Jenn M
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Jan 19, 2007, 11:46 AM
Post #6 of 17
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Re: [Colvin ADTR] A different kind of way to make their album: No proofs
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Hi Colvin
I know of a few photog who are doing this approach in our area as well. In fact, I've had some brides come in and balk at it, which makes me wary to go that route. But I suppose it's a matter of making up your mind to do it and then taking a stand - "This is what I do, take it or leave it" - to varying degrees, I guess. On the other hand, some couples appreciate it b/c they admit they don't know the first thing about designing an album or what to pick.
I figure it's simliar to editing the video. We don't offer preview copies - couples don't see the footage until they get their final copy - we edit according to what we feel is their taste and personality, which comes after spending the day with them and several conversations or meetings in which we discussed such things. Right now, I feel confident that I can edit a couple's video to appropriately reflect their personality and experience from the day. And many have told me, after getting their video, that I hit the nail on the head.
Now I suppose I have to work on getting that confidence with album design, which I believe will come fairly easily, especially after a few experiences. But even so far, with the engagement sessions we've done, I seem to pick the many of the same images as favorites that the couple likes as well.
On the other hand, sometimes they shock me and choose something waaaay different than what I expected, and I realize that with photography, it's quite different b/c they have far more time to evaluate the image than on video. Since the still image just sits their - their expression will never change. The shape of their face, the bulge under their chin, etc. is frozen in time. So I think most people tend to be a little more critical (espeically of themselves) when it comes to a still image. Again, this makes me a little wary of doing all the choosing.
How does this sound (my current plan of action):
I design a mock-up, send them the preview with one opportunity to change or add images. They sign off on it and it goes to print...
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you know what I'm saying. Treat them well but get that order in quickly. It is just as you say, you are the pro, you know best: they come to you as an expert, they buy you and your image over a jobbing photog. 
. If you predesign, you can get it finalised in a few days and hopefully add in a few page orders instead of 1 or 2 prints. Reports, I have read, suggest that this method can double average sales and only 1% even ask for swap outs. 