A simple...'what budget did you have in mind?'

Discount? When they speak about their low budget, they start discussion from prices which already will not cover any expense of a photographer. Example: call to shoot a portrait of a baby in client's house. They proposed 12 euro (!!!) telling that it is good for you because photo from machine on railway station is 6-8 euro. Polite "bon journ�e madame, we cannot accept your order".

Quote from: cathyslife on March 21, 2017, 09:56

Quote from: SpaceStockFootage on March 21, 2017, 02:06

Does everyone have to have a big budget to be in business? I think the last couple of comments are quite representative of the 'us vs. them' mentality that I often see when it comes to freelancers and clients, which probably isn't doing anyone any favours.

A) It's custom work, so the client doesn't know how much it will cost before you tell them. If it was gravel or suits, then there would be a set, advertised price... but the client may not know the freelancers rate or how much work will be involved.

No, everyone doesnt have to have a big budget. But I don't care what part of the world you are in...doing any kind of job for $5 is just ridiculous, especially when not for a repeat client. I can't read thru the job description, download files, and write the job ticket for $5! And when someone in the US expects to pay that for any kind of work from a freelancer living in the US, then I guess I will be dying a pauper because i am willing to bet that person expecting to pay that makes a whole lot of money themself and would never dream of accepting $5 for their work. Think micro agencies aka greedy ba$tards.

I didn't realise that "I don't have a big budget" translates to exactly five US Dollars. I feel stupid now, sorry. Do you have a handy chart I can refer to so I don't make that mistake again?

Wow. Seriously? You sound like one of those clients that must expect to pay $5 since you are being so defensive.

Quote from: SpaceStockFootage on March 21, 2017, 14:25

Quote from: cathyslife on March 21, 2017, 09:56

Quote from: SpaceStockFootage on March 21, 2017, 02:06

Does everyone have to have a big budget to be in business? I think the last couple of comments are quite representative of the 'us vs. them' mentality that I often see when it comes to freelancers and clients, which probably isn't doing anyone any favours.

A) It's custom work, so the client doesn't know how much it will cost before you tell them. If it was gravel or suits, then there would be a set, advertised price... but the client may not know the freelancers rate or how much work will be involved.

No, everyone doesnt have to have a big budget. But I don't care what part of the world you are in...doing any kind of job for $5 is just ridiculous, especially when not for a repeat client. I can't read thru the job description, download files, and write the job ticket for $5! And when someone in the US expects to pay that for any kind of work from a freelancer living in the US, then I guess I will be dying a pauper because i am willing to bet that person expecting to pay that makes a whole lot of money themself and would never dream of accepting $5 for their work. Think micro agencies aka greedy ba$tards.

I didn't realise that "I don't have a big budget" translates to exactly five US Dollars. I feel stupid now, sorry. Do you have a handy chart I can refer to so I don't make that mistake again?

Wow. Seriously? You sound like one of those clients that must expect to pay $5 since you are being so defensive.

I'm putting forward the possibility that if somebody says they don't have a big budget... it doesn't automatically mean they are an evil, manipulative, and abusive potential client.

If somebody wants to pay you $5 for a bunch of work that would cost several times more than that, then that's a different matter entirely, and i would agree with you... but you seem to be the only person that mentioned $5.

Here is my take on this and I've only been asked once if I could lower my price and I actually did and it was for three clips and the lady was very nice in asking and I obliged that one time.

In general, why this industry? Why are we different and expected to work for less or at a loss?. The trades have got it right, the rates are the rates and there is no discussion. 

My mechanic would be insulted and tell me so to my face if I asked for a discount, no store I shop at would give me a discount except for an ongoing sale price but I would also feel embarrassed to ask for a deal, if the product or service is more than I can afford I simply do without.

I needed some web development work done and I asked someone and was told about $40/hr, I couldn't afford it but I never thought of asking that person to lower their price, that would be insulting, they are a skilled trade, WE photo and video people are a skilled trade and we have to start acting like one and that starts with the pricing.

I had someone offer me work for "the exposure" and the chance of future paying work, I simply declined and told them to try someone else, sorry I don't do that free work. "oh but it would be great exposure" he said, I said no thanks, I'm sure someone else needs the exposure.  Totally could tell he had tried and failed to get free work from others.

One customer told me she could not pay and if I didn't want to do it she would get her kid to shoot it with his iphone, I said that's probably a better deal for you then, no problem and walked away.