Client asking for unedited images. Appropriate Response?

[ilcavallo]

Hey everyone. I had a client send me a message asking for all the unedited images from their shoot. I never give unedited images but I want to make sure my response is nice because they are friends of a friend and also were thinking of doing future shoots. I want them to understand my reasoning behind not giving them the unedited images while still making sure they are happy enough to come back in the future. Thoughts on my response below would be appreciated. Would you add or subtract anything?

"Hi Laura,

I am so glad that you like them! We had such a great time with you guys Unfortunately I don't give out unedited images because I have a specific style that is associated with my business and I would rather not have unedited images floating around. I hope you understand.

Was there something specific you were looking for that wasn't included? If there was, I can see if the shot is available. Honestly, we take lots of the same pose and shot to ensure that everyone's eyes are open and everyone looks good. I try to make sure you get a copy of at least one of each different pose so if something wasn't included, it's probably because the shot did not turn out well. Let me know if there was something you were specifically looking for and I will see what we can do. Thanks again."

[nickbedford]

I personally find the "Can I have your photos so I can do my own thing" to be rather rude.

I think you could lose the "Unfortunately"?

You might be able to reword it a bit: "As a business and owner of the original photographs, we don't give out original images but if there were any shots we may have taken that you missed, we can certainly take a second look through."

Depends what the client is like I guess. Good luck

[BuddhaPi]

you might consider adding something to your contract for the future..the response seems "nice" enough to me.

[ilcavallo]

Originally Posted by BuddhaPi

you might consider adding something to your contract for the future..the response seems "nice" enough to me.

I am now. This is the first request like this I have had to deal with!

[nickbedford]

You could always add a "But if you really wish to purchase the unedited images, we sell these for $200 a pop." haha.

[Jim Bryant]

Nope.........no unedited photos or high res negs are ever given to my clients.

[nickbedford]

Originally Posted by Jim Bryant

Nope.........no unedited photos or high res negs are ever given to my clients.

I shot a party for a mate of mine a month or two ago and he asked for the RAWs. I was like "NOPE".

[Photologyst]

Originally Posted by Jim Bryant

Nope.........no unedited photos or high res negs are ever given to my clients.

Absolutely! No RAWs, no unedited photos.

I simply send the edited version and ignore the request.

(Most people don’t know the difference anyway if the photos are fairly “normal” looking and not too over the top with editing.)

[ilcavallo]

Originally Posted by Photologyst

Absolutely! No RAWs, no unedited photos.

I simply send the edited version and ignore the request.

(Most people don’t know the difference anyway if the photos are fairly “normal” looking and not too over the top with editing.)

Yea...I know. Not what I was asking but thanks.

[ilcavallo]

Originally Posted by Jim Bryant

Nope.........no unedited photos or high res negs are ever given to my clients.

Yea I know. That's not what I was asking. More about how you approach explaining this to clients without sounding like an a hole