How do I respond to this?

[MCohen]

I received an e-mail that said the following....
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I am interested in a photoshoot. I am would like to try the Intimate session that allows four different looks, and makeup.
I would like at least 60 pictures in each outfit, and would also like all photos to be retouched and put on a cd.
Could you please let me know if there is an extra charge for the variances in the package.
Thank you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The intimate package on my site for $550 that she is talking about includes two 8x10s and a CD of the best images with beauty retouching. Okay, so I guess I wasn't clear enough - but I was thinking like 10 shots retouched not 250! What would you do here?

[Carpe Imago]

Originally Posted by MCohen

I received an e-mail that said the following....
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I am interested in a photoshoot. I am would like to try the Intimate session that allows four different looks, and makeup.
I would like at least 60 pictures in each outfit, and would also like all photos to be retouched and put on a cd.
Could you please let me know if there is an extra charge for the variances in the package.
Thank you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The intimate package on my site for $550 that she is talking about includes two 8x10s and a CD of the best images with beauty retouching. Okay, so I guess I wasn't clear enough - but I was thinking like 10 shots retouched not 250! What would you do here?

1. Thank her for contacting you to set up a photo shoot.
2. Explain again what the "standard package" is and why you set it up that way. Talk about the fact that maybe one image in every five that is taken (or ten or twenty five) is up to your standards and that you don't want her to walk away with any images that improperly or incompletely convey her beauty and your ability.
3. Discuss why 250 shots is really too many and the type of added cost that would be necessary to shoot enough to get 250 "keepers" and th time that would be required to properly complete post-production on those images, to again ensure that you give her the best finished result.
4. Share that you are (or perhaps aren't) willing to try to work out a special package deal for her and explain how you would price this out. Probably "x" amount per hour for additional shooting time and "y" amount per hour for additional editing time.
5. Uncover objections! Ask her if what you're sharing makes sense to her, and if not try to help her understand again. Make sure she gets that the shoot is only about her, and you must do what is necessary to ensure that she comes out looking spectacular and you won't compromise that for quantity.
6. Thank her again for contacting you, offer sincere, realistic suggestions as to how you intend to uncover and display her beauty, and then ask her when she wants to schedule the shoot.
If she still wants 250 edited images, hand her an estimate for $10,000 (or whatever) and a sample of your work. Someone will give her the number that she wants, but they won't make her look like you will.
And then be willing to let her walk away if need be. Good Luck!

[Mark_A]

I'd quote her a price based on what it would take to meet her requirements. It may be a misunderstanding on what she is really looking for.

[jcochran]

Carpe covered it very well.

But it seems to me she may be doing it to resell so I'd also discuss copyright issues.

[Carpe Imago]

Originally Posted by jcochran

But it seems to me she may be doing it to resell so I'd also discuss copyright issues.

You know John, that never even occurred to me, but that is a great point!

[silver tip images]

I would contact her and explain what you have in mind. Sounds like she is in the process of setting up a paid web site and you are the first step in making her rich and famous. She is asking for a lot of your expertise, time and experience and wanting to pay a JC Penny price.... Four changes,60 images could be a submission for a magazine shoot and you are providing her with the things she needs. Your choice.

[moscato_images]

Copy and paste what is on your website in a reply e-mail to her? lol

Unless you want to shoot her, then make a deal, but not a deal THAT great.

-joshua

[MCohen]

Thank you all for your suggestions. I appreciate it very much.

I took Carpe Imago's advice and composed an e-mail outlining the points he suggested. I'll let you know how (and if) she responds.