How to Price Your Photography | Dealing with Thoughtless Potential Event Photography Clients 

Hey Mik, I really love these videos you're putting out. You're showing people what it's like to be a real photographer running a real business. Your honesty and transparency when you talk about these topics are incredibly insightful. Keep it up and thank you for what you do!

Oh man, my blood is boiling for you lol. I was taught never to discount, to do things full price or completely free. Easier said than done, but it is my general compass. I’m a hairstylist for the studios and I’ve been working on slowly transitioning out of hair and into photography/cinematography for the past 2 years. It’s astonishing how much the two industries are alike. Your channel is such a breath of fresh air amongst all the tech reviews. Thanks Mik!

The problem is and always will be people think they should only pay you just for the time they see your face. They don’t care or realize all the other work that goes into photographing a job. Packing up, charging your equipment, driving to the job, driving home, loading the photos, putting your equipment away, editing all the photos and delivering them. It’s a shame some people don’t see photography as a career, only as a hobby because it’s in the arts field. Also, because we love what we do, some don’t want to pay us what we’re worth in the real business world. There’s always going to be a few just like the guy you described the best thing is avoid them. They’re usually jerks and will make you feel terrible. The good news, most people are fair and kind and will pay you what you’re worth. This video is wonderful because you’re honest and talking about something that has happened to all of us.

Publish your price and clients will contact you based on that price if they like your portfolio. Publish the price that makes you happy and full of joy when you arrive there and start pressing the shutter !! If they make you feel bad for your work and your price, you won't be happy, they won't be happy. No worth doing it !!! Put fixed price for all type of events and write terms and conditions what you charge before event. If any of them become rude, you will leave the event. Period ! You can start charge 5K/event regardless of duration up to 10 hours. How ever you want to write your terms and conditions. Learn this: The cheap clients are the noisy and they only like to argue all the time, never happy, never pleased. Any mistake you do, they will give you bad reviews. If they don't care of you as you care of them with your work, it's not worth the time.

Great video. I think all professional event/wedding photographers have experienced this. Good for you to stick by your guns. I was at a workshop once with a nationally renown wedding photographer who was based on the East Coast and was really good and charged high prices for his work. He said he was asked why he charged so much by a potential client and he said his response was, "So my kids can go to the same school as your kids." My own story--the third wedding I ever shot--probably in the mid 1980s--I think I charged $650.00, and that included a wedding album, no time limit because I was building my wedding portfolio; although I had done numerous other types of photography prior to starting to shoot weddings, so the client(s) were getting quality photography. Anyway, wedding ceremony's over (and in those days we shot the ceremony with medium format cameras, two Quantum lights, etc.,) we only used 35mm for receptions, outside shots etc. So lots of work involved--I had no assistant(s) at the time. I'm standing by the cake with the brides mother and she asked me what I thought of the cake, and I said it was really nice, and it was, nice big cake, well decorated, etc. She said, "My friend does wedding cakes so she cut me a deal and I only paid $750.00 for the cake." I was not happy. Went back home and immediately got the contracts out and raised my prices considerably--never again was a stupid cake going to cost more than me. Nothing I could do about the weddings I had already booked but going forward it was going to be different. You live and learn. School of hard knocks.

I really needed this, I’ve turned down under paying jobs and felt bad about it. I’m not doing it anymore. Thank you.

Mik, your transparency in this video is greatly appreciated. Thanks so much for the advice and I appreciate your work and the education you offer.

This is very easy. Just don't give discounts to anyone.

I have turned down jobs like this one before even though I was struggling financially. However, I chose to stay hungry for a week over dealing with a month of headache. Thank you for sharing, appreciate all your content.

This was spot on, Mik!

So happy to have found your sound advice.

Never ive i watched a video this useful on youtube,thank you aloooot

More valuable content thank you so much for sharing.

Well said man. I feel you.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience.

Thank you for this video! I like your way of thinking. You are the MAN / Photographer - true to your beliefs and a good soul . I admire and commend you for your work.

