To give the High Res images or not?

[litwinphotography]

I dont know if this has been covered yet or not.

We are new wedding photographers and are wonder what quality of images we should be giving our customers.

One view is that we should only give them web quality images on a CD and only the pictures they select with thier package. Not all of the proofs. This is because we dont want them printing the pictures somewhere with poor equipement and blaming us for the bad quality of pictures.

The second view is that we give them the High-Res pictures on CD and only the pictures they select with thier package. If the want more what should we charge for adding more to the CD. But how much more?

Any thoughts?

[PIXI_666]

My thoughts are this...

If they want a CD full of images, give them to them on low quality and STATE why you have done this. Make them small images so they can be viewed but not printed.
I give out a proof book of all their photo's, BUT any candid type shots of guests i generally give them onto a CD high res. Mainly because those photo's im not too worried about - personal opinion though!
Now...people in the neg days would sell their negs for about $600 or so, or keep them 5 years and then if B&G wanted them sell them to them. You can do this but have them on CD...if the B&G want to definately buy all the negs (CD od high res shots) then you need to put a big price on them because your missing out on big sales!!!
I personally wouldnt sell my negs...if the clients dont like that then its just what they have to realise, photographer's own copyright....
Its up to you what you do....pretty much personal preference :) good luck!

[mizuno]

They can have high-res images on CD if they're prepared to pay for them.

[subtle_spectre]

You know they will make prints from even the smallest files. When asked, the dreadful print will be attributed to you.

[tim]

I sell them if they want them. If people ask why they cost so much I tell them it takes time to produce the CD - which is 100% true. Plus I hand process everything I print, no way can I do that with every photo I take at a wedding.

[rlhphotos]

I include the oringinals with my packages, they are all processed and this is big thing which seals the deals on a lot of my customers. But to make sure I'm still making a profit I cut back on the number of prints included in packages and change a few things around to make sure Im still making money off the deal.

[jamiewexler]

I include a CD with images downrezed to around 1.5 megapixels in my lower two packages, and tell my clients that they will print fine up to 4x6, but they will degrade by 5x7. I then sell the Large Print Resolution CD for an additional price.

As for missing out on print orders, I've done two things: First I price my packages so I feel I'm being fairly compensated even if I don't get any print orders from a wedding. Second, I use photoreflect for proofing. The first thing the clients see are the images on the ordering site, and they immediately send the link around to their friends and families, who order all of the prints they want before the bride and groom even receive the CD.

I also spend a bit of time during the sales process explaining why my pro lab produces better prints than the local corner drug store to set the expectations that the quality will be better if they order from me.

I think in this day and age it's tough to be competitive and not offer some form of digital files, and my system works for me. Every time I get a print order it's extra money that I didn't plan for (and I made about 5 extra weddings worth last year in just print sales)!

[tim]

I do the same as Jamie - forgot about that. The CD's fine for 6x4 but they're batch processed.

[BLINN]

Rob I'm with you. I also include all my images at High Res for the costomer. This is a great way to seal the deal. I do not give out PROOFS, I take the best images and work on them, I only give it to the client when all the images are processed. I will also include the original untouched images. This seems to be a great way for me to spread the word of my work. May be as I get better and or processing raises my images to PPOC then I will charge for my finished image CD. There is a trick to get around then CD/low res printing. Mark all you work with a boarder and your company name. Do it in such a way that If the customer tries to eliminate it the picture is off sized and will not fit in a frame. Even low res images can be manipulated to look good at larger image sizes. Becareful and good luck.

[jaykkub]

They can have high-res images on CD if they're prepared to pay for them.

I completely agree with this statement. I had a photographer shoot my wedding last year and I purchased the high rez images on a DVD. It wasn't something he "gave" me and I didn't expect him too. I paid a good price (don't recall how much anymore) for the couple hundred pictures that I got on DVD.

If the couple is willing to pay the extra money then you should sell it to them.

[cmM]

I generally offer the proofs in digital format... that's my kind of high resolution digital images :D

[Poster Of U]

I am getting married in September, and I went to 4 different Potogs till I found one that included the high res pics. With his package I get the high res files on DVD with a copyright statement that says the pictures belong to me. His website is http://www.magiquestudios.com/

[cmM]

I am getting married in September, and I went to 4 different Potogs till I found one that included the high res pics. With his package I get the high res files on DVD with a copyright statement that says the pictures belong to me. His website is http://www.magiquestudios.com/
Not only he gives you the images, but he gives you the copyrights as well? Wow :shock:

**Edit: BTW I checked out the photographer's website, and there's some very nice work there. Congratulations on your booking, and most importantly, congratulations on your wedding !

[Bill*]

I give my clients 4x6 print proofs of all the pictures taken in an album (they get to keep these.) They select from that. My packages are a done deal before they recieve the proofs (all paid up front.)

I got my $$$, made my profit, made a customer happy. Keep this in mind; not every one is on the cutting edge, and some people don't even know what a CD rom is, or how to operate a computer. The proof CD can be a turn off to potential clients who are technically challenged. I have experienced this in the recent past.

With low res CD's clients can still print some detailed 4x6's. With printed 4x6's they have to scan, and it can be a bother for them, and the quality isn't as good. If people are going to copy images... they will find away. I have always made a profit off my packages. What the client chooses to do with their final product is entirely up to them. We, as photographers, can only hope that they "do the right thing," and order extra prints from us.

Just my 2 cents.
Peace!

[BLINN]

Good point Bill, I offer either or. It the client does not know how to use a CD/DVD then I will absorb the cost and print them. I still come away making money just have to absorb about $360.00 for approx 2000 4x6's. Not bad if I am going to make $1000.

[tim]

You give out 200 6x4's? Are you mad? I give customers about 400 digital proofs, if they were printed i'd cut that down to 200-300 probably. Actually i'd be happy just saying "i'll design the album, here's the rest to look at digitally".

[Bill*]

I usually print up to 500 4x6's for my clients. It costs me about $145.00 through the lab I use. While I generally recieve about $2,500.00 - $3,000.00 for my services, it is not much to do for my customers.

Peace!

[BLINN]

I only get about $1500.00 but really, I still make money for what I give my clients. I offer on CD/DVD first but if I have too, I will print them all. What ever makes the sale!! A happy customer is a returning customer.

[tim]

I only get about $1500.00 but really, I still make money for what I give my clients. I offer on CD/DVD first but if I have too, I will print them all. What ever makes the sale!! A happy customer is a returning customer.

I've only had one repeat customer - a portrait session done soon after a wedding. I think wedding photographers rely more on reputation and word of mouth than repeat customers! :p

[BLINN]

If you are getting word of mouth, from a client that you shot and he or she was very happy with what you did (i don't just me how the photos turned out..) the that to me is a repeat customer. They are giving you new clients. Remember most people who get married feel they don't need any more pictures of them, but when a baby comes into play and it will in most cases, they will remember how you shot their wedding. If they were satisfied they wil come call on you first. Anyhow, Tim you are a good photographer, I am giveing you a tip join NoBs world, you business will grow ten fold.