When do you turn down prospective clients?

You are meeting with prospective clients and at some point you go to

yourself, �I do not want to book this job�. Why?

Good one Bruce.

 

When it becomes clear that what they want really isn't appropriate to my style of wedding

photography, I respectfully suggest other shooters better fitting for what they're after.

 

If they began pushing for more and more for less and less, I just stick to my guns and let

them walk.

 

If I detect a "Bridezilla" control freak, throat slasher, I opt out.

<p>I can't speak for myself, being only a lab monkey, but I can relay

a co-worker's recent experience. She and her husband (hereinafter

referred to as C and F, respectively) aren't technically pros

anymore, but they do shoot weddings on occasion. The short version is

that the would-be client didn't show up for two meetings (one

original, and one to make up for the original meeting) to see

examples of C and F's previous work. No phone calls beforehand saying

she'd be late, no phone calls afterwards apologizing.

<p>F told C, "If this is what her wedding's going to be like, I want

no part of it." And that was that.

When they don't sign a contract or deliver a deposit. Other than that, any client who pays their bill is a good client. It sounds like you've had a couple problems in the past and your prospect exhibits similar behavior. If I'm right, then take control of the situation, present their options, show up on the wedding day, and deliver your product. Set limits (i.e., one consultation, etc.), and don't get involved in their personal problems.

I learned early on that the sales meeting is the time to let everyone know what to expect.I explain every aspect of my services,and ask about each detail from their perspective.After everything is covered from both sides,we either agree or not.Also you have to know to recognise "problem" clients that are probably "un-pleasable".Anyone thats exceedingly unpleasant to deal with now,will only be worse later.

Since we meet with only about 10% of our clients (most are booking from out of state)...we have to be very deligent about our time-line and what we expect from the bride/groom, since we have to sell manily on the first telephone introduction. Most our coverages are only 4 hours and that requires a lot from the wedding parties involved. So::: we "turn-down" clients foremost on >> price, then location and following with willingness to work under our criteria...

http://fp2k.redshift.com/cjogo/index.htm

Hi All, I have turned down clients who think it would be cool to hire me

because of my style, then it becomes obvious that they (or their parents

mostly) want a very traditional approach. No amount of money can train my

eye to shoot what Im not seeing or feeling, they'll always be better off with a

more textbook, cookie cutter type of photographer. One bride informed me

that she just wanted to relax and have fun all day and only do about 45-60

minutes of formals, well the day of the wedding it turned into 5 hours total

between the posed before, and after, and 5 locations later. Everyone was

miserable. NEVER AGAIN!!

We have a complete schedule of the our frame-time for our brides. They are well informed before hand....I know exactly what time the salads are top be placed on the tables --and I coordinate in assiting the complete day...On of the main reason the hotels keep you on their vendors' lists !!

In a perfect world!! Where every schedule goes as planned. We are not

wedding planners and I feel our attention should not be taken away from the

duty at hand. I know when the salads are coming also, that doesnt mean too

much.

The hotels rely on the vendors to be timely..all of our events/receptions have a max time for the party...schedules are very imnportant. If we forget and walk-off to be artistic with our wedding party, and happen to be late for first course---we will not be working in that hotel again. We gather 75% of our images~ 2 hours before the bride walks down the aisle...and we average 27 minutes after the ceremony....The coordinating of the 4/5 hours we average with the event, is just one of the reasons, we continue to be successful for the past 25 years.

Just to clear things up a bit:

A. I have never caused a bride to be late for ANYTHING

B. Before they hire me I inform them that I will not be taking more then 45

minutes for posed pictures... period.

C. I choose to spend the entire day with them, sometimes from 9 am to 2 am,

and I do that because I enjoy shooting and they enjoy me being there.

D. YES, I am one of those oddballs that do it because it gives me the

opportunity to create. The money is a necessity but also a second thought.

The bride I was refering to was an example of someone that thought she

wanted one thing but really wanted something else. Her hip bridesmaids all

picked wonderful creative images and were crazy about all the documentary

pics and the bride chose an image only if it was posed. I remember my 1st

interview with her, "I dont want to spend the day posing", "fun fun fun" "this

is why I want you as a photographer, I dont want to have to pose all day", "I

hate posed pictures" BAH HA!! There were signs early on that I chose to

ignore, obviously I couldnt fire HER. One Last Thing, I am lucky enough to

have worked with some wonderful planners also, I start communicating with

the resort, hotel staff where ever Im shooting, as soon as Im hired, so I go in

knowing more of whats going on then most at the Wedding. For the day I am

the best friend, the confidante, the girl friday (if necessary) but not the

planner. Cheers-K

Wish my brides could afford to keep us longer...it would be a lot more fun--we rarely get to stay to see in dancing and even the cake cutting......

A typical day for us ::: FIrst 45 minutes is bride-her party--and her immediate family members---Next 45 minutes follows the groom and groups---then down the aisle (15 to 50 minutes)--- Followed with immediate shots of full wedding party.. parents with couple...then bride/groom (prox 25 minutes) then candids for 20 min. >>> directly to the dinning.( Here's were the hotels are very strict! few minutes late and it's a strike against the photographer) Depending on the contracted time (4 to 6 hours) We either shoot a quick shot of the two by the cake and leave---or if budget prevails we are able to stay for dancing and the actual cutting of the cake/etc. SO we have to be very time-lined --especially if the venue has more than 1 wedding event a day. The bride is hoping to receive a great/artistic coverage in 4 hours and the negatives are all included in our packages--so they view every shot exposed....We have to be photographer/coordinator...Thankfully we are semi-retiring and only one wedding a day now!!