Doubled my session fees after adding a simple guarantee clause

Six months ago I was getting tons of pushback on my $75 portrait session rate. People would haggle or just ghost after I sent the quote. I changed one thing in my contract - I added a line saying if they don't like at least 3 proofs they get a full refund no questions asked. That was it. Suddenly people stopped questioning the price and my booking rate went up by about 40% over the next three months. I think it removed the risk factor for them. I still only had one person actually ask for a refund out of like 30 sessions. Has anyone else tried offering a satisfaction guarantee to justify higher rates?

3 comments

3 Comments

faithpatel14d ago

Seems like every podcast I catch lately says guarantees are basically a cheat code for pricing confidence.

wells.evan15d ago

That guarantee only works if you actually deliver, so 30 sessions with one refund sounds like you're probably pretty solid behind the camera. Kinda makes you wonder why more photographers don't try something similar instead of just dropping their prices.

wesley63914d ago

Right, because apparently the HOT new business strategy is just "take less money, work more hours, hope for the best." Like no, think about it - putting your money where your mouth is actually takes some BALLS. These photographers dropping their prices to match every coupon site out there are basically saying "my work is worth whatever someone will pay today." Meanwhile a guarantee like that is basically screaming "I know my stuff is good, try me." But of COURSE most won't do it because then they'd actually have to be consistent. Much easier to blame the economy than admit your editing is hit or miss.