Short answer Paste the prompt below into ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or Copilot with your own details and you get a clear photography quote with three packages, what's included, deposit and usage terms, written from your own prices. Works on free plans. Time saved: about 30 minutes per quote (estimate).
Why it helps
Photography enquiries often start with "how much for a few photos?" and end in a long back and forth about hours, edited images, travel and whether they can print the photos. A clear quote with packages answers most of that up front and makes it easy for people to say yes.
AI is good at taking your prices and what's included and laying them out as three tidy options, with the small print in plain words. Your prices stay yours. It just does the writing.
The prompt
Copy it, swap the bits in [square brackets], and paste it into ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or Copilot.
I'm a [type of photographer] in [town], New Zealand. Write a quote for this enquiry with three package options. NZ English, friendly and clear. The enquiry: [what they want, date, location] My packages and prices: [for each: name, price, hours, number of edited images, what's included] Travel: [your travel policy] Deposit and payment: [deposit amount, when the balance is due] GST: [prices include GST / I'm not GST registered] Copyright and use of the photos: [who owns copyright and how the client can use them] Turnaround: [how long until they get the photos] Rules: - Use only my prices and details. Don't invent prices, discounts or extras. - Lay out each package as a short list, then a short "Good to know" section for deposit, travel, usage and turnaround. - Under 250 words. End with how to book in one line.
Then keep chatting
Write a short follow-up for if they haven't replied in a week.
Turn my packages into a price list for my website.
Write a two-line text version of this quote.
Step by step
- Write down your packages: price, hours, edited images and extras. If you don't have packages yet, start with three: small, medium and large.
- Decide your terms: deposit, travel, turnaround, and who owns the copyright. Get these right before you send any quote.
- Fill in the prompt with the enquiry and read the quote.
- Check every price and term against your price list, then send it from your own email.
Worked example
Example details are made up. Your results will vary, so always read and check before you use them.
Watch out for
- Copyright: under New Zealand's Copyright Act 1994, if a client commissions and pays for photos, the client can own the copyright unless you've agreed otherwise. Put copyright and usage terms in writing before the shoot. IPONZ (iponz.govt.nz) explains copyright basics.
- Consumer law: if your client is a consumer, the Consumer Guarantees Act applies to your service, whatever your quote says. See consumerprotection.govt.nz.
- Privacy: you don't need to paste the client's surname, phone or address. First name and the event details are enough.
Go further
Spell out deposits, cancellations and copyright properly with the terms of trade use case. For enquiries that don't fit a package, the quote or estimate explained use case helps you word a price that might change.
