In the world of photography, where art meets business, one of the most frustrating experiences which every photographer has experienced at least once- being ghosted by clients after sending over the price-list. However, a simple communication from the client can often lead to a positive outcome for both parties.

Let me explain. The silence usually appears after putting time and effort into understanding the client's needs and preparing a detailed response. You know- the one with carefully coordinated emojis, hyperlinked sentences and explaining the packages to the details. The delivery time - no problem. The preview- you get it as you are still dancing on your wedding.

And then… Crickets. 

Understanding: Why Clients Ghost?


There are several reasons why clients might ghost. The obvious, which is also the reason 99.9% of the time- it’s just too bloody high! But the truth is- there is no good answer for it, because nothing explains sudden silence, but we can assume that the reason is any of the following:


  1. The price might be higher than they expected or are willing to pay;
  2. Clients might be collecting multiple quotes and decide to go with another photographer without informing the others;
  3. Their needs or budget might change, making the service unnecessary or suddenly unavailable;
  4. Some clients may feel awkward about negotiating prices or expressing that the quote is bit too expensive.


And I understand, that in the world of social media and when ones headspace can be in 7 different places at the same time, one doesn’t care to respond anymore. When it suddenly doesn’t work anymore, why to explain- there are so many other options available, so taking that 15 second to compose a message with one simple sentence, can feel like a task that one doesn’t want to sign up to anymore.

In the end- no-one likes to reject or be rejected.

The other side: The Impact on Photographers


As it’s important to understand why the client may have ghosted you, it is equally important to know from the perspective of what being ghosted can lead to. Or what happened before the crickets appeared and your email sends you an automatic notification as: “Sent 5 days ago. Nudge?”


  1. Time spent on consultations, proposals, and follow-ups that could have been allocated to other clients or projects;
  2. Without feedback, photographers cannot know if their pricing is the issue or if there's another reason for the client's silence;
  3. A potential opportunity for collaboration and creating something beautiful is lost due to a lack of communication;
  4. Being able to adjust and understand. You never know when the photographer might find a personal interest in your project and even when the offered price not be suitable, the photographer might be interested and willing to adjust the price for you.


But if you don’t ask, you don’t get.



So if you can take one thing from this article already it would be - communicate! In every aspect of your life. You never know what other person is thinking and what something can lead you to. If you are client reading this article - know that of course we are not coming back to you with adjusted price immediately. But what if your wedding is taking place in Italy actually at the same time when the photographer is already there and have always dreamt of having that as their destination location? And when you would have just replied that “Thank you so much for replying, but it’s out of our budget range”, that allows the vendor to get back to you with adjusted offer.

Not communicating kills opportunities. And even when “thank you, but no” is the final destination, at least the communication is closed and noone is left in the dark.

Two hands reaching towards each other against a dramatic black and white seascape with cloudy sky background.

IF YOU DON'T ASK, YOU DON'T GET



I am here to encourage open communication - in your relationship, with your family, your clients and the strangers you meet on the airplane or in the bar. Therefore in this context, it’s beneficial for the clients to understand that most photographers are open to discussing their prices and services. Here’s why communicating openly is beneficial:


  1. Most photographers are willing to work within a client's budget. This might involve adjusting the scope of work, offering payment plans, or suggesting alternative solutions that fit the client's financial constraints. That often means that they can work x-amount of hours or deliver x-amount of images.
  2. Open communication fosters trust and can lead to long-term relationships. A photographer who understands a client's budget worries, may be more willing to offer discounts or special packages for future projects.
  3. Constructive feedback helps photographers understand market expectations and adjust their offerings. If pricing is a recurring issue, they can reevaluate their packages or consider offering more customisable options.


And that is also the main reason why we at Sunday & White have teamed up with some of our favourite photographers - all in different price range and availabilities - to encourage the conversation and us be able to lead you to your right photographer in times, when we are not able to take it on ourselves!


The Awkward: How to Approach the Conversation


Here are two key points for the clients who are unsure how to express that a quote is out of their budget or they would like to hear about potential adjustments here are some tips:


  • Clearly state that the quoted price exceeds your budget. A simple, polite message can go a long way. Like a sentence that takes less than a minute to compose: ”Hey- thank you so much for getting back to me but your provided price is out of our budget. I appreciate it!”



  • Inquire if there are different packages or services that might be more affordable. Express your needs and detail what you’re looking for and what you can afford. Photographers can then tailor their offerings to better suit your situation. If you cannot afford a half-day or full-day package, ask can the photographer is free and interested to maybe adjust. Worst that can happen is that they say “no” which is a no anyway when you are ghosting, so you are really not losing anything.


It’s nice to be nice


Ghosting is something that can easily be avoided with a bit of open communication. The rule applies that “treat others how you would like to be treated” and finalising communication in any form and with anyone, is a generally good practice and realistically doesn’t take much time at all. Clients should feel empowered to discuss their budget constraints with photographers, as in turn, photographers should continue to encourage and facilitate these discussions.

By working together, clients and photographers can find solutions that meet both artistic and financial needs, turning a potentially negative experience into a fruitful collaboration.