Corporate head shot request goes cheap
I got a call from the HR gal and she was all over the place this time and really acting strange, no really this was strange. Almost as if she had no clue of what we had originally spoke about only days before. She started asking for me to go down on price, I told her I would consider it and get back with her, then she sent me a email today saying, or asking rather why should they spend the money with me when she could go down to Walmart and get the photos done for much less.
OK seriously how the #$%^ would you even respond to that?
I have enough work so not ticked off, but more so find this hilarious. Why go searching out a photographer to start with? I instantly got a visual of those messed up Walmart photos that get sent around in chain emails. You know the one full of all those scary and ugly people.Anyway, I thought I would share this with you all for a little laugh.
An Irishman is not drunk as long as he can hold on to one blade of grass to keep from falling off the world.
Crazyguy wrote: This is comedy. So I was approached by a insurance company to take portrait head shots of all their sales reps last week, claiming they wanted the best for their employees and for me to take as long as I needed for the job. Some thing to do with their upcoming employee summer party and wall photos. I even went out to their office to meet the team. The following day I sent a nice professional proposal and waited a day to follow up.
I got a call from the HR gal and she was all over the place this time and really acting strange, no really this was strange. Almost as if she had no clue of what we had originally spoke about only days before. She started asking for me to go down on price, I told her I would consider it and get back with her, then she sent me a email today saying, or asking rather why should they spend the money with me when she could go down to Walmart and get the photos done for much less.
OK seriously how the #$%^ would you even respond to that?
Anyway, I thought I would share this with you all for a little laugh.
I'd tell them go ahead. They'll come back in a week or two after the walmart results, and they'll pay you the original rate.
When the last candle has been blown out
and the last glass of champagne has been drunk
All that you are left with are the memories and the images-David Cooke.
Scotty wrote:
Crazyguy wrote: This is comedy. So I was approached by a insurance company to take portrait head shots of all their sales reps last week, claiming they wanted the best for their employees and for me to take as long as I needed for the job. Some thing to do with their upcoming employee summer party and wall photos. I even went out to their office to meet the team. The following day I sent a nice professional proposal and waited a day to follow up.
I got a call from the HR gal and she was all over the place this time and really acting strange, no really this was strange. Almost as if she had no clue of what we had originally spoke about only days before. She started asking for me to go down on price, I told her I would consider it and get back with her, then she sent me a email today saying, or asking rather why should they spend the money with me when she could go down to Walmart and get the photos done for much less.
OK seriously how the #$%^ would you even respond to that?
Anyway, I thought I would share this with you all for a little laugh.
I'd tell them go ahead. They'll come back in a week or two after the walmart results, and they'll pay you the original rate.
Yeah, and let her know you will probably buying your insurance at "Whalemart" in the future as well.........
Why so serious?
photobod wrote: Some folk cant see the picture can they, ask her if she would go to walmart for her insurance needs, they do a service so its a possibility, I bet she would start proclaiming how much better they are at looking after you, half way through her rant remind her that you would look after her company better than walmart ever could, lets face it she will have lost her argument by shooting herself in the foot, silly woman.
Shoot, learn and share. It will make you a better photographer.
fineartamerica.com/profiles/john-g-schickler.html?tab=artwork
Henry Peach wrote:
Crazyguy wrote: OK seriously how the #$%^ would you even respond to that?
I wouldn't respond at all other than to say "Sorry I couldn't help." I don't justify my prices beyond showing a portfolio and providing references. Trying to do so is just a waste of your time, and it sounds like they've already wasted enough of that. If they can get what they need cheap at Walmart then that's where they should go.
yeah better take the high road, even tough it is so tempting and easy to want to say something else. 
What I teach my students, who want to go pro, is to build a clientele and a reputation, using your work. We call it Portfolio Building.
Start by taking pictures in the direction you want to go. Offer a discount price and keep shooting.
Eventually, you'll get better, you'll have policies established (which gives you an air of professionalism) and be in demand AT YOUR PRICES!
Ads will only get you people asking "How much for an 8x10"? It's no way to build a freelance business.
Matthew
PS and never stop improving. There is always room to grow.
Matthew L Kees
MLK Studios Photography School
www.MLKstudios.com
[email protected]
"Every artist, was once an amateur"
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