What are the key negotiation skills for purchasing photography services?

1 Know your needs

Before you start negotiating with a photographer, you need to have a clear idea of what you want from them. What kind of photos do you need? How many, how often, and for what purpose? What is your budget and timeline? What are your quality standards and preferences? Knowing your needs will help you communicate them effectively to the photographer, and avoid unrealistic or vague requests that can lead to confusion or disappointment.

2 Research the market

Another important skill for negotiating with photographers is to research the market and understand the average rates, quality, and availability of photography services in your area. You can use online platforms, referrals, or portfolios to compare different photographers and their work. This will help you determine a fair and reasonable price range, and avoid overpaying or underpaying for the services you need. It will also help you identify the best value proposition and the unique selling points of each photographer.

3 Build rapport

Negotiating with photographers is not just about numbers and contracts. It is also about building rapport and trust with them, and creating a positive and collaborative atmosphere. You can do this by showing genuine interest in their work, asking open-ended questions, giving compliments, and expressing appreciation. You can also use humor, empathy, and storytelling to connect with them on a personal level. Building rapport will help you establish a good rapport and mutual respect with the photographer, and make them more willing to cooperate and compromise with you.

4 Be flexible

One of the key negotiation skills for purchasing photography services is to be flexible and adaptable to different situations and circumstances. You may encounter unexpected changes, challenges, or opportunities during the negotiation process, such as a change in your needs, a change in the photographer's availability, a special offer, or a conflict. You need to be able to adjust your strategy, expectations, and options accordingly, and find creative and mutually beneficial solutions. Being flexible will help you avoid deadlock, frustration, and resentment, and maintain a positive and productive relationship with the photographer.

5 Ask for more

Another skill for negotiating with photographers is to ask for more than what you need or expect, and be prepared to give something in return. This is a common negotiation technique called "anchoring", which involves setting a high initial offer or demand, and then making concessions or trade-offs to reach a final agreement. Asking for more will help you create room for negotiation, and increase your chances of getting a better deal. However, you need to be careful not to ask for too much, or to give up too much, as this can backfire and damage your credibility or relationship with the photographer.

6 Close the deal

The final skill for negotiating with photographers is to close the deal and secure the agreement. You need to be able to recognize when the negotiation is reaching its end, and when it is time to stop bargaining and make a decision. You also need to be able to summarize the main points of the agreement, confirm the details, and express your satisfaction and gratitude. Closing the deal will help you finalize the negotiation and avoid any misunderstandings, disputes, or regrets later on.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?