Many people who seek photography services do not quite understand why all of the photos are so exclusive. Yes you’re hiring a photographer to do a photo session for you but all photos they capture still belong to the photographer even when they share the photos with you by sending you the file. The photos still belong to the photographer unless you sign to have all rights to each photo which can be very expensive.
It is common for photographers to offer photos individually, charging per image. You hire your photographer for your event or photo session and the photographer takes 100 photos. If you schedule with Photos by Karli, the package you purchased includes only 10 photos. Additional images are available for $20 each (prices vary depending on the photographer you hire). To purchase the full gallery with supreme edits is $250 in addition to the session fee.
To see more information on my pricing click here.
Since these are my prices I can tell you I’m on the lower end of the scale because I like to remain affordable. Another way to get more photos from me is to purchase a photo album. The photos will be available to you displayed in a high quality hard-back photo album where you will have most photos. They will not be available as a digital file unless you purchase per photo or purchase the full gallery.
Why are you met with ‘NO’ when you ask your photographer for the RAW unedited files of your session?
I’ve had a few customers request the RAW files that are straight out of the camera. This leaves me with the impression that they want to edit the photo themselves or have someone (friend of theirs) edit on their behalf. I am uncomfortable with this. Every photographer has a style that is only completed at the end of the editing process. Before hiring someone be sure that you like their style otherwise you’ll be asking for the RAW files and you will be charged a lot for this. Most photographers don’t even offer this as an option.
Most photographers don’t want to give the RAW unedited files because it will no longer reflect the photographer’s work. If you were to edit them yourself and then mention the photographer who shot the photo, giving them credit for taking the photo, what if the editing is not their style at all?
Many photographers feel that their job is simply not done if they didn’t edit the photos and deliver them edited. Photographers want to send their best work that displays their talent. Sending unedited photos, the customer may post them unedited or attempt to edit themselves. At this point you don’t know what the end product will be and it will no longer be a professional photographer’s work.
Here is an example of before and after editing.
Here you can see that the work just simply isn’t done. I’m thankful for the chance to display my style in post editing. I’m sure other photographers take pride in this as well.
I really hope I explained this in a way that everyone can understand and respect a photographer’s decision to not share their unedited, RAW images. You most likely will hear a polite ‘no’.
What do you think about paying per photo after the session fee?
See my blog post titled “A Photographer’s Goal”