Bumped by a corporate photography studio

[Ripsnort]

We were scheduled to shoot the Washington State Soccer Assoc. Presidents Cup semi-finals and finals. Then I got this email from the pres:

Hello Brian,



I apologize for not getting back to you but I am still working on the schedules.



The Presidents Cup is a WSYSA Program and they have a contract with Legends Sports Photography to do all pictures. I have contacted Legends and am having them take pictures.



However, I am not sure that they will be able to cover all matches so I am hoping that you may be available for some photography.



Thanks,

------

Bill

District III

VP of Competition

Prez Cup Rep

So I replied with this note:(Legends Sports Photography is a chain.)

I'm sorry to hear that Bill, and worse yet, you won't be getting the quality action photos you get from our business as seen in the examples below:


Legends Sports action photography sample photos (Football-note the under-exposure and lack of proper framing)

http://www.photoreflect.com/scripts/prsm.dll?eventthumbs?event=ZLSP00ZF00&start=0&ts=1162392921


Nic's Pics and Lifetime Memories action photography sample photos (Football)

http://www.printroom.com/ViewGallery.asp?userid=Ripsnort60&gallery_id=542613


You see, Legends is a portrait photograhy studio that also shoots action sports. We are an action sports photography business that does not do portrait photography except for team shots.


We also offer a speciality service that Legends does not, Digital Montage Photography. You can see the sample on this link below:

http://pic4.picturetrail.com/VOL767/2726312/12661039/189724519.jpg


Let us know if you have enough coverage, we'll be glad to pick up any games that you do not have covered, because once we display some of our montage artwork, I have no doubt we'll outsell Legends.



Brian

Lifetime Memories Productions and Nic's Pics

Lake Tapps, Washington

Did I sound too cocky? I had nothing to lose really...

[lasersailor184]

Not at all.  You're in a cutthroat business.


"Sometimes men are just tempted to spit in the hands, raise the black flag, and start slitting throats."

[indy007]

Originally posted by Ripsnort
I have no doubt we'll outsell Legends.

Did I sound too cocky? I had nothing to lose really...

I would've gone with "We will outsell Legends, without even covering all of the events. You can see for yourself our products are that much better."

A sales pitch is a sales pitch. "Doubt" shouldn't be in the vocabulary. I had to review a proposal recently for a new revenue stream for my family business. First thing I did was find & replace anything that said "should" with "will".

[lukster]

Too cocky? Not at all. Sometimes you have to fight for business and I think you took just the right approach.

[Ripsnort]

Thanks for the feedback. Just a side note; Legends recently signed the contract for this years finals so I am told by a photographer that works for the chain. I will be following up and getting on their list of of preferred businesses for future events.

[midnight Target]

Originally posted by Ripsnort

Did I sound too cocky?

[ChickenHawk]

I have to agree with your assessment of the quality of the Legends samples.  I would be embarrassed to sell most of those pictures.

I'm impressed with your recent shots though.  You've made a lot of improvements since you shot your first game.  Of course I'm sure the new lens didn't hurt either.

[Masherbrum]

Not at all Rip.   They are obviously "happier" with a poor product.

[Urchin]

I think you sounded great Rip.

[Neubob]

Why did they refer to you as 'Brian'?

I thought your name was Ripsnort!?!?

[eskimo2]

That was pretty good.  I bet it was hard to not tell him off after he dumped you for no reason, even though you’ve done a good job and been loyal, thorough, etc.

If he ever completely dumps you completely, start Spamming him with cut-n-paste articles of everything you find on the Internet.

[Ripsnort]

Originally posted by eskimo2
That was pretty good.  I bet it was hard to not tell him off after he dumped you for no reason, even though you’ve done a good job and been loyal, thorough, etc.

If he ever completely dumps you completely, start Spamming him with cut-n-paste articles of everything you find on the Internet.

You are truly evil!:rofl

Seriously though, we never had a contract (other than a verbal one) nor have done work with this group before. They came seeking us after seeing our work with Junior Football...we did not pursue them.

We have a ton of work that we can fill in on week-ends in place of this event once football season is over (come this Sunday, the football season is over for us)

It just pissed me off that they went with an chain photography organization with lower quality standards...parents of sports kids deserve better, but that's my opinion.

[Fishu]

I made a quick comparison and the legends have a rather poor framing. I wouldn't be happy with my results if I'd have to publish as many poor shots as the legends photographer... and I'm not even doing business with photography.

Hopefully this Bill guy gets back to his senses.

[Gunthr]

Ripsnort, I think your answer was a very effective one, even if you don't get the call-back (there obviously might be other reasons besides quality, such as the customer having friends in the buisness or whatever)  You are assertive, you are respectful, and back up your assertions with evidence.   G'luck!  

[rpm]

Does'nt sound too cocky to me. I might have worded a few things differently, but you kept the door open to future business.