p.1 #1 · The Knot telling brides to insist on discounts...
So the knot posted an article that told brides the following...
Even the hottest photographer in town can discount.
Tell the photographer that you got offered way more by another photographer for the same price.
Be firm about your discount.
Convince the photographer that you're not really that into them.
Make them believe you'll walk away if needed.
Go to a flea market and practice haggling strategies to use on them (I'm not making that up).
I am appalled that a company (that is entirely built on wedding images that they get for free) would suggest such things. Obviously, it's messed up to photographers (who give them images for free and pay as much as $200 a month to advertise) -- but it's REALLY messed up to brides.
I couldn't handle it so I posted a rebuttal. Hopefully the Knot gets word and makes needed changes to the advice. Here's my rebuttal...
p.1 #3 · The Knot telling brides to insist on discounts...
Ha!
But it's more than that... more like buying a used car from a slimy used car salesman! I know there are slimy wedding photographers out there, but this was just too much.
p.1 #4 · The Knot telling brides to insist on discounts...
TheKnot sucks. That is particularly bad but they (and most wedding sites and mags) give terrible advice like that. If a bride tries that with me they get a boot in the ass.
p.1 #6 · The Knot telling brides to insist on discounts...
While agree with your "reply", and you make very good points.
The knot is targeted at the bride, and with a recession on it is a good time to get deals .
The knot gets free images because lots and lots of brides visit their site, and can then charge photographers and other vendors to advertise, because the photographers "want" to be associated with the knot brand.
In your reply to the article, you give a better way of asking a photographer to maybe give you a discount. What if they are bull sh*tting you and you only find out after the contracts are signed?
p.1 #7 · The Knot telling brides to insist on discounts...
bnlearle wrote:
I am appalled that a company (that is entirely built on wedding images that they get for free) would suggest such things. Obviously, it's messed up to photographers (who give them images for free and pay as much as $200 a month to advertise) -- but it's REALLY messed up to brides.
In my experience, people who get things for free don't value what they are getting. They don't need to pay for the picture so they interchangeable and not worth anything. It drives the same type of attitude that photography is something to be bargained for.
Plus controversial articles sell magazines and drive eyeballs to websites. This thread and your rebuttal are proof that controversy works.
p.1 #9 · The Knot telling brides to insist on discounts...
Yup, these kinds of articles are why brides come at us asking for weekday discounts, free goodies thrown in, and have things on their shot lists like "image of bride with head tipped coquettishly to the side."
p.1 #10 · The Knot telling brides to insist on discounts...
alohadave wrote:
Plus controversial articles sell magazines and drive eyeballs to websites. This thread and your rebuttal are proof that controversy works.
But notice how I didn't link to the article?
May 18, 2012 at 09:43 PM
marti.g3 Offline • • • • [X]
p.1 #11 · The Knot telling brides to insist on discounts...
Their was the article on "dealing" with your wedding vendors on Facebook the other day and many photographers really slammed the Knot.
I don't see the Knot giving "deals" to the vendors who advertise their. When I bought my studio, I dropped them like a hot potato many many years ago. They were total asses to deal with. They still call me occasionally to try to get us back......hahahaha.......
May 18, 2012 at 10:20 PM
marti.g3 Offline • • • • [X]
p.1 #12 · The Knot telling brides to insist on discounts...
bnlearle wrote:
But notice how I didn't link to the article?
Yeah but negative controversy like that does nothing for their reputation with vendors. They may have all the brides in the world reading their rag, but if vendors don't subscribe, what good is it. But there will still be the newbs and uninformed who will continue to use them.
p.1 #14 · The Knot telling brides to insist on discounts...
and to follow that...
Photographers charge what they charge because Health Insurance is EXPENSIVE! And we don't have retirement funds
with an employer matching our contributions! Nor do we have paid vacation. And our taxes are higher...
p.1 #15 · The Knot telling brides to insist on discounts...
Plus we have to waste so much time with all the tire kickers who are so damn stupid and lazy they don't even see the starting pricing clearly listed on the website.
p.1 #17 · The Knot telling brides to insist on discounts...
I can't find that article on the knot... the link that matches your title in Google search takes me to a very reasonable article that was written today.
p.1 #18 · The Knot telling brides to insist on discounts...
Points well made. I tried to find the article via google, but it re-linked to another article. Hopefully the knot removed it
The kicker is stuff like this HURTS both their advertisers and brides. That is no way to run a business. I hate to say it, but someone should be fired for publishing something like that
p.1 #20 · The Knot telling brides to insist on discounts...
Convince the photographer that you're not really that into them
Exactly. Lie to them if you have to. What a great way to establish a relationship with the person that will capture your treasured memories. I know a lot of photographers who will run away from someone insisting on a discount, so the missing bullet piece of advice there is "have 10 backup choices in case this wonderful advice doesn't work with the first 9 photographers."
