choose your poison !

lol.... I had to get you in here somehow.. like the title?

I know this has been asked before... but I wanted some new fresh thoughts given that some of you (namely Tony) are booking April 2011 and beyond.... already !

here's the situation:

April 2010 "prime" date - bride already dickering on altered pricing or packaging for economy reasons....

How do you deal with people who want a cheaper price than your package or want to book your lowest package this far out on a prime date? can anything be done about this?

Maybe less can be done about someone booking your lower package pricing - vs. asking for a discount beyond that?

do you tell people you'll connect back up with them 60 to 90 days out if you still have the date open? how many people are back filling dates within 60 days at a reduced rate if you aren't already booked for full rate from way out?

Curious...

Also.. I'm having a devil of a time making a good connection with a local Tucson photog (of like style and pricing) with whom which I can referral inquires back and forth with that check into dates I've already got booked.

Yes.. Spencer is in Tucson, and he's a great friend - but he's not in my league.... (hehee - actually it's me that's not in his league) - he's a big jump for a client of mine trying to look for a similar photog !

Any suggestions as to how you've made a connection like that in your local market if at all ?

curious....

- travis

Asking for a discount = no go for me, period.

I've wondered the same thing regarding the lowest package for prime dates though... so I'm curious to see what others say. I feel like it might be acceptable to require at least the second package up for prime dates as a matter of course, but I'm not sure that's the right answer.

I've never really thought about it that way. It is a good point though. I guess for me I am always pumped when people want to book me regardless of the date. But thats because most of my clients only book my most basic package anyway I would be afraid to lose them to another photographer if I let them wait it out though.

High Season April 15th to Sept 15th - four and six hour packages available Sunday to Friday. / Saturdays are Full day Rates Only.

Off Season Sept 16th to April 14th - 10% off all packages/

We sell only time blocks , four , six , or full days, the full days have a ceiling of twelve hours. We sell primarily full days , even for Friday and Sunday Weddings which we had quite a few of this year.

Everything else is A La Carte' .

As for filling the blanks 60 days out was not required, we only had a few weekends off all summer and relished the free time

good thoughts Mr. Canadian - about the offerings on friday vs. saturday - very interesting.. anyone else doing this? would this work in USA ?

- travis

We get asked all the time if we can give a discount. Not during the busy season. This year we offered a $100 discount for weddings booked Oct. 1 - Jan. 30th. We figured it would help boost bookings. We booked 1 wedding because of the discount. Are we doing it again next year? I am on the fence. She may have booked us regardless of the discount.

We offer a low end package the has not been booked once. It's low enough to get them in the door and take a look. Once they see all of the other packages, they forget about the low end one. We book our middle package about 80% of the time.

Whatever price bracket you are at you will attract some clients who will want you a little cheaper.

Just as a thought, Ask if it's just a money issue, when the couple agree let them know you can set up direct debit so they can pay by installments between now and when the balance is due.

Never be afraid to let some walk though. If they all book you are probably too cheap.

If you are offering them your current prices, no way no how on bartering prices for 2011. Who says you have to barter with anyone about anything. Simply tell them that you feel you offer a great service and product for the price you offer. I typically don't give any discounts. I may throw in an incentive for a Friday or Sunday wedding, but not a discount. My prices are very reasonable. No need to make them cheap.

If you're confident you will book the date, then politely decline. You can refuse service to anyone. Just because someone comes doesn't mean you have to book.

Hey Travis,
Whenever threads like this come up, I find that there's an interesting phenomenon. Many people love to talk as if they book perfect clients all the time and make it seem like they're hand-picking who they want. While this certainly is a smart business move (giving the appearance of success), I feel like when put in the same position, many would think twice about what they once said. It's the same phenomenon with some of the really big-time photographers, where there are rumors of them charging 15k to walk out the door. While it gives a good appearance, I'm not sure how much of it is real.

The biggest factor in this, though, is realizing where your business is, and your place in the market (and where you live). For those reasons alone, it's very difficult to go with the advice of people who are in different situations. For example, in the northeast, an April wedding would be coveted, because it's still pretty cold and there aren't a ton of weddings. In AZ, I'd imagine it's probably a bit different.

So, you really have to ask yourself where you are as a business. If you're at the point where you know you're going to fill up for the year (2011) anyway, than you probably don't need this one. If you're still in the building/unsure stages, than it's probably smart to build as many clients/referrals as you can. If you have a full time job and only want X number of weddings per year, than maybe let this one go. If you're full time (or looking to be) and need as much as you can, than it's probably best to take it.

I guess the point is that it's entirely dependent on where you are (metaphorically) and where you think you want to be. Personally, I probably would tell them no on the discount and go from there, but I've had a pretty full couple of years, so I think I'll be ok for 2011. Your situation may vary however, so doing what I (or anyone else) would do, might not be the BEST thing for you.

Tony Hoffer wrote:
Hey Travis,
Whenever threads like this come up, I find that there's an interesting phenomenon. Many people love to talk as if they book perfect clients all the time and make it seem like they're hand-picking who they want. While this certainly is a smart business move (giving the appearance of success), I feel like when put in the same position, many would think twice about what they once said. It's the same phenomenon with some of the really big-time photographers, where there are rumors of them charging 15k to walk out the door. While it gives a good appearance, I'm not sure how much of it is real.

The biggest factor in this, though, is realizing where your business is, and your place in the market (and where you live). For those reasons alone, it's very difficult to go with the advice of people who are in different situations. For example, in the northeast, an April wedding would be coveted, because it's still pretty cold and there aren't a ton of weddings. In AZ, I'd imagine it's probably a bit different.

