Pricing question

Ok I know these come up all the time on here. This is just the first time its come up for me. I think I know what everyone is going to say too, I just want to get some feedback to verify what i'm thinking.

I am just getting started in my business. This is an "on the side" type of thing for me but I would like to make it legitimate and it is more than just a hobby. That said, I have a daytime job and I don't plan on quitting it.

I have been having a hard time getting shoots so I offered a very cheap $25 "Christmas Card Special." Which is a 30 minute session at a park right by my house and I will provide a low res file for your christmas card. I had one taker and she was very happy with the pictures and wants to buy more of the files in higher resolution. On my contract I listed the pricing for prints as well as high resolution digital files. My digital file price was listed as $30 per file.

I got an email:

Part of me is just like... what the heck! Thats a blow. 14 files for $65? That should be $420! Well, actually, I also listed on my contract that I would give her all the files on disc for $125. So its really like 50% off. Which is still a ton. Why would someone even ask this?!?

So here's my delima. I want the $65. I would much rather have the $125. Should I just email her back and tell her that I will sell her a disc will all the proofs in high resolution for $125 or I will sell 2 files for $60. Or I could try to sell her just prints...

And the last question... are my photos good enough to charge this and not feel bad about telling her that I wont discount...

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Nice photos, certainly worth the price you are charging, probably more. Stick to the $125, what a deal.

Unless you're desperate, stick to your guns. Word of mouth spreads fast and if one person gets a discount then everyone that knows her will expect it.

Very nice photos....to bad baby wouldnt smile or grin. But some just wont. I worked at a studio specializing in children/families for several years and that was a huge frustration when mom and dad didnt get that their kid just wouldnt smile!

I think the prices are very reasonable and the photos are great! Stick to it. I have learned cutting deals just leads to more and more of it and you never get on top of it.

These were the closest to smiles that I got

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$125 if thats what on the contract. I think you're underpricing yourself personally

Have some balls and stick to your guns!!!

max3k wrote in post #11491283
$125 if thats what on the contract. I think you're underpricing yourself personally

I agree, 125 is a great deal, I'd consider her low ball offer an insult for your caliber of work.

excellent photos. stick to your pricing. either 2 for $60 or the entire CD.

Stick on the price if the lower price isn't must for food or rent.

she is just negotiating, nothing wrong with that. I wouldn't be insulted. just stick to your guns, politely, and sell her the benefit of buying the cd (mainly that it would contain all your edited photos and is a much better deal than just 14 - do the monetary breakdown if you must).

Stick to your price of 125!! You can also tell her that your price of 125 is a special rate for the holidays and will increase to the regular price after the new year... or something to that effect. Let her think she's getting a deal by paying the 125, nothing wrong with that.

Or you can say that normally you sell the disk of 10 images for 125, but she is getting 4 free.

It's OK to say 'no' to the client price request, after all- it's your business. Let us know how it works out for you.

If you can't afford to say no!

You can't afford to be in business!!

If she likes them she will buy them!

If not, it's not personal, it's business!

I'd stick to the $125.
Off topic....we have the same name. As I was looking at your pics and I was thinking..."how on earth is my name on those photos????" Hopefully you're a good guy....don't need anyone out there ruining my name

she has to buy the whole disc, your photos are great and you should be charging according to your contract (good thing you HAD a contract!).