Get this! (opinions, please)

[lovely1m]

Last April, I hired a photographer for my Grandma's 80th birthday party. The party was in a town 300 miles from where I live. I spent some time talking to the photographer at the party and she mentioned she would be in the town I live in in August and that maybe she could do some photos of my son outdoors then. So this morning I emailed her to find out the days she would be here and if her prices were still the same. I get an email back of the time she is available on the weekend she would be here, she mentions her prices have gone up a bit, but that she also charges mileage and to get to my city it would be $120. I was pretty taken aback by this, I mean, she's going to be here anyway and mentioned it to me in the first place. The town I live in is about 20 times larger than the area she lives so we have way, way more photographers here. I don't plan to hire her now was there is no way I am paying for her to drive here when she was coming anyway, but I am wondering what your opinions are on this. Do you think its appropriate to ask me to pay that? I should add, we gave her a pretty good tip at my grandma's party above what she charged for doing the party.

[Jennilyn]

Since she was coming anyway and she mentioned it to you, I don't think you should have to pay for that.

[Traci Reed]

Totally inappropriate of her. She told you she'd be there anyway and that's still the case so I think she's downright scandalous trying to charge you a traveling fee.

[digideb]

I charge a traveling fee. But, if I told a client that I was going to be in their area, no way would I charge them the fee. Only if they asked me to travel! So, no, she is definitely wrong in this case!!

[heathergw]

what is her reason for being in town? If it's for personal reasons then yes, I agree with Traci and think it's totally inappropriate, but if she's there for business like another photoshoot then I don't think it's uncalled for to charge... although, I would split the cost between the two or however many photoshoots there are instead of charging the full thing for each client.

[ColleenSwerb]

Originally Posted by Traci Reed

Totally inappropriate of her. She told you she'd be there anyway and that's still the case so I think she's downright scandalous trying to charge you a traveling fee.

^~Word.

[newfiemountiewife]

Originally Posted by Traci Reed

Totally inappropriate of her. She told you she'd be there anyway and that's still the case so I think she's downright scandalous trying to charge you a traveling fee.

Agreed! SHE told you she'd be there anyway...so why charge a traveling fee? Even if she is there for shoots, she did say she'd take pictures and she'd be there anyway. You can't spring extra costs on people after you've already agreed to something or suggested something (which she did do) IMO.

[xboxmom]

She should not charge you a traveling fee if she is already in your town. If she is there for business I agree that maybe who ever her other shoots are could split the traveling costs. It's not fair to charge all her clients the same traveling fee if she is in the same place. Sounds like she just wants some extra cash in her pocket.

[litabells]

Originally Posted by Traci Reed

Totally inappropriate of her. She told you she'd be there anyway and that's still the case so I think she's downright scandalous trying to charge you a traveling fee.

Yep, this for sure!

[mlrw70]

I don't think she should be charging a fee when she mentioned she would already be in that area. It seems like a little bit of an overkill, KWIM?

[Shawna]

Originally Posted by Traci Reed

Totally inappropriate of her. She told you she'd be there anyway and that's still the case so I think she's downright scandalous trying to charge you a traveling fee.

I totally agree with Traci on this one. I definitely wouldn't book with her, even if she comes back and says she'll waive it I still wouldn't.

[lovely1m]

Originally Posted by heathergw

what is her reason for being in town?

I am not sure, she didn't mention why, but I would assume if it was for another photo session, she would have said something like, "I will be there for another shoot in August..." instead of just saying she was going to be here in August. But that's just assuming.

[ayaandjudah]

Originally Posted by Jennilyn

Since she was coming anyway and she mentioned it to you, I don't think you should have to pay for that.

This.

[kim21673]

I agree....she told you she would be in town and offered to take pictures...you shouldn't be paying for her travel expenses. If she would have talked about it differently..them maybe but the way it was brought up she is out of line!!!

[AmberK]

Couldnt have said it any better!

Originally Posted by Traci Reed

Totally inappropriate of her. She told you she'd be there anyway and that's still the case so I think she's downright scandalous trying to charge you a traveling fee.

[Sharon Kay]

Originally Posted by Jennilyn

Since she was coming anyway and she mentioned it to you, I don't think you should have to pay for that.

I agree and you should tell her such.

[Megan Turnidge]

Ummm. Yeah. If she is going to be there REGARDLESS of whether she shoots your session, she shouldn't charge you a fee. I understand why photographers charge a fee for travel outside of their area, but since she will be there anyway, you shouldn't be paying for her travel. That's whack.

[taxed4ever]

no way should she be asking you for more money!!

[lovely1m]

So I sent her an email last night that said, "I didn't realize that I would be charged a travel fee, since you mentioned you would be here anyway. I don't think I will be booking a session then." I haven't heard back yet. Glad to know I wasn't wrong in thinking that that it was crazy to charge me.