#11 in the series 30 Ways of Wootness.
You know, there comes a time when lines are pushed and tweaked and bent and flexed and finally… they’re crossed. And you just gotta say “I’m sorry, that’s against studio policies.”
And that shall bring you Wootness.
You designed your packages and pricing around your financial needs and goals. There are certain costs you must cover and overhead must be accounted for. The next time you discount a package for someone, remember that. You have a reason for your pricing, and it’s valid. If you tweak things for one person, you’ll wind up tweaking for everyone. That’s a decision you are going to regret.
The same goes for your hours of operation. Perhaps you’ve decided that Sundays are for family. Period. Then for crying out loud, don’t shoot on a Sunday when asked. If you start making exceptions now, you’ll make them down the road, too. You may as well have saved the time you spent deciding on your business hours.
If you only shoot a certain type of photography, you have definitely made a conscientious decision, as those choices are not made lightly. So, if you don’t photograph newborns, don’t be tempted to bend your rules just this once for a friend. What, do you think it will come out better for a friend than for a complete stranger? What exactly is the mind set on that one?
If you went so far as to develop policies, guidelines, pricing menus, etc. for your studio, stick to them. Do what you say and say what you do. That’s just good common sense and will serve you well in the long run. It will lower the amount of stress in your life and enhance your Wootness quotient.