Great advice! In my experience particularly when you're just starting out, contracts are very intimidating for both photographers but more so for clients who are new to hiring reputable, good professional photographers. I have definitely lost work in the beginning by asking new uneducated clients to sign a contract when all they want were photos and more casual business dealings. I learnt to get around this by including a trimmed version of my full contract on an "order form" and then just asking the clients to sign off on it to "ensure we are all on the same page" or for "insurance purposes". And this has handled most issues. If they then become a reoccurring client I will present them with the full contract 👍✌️

Absolutely agree! Especially about the under pricing part.

Love this video. I also read contracts before I read them. It’s important to understand what is going on

Where I live in Switzerland, an oral contract is legal. You can also send an offer by email with what the conditions are and what you exactly you will deliver. So you get some type of agrement on writing if the accept it. But a traditional signed contract is for sure a good thing, specially for bigger jobs.

One good reason for business contracts is the avoidance of being robbed of both the client's and service provider's time and effort. The other reason is that neither party misrepresents themselves during the exchange of services in the presence of the law. I've seen too many small court cases where a simple phone text between 2 or more people have saved the day that resulted in one's victory or defeat.

I think a reason why someone wouldn’t want to have their clients sign a contract is because they actually don’t want to be held to professional photographers standards.

I told you, I can’t find my PayPal password!

Business Question - What was your process for transitioning from Real Estate Photography to Architecture Photography. What strategies worked as you worked to change your client base?

Hey Matthew, love your channel. Found you a few months back and binged all your videos in about a week. lol. I was sad there weren't more but I'm glad you are keeping at it (I've tried to do the same but it's very tough to manage trying to grow a youtube channel along with growing a photography business). Anyway, keep up the awesome work I'm a fan! Business question. How do you come up with pricing for your work? I mainly do real estate work and the usage is way different. In real estate it seems more transparent what competitors are charging and therefor easier to find the bar for what the market will bear. I don't find this to be as easy or transparent in the world of architecture. Love to hear your thoughts.

Business Question -- how do you price your photography as it pertains to brands? Allow me to explain - I recently shot a home that was staged, there were a number of images I shot that were really great that included brands (candles, vases, appliances, etc) that I would like to contact the company and ask if they would be interested in purchasing the image. Is this something that you've had success with? If so, what is your pricing approach? Not asking for YOUR numbers but instead more on the process of pricing - especially when you are just starting out. Thanks!

Is a detailed terms and conditions at booking a sufficient substitute?