn't want to send them away (it would make my buddy look bad) but I had my own work to catch up on.

So I quoted them $40 per person per hour. Yep for the next couple weeks I made $160/hr tutoring Spanish IV. I took an incomplete in one of my own classes but made over $2k during a time when Graduate Instructors were making about $1K a month. I'm assuming mommy and daddy didn't care how much it cost as long as darling Susie passed that class and got out of their house.

-F

[kenwood33]

looking at the positive side, not every wedding is like that

[tim]

Everytime someone asks me about weddings I send them tim's website.

I never get asked to do weddings anymore for some reason.

Haha!

[IndyJeff]

Of course I turn down jobs, I'm a sports photographer and not going to rip off someone claiming to be this or that, there's different types of photographers who offer different services, sometimes people forget that. I've done two weddings for friends years ago (film days) and have turned them all down since, at least 4-5 a year. Though almost want to do one for a challenge, but then I put the pint down and go home when that thought comes in my brain.


Hey Mike will you do my wedding in August, I would just love it if you would do it.

Thanks in advance,
Jeff


p.s. LOL

[stillinamerica]

I turn down weddings...have said no to two already this month....friends that were asking. My reason is that it is not my niche...so my best work will not be produced...and in terms of enjoyment factor...it does not rank up there for me. If I do turn down the work though, I never burn the bridge....I let them know that if they can not find anyone reasonably priced or that they like....let me know and i will do it as a favor to them. Now this does not mean it is free....I would charge them normal going rates....but they see me as helping them out which takes pressure off of me. Then hopefully, the work I produce will exceed their expectations......

....this senario has not happened yet but it is what I have offered.

Just cause I have a camera does not mean that I do all types of photography. My wife has a sewing machine...but she is not going to make socks for my neighbor!

Cheers

[MJPhotos24]

Hey Mike will you do my wedding in August, I would just love it if you would do it.

Thanks in advance,
Jeff


p.s. LOL
Three more pints and I'm in!!

[philwillmedia]

Yep...I knock back some things and always weddings no matter how much they insist I do it.
Said no to four of them last year, even though the extra cash would have been handy, it wasn't worth all the grief.
However, I always steer them in the direction of a mate who does do weddings.

[Sledhed]

I'm with Janes on this, I won't shoot weddings, end of discussion. If a friend asks I tell them I would rather be getting drunk with the rest of the quests.

20+ years ago I used to shoot for a wedding studio so I know what's involved and what a PITA they can be.

[Jon Foster]

I turn down a lot of stuff now. I hate to turn stuff down but that's just how it is.

I'm booked through April right now. The May through November schedule (my main event season) will be finalized shortly.

Jon.

[pauld1946]

It seems to me that one of the neatest things in being an entrepreneur, business owner, or sole owner of any business is that you can say NO to the person that you do not want to do business with. As a consultant there are prospective clients i just do not like or want to do business with. So ... No is very easy to say. An employee cannot do that. One reason why I own my own companies.

[Jimconnerphoto]

Most of the work I do is weddings and I totally understand the "I wants beer" feeling you got after the job was done.
I do a lot of other work too. I try to photograph in as many situations possible. I don't turn down much work and I am honest with the client as to my experience.
I generally don't get a lot of work that requires it but I love shooting from a helicopter.

[nicksan]

If I can get at least my hourly rate, then I probably won't turn down a job. But it depends on the nature of the job.