Price Negotiations

When a potential client e-mails you asking for information and pricing then responds by telling you your prices are too high can you lower them, what do you say?

"Hi Jeni,
I looked over your pricing list and unfortunately I am unable to afford the rates that you have quoted. I am very interested in having you as the photographer and wondered if there might be areas we can work on to bring down the price. Would this be possible?
Thanks for your consideration"

For this area I am probably upper middle in the price range for professional photographers. I'm not really insulted or anything and I realize the economy is tough but geez.

Hi Jeni - I know how you feel and this type of contact can be tiring at times although you can't blame a person for asking.

We are craftspeople, professionals, and some are even artists with skill, experience and a great deal of talent. Not everybody appreciates this. I no longer let it bother me, and simply explain that much goes into thorough and proper coverage of a wedding day. The best answer I have found is not to cut my pricing, but to offer them a smaller package of images/prints and a decreased level of service.

In other words you will be happy to reduce the cost, but they will also receive fewer hours of photography and fewer images. I do have my set package prices but I will customize to a client's needs. I just don't discount. Yes, the economy is rough for both "shoppers" and those offering services .

I think that is a good idea. I will have to give it some thought. This is for a grandma w/grandkids shoot and on location. Here is DC that means a 30+ mile drive is about 2-3hrs in drive time alone (to and from). I only charge a $200 session fee not including prints so whatever she spends on prints is up to her. I need to think about this some more. Any ideas?

jenirose3 wrote in post #11704992
I think that is a good idea. I will have to give it some thought. This is for a grandma w/grandkids shoot and on location. Here is DC that means a 30+ mile drive is about 2-3hrs in drive time alone (to and from). I only charge a $200 session fee not including prints so whatever she spends on prints is up to her. I need to think about this some more. Any ideas?

My bad - sorry; for some reason I thought you were quoting a wedding.

Considering your travel time and mileage in that area which is likely quite busy, plus the actual work time, your day will be pretty well shot. How about staying firm on the price but including a print or two in the package? This way she receives something tangible which demonstrates the quality of your work and you maintain your fee schedule without discounting, which further enhances your "value". View the complimentary print(s) as a one time promotional offer.

Thanks. That gives me something to think about. I really appreciate it!

Your price seems more than fair. I don't get pushback often and dont' feel comfortable having to justify why my price is more than fair but in some certain situations, it becomes a necessity to let them know what's involved. If you tell them $200 for a 2 hr session they think you're banking $100/hr which we all know is a complete farse. Stick to your guns and either they really like your work enough to stop drinking starbucks for a week and pay you or they will find someone else who fits their budget but will also show in their cheaper work most of the time..

If you throw in 1hr of PP that comes down to $60/hr. That is fair. If your "business" is not churning out a profit, it's a hobby. There are costs like travel, gear usage etc.

keep ur session prices and codb. best way is maybe split down into level of packages. like most expensive, you get the whole thing, mid expensive, you get some of that, and cheap, you get little.

so in a way, your customers is paying for what they want including the costs behind it.

If you want to do anything for her do something like a print credit. Session fee doesn't change, but she will get a $50 print credit after she spends at least $50. Tell her it was an Easter special were going to run but you will do it for her now.

I don't know. I'm not a pro photographer but have run businesses in the past. (these days I advise others on certain aspects of their business.)

We all have things we like and want, but can't afford. So we either buy on credit or do without. Unless you need the shoot or are doing this as a charity, why are you even considering lowering your prices or giving freebies?

Austin Fern wrote in post #11706406
I don't know. I'm not a pro photographer but have run businesses in the past. (these days I advise others on certain aspects of their business.)

We all have things we like and want, but can't afford. So we either buy on credit or do without. Unless you need the shoot or are doing this as a charity, why are you even considering lowering your prices or giving freebies?

Good question. What is the expectation with photography prices? Do you pros build in some extra to give back? I assume that most everything is negotiable, especially as prices escalate, but a $200 session seems relatively basic. If you don't want to pay that much for a "real pro" to travel to your location take grandma and the kids to Sears.

My initial reply to anybody asking how much I charge goes like this: "As you may know prints come in various sizes and finishes so images can vary in prices from $XX to $XXX. I would love to have the opportunity to sit and discuss the type of images you are looking to have made before I can realistically quote anything specific to your needs. Are you available in the next few days?"

Business management and marketing means educating your clients to such factors as why you are the better photographer. By offering a price range you can attract prospective clients in while dissuading the "bargain shoppers".

I really like using the airconditionar in the summer to keep me cool, but your electric prices are a bit high. Do you think you could lower them a bit? ( elec has a base rate even of you don't use it )

That sure looks like a wonderful steak salad, but it seems kind of high priced to me. Do you think you could lower the price so I can afford it? When I leave here I want to waste the money I save at the movies. ( sir you could always eat at a fast food restaurant )

If you like my work, you pay my price or you find someone else ( that's the hard end of it ), the trick is presenting that thought in a sell them manor.

Do you want to make a profit or make fly by night friends ( after you leave you'll never hear from them again, until they want something else on the cheap ) well you did it cheaper for me last time.

It's funny, my GF rarely buys anything without first asking for a best price, discount, or something to the effect. Rarely does she not get something and as she says, it never hurts to ask. The few times she hears no, she buys anyway. Probably what granny is doing and will pay your price.

it's perfectly fine that they want a discount, it's a person's nature to bargain...BUT it doesn't mean you have to give a discount. I love Tofurious for his ever helping topics on how to handle discounts, etc...

Basically if you discount after they ask for it, it sends out a message to your potential clients that your product was not worth the high price to begin with.