How do you guys do proofs?

[weezerisrock]

Curious to what you guys do, I'll break this down into sections hopefully it will be an easy read from my random mind.

1) Are you guys all digital and only show proofs online or do you do proof prints or a proof book?

2) As far as PP goes, do you give each proof the attention and care it deserves up front or do a blanket generalized post process for the proofs then give the attention and care to what's ordered?

3) Do you guys make the B&W versions of all or some pictures before they can look at them? Or do you just tell them any picture is available in B&W?

Thanks for any and all of your input!

[Marmalade]

1)I think it depends what the customer wants the shots for.

I have done a proof book- Approx 25 -30 edited shots (4x 6) so the client can see what the pictures will look like printed. I started this just recently. I included the proof book in the total cost so they can have it to keep. I know that they can scan any of the shots and print as much as they want but for some reason they never do that, granted I have not had that many clients so maybe I have gotten lucky so far.

I have also shown proofs on my laptop to the customers so they can see what the pictures would look like on their website/computer ... I don't have a website of my own or a blog to show them and I don't feel that letting them see the shots on my flickr account is professional.

2) I show them the edited shots. Not every shot need lots of editing

3) I show them the b & w / sepia version on some that I think would look good that way and I tell them that I can convert any of the color shots for them, if they choose.

[private]

1. I show them proofs as a PDf file
2. Yes, all of the photos are edited. I will make one Sepia, one B/W and one color selected. I tell them for an additionl charge, I can do the same PP on any other photos.
I think its best to show your best work, they tend to order more that way - I usually present 35 or more photographs, I promise 25 and I promise to show them w/o "fancy" editing. Promise low and deliver high.

Anyway, I have had 4 clients so far - and they have all bought more than 95% of the pictures presented. But whose to say that the next 4 will be so kind...

[weezerisrock]

Thank you two for the responses. Was wondering what others did. I'm having trouble with where I want to go with it, you guys have given me some great ideas

[oldwolf]

private has a real good idea with that pdf thing. it doesn't take much to make a pdf file these days.

another option you might want to look into is some type of slideshow software that puts your pictures into a slideshow format. you can have them over or you can go preview the pictures on a tv with them. if you were going this route i wouldn't pp all of the pictures. maybe pp between 5 and 10 to show them what can be done to the pictures. if you get the right software then the pictures are converted to a format they can't easily rip off the cd or dvd.

the dvd doesn't have to be anything fancy and you can include that in the price of your session fee if you like and call it a proof dvd instead of a proof book. just make sure that you can easily identify which pictures they like so you go back to your computer and process that specific one.

[weezerisrock]

Thanks for your input! I'm still not sure which way I'm going to go yet but PDF would probably be the easiest...

Thanks guys!

[DragonRider51]

I would like to add to the responses here because I have been considering a new method of providing proofs for my clients as well. For the last two years I have been using online proofing exclusively. This has been very easy and quite handy to provide my clients with a quick and easy method of viewing the results of their sessions.

However, I have had almost no orders from this. Now, this may be a direct result of the quality of my work or a commentary on the price of my proofs or possibly directly related to the ability of the client to actually "buy."

I have been considering advice that I have recieved from more than one professional wedding photographer that suggests never to use online proofing because your client feel no motivation to purchase and since they can view online, they can share with family and friends as well.

By incorporating personal presentation you can offer proof books or dvd slideshows that encourage ordering from directly from you with the added motivation of discounts available if ordered within a specific time frame. I thought to provide a deep discount on orders placed during the initial viewing with the goal of obtaining orders while the emotion of the moment is the motivating factor. Then I might consider another level of discount on orders received within 30 days wherein prices would revert to full studio price.

I have discovered that I can produce a dvd slideshow from within my Mac using iDVD with very little trouble. I have also tested an application called PhotoJunction for producing wedding albums that produces a Quicktime video of any album or book that I design. This is an amazing application that is half the price of most other application used to produce press books or albums. I havn't purchased it yet, but the trial version works for a specified period and I found PhotoJunction very easy to use once you complete the set up. The slide shows are very nice quality and can be emailed or posted online.

So, I'm considering only using proof books and dvds as my method of proofing to allow greater control over my sales.

The second part of your question asked about how much post processing is completed before proofing and I don't work on anything that I haven't sold. I say this but actually I sort all shots before preparing proofs. All rejects get deleted permanently. I don't want anyone seeing the bad stuff and I usually have enough good stuff to using for anything else I need like backgrounds etc.

I hope this helps and I will be watching for others comments here as well.

www.billzaspel.com

[malebel]

Hello - I'm set up to do online proofing via PhotoBiz, with a $49 charge to present printed proofing. I have been mentored by a very successful photographer who only edits photos once ordered & also relies on online proofing via PhotoBiz.

I think the bottom line with generating sales has everything to do with how well you connect with the client. The one mentoring me has so much energy & such a positive outlook that her enthusiasm is truly contagious. She does very well with portrait sales. I doubt I will be so lucky as I just don't have quite that much enthusiasm & energy (although others who don't know this individual think that I do).

Myself, I haven't shot any portraits in over a year, although, if I do say so myself, created very nice portraits in 2006. Because I work full-time, I have very little time to devote the needed time & energy into this venture.

I plan on retiring in April 2013 & hope to do portrait photography as often as I chose because this is my true passion! My retirement property purchased is in a rather wealthy subdivision, so I hope to tap into that community at that time.

[FromtheBackofaHorse]

Malebel,
I checked out your website. Very nice!

[kimspics]

right now my flow is this.... I charge a flat session rate that includes a DVD of images, 1 8x10, 2 5x7 and 12 wallets. I have a smugmug account and I am very pleased with that, I post "my Pics" on the appropriate gallery and tell the client within 24 hours they should be able to view some pictures ( this is no way a proofing online sort of thing) it is just a way where they can see...First I do get their permission to post...take a look at my site.It is capturedphotographybykim.com. I am thinking about changing my system around a little and am working on some new ideas. I find that some people are taking my DVD and printing off pics at walmart which is fine but only with my permission !! I hope this helps a little..I definitley would suggest a smugmug site.