Copyright and CDRom???

[damppaper]

Hi,

I am second photographer to a very inexperienced first photographer (first wedding for a friend of a family member).

The Bride & Groom would like a DVDRom of the wedding photo's. We are charging small amounts for the wedding photo's to the bride & Groom, but hope to make money on the extra orders and reprints which should cover our costs.

I think the Bride & Groom may want a DVDRom to get reprints done as they will have the original photo's. Is there any way to prevent the DVDRom being used in this way?

Ideas i have so far:
1. Low quality images maybe 800-1000px wide/high good enough for a DVD player and TV, but not good enough to print.
2. A copyright logo in the corner as normal and the hope that they cannot get it reprinted due to the shop.
3. A copyright logo in the centre of the photo, maybe 15-20% opacity?

Is any of these ideas feasable? Should he just refuse to do a DVDRom? Is there a better way?

Please help:)

Damppaper...

[mackb]

I know it’s a friend of a friend of a friend, but don’t for get some basic customer service. Put a positive spin on negative situation. For example you could say that you normally would not give up a DVD of the images, but you will make an exception and provide them with a “rendered” DVD that they can watch with friends and family. You load the images into a video editing software and some music blab la (it takes very little time, but could save you money on lost sales) Some people would see right through this and stop you by saying “no we wanted the DVD with the files”…….Then the only option I see is to say NO or charge them for the DVD what you expected to make on the reprints!

Personally I think this is the digital age and B&G (even cheap weddings) almost expect a DVD of images. A common way to avoid this problem is to “front load” the sale and just give them the DVD.

[tim]

When you're starting out do whatever the customer reasonably asks, IMHO. I wouldn't hire a photographer who wouldn't give or sell me JPGs.

[damppaper]

Very Helpful, I think i'll just provide the DVD as-is? However didn't it used to be that wedding Photographers ALWAYS kept the negatives?

What is the difference, aren't the Jpegs just digital Negatives?

I know any photographers i have dealt with have never given out negatives and if you want copies etc, you always go back to them?

As for making money goes, i'm not bothered, i am there to learn and gain experience, and also to help out with the computer and post-processing end of it. I don't care if i get nothing, just as long as i get a crack at it!

[Dave F2.8]

State in the contract when they sign it that if they are wanting the CD the cost will be ________ and that it has a copyright. If they order only 1 cd the images will cost more right off the bat. Work it to were you will not lose money and explain it to them so they unnderstand.