So, you really have to ask yourself where you are as a business. If you're at the point where you know you're going to fill up for the year (2011) anyway, than you probably don't need this one. If you're still in the building/unsure stages, than it's probably smart to build as many clients/referrals as you can. If you have a full time job and only want X number of weddings per year, than maybe let this one go. If you're full time (or looking to be) and need as much as you can, than it's probably best to take it.

I guess the point is that it's entirely dependent on where you are (metaphorically) and where you think you want to be. Personally, I probably would tell them no on the discount and go from there, but I've had a pretty full couple of years, so I think I'll be ok for 2011. Your situation may vary however, so doing what I (or anyone else) would do, might not be the BEST thing for you.


I agree with him 100%

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

Personally, I would book it (no discount tho, explain "busy season" to them) - I need the cashflow.

Tony Hoffer wrote:
Hey Travis,
Whenever threads like this come up, I find that there's an interesting phenomenon. Many people love to talk as if they book perfect clients all the time and make it seem like they're hand-picking who they want. While this certainly is a smart business move (giving the appearance of success), I feel like when put in the same position, many would think twice about what they once said. It's the same phenomenon with some of the really big-time photographers, where there are rumors of them charging 15k to walk out the door. While it gives a good appearance, I'm not sure how much of it is real.

The biggest factor in this, though, is realizing where your business is, and your place in the market (and where you live). For those reasons alone, it's very difficult to go with the advice of people who are in different situations. For example, in the northeast, an April wedding would be coveted, because it's still pretty cold and there aren't a ton of weddings. In AZ, I'd imagine it's probably a bit different.

So, you really have to ask yourself where you are as a business. If you're at the point where you know you're going to fill up for the year (2011) anyway, than you probably don't need this one. If you're still in the building/unsure stages, than it's probably smart to build as many clients/referrals as you can. If you have a full time job and only want X number of weddings per year, than maybe let this one go. If you're full time (or looking to be) and need as much as you can, than it's probably best to take it.

I guess the point is that it's entirely dependent on where you are (metaphorically) and where you think you want to be. Personally, I probably would tell them no on the discount and go from there, but I've had a pretty full couple of years, so I think I'll be ok for 2011. Your situation may vary however, so doing what I (or anyone else) would do, might not be the BEST thing for you.

I can see why you are as successful as you are, Tony. That, and your winning photography...oh wait, you said your wife took all those shots.

+1 to what Tony said.

I generally say no to requests for discounts. I have given them in instances where people have booked a full day of coverage+album(up front) and also an e-session, but usually the discount is given in the form of an extra hour throw into the package or something similar.

In terms of booking different packages.. I could honestly care less.. I have my stuff priced so that I'm basically making the same amount no matter which package they book. If they book a smaller package, we are working less and giving less product. I'm not ultimately making the same amount of money for that given weekend, but it is involves less investment of time for me, so that means we get more time for ourselves.. Time=money in my world.

Tony Hoffer wrote:
Hey Travis,
Whenever threads like this come up, I find that there's an interesting phenomenon. Many people love to talk as if they book perfect clients all the time and make it seem like they're hand-picking who they want. While this certainly is a smart business move (giving the appearance of success), I feel like when put in the same position, many would think twice about what they once said. It's the same phenomenon with some of the really big-time photographers, where there are rumors of them charging 15k to walk out the door. While it gives a good appearance, I'm not sure how much of it is real.

The biggest factor in this, though, is realizing where your business is, and your place in the market (and where you live). For those reasons alone, it's very difficult to go with the advice of people who are in different situations. For example, in the northeast, an April wedding would be coveted, because it's still pretty cold and there aren't a ton of weddings. In AZ, I'd imagine it's probably a bit different.

So, you really have to ask yourself where you are as a business. If you're at the point where you know you're going to fill up for the year (2011) anyway, than you probably don't need this one. If you're still in the building/unsure stages, than it's probably smart to build as many clients/referrals as you can. If you have a full time job and only want X number of weddings per year, than maybe let this one go. If you're full time (or looking to be) and need as much as you can, than it's probably best to take it.

I guess the point is that it's entirely dependent on where you are (metaphorically) and where you think you want to be. Personally, I probably would tell them no on the discount and go from there, but I've had a pretty full couple of years, so I think I'll be ok for 2011. Your situation may vary however, so doing what I (or anyone else) would do, might not be the BEST thing for you.

Hoffer is one heck of a photographer and business person. Can't miss on his advice here.

'tis indeed great advice - appreicate you chiming in Tony. very much so...

- travis

I don't really understand why you would have this "lowest package" anyway if you're not willing to sell it.

It sounds quite simple to me :

discount = NO
book cheapest package = YES

imho.

Learn the lesson. "Peak Prices" for "Peak Season"

Id say take the business if they agree with NO discount

Ok, question for you all regarding peak vs. off-peak pricing and discounts for off-peak weddings (either winter or off-peak days such as Sundays). Do you advertise this? Do you run "specials" for winter weddings? I have seen photographers locally do this. What do your clients think who have already booked you (in peak season) for "full price"?

Last year was my first year shooting solo and I shot 8 weddings. I already have 10 booked for 2010, and some more promising inquiries/meetings continuing to come, but I have a HUGE gap - I'm done this year and don't shoot (a wedding) again 'til mid-April. I wouldn't mind offering an incentive to maybe book a wedding or two this winter (and yes I am still getting inquiries even this late for March weddings, seems to be the norm here!), but is it really fair to those you've booked? I've not offered any discounts to date.

When someone asks about discounts I ask them "do you want me to put less effort into doing my job?". Just because a couple is getting married on a Friday doesn't mean that I will do any less work than on any other day.

As far as the sun thru friday goes, I know a guy who is doing very discounted fridays as a promotion to drum up extra work as he is moving to a new market. I think that he has gotten a few bookings from this, but couldn't tell you how many. But it is another example of someone else trying for work on "off peak" days.