First photo gig. Need some help.

[randymcclure]

So I just had my first family portrait session the other day. I ended up getting about 5 or 6 different shots of the the family. My question is how do I present them with the photos? I don't really know any of the steps that photographer's take to get pictures from the camera into the hands of clients. This is what I've made up so far on my own.

I promised them a CD with the RAW files and the edited JPG files
Then I was going to make up some sort of catalog to give them prices for prints and then some sort of spreadsheet to fill out so I could order the prints for them

As you can tell, I don't know what I'm doing So here are my questions:

1. Should I give them all the RAW files that I took, every single one? Straight from the camera? Even test shots?
2. Obviously I took like 10 shots of the same poses, so do I pick the best one, or let them pick?
3. Should I make a separate folder on the CD with photos that I got artsy with? Vignettes, effects, color toning and such? Or should I not do any of that?

If any portrait photographers out there could post their workflow, that would be great.
Thanks

[zona5101]

if you give them the full size raw files (or full size jpgs) they have no reason to buy prints from you - they can do it themselves. Now maybe they don't want the hassle so they'll have you print them. maybe.

you should edit and just present the best shots. no need for them to see anything that isn't marketable - same with the 10 shot that are the same...just give them the best one.

Did you offer them "artsy" shots? If not, keep it limited, maybe a nice B&W of one of the shots - I wouldn't give them 6 different versions of the same shot... unless you are using it as an example of editing services you offer for an additional fee.

[Rentham]

Originally Posted by randymcclure

I promised them a CD with the RAW files and the edited JPG files

Oh boy. That was a mistake. I never give out RAW files, and I can't envision a scenario where it would make sense to do so. Is the client even going to be able to open them? Do they or (no offense) you, understand the difference? It opens a Pandora's box of problems relative to derivative works, alterations, etc. Not to mention you could be undercutting your own printing revenue.

I'd see if you could revise the deal by explaining the RAW files are more than likely useless to them. If they want them still, you're stuck and you should just hand them over. Chalk it up to a valuable lesson.

Originally Posted by randymcclure

1. Should I give them all the RAW files that I took, every single one? Straight from the camera? Even test shots?
2. Obviously I took like 10 shots of the same poses, so do I pick the best one, or let them pick?
3. Should I make a separate folder on the CD with photos that I got artsy with? Vignettes, effects, color toning and such? Or should I not do any of that?

No, don't give RAW files. Don't give out light tests, test shots, or any kind of unedited image. It's your work going out into the world. Put your best foot forward.

No one wants 10 images of the same exact thing. Pick the best one or two, and include those in your final selects.

How you structure the DVD is up to you. As a personal matter of taste, I wouldn't do any "artsy" effects unless you want to always have to do that crap. Show the kind of work you want to get.

I usually cut down the images from a portrait shoot to about 50 and export those from Lightroom into a web gallery. I put that gallery on my site and let the client select whatever number of final finals we agreed upon. Usually 5. This gives the client choice in the finals but keeps the post processing work and time manageable for you. I offer the client the option to get all 50 photos on a DVD at an additional cost.

[Tito87]

Originally Posted by randymcclure

So I just had my first family portrait session the other day. I ended up getting about 5 or 6 different shots of the the family. My question is how do I present them with the photos? I don't really know any of the steps that photographer's take to get pictures from the camera into the hands of clients. This is what I've made up so far on my own.

I promised them a CD with the RAW files and the edited JPG files
Then I was going to make up some sort of catalog to give them prices for prints and then some sort of spreadsheet to fill out so I could order the prints for them

As you can tell, I don't know what I'm doing So here are my questions:

1. Should I give them all the RAW files that I took, every single one? Straight from the camera? Even test shots?
2. Obviously I took like 10 shots of the same poses, so do I pick the best one, or let them pick?
3. Should I make a separate folder on the CD with photos that I got artsy with? Vignettes, effects, color toning and such? Or should I not do any of that?