Great advice and NO you are not overanalyzing. Thanks for sharing this.

This is very helpful and great advice. Thank you for this video.

Great video, Mik. Everyone has or will have a similar story (although being used as an example during the ceremony by the bride is hard to top & must have been especially infuriating). I once had a person quibble over a $250 family portrait while sipping tea in her $2 million vacation home, AFTER the portrait and in front of her entire family. So fun! As you say here, the key is asking the right questions and getting answers before commitment. After a while one can sniff out the bad ones within a few sentences if you're lucky enough to get them on the phone (which I always like to do). Thanks again for the great content. So cathartic!

Thankyou for your honesty:)

Excellent topic and valuable information! This was so relevant and useful! Thanks for sharing this with us all!

These are great tips and insights, thank you for another truly helpful video! Especially appreciate you sharing your fears, and the way you structure them, much appreciated!

I have had someone wanting me to shoot their wedding and deliver the photo's the SAME DAY for less than €200,- Sometimes, people don't have a clue or don't want to have a clue.

Another insightful video....thank you.

Hey Mike, your video popped up on my feed and you are spot-on with your thoughts. Never break character. I just went through the same thing, but it was a private last-minute party of 80ppl. I give quality in my eye, and I often say that I'm going to place a card in each hand that says, No red sale, and No discounts. 😂 I have been shooting since 1976 and somebody always asks for a discount. When they do I let them find someone else. I love being happy. Thx for the video.

Glad I stumbled upon your video!

Sounds like that person would have been a "headache" to work with. Loving the videos!!

Refreshing video. Plus, a photographer on youtube telling viewers what he actually charges for work? Assuming it was honest, I can't think of another creator who has done this. (Others may say what they charged when they started?) My cap is tipped, and I practically want to send this man a resume lol.

This is a very very enlightening video. Thank you so much for sharing this experience.

Super helpful. I've been doing events for years now and this is good advice.

dude this is crazy but appreciate you sharing to help us avoid same

whoa crazy story with that 10 million dollar house. thank you for sharing that. Wish that didn’t happen to you as it is a horrific story and experience . but yes so true everything you said, whether its in the photo industry or not!

Familiar story for most photographer unless you have made a famous name for yourself. Sounds like you handled it right to be. People in general have now idea how to value a photographers work and therefore often have wild ideas about what should and shouldn't be charged. The industry doesn't help its self by having such a vast range in pricing for what people perceive and the same job/result.

Photography contracts are buying the eye of the photographer, their attention to detail, their diligence and their commitment. Thanks for sharing that. It is rare that someone shares their own mistakes. I wonder if this is a California or US thing? Still you are very cool and totally agree with your perspective. A.,

That L.A. home experience even pissed me off. I hate that; its very offensive. It's always the selfish wealthy bastards who always want to get over on someone. They are a damn disgrace. And they laughed at you too. Very arrogant.

i agree with you Mik. Self worth is more important. Photographers who take clients like for desperations affects all pro photographers in the long run. You used both stories as a good lessons for many, including me. Thank you

Thank you.

Thank you so much for your advice..

Great video and insights. I have experienced much the same.

This was very helpful and confirming for me. I just recently booked a job with an organization which will actually be ongoing monthly events...They agreed on 250/hour, includes travel, atleast 2 hours of photography, and images for social media. I've been waiting for something like this to come along! Thanks for making this video. Your info is priceless!

Now I know this video is a sign for me to go into event photography been thinking about it a lot lately.

I like to do photography for free and people still try to walk over you! They get impatient and ask when they'll get them (be patient, it's free. Jeez). So for the future, I'm trying to figure out what ground rules to establish before agreeing. I delivered several excellent (in my opinion) action portraits for a guy in my boxing gym (on my Fuji x100S- I wanted the challenge, it's definitely not ideal for action). When he got my killer portraits (okay, I'm gonna brag just a little) he was very enthusiastic, but then he said "keep up the good work". Maybe that's how he expresses himself, but ugh, don't patronize me with platitudes. Lol. I know he liked them cause he immediately used it for his Facebook profile photo- which, you guessed it, he didn't mention or tag me.

