I'd consider a discount as half of military members put on really tightly organized, smooth running weddings. The other half put on drunken melees that are surprisingly short of dignified photo opportunities. I cut slack to anyone I think won't be pains in my arse.
Jimsokay wrote:
...because that's their best job option....
I don't know if you meant to come across this way, but your comment sounds incredibly snotty and boorish. I apologize if I misinterpreted what you wrote.
TrojanHorse wrote:
I don't know if you meant to come across this way, but your comment sounds incredibly snotty and boorish. I apologize if I misinterpreted what you wrote.
I didn't mean it that way at all. I've just seen kids signing up after they can't find any work. Having to go to war because you can't find a job is usually ones last option. That's why I'll do it for free.
TrojanHorse wrote:
I don't know if you meant to come across this way, but your comment sounds incredibly snotty and boorish. I apologize if I misinterpreted what you wrote.
different perspectives and they all seem reasonable (thats why i kinda like this forum)
i think it all boils down to what one feels as right and just ..or fair and decent; considering one's values, priorities,business paradigms, beliefs (religious, political, economics, etc)
thanks to all those who took the effort to share their views..most of the time, different perspectives help develop a sound decision.
Jim - Well, there are plenty of people who do have a choice and actively choose the military (whether mid term or long term) which is how I was looking at your comment, but I appreciate your sentiment. Peace
Jimsokay wrote:
I didn't mean it that way at all. I've just seen kids signing up after they can't find any work. Having to go to war because you can't find a job is usually ones last option. That's why I'll do it for free.
You're right about why some sign up. I'm a Notary Public for the state and have the right to perform the ceremony as “The Officiate”. Just another side of the wedding business and I love it. Couples come to my studio that is eloping. I had one man to call me and needed to get married right away. It seems that he was leaving for basis training the next morning. When I got there, they had a small baby. He was only 5 months old. After the ceremony, I asked him why he decided to join the military. I could tell by the way he was holding that baby that it was the light of his life. He said that he had lost his job and could not find another one. He needed to take care of his family and he wanted to make sure that he was married before he left. Obviously, I didn't charge him.
Y
i think it's the same scale for navy and marines. they do start out low imho.
happy thanksgiving.
Matt Khoury wrote:
military salaries aren't that high... so keep that in mind. it's definitely honorable to grant a discount to someone that defends your freedoms voluntarily. now, if they're pretentious, that's another story...
I give 15% to Military members. I don't care if they are officers or enlisted, they defend my freedom, they deserve a discount. I also give discounts to police and firefighters.
This marketing 101. I may not be a pro photog, but I am a pro at sales and marketing. Who sells at list prices? No one. Everything you do is "custom" for every customer, or at least they should think so. That's also add ons. I find any excuse to give a "discount", so my customers think they got a good deal (referrals is a big one). There is a great quote from Ghostbusters, when the demon asks Dan Akroyd if he is a god. After they get blasted, he is told, "when someone asks if you're a god, say, "YES!" By saying no, you just chase away business.
I am a former military officer. If you choose to give military folks a real break, ultimately, you are the only one who really knows, no matter what you say. I am very likely to give military folks benefit of the doubt and want to be nice to them. But, like anyone else, there are people I would want to give them my products free and others, I don't want their business, no matter what.
Charge a competitive price, provide value, but the final price is determined by salesmanship (not a nasty word), not discounts.
