Proofs

[canon shooter]

What format do you present the proofs in?

On CD, prints, etc.

And assume you pick only the best of each pose.

[Michaelmjc]

I make a online gallery, so they can go to it and select which ones they like best.

[cassarilda]

I give 6"x4" prints of the best shots (300-400+).. plus they get an email quality CD... usually about 6"x8" @ 72ppi. Also, some pics get put online for the family reprints.

Ive very generous ;)

Regarding poses, if there are a few the same, yes I pick the best one or two.

[tim]

I'll do whatever the customer wants, and they're charged accordingly. Online and/or on a proshow DVD is included in the package, proof book is one charge, printed 6x4 proofs are a bit more.

[Padawan Dad]

I offer 4x6 proofs in an album with all my packages. Also included is online proofing so they can send it to relatives (who make purchases $$$.) I offer a CD with the negatives seperately, for a price.

[E3_Photo_Studio]

We have been doing 4x6 prints and a CD b/c we have been shooting in film and some in Digital....

However, soon we'lll be upgrading to all digital, and are going to offer Online proofs through Shutterfly, and a printed booklet of 3 inch proofs, or a CD if they prefer (those have to be purchased)....HOWEVER, all will be highly watermarked/copyrighted/stamped/etc. So that they can't copy them and will have to order more.

The online ones will be free to look at, but you won't be able to print them out. You'll have to order them directly online. If that makes any sense.

[canon shooter]

What kind of charges do you make for printed proofs vs. online. And what online service to you use and costs there

[tim]

Online proofs I include in my package. Proof books I charge at cost + a little for my time. I'm not trying to make money out of proofs.

[E3_Photo_Studio]

Online proofs I include in my package. Proof books I charge at cost + a little for my time. I'm not trying to make money out of proofs.

Same here.

For online. We're going to go with www.shutterfly.com (http://www.shutterfly.com). We can set our own prices for the different sizes, and don't have to deal with any of the printing and stuff. Kinda nice, and the proofs can be viewed for free by the customer. But like someone said, I'll give them whatever they want for proofs, but prints and a proof book they gotta pay for.

[canon shooter]

Same here.

For online. We're going to go with www.shutterfly.com (http://www.shutterfly.com). We can set our own prices for the different sizes, and don't have to deal with any of the printing and stuff. Kinda nice, and the proofs can be viewed for free by the customer. But like someone said, I'll give them whatever they want for proofs, but prints and a proof book they gotta pay for.Have not used www.shutterfly.com (http://www.shutterfly.com) before. Do they charge you a fee? Can you set up each wedding individually with password protection?

[liza]

I like Smugmug for that sort of thing. Their customer service is excellent.

[E3_Photo_Studio]

Have not used www.shutterfly.com (http://www.shutterfly.com) before. Do they charge you a fee? Can you set up each wedding individually with password protection?

There's two types of subscriptions really, a cheap one and an expensive one (that's putting it in simple terms:lol: ). From everything that I've read comparing each subscription, they do allow you to create passwords for each sitting you put up there.

Here's a link to their Pro Gallery info:
http://www.shutterfly.com/professional_photo_gallery/index.jsp

The Start Selling today link has the prices, and the How We Work For You link has most of the info you'll need.

We did look at Smug Mug as well, but the price difference was what made us go with Shutterfly. That and SmugMug offered some stuff that we just didnt' need. So, we figured...why pay extra for extra stuff we dont' need? But each person is different. Definately compare the two and maybe others out there to see which one is the right fit for your needs.

[Espie]

thanks for the link!

[MichelleM]

They get an online gallery with very low-res (about 500 px 50ppi) photos on it, those same low-res files on a CD for them to use for email/web purposes and a bridal magazine (spiral bound) with 6 photos per 8x10 page. My lab prints up the books and they are wonderful. I design the front page and it comes bound with a clear cover and a card backing. I get them pebble textured, too, to make scanning impossible.

[liza]

What lab do you use, Michelle? I like the pebble texture idea.

[MichelleM]

I use WHCC and loooove them more than words could ever describe! :D

[canon shooter]

Same here.

For online. We're going to go with www.shutterfly.com (http://www.shutterfly.com). We can set our own prices for the different sizes, and don't have to deal with any of the printing and stuff. Kinda nice, and the proofs can be viewed for free by the customer. But like someone said, I'll give them whatever they want for proofs, but prints and a proof book they gotta pay for.How does the shutterfly qualilty compare to say an Mpix

[liza]

Thanks!

[MichelleM]

How does the shutterfly qualilty compare to say an Mpix

IMO using Shutterfly, Ofoto, and the like is like using Sam's/Walmart/Costco. Spend the extra few pennies and give your client quality.

People who have gone from Mpix to WHCC have seen a huge difference in the quality of their prints.

[E3_Photo_Studio]

IMO using Shutterfly, Ofoto, and the like is like using Sam's/Walmart/Costco. Spend the extra few pennies and give your client quality.

People who have gone from Mpix to WHCC have seen a huge difference in the quality of their prints.

But for those of us that are just starting out and can't afford to pay extreme prices for these types of companies....Shutterfly, Ofoto and Smugmug work amazingly well. It all just depends on what you are personally comfortable with paying, using, and doing.

I've personally seen prints done from Smug Mug and Shutterfly, and I'm sorry....they are NOTHING like Sam's/Walmart/Costco prints. They're 10x's better IMO. :rolleyes:

But everyone is different and prefers there own companies. What it all boils down to is doing the research and figuring out what you yourself are willing to pay for a service.

[canon shooter]

IMO using Shutterfly, Ofoto, and the like is like using Sam's/Walmart/Costco. Spend the extra few pennies and give your client quality.

People who have gone from Mpix to WHCC have seen a huge difference in the quality of their prints.I assume by this you like WHCC better than Mpix.

What does WHCC stand for

[tim]

Whitehouse Custom Color.

[MichelleM]

Not sure what "extreme" is in the line of prices...8x10s cost me $2.00 ($1.99 less than Shutterfly) and 11x14s cost me $3.75. Labs are cheaper than you think...do your homework and you can actually save yourself some money AND get a genuinely professional product to present to your client. :D

Didn't mean to start a debate...I'd hate to bump into my client at Walmart when picking up their wedding photos *blush*. ;) :D

*ETA* And a bonus, WHCC's shipping is included in the cost of their prints, so no additional shipping fees for 2nd day UPS service! I'm sure other labs are similar in practice.

[tim]

Strangely, the best pro lab I can find in NZ is cheaper than the high end consumer labs, and does a better job. One of the midrange print labs has similar equipment to the pro lab and also does a great job. The only way to evaluate labs is by sending exactly the same files to each lab to be printed - I did that for a half dozen labs, that's how I chose my lab.

[E3_Photo_Studio]

Not sure what "extreme" is in the line of prices...8x10s cost me $2.00 ($1.99 less than Shutterfly) and 11x14s cost me $3.75.

The "Extreme" mentioned in my previous post was about other companies membership fees. Some charge almost $300 just to be a member and use their services. I personally can't afford that.

Also, 8x10's for Shutterfly depend on the membership you have. They are NOT $3.99. If you have a PRO membership, 8x10's are $3.19 and a Premiere member only pays $2.39. Just thought I'd clarify that as to not mislead people.

For us, it just matches perfectly with what we need and wanted. But again...each persons/company is different, so research is definately required to find the company that works best for your personal needs.