I'm a photographer. Or, at least I'm trying to be. Trying to get clients can be one of the most frustrating things in the world. Especially in this day-in-age where everyone with a camera thinks they are professional. Lately, I've had potential clients pulling the same shit maneuver over and over. It jerks me around and leaves me hanging with a nasty taste in my mouth.

It begins when they ask me how much I cost. A normal thing, right? Services cost money. So after I find out exactly what they're looking for, I send a quote. This is followed by negative reply. Now, they don't just say that I'm out of their budget, but they let me know how much their budget is. The difference usually isn't that great. Something that I could, if I really wanted to and had the time and needed the cash, do. Since I'm a freelancer, that's, like, well, always.

Now, this puts me in a really shitty situation. They're already on to the next person without even giving me a chance to counter. A reply at this point is pretty pointless. So, I'm left there basically holding my bag going....'just...wait...one...second...please...' to empty space.

Why, why, why, if they have such a small budget don't they let the creative know up front and ask them if they're able to work within it. Or, ask what can be done for that amount. And, if the photographer is too expensive, why not give them a chance to negotiate? I mean, very few will not get up and do something if at least $100 is offered. It's like an insult to the injury. Letting the photographer know by exactly how much they were, and not giving them a chance to lower it a bit for any stupid reason they could think up that people will just nod and smile at. It's like a total dick move. Tantalize the freelancer with some money, then, when they're just a bit too expensive, let them know that and take the opportunity for work away from them.

We're not talking major budget shit, just dinky $100-300 jobs. Quote $150 and they only have $100, might they still check if they'd do it anyways? I mean, if I quote $600 and your budget's $100 that's a different story. But, $50 and you don't give them a chance.

I've had like 5 of those face-palm moments in the last week. That's like $500 of money lost because of stupid crap like that. I mean, you can't quote lower and lower and lower hoping not to miss anything. You go out of business that way.

Ugh, business blue-balls this week from things like that.