Wow! So much has already been said that is right on the mark that I almost hesitate to reply, but I am in a very similar situation right now so I have decided to pass on a few of my own observations.
Some time ago I got a call from a desperate mother of the bride who needed a photographer for a wedding only one week away. She got my name from a wedding decorator I have worked with before. She cried poor, stating that their budget for the wedding was slim and most had already been spent. Being an old softy, I gave her a discount. I followed her instructions to the house and found myself standing in front of a million dollar home in an exclusive neighborhood. The unfinished game room was almost as big as my house. Sometimes people want to negotiate a discount just to see if they can get you for cheaper, even if they could have afforded your original price to begin with. I was passing a popular wedding spot in my town just this past summer and I spotted a young couple getting what appeared to be an engagement photo taken. The photographer set up his tripod and placed a small point and shoot camera on it. He placed the couple in open sunlight with the sun just a few degrees off of high noon and the couple at a 45 degree angle to the sun. Am I the cheapest photographer in town? No. Do I want to compete on pricing with a point and shoot portrait taken in direct sunlight? Absofreakin'lutely not. If some people don't know the difference I guess I will lose a few. Oh, well. I don't know if any of us can make you feel better, but maybe we can help you feel that you are not alone. David Madsen mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.davidmadsen.com