LOL - Man, good call ---- & you just know what sorta client they would be "a Pain in the A$%... As soon as I get a even the tiniest vibes from a potential P.I.A client I end it...

Service providers can confuse niceness with fairness in an effort to please. Gotta know what you’re worth in a given market. Clients often won’t know, and must be shown. That’s fair.

Hello Mik, Thanks for taking the time to discuss these important topics that no one talks about. I have a question on the number of pictures you give for a 2 hour event.

Yes, I feel for you. We learn that when we allow them to haggle with us we in turn begin haggling our self-worth. Its as if we revert to our insecurities as a professional and flip the switch on the "imposter syndrome"; mix in the honest need to keep gigs on the calendar and worry over dry spells...it can become a recipe for the destruction of any true profit in the long run. I agree with you 100%, after a while, most of us come to the conclusion that literally, it's not worth haggling at....all. Concessions, sure, but haggling. Not a chance. I'm not a flea market vendor, I'm not ebay, I'm not craigslist and I'm certainly not the dollar menu at the local fast food joint: you want good service and quality assured? Pay for it. The end. If clients don't respect you right off the bat, why gamble with respect after the fact all the while being taken advantage of? So true. the loss of self worth, hurt pride...not being able to sleep at night just isn't worth a temporary paycheck when the bad experience will haunt you emotionally for years. Great stuff Mr. Milman! Love and light.

thats sounds just right decision for you....your craft is not cheap and they r paying for your skills....self worth is the correct thinking

im not even a full year into photography and i charge based on the work i perform for the over all amount of hours. a job 5 miles from my home, i could charge $500 for 3 hours. same job, in hour away will be $800 and i wont go lower. I learned early that people take advantage if you allow it becuase, YOU ALLOWED IT and they see you as giving them a good deal! the reality is the price give includes edits, some clean up if need be. that can take up to a few hours additional. all this work so they can just share on social media and print work. i dont offer discounts. not even family!

thank you for the content mik! i can totally relate :) i have a question… as a working event photographer, what are other ways you can do to diversify your income to offer more than just event photography?

I'm new to photography (as a business, not as a photographer), and my question to you Mik is: What if this is the only thing you get, bad deals, free deals or no deals at all? How can you sustain a business when everyone treats you like you are worth nothing?

In the words of Joel Grimes, "Always set your price so that you will feel good at the end of the day". Last but not least, never set a price to your own wallet. Keep clicking.

I wouldn't take that one personally at all...someone trying to book the day before has no interest in photography they're just looking for a commodity at the best price if it was important they'd have booked it much earlier in the planning process for the event. It's a mistake to offer any concession at all as they're trying to get in to a negotiation with you as price is what they care about most...just say no problem hope the event goes well and leave It at that. If they contact you again they will book at full price...if they don't not an ideal job anyway so so what. By offering a small concession as you did the 'negotiator" type client assumed that they can squeeze you further as people willing to. Negotiate rarely make their best offer first, by not having a second offer to go to they don't get to fee l they've squeezed you enough so walk away embarrassed. Either don't negotiate at all (best option) or expect to make one small concession then a final one most people will accept the second concession as they now feel 'invested' in the deal. There is loads of academic research on negotiation psychology in my proper job (photography is a side fun job for me) this has proved invaluable and it spills in to everyday life. P.S. Based on what I've seen of you I'd honestly suggest you double your rate at least even for past clients (do one job at the old rate tell them your new rates but you'll do this one as a favour) I suspect you won't book fewer jobs you'll just be seen as more in demand and book better jobs. Sorry for the long comment you seen like a good guy ... Just wanted to give an outside perspective and hopefully help

I've shot events for 3 years and I noticed that cheapest paying clients give the most problems. They want to pay Toyota Yaris money and expect lexus LFA service.

I'd hire you!

Really appreciate the transparency, do you tell your clients that you're pricing per hour, or do you estimate it yourself and then say the price to the client without revealing your hourly rate?

