I was told by a close friend who networks with photographers that a lot of them find it very off putting.
That it's better to perhaps ask if they offer a reduced rate during "low season".
What are your thoughts?
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I can't imagine asking any photographer for a discount..that is so strange to me
Either you can afford that person or you can't... the only way I see that being even halfway reasonable is if you've used them a dozen times. If you used them for engagement, wedding, maternity, newborn, etc.. then maybe they could offer one, but to ask? Whatttt
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When we got married, we asked our photogs if they did a military discount. We did make sure they knew that we understood if they didn't offer one, though. They ended up doing our wedding super cheap for us.
Thats the only time Ive ever asked.
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Not a photographer but asking about discounts seems like a standard question to hear if you're selling something, not sure why it would be offensive. Lots of people offer discounts for various things, what's the harm in asking.
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I had a client ask me once...I gave them 10% off since I knew them and they were getting married in December. And it was a wedding. Otherwise, no, I don't like being asked for discounts. I either do it for free b/c we're good friends (and i do this often) or I charge you b/c we are not super close
I would ask when/if they do "mini sessions". These are typically short 20-30 minute sessions that provide about 10-15 digital images for a lot less than the photographer would charge for a full session. One of my favorite photographers nearby is very expensive. But i only want a few great photos to have blown up and put on the wall. I don't want/need 50 photos. So i like doing mini sessions. I can spread them out and get them done every year or two and I get great work but less photos.
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@blackbird: I didn't realize you were a photog.
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I personally wouldn't ask a photographer to discount their prices.
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I wouldn't ask...I would feel embarrassed. I would inquire about different packages to compare pricing, though.
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@MrsTiz: @autumnlove: when I was wedding photographer shopping I asked every single vendor, photog included for a discount! I would say 9 out of 10 of them offered me a discount.
Or threw something else in.
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I wouldnt ask, I did tell a photographer we used before that the price that was quoted was out of our price range (thanked her for sending me the quote) and she offered a discount to me.
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I would ask if they do offer deals or discounts. There is no harm is asking because of lot of places do offer deals and discounts depending on the package and timing
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@loveisstrange, it brings in a little extra cash
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@blackbird: Maybe I'll have to hit you up when we get back.
lol
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@loveisstrange: are you near at @blackbird: . I didn't know you were a photog either!
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I've asked before if they offered any specials or discounts. They all responded very kindly and told me about smaller packages or "extras" they could throw in like a complimentary 8x10 or something.
@blackbird: asking about mini sessions are a great idea! I will have to inquire next time I get pics taken!
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@locavore_mama: Not currently, but we have the same hometown.
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I'm not a photographer, but I do make websites and clients ask for discounts all the time. It doesn't bother me, as long as they are polite. If working out a lower price gets the sale and I'm happy with the deal struck, why not? I don't see the harm in negotiating.
Of course within reason. Asking to pay only $100 for a $2000 job is an insult.
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@pui: LOL I never ask a price! But that's kinda how I feel too. If I get a few bucks off and they still make a profit and a sale then what's the harm? I think it's a win win.
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Ha, I don't think it would occur to me as for a discount just because. If we were doing multiple shoots with them, I might ask for any package deals. But for just one shoot, I'd assume the prices are the prices. I guess I'm not much of a bargainer.
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I am not much of a bargainer either, but I don't think it is offensive to ask!
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@blackbird: I have no idea you were a photographer!
I would never ask for me, but that is probably cause it would never occur to me.
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@locavore_mama: I've read somewhere that sometimes people don't think you value their services when you ask for a discount. And then they may "fire" you as a client. I'm not sure how true this is but I can see their point especially if you are trying to book someone popular.
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I have a friend who's a photographer and she gets annoyed when people ask for additional discounts on top of her military discount. But she gets MORE annoyed when people compare her prices to other photographers. If that's how much you want to spend then hire them, lol.
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This is interesting, because when it came time to book our wedding photog, I basically told her this is what I could spend and she came up with a package that met my needs. Obviously, I get that this is a business for her, but it's a fine line, because it's not a service you *need.* So she wants the business too and I think this is where negotiation comes in.
Other than that, I usually negotiate prices. I always get at least two quotes and ask if they can do better.
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I think it is about the way you do it. If someone just asked me to take a % off I'd probably say no.
If someone instead said: I really love your work but you're out of my price range. I can afford X. I understand if the answer is no, but is there any package you can put together for me within that budget?
I'd be very inclined to try to work with them if at all possible. I MAY not say yes. But I definitely wouldn't be annoyed.
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I think there are more tactful ways to do it to avoid any type of insult. I find that photographers are very protective of their business so I can understand why they, as opposed to other "businesses" would be offended.
I have noticed that many photographers don't list pricing on their websites, so first emailing inquiring about pricing is a start.
I would also ask if they offer mini sessions or seasonal specials (many I know in my area do 20% off Christmas sessions, summer sessions etc). That way it's not asking for a discount but it shows that you are looking for a deal.
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I've asked for a discount before! Yikes! She photographed 2 events for me so I asked her if she has a special rate for repeat customers. She said she'd be happy to give me a 10% discount so I took it!
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We just asked for a 'discount' of sorts with DD newborn birth announcements from our photographer. We bought a prop in her photos, and the wife(it's a husband and wife team) said she loved it, so we offered them the skirt for a slightly reduced price on her birth announcements. She took $60 off! But we also used these photographers for our engagement session, wedding and DS newborn/1 year pics, and they are going to do DD 1 year pics. So we didn't see any harm in asking. We would have still gotten the announcements through them I'm sure.
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I've never needed more than a mini session, I don't know what I would do with more than 10-15 photos!
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Related topic: My DH is an artist and he's trying to get a business started and everyone (friends and family) always tell him he should draw this or that for them but never offer to pay. He has been out of art school (got a BA in Illustration) for 6 years now and only does projects that he wants to do himself or that people offer to pay. He didn't go through college for nothing and especially not to draw for free. I told him he needs to find a tactful way to tell people that he needs to be paid for assignments. I'm thinking $75 per drawing and with my husband's skills-- it's a steal! Later on maybe we will think about charging more.
Being married to an artist and friends with many photography and art designers, I now understand why they need to charge so much.
As for asking for discounts, sure, you can ask. I can see my DH giving a discount for certain situations. He can't go giving them to everyone, though. Maybe you can sugar coat your request about how their art/photography is amazing and you would love to own a little something from them. I'm sure that might put the DH in a better mood to give out a discount.
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@Navy_Mommy: I would get annoyed, too!
I'm a stationer, and sometimes clients come to me and ask if I can do better on my pricing because company X is offering to do xyz for them for $ABC... But they don't take into consideration that perhaps I have more experience, or perhaps we aren't using the same print method (digital vs letterpress) and so forth.
I'm friends with and have worked with enough photographers to say that the same is true for them. I certainly any speak for everyone collectively, but it is very important to compare apples to apple when asking to price match or receie a discount!
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@lemondrop: Same. Half hour of photos is just about as much as we can handle with a toddler anyway! Normal potrait sessions are usually 1-2 hours long, sometimes even 3 hours!
Or threw something else in.
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31 comments