Totally unprepared....

Ok so a lil background. I started putting out some flyers last spring/summer for doing portraits (just starting as a home-based business) Obviously I'm no pro, so I'm fairly low-priced. And have done a few 'shoots' since. A couple graduation/senior sessions on location, and then some formal grad portraits (cap and gown) for a small group of about 9 or 10 adult graduates (the school hired me).

So I'm not a big name, but just trying to get into the business.

Seeing as I am currently about 7 1/2 months pregnant I have kinda stopped advertising because with my part time job and being pregnant I didn't know how much time I would have left over to do portraits as well.

BUT, this evening I got a call from a lady who would like to get some portraits taken of herself to send out to family and what not.
Seeing as how I haven't been 'in' business lately I wasn't prepared when she called, and asked for her name and number to call her back tomorrow with more information and appologised for not being prepared tonight when she called. hopefully I didn't sound like a nut.

But I'm just curious, should I still try to accomodate her and take the portraits for her, or should I explain to her that I'm currently not 'open' for new business?

I could do it just fine, but I'm worried I may have sounded unprofessional on the phone, as she caught me off gaurd (haven't had calls for business in a couple months now since I stopped advertising)

Any advice would be great. Even just a 'Do it' or "don't do it"

thanks
Crystal

First of all, you're pregnant. Congrats. If that's not a good enough excuse, I can't imagine a better good excuse, maybe hitting the lottery.

This is a business, things happen. This is life also. If you don't feel like working, don't work! There are numerous pros and semi-pros out there who can accommodate her. Do what you need to. Tell her you can't carry your gear bag anymore.

I think you should tell her just what you told us here. You are pregnant, which she will obv see when you go for the job.

That you havent been advertising so her call was a very nice surprise but you didnt want to let her down by not having all information she may have needed to hand.

I bet you could do with the little extra money for the new arrival too.

If you feel you are well enough to do id go right ahead and do it.

Then she will spread it round how good you were accomodating her then her friends will have you in mind when you have given birth and are ready to start again.

Good luck with baby and whatever you decide to do

Tell her your pregnant and inquire about exactly what she wants, if it's feasable and not to much work then take it. If it seems to put a stress on your pregnancy then tell her no. If you tell her you can't do you have someone you know who can, send her to them.

The thing is, in our small city there aren't any photo studios or portrait photographers that I know of, unless you go to the city 45 mins away.

I will call her tomorrow and see what exactly it is that she needs and then go from there.
Thanks

Definitely mention that, but if she's okay with it and you feel like shooting, I say go for it. If the conditions aren't favorable and you're unsure, I'd pass on it.

Don't let greed overcome common sense.

I decided to refer her to someone else in the near by area that I've heard about (another 'just starting out') and told her that I wasn't prepared at this time to take on any clients as I am 8 months pregnant.
She seemed ok by this answer and had actually heard of the other lady, but wanted to call me first so that was nice to hear.