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Question from Alison: “I’m taking someone’s senior pictures this weekend and I heard that their girlfriend will be coming along. I never had to deal with this before but wonder if they want to get pictures together even though it’s not a couple shoot, it’s all about the ONE senior? How do I go about turning down taking pictures of both of them because that’s not what I’m getting paid to do, that is if she decides to jump into some of the pictures? The sooner the better because I’m taking this pictures Sunday afternoon”
Denise: I’d offer to schedule a couples shoot later on.
Zee: I would give them one shot, if they like it charge $10 for it.. it may lead to a couple’s photoshoot down the line.
Amy: I let them know it is a session with one person but I will gladly take one image of the two of them.
Cindy: Do a couple shots but say there will be a separate charge for those as they aren’t part of the contract.
Kimberly: I would do a couple in hopes that it would inspire client loyalty in the long run!
Victoria: I’ve seen a senior shoot that included a couple of shots with a best friend or boyfriend/girlfriend. It’s part of their memory for that time in their life. I wouldn’t do any of just the girl or very many of them together. But I wouldn’t flat out refuse. I’d also mention a couples shoot option add on maybe.
Andrea: I’ve been in this situation and since it’s not a huge deal tale a few of them, even offer. I’ve kept my best loyal clients just for going that extra mile and giving a little More than they paid for. It’s not like your shooting a whole Family . Besides a gf is can be considered an accessory 🙂
Amy: I always let them 🙂
Gordon: Hi Alison, would it matter too much? If you are taking a photo anyway does it matter if it’s one person or two? Would you have charged the session differently if it was a couples shot? It does seem a bit cheeky of them, I would certainly mention that it was a one person shoot and maybe offer to do one of them as a couple as part of the session as a gesture of goodwill but if they wanted anymore or some of her on her own I would renegotiate.
Sarah: I say do it too. I always do because then they end up buying additional prints for 5 minutes of my time.
Andrea: For my senior digital packages, I let the client choose a certain number of photos. So, if they happen to choose a couple’s photo, then that’s one out of their set number. I like this way because it allows for the session to be customized how they want it. They just need to know that they have a set window of time for pics to be taken, so they might want to consider how much time in the session that they want to devote to couple’s photos. I recently did a senior session and made sure to get all the important shots done first. Then we took couple’s photos with the remaining time. I think it was Sal Cincotta on Creative Live (if memory serves me correctly) that mentioned he allows friends, family, etc. to get in on a shoot. He, of course, makes big bucks per photo, so he figures that if they like the photo, that’s another sale. Plus, it helps expose your business to new consumers. One thing to consider…ask the client’s parents if they want photos taken with the girlfriend. After all, they’re probably the ones paying for the session. If they don’t want that, put it on them to let the girl know. Sometimes boyfriends/girlfriends come along just to have someone there as support.
Sarah: I was thinking of Sal’s quote too! He says a sale is a sale!
Tammy: A slight bit of give shows good customer service. I would take a couple shots and make sure you have the contact info for the girlfriend — you may get an extra sale or two out of it PLUS a new customer for life.
Janie: I agree with everyone. I would think you will have a chance to sale more prints and who knows maybe they will marry and you can do their wedding and then babies..etc
Suz: I remember when I got my senior photos done … I had my mom and friends in it … Never turn them down.. I mean unless your contract specifically states “1 person per a session fee” but it should be about time and focused on the main posing of the senior like they said u never know if they will buy it or bring in new customers
Sarah: I would just do a few, just don’t do a bunch because who knows if they will even still be together by the time you finish editing.
Ami: I would shoot some. It gives the girlfriends parents a chance to show them off and spread the word about your business. Word of mouth is a wonderful tool.
Stacey: I’d spent five or ten minutes on it. It just offers the chance for additional sales.
Amanda: I would grab a few shota of the two of them together. Most likely you will sell at least one of those poses, so its win/win for you both. I wouldn’t take any indies of the girlfriend, though.
Alison: I know some people charge an extra person fee like $10 or $15 an extra head…should I do that or maybe just take one shot of them together and be done with it. i have a session right after this one so i would like to get all the necessary shots i was paid for for the senior shot. thank you everyone for the input i really appreciate it!
Jess: I honestly would take a couple of both of them.. who knows maybe she hasn’t had her senior pictures done…
Carrie: I don’t think I would charge another fee for her to be in them….I would just take a few of the couple and move on. I agree with other posters who mentioned additional sales, word of mouth, etc…..all that is worth the 5 or 10 minutes you spend doing pics of the couple. :0)
Valentina: I did this with my boyfriend… It was his senior session so it was like 90% pictures but we did a few together too! We were not charged extra for them.
Tralisa: I wouldn’t charge extra at all! In the long run its only going to take you a couple extra minutes, but more than likely you’re going to get more sales or a higher sale for him. I completely agree that the more you go out of your way the better chance of having them come back in the future for more shoots.
Alison: I’m just starting out so I wasn’t sure how to take it i would be fine taking pictures of both i just hope that she doesn’t think she’s going to be in all of them. she is a sophomore in high school so maybe just maybe I’ll end up doing hers too *crossing my fingers* lol
Sharon: In Australia we don’t get too many guys wanting a photo session – though they don’t mind if it’s their wedding – but that’s about it. It doesn’t take much to turn a client off so I’d say to the girlfriend to definitely pop in for a few minutes of shots. She’s going then say what a lovely and accommodating photographer you were, she’ll love that you made her look great in the photos and instantly you have your own walking recommendation. If you turn the couple shot down, you’ll upset her, which will upset him and so the story goes. If he wishes to purchase that shot, then that’s great. I like the idea of her being an “accessory”. Girls they bring lots of outfits, guys, they bring a girl. Cute.
DeeDee: You never know, allowing them to bring another person in on the shoot might increase your sales 🙂
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