Getting a quote from Photographer

[maplekitty]

When you email a photographer from the info on their website, regarding pricing and services, should you then email them back if you decide not to use them?

I've been emailing a number of local photographers asking about their standard pricing and services regarding maternity shots. Many send me a personal email back stating their prices and other stuff. Is it bad if I just leave it at that and not email them back if I decide their prices or services don't fit what I'm looking for? Is there some kind of etiquette about that??

[Emilie]

I would simply email them back and thank them for their time and let them know if you want to set up a meeting you will be in touch. But if you don't have time or forget, I wouldn't sweat it since you aren't meeting in person.

[MSH]

I would probably email them back to thank them for their time and the information. Just in case you do end up working with one of them I wouldn't want the relationship to be strained due to 'lack of' communicating. However, I don't think it is 100% necessary, just good manners.

[Little Angel '77]

Well, from a vendor point of view, it's helpful.

If we don't hear from you again, we do assume you aren't going with us. I normally save all my emails, until I have closure.

I then, once a month, send out a reply email saying "I was cleaning out my inbox and wanted to see if you had any luck in your search for a photographer.

From there, I either get a "yes, thank you for following up" or "NO! Thank you so much for following up with me, can I set up a meeting with you? Things have been crazy."

or nothing.

The ones I don't hear from get deleted 3 days later, and I move on.
The ones that responded get filed,
the ones that say thank you I have someone, get deleted too.

I personally wish people who look at possibly using me, or have even meet with me, let me know either way. From an organizational point of view ITS VERY HELPFUL.

We don't take it personally. We know people pick vendors for whatever reason, it's part of doing business. So... the short answer is, Reply. Say "thank you! I decided to go with someone else, but I do really like your work, but you were outside my budget, or I liked their album a little better."

Telling someone why you didn't book is also helpful (although NOT neccesary)

Good luck

[KarenS]

Exactly what Little Angel said. :)

Karen

[Ummm]

ditto little angel. sometimes with no response back i wasn't sure if the client gets the email (or whether it got into the spam folder), but i didn't want to email them again because i don't want to come across being hard sell or pushy... so a response back would be appreciated :)