Billing

[JHAG]

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One of my partner in business has a daughter.

She wants me to shoot a serie of portraits of her.

I don't want to charge her the regular price for

a whole day of shooting — namely around 1500 €

+ expenses.

Any advice here ?

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[bill]

Good question, and a hard one to answer. Let me offer some options. First and foremost, does she know what your normal day rate would be? If not, then I think regardless of what you decide to do you should let her know - politely, diplomatically, of course - in order that she perceives the value of what she is asking.

 

From there, I think you have a number of options -

 

1. How well do you know her and her daughter - could you position it as a gift? This works particularly well if it is for a birthday or something, but will depend on your relationship with your business partner and in turn with her daughter, if at all.

 

2. Keep it on a business level - a substantial discount, that makes it clear (hence stating your normal rates up front) that you are offering what is often called in the UK "Mate's rates"

 

3. Offer an exchange - some form of "benefit in kind" - is there somethiing she has or can provide, that would be of value to you?:

 

There are variations on all of the above, but I think that covers the key options.

 

I hope this helps - let us know what you decide.

 

Regards,

 

Bill

[JHAG]

Good question, and a hard one to answer. Let me offer some options. First and foremost, does she know what your normal day rate would be? If not, then I think regardless of what you decide to do you should let her know - politely, diplomatically, of course - in order that she perceives the value of what she is asking.

 

Good idea.

 

From there, I think you have a number of options -

 

1. How well do you know her and her daughter - could you position it as a gift? This works particularly well if it is for a birthday or something, but will depend on your relationship with your business partner and in turn with her daughter, if at all.

 

Not so close, but this is him who said to his daughter "If you want pictures choose him, I love what he shoots".

 

2. Keep it on a business level - a substantial discount, that makes it clear (hence stating your normal rates up front) that you are offering what is often called in the UK "Mate's rates".

 

I like the formula.

 

3. Offer an exchange - some form of "benefit in kind" - is there somethiing she has or can provide, that would be of value to you?

 

Not really.

 

There are variations on all of the above, but I think that covers the key options.

 

I hope this helps - let us know what you decide.

 

Regards,

 

Bill

 

Thx a lot, Bill. These are good points to begin with.

[giordano]

Just one suggestion to supplement Bill's, and in fact falling under his #3. Would the photographs from the session be of value to you (other sales, say)? If so you might be able to offer a deeper discount if she left you with more rights in them than you would normally have.

[JHAG]

Just one suggestion to supplement Bill's, and in fact falling under his #3. Would the photographs from the session be of value to you (other sales, say)? If so you might be able to offer a deeper discount if she left you with more rights in them than you would normally have.

 

Not directly.

But indirectly, she's got a nice personal network of bankable people, and surely could advertise my images if she's pleased with the results.

[LuxBob]

Most business is repeat and reference. Getting a new regular customer can be expensive, hence I like hel-stempes idea. Encourage her to raise the subject with her network and perhaps tie it into a promo - 2 for 1's appeals to me as you are enlarging your customer base.