If I was you, I would have taken the job for £250, went to his house and done a MASSIVE DUMP in his bathroom sink, then walked away. Not only does he not get any photographs, but he has to clean up a massive shit from his sink and he embarrasses himself in front of his guests. Trust me, those Beverly Hills types don't expect to find a massive shit in the bathroom sink, and he would be the talk of the neighbourhood.

2:28 clients in a 10 million dollar house being dusty? Funny because here I literally witness tons of dusty bummy folks in huge houses in gated communities in my area.

Hi Mik, do you have tips for doing an outside event in harsh lighting (mid day) and you want to shoot wide open say 1.4? Would a CPL help? ND filter? I feel the ND would be hard to focus with. I'm new to this so excuse my noobness :)

Wow, rudeness heavy. The itemizing is a good idea. I was looking for quote/ invoice software that give me that option to send out for the client to chose. Any suggestions? Thank you Mik.

The one that I love the most is. We really love your work and follow you on FB, you do such an amazing job! We have 16 people in our family can we get a discount? My reply.. Sorry I am booked for whenever you are available :-D

Some sage advice about negotiating and holding fast to the value of your skill set. Does your hourly shooting fee include the release of all images or are they an additional cost?

It is quite hard to handle such clients! I mean to keep your self steam and negotiation channel open. But Mik have you ever talked about what do you include in basic usage right for individuals and corporates? do you charge a license fee?

Hi mik, can you make a video on how to deliver a high resolution photos or photos for social media? thanks a lot

Photographers need to build a brand.IMO, if a client knows nothing about you, you can't expect to have any pricing power.

Oh hell no.

As a freelancer graphic designer, producer and musician in a band I know too well this problems you talk here. But (as I see it) is all about self worth and responsability to the profession. I'm well known for speaking out to those other professionals that undervalue their work and consequently mine, so I lost some popularity among idiots and sellouts....also cheap ass clients that value their money and their profession but think I must devalue mine..thats hilarious.. thats just wrong. And those are indeed the ones I don't want to work for - period. I engaged openly with clients about this here and there, but now I have my price and don't budge a dime..I rather give a little above my price to have some negotiation room than otherwise. Cause in the end of the day this my business as is the clients business too.. a good business deal is the one that's good for both parties. If a client don't respect your work it's not a client you would want anyway.

Wow! Just wow! What a horrible human being the wife to be was!! Yuk! I’m stunned! The guy who messaged you was rude. Definitely. He could have said he’d love to but he just can’t afford it/ over his budget - but to say it’s too expensive and he’s got a 250 offer all of a sudden (i don’t even know if he was making that up) is not really the nice way of responding to you. Also, if I want to hire a photographer I’d look at their work and as soon as I see their work I’ll know to expect a certain price range. Did he not look at your website!? ! He’s just an ignorant a&&! A 100 years ago I used to be a Director’s agent and what surprised me was the budget a production company would have for a film but when it came to choosing the music , they’d expect the composer to come up with something last minute and for a few hundred pounds! This reminds me of that! (Enjoyed this style video btw ☺️).

Sadly it is like a photographers badge of honor to be better than these kind of clients. One potential client said, gosh thats expensive and we only need you to capture the highlights. Furthermore, they said they travel a lot and take / have great family pictures. I said, thanks for the opportunity, I will pass.

Wow. i am speechless. The guy lied! he said it was a party! A wedding is not a party!! The couple sounds like assholes.

i have a year in videography and i start at 1k.... goes up based on how big and hours an event requires.

What is your photo/Video Deliverables for the those rates ?

off this

If you don’t value your work, no one will

There are many reasons why we would charge differently. We don't use the same gear. You don't expect to be using a 3k camera body 1k average price lenses and expect me to charge like someone who is using a $500 camera. No way!!!!, not when I know how to get the best images from my gears.

Wait, you got contacted on short notice and you're giving discounts? No way. That right there tells me the client doesn't value you, or your time.

There is a reason Jesus has his foot on the neck of the rich