technocraft wrote:
I ask whenever I can. This is one of the replies I received - quite interesting I think:
" I think your work is very high quality. I spent countless hours looking at sample work from every photographer in the area that had an internet presence. From that huge list, I chose 7 or 8 photographers whose work I liked (based solely on my subjective evaluation of quality). I did not have a set formula, but I considered how much I liked the sample pictures (gut reaction), how well individual photographers captured the ratio of posed/candid shots we wanted, how well the sample subjects looked (realizing that a photographer can't make an ugly girl pretty!), and how good of a job the photographer did in choosing random still-life photo ops.
I then contacted those 7 or 8 about their pricing and other arrangements (some photographers raised specific questions). Finally, I matched my subjective quality ratings (yours was among the highest) to the prices I collected.
While your prices were very reasonable compared to most others (I guess I have expensive taste), my fiancé and I selected a photographer who received an equally-high subjective rating but whose price was approximately $600 less than yours (for the same coverage).
Frankly, I have no complaints with your work. Your website is easy to use (not true for all photographers), and I landed at your website relatively early on in the process (no need to contact the search engines).
While we did not begin the search process with any set budget (I had no idea what wedding photography in Florida would cost, high or low), we selected the most affordable photographer among those receiving the highest of my subjective ratings. My fiancé and I feel that we are getting a great deal for the high quality of work we anticipate receiving."...Show more →
Tom Spader wrote:
They usually have my basic prices and have seen my work online.
And they still don't book after meeting with you? Once they have your prices and seen your portfolio the only other thing left is your personality.
See one of the business consultants / mentors in your area and get an honest assessment of your presentation, because a 50% booking rate means something is seriously amiss. Alternatively have a friend do a mock interview with you while you video yourself. You may see something that you're currently unaware of.
I'd guess more than 90% who request a meeting after seeing your prices & portfolio should book.
It's a great question, if asked right. How else will you find out? Do you also ask people why they chose you, who was your closest competition and why, or just pat yourself on the back and move on?
Framed properly, you get invaluable market information. People buy from people they like and people they trust. It's very subjective. If you just put your prices out there and hope for the best, you won't be anywhere near as successful as if you get regular and consistent feedback on what turns people on and off. You might even send a postage paid questionnaire.
Your question here represents a sincere desire to improve. Most people are happy to help as it makes them feel important and valued. AND, you might even get a referral out of it. "We went with X, but you also want to consider Y. It was a tough decision for us".
technocraft wrote:
I ask whenever I can. This is one of the replies I received - quite interesting I think:
" I think your work is very high quality. I spent countless hours looking at sample work from every photographer in the area that had an internet presence. From that huge list, I chose 7 or 8 photographers whose work I liked (based solely on my subjective evaluation of quality). I did not have a set formula, but I considered how much I liked the sample pictures (gut reaction), how well individual photographers captured the ratio of posed/candid shots we wanted, how well the sample subjects looked (realizing that a photographer can't make an ugly girl pretty!), and how good of a job the photographer did in choosing random still-life photo ops.
I then contacted those 7 or 8 about their pricing and other arrangements (some photographers raised specific questions). Finally, I matched my subjective quality ratings (yours was among the highest) to the prices I collected.
While your prices were very reasonable compared to most others (I guess I have expensive taste), my fiancé and I selected a photographer who received an equally-high subjective rating but whose price was approximately $600 less than yours (for the same coverage).
Frankly, I have no complaints with your work. Your website is easy to use (not true for all photographers), and I landed at your website relatively early on in the process (no need to contact the search engines).
While we did not begin the search process with any set budget (I had no idea what wedding photography in Florida would cost, high or low), we selected the most affordable photographer among those receiving the highest of my subjective ratings. My fiancé and I feel that we are getting a great deal for the high quality of work we anticipate receiving."...Show more →
You received a "form-letter." The letter is filled with justification for her decision [she's probably convincing herself] and she's making certain she is "sticking" you. Kill them with kindness letter, but issue a couple of stingers to get the point across.
Clearly her hot button was price [the other stuff is rationalization] and she thought you were ripping her off. This is can be determined by the "...$600...same coverage...I have expensive taste..." The "Frankly" comment is always a stinger. She might as well have typed F...Y..
Kill them with kindness letters are the funniest. She's either in procurement [in her profession] or got a copy of a rejection form letter and improvised a bit. Make no mistakes, she wanted you to know she wasn't happy with your prices. More importantly, she wanted you to know "I'm right...and I'll tell you why!"
Sorry for your loss. Your probably better off. My gut tells me she might be tough to work with. Thanks for posting the note. It brought a real smile to my face [not for your loss].
coffee-black wrote:
You received a "form-letter." The letter is filled with justification for her decision [she's probably convincing herself] and she's making certain she is "sticking" you. Kill them with kindness letter, but issue a couple of stingers to get the point across.
Clearly her hot button was price [the other stuff is rationalization] and she thought you were ripping her off. This is can be determined by the "...$600...same coverage...I have expensive taste..." The "Frankly" comment is always a stinger. She might as well have typed F...Y..
Kill them with kindness letters are the funniest. She's either in procurement [in her profession] or got a copy of a rejection form letter and improvised a bit. Make no mistakes, she wanted you to know she wasn't happy with your prices. More importantly, she wanted you to know "I'm right...and I'll tell you why!"
Sorry for your loss. Your probably better off. My gut tells me she might be tough to work with. Thanks for posting the note. It brought a real smile to my face [not for your loss].
I don't think I get enough rejection replies to recognize form letters on sight, but I felt that the observations and reasoning used throughout the response were entirely accurate regarding my market, my position in the market and the method of selection.
If the hot button was price, she would have used that as her primary selection criteria. Instead, she surveyed the market, found what she liked, then used those selections as a baseline to understand how her tastes jived with her budget. Doesn't that sound like smart shopping to you? If it was your first time buying a car, wouldn't you employ a similar strategy? In a situation where the product being purchased is worth more than just its price?
I believe her observations regarding my position in the search engines, my website and my images are valid assumptions. I believe that there are guys out there, who are as good or better than I am (based solely on portfolio), will charge less.
Now, it might help some to illuminate a tiny detail. The author of this reply was actually the groom. I think I get more groom-bookings than most other area photographers, they get (or take) that job more often around here. Does that sex-change affect anyone's notions about the logic or motivation of the shopper?
I think its very unprofessional to ask why. Thats something the used car salesman does. When you go to an expensive store they dont ask you why you are leaving without their product.
You will barely ever get an honest answer. I forget the clients right after the meeting and if they call back to book then I am happy. If you are more than 50 percent bookings you are to cheap anyway.
I used to do weddings, some years ago when prices were more reasonable than they are now. It was all film then.
Having well organized albums with the best of your work is a tremendous help as you most probably know. Many couples like to see a real professional person and in my humble opinion, having a studio is very important and goes with that professional look.
Still you will have the "cheap" couples that will go to someone else to save a dollar. I do not believe you want them. A semi-retired wedding photographer, very good friend of mine, that has been very successful in his business even tells his customers when looking for "reasonable" prices that he is not the photographer they need. His prices reflect the prices other good photographers in this city are charging.
I will go with the advise of others in recommending that you do not ask the couple why they did not select you. It is very possible they will remember you when they get their photographs back from the other photographer!
A professional attitude, that I am sure you have, the studio if at all possible to enhance the professional image, competitive prices and good business practices will increase your sales.
Good luck.
William Rodriguez
Miami, Florida.
