I am working on a FAQ section for my website and I need help coming up with a question and answer about prices. I am not really trying to justify my prices to brides at all. But what I have realized lately is that there are a lot of brides who really want good photography - but often they are not the ones paying for it. They need to be able to "justify" the prices to moms, dads, fiancees, etc.

I think it would be helpful if they were armed with a helpful explanation because the people paying are often not as "into" as the bride and many parents have sticker shock because they don't understand why photography is do different.

Anyway...I am having a hard time coming up with something that doesn't sound like I am trying to "sell" myself - which is what I don't want to do. I guess I just want to explain in a more light-hearted way the experience, the fact that keeping up with technology is expensive, time on the back-end, etc.

If anyone would like to share what you have or take a stab at it, I would really appreciate it.

You could talk about continuing education, how for every hour spent behind the camera equals so many hours of behind the scenes, professional grade equipment is worth the price in quality that is seen in pictures...........

Honestly and truly - I wouldn't even go there. The more you try to explain, the more defensive you look. People who get that quality costs money are going to get it. Those who don't ... well, you'll never convince them.

I personally would simply skip that part.

Karen

That's a great point. The more you try to explain the more people will begin to compare the price of your photography to something less sentimental and more tangible... like a 60" plasma TV.

Bride's father: "What a load of [crap]. I could get a 60" plasma TV and 10 years of DirecTV with NFL Sunday Ticket for what that photographer wants for some pictures."
Bride: "But the photographer is, like, artistic or something..."
Bride's father: "Art, schmart."
Bride: "But dad--
Bride's father: "...speaking of art, you know what? Your Uncle Art has one of those digital cameras. I'll call him right now to see if he can shoot your wedding. I mean, how hard could it be: you show up and take some pictures, right?
[FOB PICKS UP TELEPHONE AND DIALS UNCLE ART]
Uncle Art: "Hello?"
Bride's father: "Hey, Art. Do you still have that digital camera?
Uncle Art: "Yep. I took some pictures of some flowers yesterday. I'm getting really good with it."
Bride's father: "Good enough to shoot my daughter's wedding next year? Ha ha"
Uncle Art: "By then I should be awesome. I'd love to do it. Count me in, bro!"
Bride's father: "Great. You just saved us $X000 bucks. Do you think you'll be able to help me set up my new HDTV next weekend?"

You'll never win against the HDTV. It's best not to bring it up at all (IMO).

Good luck!

Love it!

I agree though, it's best to have this conversation with someone in person if they have concerns about their family's reaction.

i would skip it - your work should speak for itself.

i agree - completely.

(small detour... i han a bride email me to ask that if she ordered more of the same pics that she already ordered, would they be the same price - since they were already retouched and printed. after a huge rant to my sister and bruce, i calmly sat at the computer and answered her, 'we are not running any print specials right now, but thanks for asking!') kind of the same thing. i couldn't even begin to go there. the price is the price.

I don't want to try to explain and I honestly never have. But, as my prices go up - I'm sure some brides would appreciate having a little help. Wedding photography is expensive. If brides are looking around at photographers, I think most can see and recognize the difference and value. But...the ones who are not doing the looking are often the ones doing the paying.

All people want to feel good about their buying decisions and I don't think it is a bad move to give them a little information.

The key is that I don't want it to sound defensive or like I am trying to sell myself...which is why I posted. I'm hoping someone can help me with how to word it so it is not taken that way.

I guess it's just a difference of opinion. I agree with KarenS' post that...



I'm not sure it can be done under the requirements you listed. If you're not trying to sell yourself and you don't want to sound defensive at the same time then you've got a real pickle.

Good luck.

I really appreciate the opinions - but I'm really not looking to debate it here. Really just looking for wording if anyone has any. I once saw something like this on someone's site and thought it was great...I just can't remember who it was.

Sorry Jill, I wasn't trying to debate it, or have your defend your decision to put it up. I hope you didn't take it that way.

I'd be interested in how to word it as well. I still am not sure I would want to put it on my website, because I'm not sure how to preemptively give this information without sounding defensive, but some good diplomatic wording would be good for those face to face conversations. Chris and I are just getting our feet wet with weddings, and have already had this conversation with prospective clients. THEY love our work, but now have to sell their parents/future husband etc.

OK Jill... without engaging in the debate, here's my stream of conciousness answer to your question.

"All fine things in life take time. A vintage wine. A perfect rose. A loving marriage. Fine photography takes time too -- from your initial consultation with me, to your engagement session, your wedding celebration, the review and processing of your photos, and the creation of your custom heirloom album. I devote countless hours before and after your wedding to ensure your images are presented in the finest way."

Too sappy? You can steal it word for word if you want, but if I decide to put it on my own site, I may ask you to rejigger it a little!

There's a FAQ on the "Honest Answers About Wedding Photography" site (wedfog.com) which addresses this in #3, #9 and #27.

maybe that's what you were thinking about.

s

Hey, I remember that Michelle Celentano (Pictage Conference thingy) said one time that "yeah, Wal-Mart only charges $0.49 cent for a blank piece of photographic paper, but I charge $10 to put that image on that piece of paper....."

That always had a nice "zing" to it I thought..................

-RK

Hey Jen - no I didn't take it that way at all - I just didn't want to get too side-tracked. I totally get the point you all are trying to make. I just remember seeing something somewhere and thinking that whoever wrote it did a great job. The writing had a little humor inserted into it.


Thanks y'all for the ideas - and I'll go check out that site!

Steve, this is great! I'm so glad you shared it! I wish all my clients had these facts in front of them. I'm totally linking my website to this one.

tough one jill, marketing to parents and old folk about photography.

the problem is that most people if they think why spend 2grand + on a wedding photographer is crazy they probably wont change their mind much anyway.

personally i think you should briefly explain you experiences and your style of photography and how you create a special essence and give the client a special feel for their day. you are their paparazzi for the day and nothing goes missed, something you cannot get anyone just to do. getting into equipment never sells, canon wadddyyy waddy waaa? eh? they dont understand that. take the focus away from you whcih wotn sell yourself, and simply explain how you will be their problem solver and provider for the area you have been paid to do and that is why you need this fee. photographers all have a set fee, in wherever area and if you wnat a professional photographer you have to pay that 'x' fee or get your grandkid or cousin to whip out his canon ixus and take hundreds of shots! not going to happen!

sorry i didnt really answer your question but directing it at them and explaining how you will help them should help cover that area of your FAQ.