Parent wants to buy CD with photos

[musicmaster]

I got this email from a parent today

Hi--I stumbled onto your CM photos from today. Lots of nice shots. Do you send out a cd if I select the ones I want or do you only do prints?

I have 3 options as I see it.

Say yes, give him the pictures with a max width of 800-1024px -- what would I charge?

Say yes, give him full res pictures for $10-12/picture

Say no, prints only.

Only reason why I am considering it is I haven't had orders from the event (partially my fault for not advertising enough)

[SuzyView]

Giving the CD away is saying "You can have the keys" but for some of us, that doesn't matter. Prints are easier for control of images, so think about that. Those printed represent your work. I just started hosting a Smugmug account and that works for people ordering from a site and printing and shipping go directly to them through the site. But for a small job, you can negotiate the CD, if you can control the size. For instance, if they only plan to print 4x6, then that's fine. If anything larger, you tell them you prefer to print them yourself.

[gravy graffix]

id would say print only, and maybe e-mail size files so they can send some to friends.

[tcphoto1]

Yes, I can deliver edited images with print or softproof for $XX. each. I require a signed release stating how the images are authorized to be used. Additional uses must be negotiate by me.

If it's a portrait or model test I handle the question like I've stated. A Commercial shoot is an entirely different rate.

[zerohyper]

I wouldnt give raw/high res... I'd give print or width of 800.

[JeffreyG]

Don't sell a CD of low res images unless you have a clear agreement that they are for display only. If the purchaser has them printed they may think the crap quality is a product of your skills. Do not underestimate the ignorance of many people you will meet in understanding the path from sensor to print.

You need to make a decision. Either you are selling prints or you are selling images. Since you aren't selling prints so far, maybe images are the way to go.

People have strong opinions on this sometimes, but I think either business model is valid. I think the 'selling prints' model is going to become steadily harder going forward as people really want images that they can share with far flung family or images they can display on electronic devices.

Here is one other rationalization. If these parents were all buying prints from you, how many do you think they might be willing to buy on average? You should price your full res image files a bit above that number. This is a win-win potential, where you get more revenue per hour shooting and they get more use from what they buy.

[tim]

6x4 $50, 8x12 $150, high res file $250, low res watermarked file free with each print.

[milorad]

I'd give them a CD of the shots they want, for the same price as naked (unframed) prints. Advise them that they're for personal use only, and that publication is prohibited online or otherwise. If they complain about the price, make sure you tell tham that these high-res digital files are the modern equivalent of film negatives, and generally speaking they'd usually be pushing sh!t uphill to ever get those, so really, your price is more than fair.

Make them respond to an email saying that they understand the T&C, and you're good.

I don't see republishing being an issue, but I can certainly understand people wanting digital copies over prints these days - even for their own use. The digital slideshow on the HD TV will soon overtake flipping through photo albums.