DVD's with reprint rights AND prints?

[archaeoman]

I've been visiting a lot of wedding photographer's sites this week. From the low end to the high end.

I've noticed that some of them (low end and high end) offer a DVD of high resolution with reprint rights AND print ordering options in the same package.

I guess that some photographers price their packages accordingly and count any print orders as a bonus.

But don't you shoot yourself in the foot by offering both?

[jonwhite]

Yes and yes, but we live in a digital age and there's many couples out there that wouldn't entertain any photographer that didn't give them the DVD of images, whether its so that they can put them in a digital photo frame, make their own slideshows or simply order their own prints...... I personally don't rely on print sales from weddings, they are just a bonus.

One way to ensure at least some print sales is not release the DVD of images straight away, I know some photographers who release it on the first year anniversary, we deliver it when we deliver the finished album so that ensures its at least a few months after the wedding so we get at least a few print sales from most weddings we shoot.

[Mark1]

Semi of topic.....

Gavin Seim has a podcast I listen to...He has Basically stopped offering any prints under 16 inch. He groups them as "gift prints". Technically he still sells them but they are not part of a package. He has moved his focus to wall prints like say a 60 inch. And then only on canvas. Then sells a DVD for them to print their own "gift prints". And he has seen sales improve in the transition. You do do you have to be a top line sales man and know how to prime the customer for such a sale.

From one of His sites... www.Prophotoshow.com
Large Wall Prints. Why the 8×10 Is Stealing Your Impact & Your Profit:
Published by Gavin Seim on August 1, 2009 in Biz Sense, Gavin Seim, PPS Photography
by Gavin Seim: Ever admired classical art? I think all photographers should take time to look closer at it. You owe it to yourself and your clients to start placing large pieces on their walls. We’ve single handedly ruined much of the furniture quality appeal of photographs. No, it has nothing to do with digital, too many people with cameras, or weekend warriors. It’s “our” fault. We’ve trained ourselves and our clients to think small. People walk through our doors thinking in eight by tens, five by sevens and wallets and we encourage them. It’s making photography a cheap commodity. It’s time to change all that with real Wall Portraits.

Why should an eleven by fourteen hang on your wall? Chances are the wall it hangs on is much larger than that. We’ve fallen into a rut and think that small is all people want for their homes. Often the first response I get when I talk about large prints is “people aren’t buying these in my area”. The fact is that people aren’t buying because you don’t know how to sell. I live in small town America and I’m finding out for myself that people will buy if you show them the value of a beautiful wall portrait.

When you walk into a furniture store are they afraid to show you the larger dining set? Do they act like it’s a stupid to buy the quality leather sofa instead of the cheap import? The only reason clients are asking for eight by tens is because we’ve trained them to. Try showing them a thirty inch wall canvas of their beautiful family and see how they respond. Now you’re selling fine furnishings.

Rather than making my own argument, let me allow history to help us. Below are some classical works, listed with original sizes. We think of these as classics, but when made they were meant to hang on someones wall just like our photographs. Take a few moments to really look at them, then I’ll be back. If you want to and be inspired in print, check out some books like Sargents Portraits Of The 1890’s, Frederick Church, or J.W. Waterhouse.

[caught14]

Just about every potential wedding client we encounter asks if a DVD of images are included before they book us. So for most engaged couples, you need that just to be considered. Some people (mostly old school photogs) have a problem with this because they depend on post wedding print sales to make money from the job. That was the business model years ago, but it is changing.

As a result, we price our packages accordingly so that we are paid for our time and don't need print sales afterward just to break even or make a profit. That goes so far with our clients because by not feeling pressured to buy anything, it gives them a better user experience, which translates into more referrals for us.

My philosophy is that the clients who would have ordered big prints from you are going to do it anyways, even if they have the DVD. These clients are affluent enough that they can afford it, and they don't trust Walgreens to print them out a 30x40 to hang in their home.

If they were clients who were only going to order a couple 4x6's, 5x7's, and one *big* 8x10, then how much money are you going to make off that anyways? Probably not much. I'd rather let my clients have the option to purchase those prints themselves. If they want to go through us, that's fine and it's a small bonus, but chances are they will feel like they are getting a better deal if they have the option to do it themselves. As a result, we have happy brides. And our happy brides tell their friends!

The other reason photographers offer both a DVD and print options is because usually their family and friends want to order prints. It's much less hassle to the B&G if they aren't the ones taking print orders from everyone else.

