Recently after posting on my blog about digital files, I've had some response from readers and a few really good questions that I thought I would address. First off, this post is simply my personal opinion and in no way I am saying my way is right. Every photographer has their own way of running their business, and this particular way I find is the best way to run my business. This has been a subject that I have gone back and forth on for the past few years since I've been in business...
"Should my clients receive all their digital files from their session with me"?
When first starting my business I would have said no, but after thinking long and hard, I had to ask myself the question "would I want all my digital files from a session"?, and the answer was, absolutely, without a doubt - I would. So, what was it that changed my mind? Honestly, when I first started out I was extremely inexpensive and tried to make a majority of my money off of clients purchasing prints. As time passed I quickly realized that not every client wanted actual prints, but rather to post their images on their Facebook account/personal blogs. We now live in a digital world and things have changed. People don't want to agonize over a 5x7 vs an 8x10 - they want all of their digital files to do what they will with. But, most importantly, they want to share them via the web.
"So, how many images do your clients get"?
It really all depends...After a session I will cull (sort) through all of the images only keeping the good ones & deleting ones that are blurred, eyes closed, ect. Once I narrow it down I will artistically correct each photo, and then place them in a private online viewing gallery for my client to view and/or share with family & friends - again, we now live in a digital world so this is possible, quick, and the fastest way my clients can view all of their images. Images range anywhere from 30-75 (sometimes more). I don't give an exact amount as every one's session is different, but I can guarantee there will be at least 30 images in a clients online gallery. In some cases I've given 115 images, because that's how many good ones there were. I am not someone who believes in withholding precious images from my client. I also don't believe in just showing them my favorite 10 as every one's opinion is completely different - what I might like, others may not. I believe that client should see all the good ones from their session with me.
"Does giving all of the digital files decrease your print sales"? And, if so, do you help your clients choose a good lab to print with"?
No, my print sales have not decreased whatsoever. In fact, a majority (if not all) of my clients buy prints from me, because I have educated them in the difference between a 29 cent print vs. having them printed using a professional lab, but this is a totally different subject which I can address at a later time. My clients are hiring me because they saw something with my photos that they liked. They are hiring me as an artist and in turn, they want their images they display in their home to be the best. There are also clients who decide to print themselves, which is fine - that's why they have the disc & copyright release form - to do just that. I don't recommend to my clients which store to go to for prints, because that's not my job. I know the quality that store labs produce and so again, it's my job to educate my client on the professional prints they will receive from me. But, coming back to the the whole "digital world"...most clients simply want their images to look back on. They want to know they are there and with just a click of a button they can access them at any given time. And in the cases where they want an actual print for their wall, in most cases, they use me in which to print with.
To wrap up this post I will leave you with this...As a business owner, you need to ask yourself "what would you want your experience to look like" when choosing a photographer. And then from there, price yourself according to what you think is fair for your time. Again, I am not trying to persuade readers into thinking my way is right - just simply sharing with you what I've found to have worked for my business.
And, because I never do a post without a photo...here's an image shot at the last wedding I helped second shoot for...I just LOVE Lindsey's face expression as the Pastor pronounced them Husband & Wife. Happy Friday!
1 comments:
As a "client" I can tell you that I'm thankful for photographers who offer the digital copy of all the pictures. Its so hard to pick and choose which prints to get when you are limited by quantity or price. I always disliked when I had to leave behind pictures to "be destroyed" when I might have wanted prints later. Especially when its our image (or that of our family). Thanks for making that option available Erin, your clients will appreciate that. And I love your artistry!
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