Considering a U turn on offering raw files

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Most people don't know what to do with them, have the software to make anything of them, or want to take the time to deal with them.

I have agreed the very few times a client has asked, but I'm not inclined to offer them.

You are not going against the grain ... 20% more if they request Raw.

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Out of curiosity, do you like specify that they can't credit you with whatever they do with the raw file? I'm thinking uncle Bob taking the raw, doing some horrendous faux-HDR/colorized/filtered​/vignetted and then posting that to Facebook, kindly crediting 'Memories of Tomorrow Photography' underneath it. I'd be worried about the involuntary advertising. I guess they could also do that with the jpegs but there isn't as much temptation to play with a professionally edited shot than with a raw file...

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Only people I see who's going to pay more for RAW files are photographers. The normal client won't know what to do with them. If they wanted to edit them a different way, there's no reason to hire you in the first place. When they hire you, they hire your style and your editing. If I were to get married and was not a photographer, I would not want to edit my own photos or outsource it to someone else to edit them for me. Just doesn't make sense.

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I don't offer them, but I would sell them if someone really wanted them. They are just going to edit the JPEGs anyway. I doubt anyone really wants them when it comes down to it, though.

If they want to buy them, then by all means. Extra money, zero work.

ZachOly wrote in post #16240881
If they want to buy them, then by all means. Extra money, zero work.

Quite.

memoriesoftomorrow wrote in post #16240755
I've had at least 5 couples last season ask about it. In every case either the bride or groom had photography as a hobby.

I've decided I'm doing it. I can't see a good enough reason not to.

Pete

You might want to rethink this. I would never give out RAW files. I export 280 @ 85% @ 3200 pixels on longside through LR. This gives them a file that is about 1.5-2.0 MGs depending on how far in I crop. I feel like most others , prints are just a PITA so the file size they get lets them print up to about 11x14 w/o pixelation. I reserve all full size files for gallery wraps, board prints and Album sales. I have given up prints in favor or having the clients purchase larger wall mounted products through us. This seems to satisfy my clients. Have not had anyone ask for Raw files except photographers. REAL photographers usually have friends who are pros that they will network and negotiate with. So,in that situation.. Probably.. anyone else is a no for me.

Some of the Pro prints labs are starting to market to consumers. I dumped White house because of this. I think if you give out raw files you could loose out on your album and after wedding sales. Theres no infinitive for a client to buy at your price if they can get quality products......So my suggestion is to only let them have so much and not start a trend for your market......I think it will hurt you in the long run.

Maybe the only way i would do it is with a TOP package that includes the album and a few wall prints...Then you could use them as an infinitive to buy the best packages.....Again, you would have to price it acordingly

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People may see how bad your exposures are and how much work is done in post to correct them! Suggest selling DNG, not CR2.

memoriesoftomorrow wrote in post #16240622
Rather than wait for the request I'm thinking offer. In the same way others do with high res files (they already get them).

I could just imagine then having to explain my ass off to every potential client what a raw file is, why, how, why not etc etc......