FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
Photography pricing isn't complicated, but there are tons of moving parts! Potential clients often ask "how much does it cost to have you photograph our wedding?" I'd love to just tell them "It costs $x.xx" but it just isn't that simple. For weddings (in this example) it depends on how many hours of coverage, whether the client only wants one or wants two photographers, if prints are needed (if so, what sizes and quantities), if an album is needed (if so, what size, style, number of pages, etc) and more. Sometimes I'm fearful that a client will feel that I'm trying to upsell them, but I am not at all. To the contrary, I want to make sure that the quote I give a client is is solid and that I don't "nickel and dime" them after the fact as so many do.
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
I'm a big fan of the concept of not trying to solve a problem that your client doesn't have. Makes sense, doesn't it? With a new client, I prefer to send a few email messages back and forth to lay out details of the assignment and then to follow that with a phone call. The call gives us the opportunity to confirm that I fully understand what the client needs and expects from the assignment. Once that occurs, one of a few things will occur: A. For a wedding client, we will schedule a face-to-face meeting to complete a booking agreement and to get to know one another on a personal level. This usually happens at one of my many remote offices (that would be Starbucks), but could just as easily be at a client's home, a venue or elsewhere. For wedding clients who are out of the area and having their weddings here, we can handle the meeting over Face Time or Skype or even through a phone call. B. For Commercial clients, I will complete any research that the client needs, make travel or other logistical plans, etc. C. For individual clients, we will set a time and location for the session. At that point, all that is left is for us to get together and complete the assignment!
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I belong to several professional organizations and attend development workshops on a regular basis. In addition, I participate in a number of online professional groups who provide webinars and study topics a few times a month. Continuing education is imperative in this field (as with most) and that is a great thing!