Jenn M
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Dec 7, 2006, 12:35 PM
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Giving the Client 'unedited' images
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Well, I'm faced with an interesting dilemma... I find myself wondering if we're taking the right approach by giving our Clients all their images (unedited, except for some minor exposure and color correction - aka proof images) for their own use as they see fit.
We shot some engagement photos for my sis-in-law's friend. She already has a photographer for her wedding and we aren't available anyway. We did it as a favor, to get more samples and practice. In exchange for 'letting us' shoot the photos, we gave her the CD of converted jpegs (proofs) with permission for reprinting, etc.
The images are decent - print quality, but I have since edited a few to really make them 'pop' and I think they look even better. However, she didn't bother to order any through us (no one has yet) and instead opted to make her own book through the Kodak gallery website. My sis-in-law said that she (the bride) is showing them to everyone and is going to give this book to her fiance as a wedding gift. I was kind of surprised - their wedding isn't exactly low end, so it seemed odd to give such a basic gift (basic, of course, in my opinion). My sis-in-law also said that everyone who has seen them is very impressed and she (the bride) is telling all her friends about us, which was also the point of us doing it - to get our name out there.
So here's my dilemma. I have to admit, I was a little disappointed to hear she made the basic book with the basic images and she is now showing that to everyone and giving it as a gift, when the edited images are sooo much more impressive. BUT does it really matter if she's satisfied with them and everyone she shows them to thinks they're fine (even great)? My sister in law used the word "beautiful." And apparently the groom was very happy with them, which means a lot because he was tough to shoot - very stiff and convinced he takes a bad picture (which, by the way, he doesn't).
This brings me back to what I've always thought about photography - the average consumer's expectations are much lower than we think. I've seen people gush over certain photos that I look at and think, "Are you kidding me? It's out of focus, it's a snapshot, it's poorly composed, the lighting is awful..." But they are looking at it in an entirely different way. They are assigning personal meaning and value.
When we decided to do this (offer photography), we wanted to keep it simple - and one way to do that was to give the Client the images and let them deal with it (unless they wanted to pay us to produce them), but now I'm wondering if I'm shorting our potential... Am I throwing away the opporunity to make better photographs and therefore more income? BUT I guess it depends on what you believe makes a better photograph - the original image or the editing...
I like the idea of the client having access to their photos b/c some shots may have value that I don't see - so if they want them, they have them. I just wish they cared more about quality and asked us to produce the ones that they are going to show to everyone. Kind of like the edited video vs. raw footage. Some footage may be funny or entertaining to look at once or twice, but the best stuff is what they will show everyone - that's the stuff you want to polish and make it as good as it can be.
I just can't believe no one has ordered prints through us yet... I've shown them edited images, and they have responded very well - expressed interest. But after they get the images, I don't hear from them. And our prices are very reasonable compared to what I've seen other photogs charge. But still, no takers. Of course, it may be different when it comes to their weddings, but so far everyone has sacrificed quality for cost - taking the cheaper route and printing basic images themselves at Walmart or online.
I wonder how much our approach (in what we give the Client) will change over time...
(This post was edited by Jenn M on Dec 7, 2006, 12:37 PM)
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...however, i do believe your best shots [composition etc..] are noticed by 'potential' 
..in the meantime, take your best 20 or so shots and p.s them 
As a wedding photographer one has to think about the woman and how she feels. You have to visualise being a woman and having a lot of money to invest in her big wedding day memories. This comes easy for me as my new studio is located above a bridal store. I'm around soon-to-be brides all day and I see how much money they spend on clothes and stuff, and how excited they are about the whole ordeal. They're very excited. 