What are your thoughts on testing for a client, at the client’s request. Should you ask for your costs to be covered?
Testing for a client is not an industry standard request. I’m reluctant to encourage you to test for a client because it will most likely mean you won’t have the proper budget to do it right, and the image quality might suffer. If the quality of your work is at risk then I would say it’s not worth it.
In any business interaction, remember to follow up immediately so you are believed and taken seriously.
When I meet someone for the first time on the phone or in any other setting, I want to know that they will follow up quickly and express that the meeting was important to them and that it went well. Everything they said should be followed up on promptly—ideally, right away. This quick follow-up makes the interaction feel real. Even if we have a great meeting, we might wonder if it was as good as it seemed or if we should hire this person. How they follow up acts like a test. So, do it as soon as you can.
I’m in the middle of negotiating a contract for a job I really want. The contract gives me no right to use the images for self-promotion, and effectively states that I could be sued for doing so.
Should I take the money and work on building the relationship, or should I fight for my rights at the risk of losing the gig?
I would talk to your contact at the company, and gauge their flexibility. Explain why you would need to show this work in order to get more work.
Hopefully they’ll be receptive to your concerns + work with you on tners that are fair to all parties. At least try your best to get what is fair.
Our industry also benefits when we stand together on issues like this. I understand why you wouldn’t want to walk away from the job because of this, but asking for what you want, in a respectful way, shouldn’t lose you the job.
Do I need to consider where a brand/agency is located before pitching them? If they’re in another state I might not be able to meet in person and I’m concerned I could lose a job over it.
Communication tends to be done electronically, via online portfolio review, conference calls, video chats, etc, rarely in person. If you think the budget won’t allow for travel, you can always offer to work as a “local” once you get to the budgeting stage. Focus on the jobs you really want… that your body of work supports.
I need to draft a contract for a client. Do you have any recommendations about making sure I’m using the correct language so it doesn’t bite me in the end?
APA is a great resource for contracts and estimate forms. ASMP has advice about legal language too. APhotoEditor has great contributors, including an executive producer of Wonderful Machine, and they give sample estimates. Also refer to the ASR posts about what to include in your bid under the “job description.”
DO NOT send any promos to a client’s personal email, unless they have given you permission. Doing this crosses a professional boundary and could affect potential future work.
If you’re emailing a client and they have a professional, official work email, do not use their personal email if you have access to that. Don’t do it. It’s rude and you could really piss someone off. Use the work email if you have one. It draws a line that we shouldn’t assume we can cross. Some people might not get angry about it, but a lot will, so be really careful about the personal and professional email. Keep it as professional as you can if that’s your purpose and relationship with them.
Can you include buyers and reps in your email list or do you have to ask for their permission before sending out promos?
It’s usually better to ask for forgiveness than permission. It depends on the type of work you shoot, but in the commercial advertising world we send out promos regularly to client’s business email addresses. My theory for marketing is to throw the pasta against the wall and see what sticks. Personally, I receive lots of promos and emails that I didn’t sign up for and I don’t mind at all.
After putting together a realistic budget, how do you respond respectfully to a client who tells you that your budget is 10 times what they have to spend?
The way to respond is to not take it personally. This is not about you and any value assigned to your talent. Keep it professional and don’t do anything to damage your reputation. If the budget is not feasible then politely explain that you wouldn’t feel comfortable promising them a level of quality that would be required for the job, and wish them well.
I was always taught that quality over quantity was best for showcasing work. It seems that the current trend is on quantity. What is more important to a client? Should I focus on producing a large amount of content or fewer, more powerful images?
The question really depends on who your clients are. Most companies gravitate towards the Instagram look, but that shouldn’t mean you have to compromise on quality. Learn to adjust your style so you’re more nimble and able to shoot more by simplifying your shooting process. Content is key right now.
Where do buyers go to find photographers? Google? Online directories? If so, other than social media, where do you suggest photographers advertise?
This may be the hardest question to answer in our industry right now. I’d say all of the above. Try everything and see what works. My most sincere answer is that buyers often look at reps’ websites…so get a rep if you can. I also have heard feedback that art producers like Wonderful Machine, but then again, shop around, and also ask those who are already using those sites if they have been getting more work from them.