If any portrait photographers out there could post their workflow, that would be great.
Thanks

You must know what you're doing, before you start taking paying customers.
I'm not a portrait photographer, but the RAW files are for you, but since you've already promised to give them to them-- you must honor your word. It's like film photography: photographers never gave their negatives to their clients.
Pick your best shots, do some batch editing on them (the basics: contrast, color, you know what I mean), show that to your customer and let them choose. Then, you do your real editing on the ones they want.

[autofocus]

Randy, most of the questions you've asked have already been answered, so I won't duplicate what's already been said and what I already agree to. We take a different approach for most of our customers. 95% of the time we'll print watermarked proofs for the customer to take home for one week after leaving a $125.00 deposit. I firmly believe this helps them with their choice as they can see, and arrange hard copies in front of them. This helps when the client wants to fill, or add to a wall of photograph enlargements. You can get proofs printed quite well, and quite inexpensively by companies like Costco. We will only offer CD's at a premium price, but will avoid doing it whenever possible. Our business model is to sell enlargements and reprints...not to give images on disk. However, many may differ on this, but it's up to you, the business owner, to decide how you want to run your business...this works for us.

[randymcclure]

Thanks for the help guys. As far as the RAW thing, I do know the difference, but I wasn't thinking about basically giving up the chance to make more money later because they would have to come back to me for them. I don't really have to give them to them. They don't know anything about photography so it wouldn't be a problem. And they are friends so that is why I decided to make this my first portrait session. How much do you guys charge? I charged $25 an hour for the actual shoot and I'll probably ad some fees when they order prints, as well as marking up prints.

[Pinellas Guy]

$25.00 an hour is not much money. Is this for the session fees and for the fees while you are editing?

Some would say that if you are just starting out and it appears that you are dont charge for the sessions but don't give them hi-res files. Give them cropped watermarked 96dpi 750 on largest images that are your best shot. Like the other comment - this is our image. Depending how good of friends you are, you may choose not to watermark but if they go on FB ask for photo credit.

But if they like the images that much and want a 8x10 of Sammy on the wall - then charge for it. Have it printed on Professional colo matched paper and not at CVS. Paper matters. Get the same image printed at CVS and then at a Pro lab and you will tell the difference.

Then you tell them why there is a difference in papers, show them the prints. Tell them that they will be happy with the pro papers.

You talked about doing sepia/b&W/vintage effects - are you being paid for your time or just want to showcase your work and what you can do.

I am just starting out, don't charge for sessions, but charge for prints. Portfolio building. Have lots of friends with kids and stuff who have friends with kids. I always tell them that I accept tips. I always tell them; "This is what I can do for you today while I am portfolio building"

[Pinellas Guy]

Originally Posted by randymcclure

I charged $25 an hour for the actual shoot and I'll probably ad some fees when they order prints, as well as marking up prints.

Why will they order prints from you when you provided them the hi-res digital files?

[randymcclure]

Like I said, this was my first paid shoot. I didnt feel comfortable charging more because of that. I got a total of $50 for 2 hours of shooting. I didn't charge for editing time. I'd still like to know what some of you guys charge so I'll know for next time.

They are ordering prints from me because they don't know how to do it themselves and probably don't want to. I use Mpix Pro for prints so quality isn't an issues.

As far as effects, I was just going to do them to showcase my talent. I'm not really sure how that works. Do clients ask for effects if they want them?

[autofocus]

How much do you guys charge? I charged $25 an hour for the actual shoot and I'll probably ad some fees when they order prints, as well as marking up prints

Randy this question has been asked by many before, and there is no set answer. However, I will say that if you start out cheap, that will be the type of clientèle that will haunt you going forward. The perception will be "cheap prices, budget photographer."...and sometimes very difficult to recover from that image. I know in order to set prices you have to consider your level of expertise and your area marketplace. Here's a good reason why low priced/shooting in volume makes little sense. Consider this:
10 jobs @ $100 each = $1000 gross, 75 shots proofed each job totaling 750 shots to edit ( a lot of work, for sure)
~or~
1 job @ $1000 = $1000 gross, 75 shots proofed, total edits 75 images

Ultimately, you have to decide what you think your service is worth. You also want to find a couple of good quality labs to start using. As mentioned above, we're not talking CVS