Phishing

I've recently started getting inquiries from either very knowledgable brides, or more likely, other vendors poking around. How do you handle when client inquiries include questions like "Which album vendor do you use", "Which camera do you use", "What is your pricing per print", "What software do you use for editing images", and "Which paper type are your prints on"?

Do you kind of defer the questions? Be 100% open? Or ignore them?

Isn't some of this kind of public knowledge anyway? Or at least general in nature?

I guess you never know who is behind the actual inquiry and unless you're 100% certain you gain nothing by ignoring it. These questions could be coming from a bride who has read some silly-assed bridal rag and she was told to ask these things.

The answer for all those questions is....


Multiple

My pricing's public anyway, it's not a secret. If people start asking about details I either say I use a variety of tools and suppliers, or I tell them some things are confidential. I'm relatively open though, I don't care too much if people know the nuts and bolts, people pay for me not my suppliers.

My prices are available to every client, of course - they need to be able to see that upfront imho not be hit with it as a surprise later.

As for papers - I tell them I offer a variety of matte, gloss, metallic and I help them with the differences and what I would recommend for a particular image.

Camera gear, I have no problem telling them what I use if they are truly interested, but so far most don't want all the nitty gritty but seem more to want to know that you have quality, backups and that you are comfortable choosing what's right for the situation. Same with editing - though I've only had two people ask - I just tell them mostly lightroom and photoshop. No biggie there.

As for products like albums, I use a variety of suppliers and let the clients know the range of prices and what final prices depend on like cover styles, number of pages, extras, etc.

Perhaps ask the potential bride if she's seen something that she's fallen in love with maybe at a bridal show or something, so you can let her know if something like what she has seen is in the range you supply or can source for her. Talk to her about what she wants.

I don't think there's a question you indicated that I don't address in my FAQ's right on my site. If you don't want to be that up front about these details, give them a more vague answer and say that it's more easily discussed in detail as part of an initial consultation.

defer them? sure why not....i mean who wants to make sales anyways?

I think the only perceived issue here is that a bride may go look at prices that your vendors charge you and then ask why you charge $30 for an 8x10 when you only pay $3 for it. Aside from that, I see no reason to hide what equipment you use. When you show up to shoot, they'll see the big "Canon" logo on the front of your camera anyway.

griptape wrote in post #10547137
I think the only perceived issue here is that a bride may go look at prices that your vendors charge you and then ask why you charge $30 for an 8x10 when you only pay $3 for it.

Possibly, but if you're working with high quality providers who protect the channel, that shouldn't be an issue. And even if you're not, any photographer should be prepared to address this question.

While I have no issue discussing thee type of topics. I'm just a bit surprised when those are the first questions asked of me...

Case in point. A little bit ago, I received an inquiry. They don't have a location or date picked out yet, they're not sure how big the wedding will be, but they are interested in using me.... "What album company do you use for your albums". And that's all there was to the e-mail.

So I deferred the album company question, but wrote back a nice letter asking to hear more details about their wedding and what kind of coverage and package options they are looking at. And, I never heard from them again.

Maybe I grew up cynical, but that sounds like another photographer (or album company) probing me for information. Which is sad, because if I got an e-mail saying, "Hey I'm a new photographer and am looking for some help, what do you recommend", I'd definitely be more forthright.

wdwpsu wrote in post #10547456
While I have no issue discussing thee type of topics. I'm just a bit surprised when those are the first questions asked of me...

Case in point. A little bit ago, I received an inquiry. They don't have a location or date picked out yet, they're not sure how big the wedding will be, but they are interested in using me.... "What album company do you use for your albums". And that's all there was to the e-mail.

So I deferred the album company question, but wrote back a nice letter asking to hear more details about their wedding and what kind of coverage and package options they are looking at. And, I never heard from them again.

My answer for this question is usually "I use a printing lab that is only available to professional photographers" without revealing which one. Because it varies based on the sales the lab has or my mood that day.

Peacefield wrote in post #10547205
And even if you're not, any photographer should be prepared to address this question.

Yes indeedy. Other than the standard paper, inks & dyes retort... one can just tell the truth:

"I shoot at a low price and rely on the print sales to offset some of the expenses."

I have had quite a few emails recently that also sound more like other photographers than actual clients.

I also hate generic questions or emails that pretty much just say "what are your prices" with out any info about what they want pricing information for!

wdwpsu wrote in post #10543605
I've recently started getting inquiries from either very knowledgable brides, or more likely, other vendors poking around. How do you handle when client inquiries include questions like "Which album vendor do you use", "Which camera do you use", "What is your pricing per print", "What software do you use for editing images", and "Which paper type are your prints on"?

Do you kind of defer the questions? Be 100% open? Or ignore them?

Some of these are valid questions, some are questionable.
I do my own printing, so I easily answer that one.

I print on silver halide paper, I have a few photogs close to me that print on ink jet, so there's a value add right there.

I use professional quality album providers that are considered the best in the market, that's the most I will say there.

Software and hardware, I use professional quality tools and equipment, the best for the particular job at hand.

Generally I will give answers to these questions vaguely in an email. If they schedule a visit and come to the studio I will go into more detail. I have shot more then a few photographers and designers who are very familiar with my equipment and the process to produce the products I do. So, I expect more questions like these. I just booked a couple who are both very highly knowledgeable in photography and they had lots of questions on how I setup shots in my portfolio. They had questions on what type of flash had enough power to balance out the ambient light? Not your average bridal couple, but there are more of them out there today. Just yesterday I booked a bride who is a designer and she had more interest in the lab i had in the studio.
Bottom line is, there are more people out there with higher end equipment and more then a general knowledge about photography. Their eye is more discerning and there questions are more focused. But, like I said, vague email answers, go into more detail if they are willing to meet.