[archaeoman]

Just about every potential wedding client we encounter asks if a DVD of images are included before they book us. So for most engaged couples, you need that just to be considered. Some people (mostly old school photogs) have a problem with this because they depend on post wedding print sales to make money from the job. That was the business model years ago, but it is changing.

As a result, we price our packages accordingly so that we are paid for our time and don't need print sales afterward just to break even or make a profit. That goes so far with our clients because by not feeling pressured to buy anything, it gives them a better user experience, which translates into more referrals for us.

My philosophy is that the clients who would have ordered big prints from you are going to do it anyways, even if they have the DVD. These clients are affluent enough that they can afford it, and they don't trust Walgreens to print them out a 30x40 to hang in their home.

If they were clients who were only going to order a couple 4x6's, 5x7's, and one *big* 8x10, then how much money are you going to make off that anyways? Probably not much. I'd rather let my clients have the option to purchase those prints themselves. If they want to go through us, that's fine and it's a small bonus, but chances are they will feel like they are getting a better deal if they have the option to do it themselves. As a result, we have happy brides. And our happy brides tell their friends!

The other reason photographers offer both a DVD and print options is because usually their family and friends want to order prints. It's much less hassle to the B&G if they aren't the ones taking print orders from everyone else.

I am currently developing my business model and I think this works for me, as it seems many others are doing it as well. My hunch was that people are asking for the DVD so you better give it to them in their package or they move on. I plan on adding large prints and unique options a la carte and hopefully they bite on those.

As for what I bolded above. I have all along been planning to offer online proof and ordering to the B&G, family and friends. Again, this would be just a bonus if someone decided to order prints.

Above it was mentioned that a photographer gave them a DVD on the one year anniversary. I wonder if that works for them, I don't think I would take that route. I do like the idea of holding the DVD back for 3 months while the Album/Book is being created.

Thanks for the responses so far.

[Mark1]

Above it was mentioned that a photographer gave them a DVD on the one year anniversary. I wonder if that works for them, I don't think I would take that route. I do like the idea of holding the DVD back for 3 months while the Album/Book is being created.




Sales after a year can be counted on one hand. Sending the DVD a year later is not to really do anything but be an advertisement for you for their 1 year portrait. It is just a touch point to keep you in the customers mind and try to be their first call when they want other pictures. I agree dont send it right away. Send it last if you can, to maximize print sales. If not later on, but not so late that it looks like you are holding out on the customer.

[PMCphotography]

I do both, but make it clear to the B&G that if they order prints from me, they will be a substantially higher quality than if they print them themselves, because i custom resize them, burn the edges, sharpen them a bit, etc.

Family and friends often also order prints as gifts.

[joshr03]

For those of you that give the option for the family to order prints from you, do you actually print them yourself with your own printer and charge accordingly, or do you process the pictures for printing and send them to a lab you are confident in and charge for the lab cost + processing?

[PMCphotography]

For those of you that give the option for the family to order prints from you, do you actually print them yourself with your own printer and charge accordingly, or do you process the pictures for printing and send them to a lab you are confident in and charge for the lab cost + processing?

If it's only one or two small prints, I will print them myself, but anything more than that I have them printed at a local lab in town.

[caught14]

That's a good point PMCphotography mentioned about making it clear to the B&G that any prints they order from you will be much better quality. If you have a chance to show them some before and afters, that can go a long way.

One big name photographer (Becker) only provides his clients a DVD of the images straight out of the camera. That way if they choose to print themselves, they won't have any enhancements. He retouches many of his images for the blog and album, but the client doesn't get that unless they order a print.

Just another idea. Personally, I only want B&G's showing off my best work, and sometimes images SOOC needs some tweaking. (WB, exposure, etc.)

[PMCphotography]

That's a good point PMCphotography mentioned about making it clear to the B&G that any prints they order from you will be much better quality. If you have a chance to show them some before and afters, that can go a long way.


I do exactly that. I have a few prints made at the drugstore, and a few prints made from my printer after i custom resize them and sharpen them. Once they see the difference they usually order prints they intend on displaying from me, and lots of "album fillers" from the drugstore.

I also resize them to 2200 pixels, so really only an 8x10 is possible. If highly recommend they take them to a specific lab in town, and the lab actually won't print them bigger than an 8x10 if they see my name in the file.