Photographer

I'm not either really - especially in cases where negotiating isn't always done - like this. (buying houses, I am a pro! - lol). I'd just be honest, tell her what your budget is, and ask if there's anything you can work out that works for both of you. There may not be, or in order to get to your budget she may have to eliminate too much for you, but all you can do is ask.

I'd just say something like "I really love your work, and would love for you to photograph my wedding, but unfortunately my budget is $xxxx. Would you be able to work with me to come up with a package that works for both of us? "

Ok, not the greatest wording, but you get the idea ...

Maybe some of the vendors on this site can chime in and give us their perspective on negotiating with clients.

**disclaimer: this post is not aimed at any one particular person on or off this board**

This is just coming from a vendors point of view.

I get tons of email inquiries and to be quite honest, I get very tired of the emails where the first line is "are you flexible with your rates?".

Why should we be flexible with our rates? We have other brides who are more than willing to pay our full prices. Is it fair to them if we give someone else a break? What makes one bride more special than another to receive discounts?

Now, that being said, I'll be the first to admit that I have given discounts or negotiated prices with brides but mainly it's because I genuinely liked them as a person and really wanted their business. Of course, some photographers who aren't as established as others might be more willing to negotiate under certain circumstances. But established photographers like Anna probably aren't as flexible because they don't need to be.

I don't think I've ever given or ever would give discounts to someone who's first email to me asked if I was flexible with my rates. To vendors, that's one of the first red flags. If someone took the time to meet with me, get to know me and showed a genuine interest in my work rather than my prices, I'd be much more willing to negotiate my rates.

ok... sorry for the mini rant. :-)

"If someone took the time to meet with me, get to know me and showed a genuine interest in my work rather than my prices, I'd be much more willing to negotiate my rates."

I totally see your point, and appreciate you sharing your point of view. But I will say, on a brides behalf, if she's contacting you and taking the time to ask you if you're flexible w/prices - she IS showing genuine interest in your work! And if her budget isn't flexible, she probably thinks she shouldn't waste your time (or hers) with a lot of questions and discussion. Does that make sense?

Jonathon, thank you so much that really helps. I want to let you know I have never asked that question in my initial e-mail, however what I would want to negotiate would be the package, because many local photogs offer things like engagement sessions which I cannot do obviously. Also I would want to make sure I at least had my negatives/digital images because I might not be able to get a lot of prints right away but I would still want to share my pictures with my family.

I really appreciate your response here, it really helps us crazy brides understand the vendor side of things.

That makes complete sense, and I agree! I think photographers (and other vendors) often offer packages that include the things that are pretty common and popular for a bride. But maybe some things are more important to you than others, like the digital images over an engagement session. So a photographer might be willing to rearrange a package to work better for you - like I said, can't hurt to ask!