Starting Out ... ?

[prince]

When clients ask for "digital" files from the session, they "most likely" are expecting unprocessed files with the assumption that they will get them printed or can process it at home. As photogs, we need to price our "digital" files and not allow any unprocessed files leaving your door. Clients need to be educated more and more on the "digital" files scenario.

Pricing should be such that you have recovered your costs either from digital or from prints. If clients want both than you are making that much profit (also losing repeat print orders though). If clients don't buy any digital or print copies, than well you as photog need to work harder to make sure such cases are minimal

I have had to rework my prices after reading the COB method last month. I am just amazed at what some of the local photogs are charging for their sessions. I feel they are way under priced :$ but then I am not in their shoes

Andy and Niresangwa, thanks for your informational comments.

[Niresangwa]

Originally Posted by prince

When clients ask for "digital" files from the session, they "most likely" are not expecting unprocessed files.

There.. I fixed it for you

[missoliel]

Originally Posted by andyw

To me it is all about educating the customer in the amount of work and time that can actually go into a "simple" shoot. When we shot on film we would show proofs which were effectively machine prints with no "tweaks". They then ordered prints which we would colour correct, crop etc as required. Nothing has really changed except the method of doing it.

Exactly, andyw. I got a big reality check on the second free baby shoot I did. Spent much more time than I'd allocated at the location; then spent an entire day editing. There is still so much work that goes into producing a final 'print', whether it's digital or physical. I can see that the general public view is that because it's digital, once it's shot the rest is a 'walk in the park', I think potential customers need to be made more aware of the time and value of quaility editing, and that it must be reflected in costing. Sure, we try and aim for a clean, ideal shot SOOC, but there may always be some at least some minor tweaking involved to recreate that original vision we had.

[prince]

Originally Posted by Niresangwa

There.. I fixed it for you

Thanks

Originally Posted by missoliel

Sure, we try and aim for a clean, ideal shot SOOC, but there may always be some at least some minor tweaking involved to recreate that original vision we had.

One can only minimize, but not eliminate post processing.. I can say that for portraits only though.