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01/18/2011 12:04:52 AM · #1 |
I was recently asked to shoot a wedding as a referral from another client.
The catch is that the couple want me to JUST shoot the wedding. They want NO post-processing, and
want me to give them all the RAWs so they can do it all them selves.
This struck me as kind of odd, and I think I'm likely going to turn it down as I'm not comfortable
with the idea that whatever post they do could be represented as my work.
What're your thoughts. Would you do a shoot like this? |
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01/18/2011 12:13:48 AM · #2 |
Personally, I would do it. I have done packages in the past where the deal was for RAWs, with 10 or so edits included for 'free' and more additional edits available for purchase if desired.
I've heard of other photographers never giving unedited raws out, even if that's the deal, but I'm not that way.
Then for my wedding we hired a photographer to give us "raw files" and we got back raw, unedited jpgs. I was extremely disappointed.
I guess it depends on how damaging to your reputation you think the RAWs could be. Perhaps you could have a caveat in the contract that if they post edited versions to credit you for the photograph and themselves (or whomever) as the editor. |
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01/18/2011 12:40:20 AM · #3 |
| Well, if you're able to hand pick which RAWs you give then maybe I'd consider it especially if it ends up being worth it for you in the end. But, as a typical rule of thumb, the unedited RAWs typically are something the client never sees. |
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01/18/2011 01:07:26 AM · #4 |
Your client isn't willing to pay much or anything at all for your service either. This is why they are asking you for this.
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01/18/2011 01:08:20 AM · #5 |
Originally posted by jmsetzler:
Your client isn't willing to pay much or anything at all for your service either. This is why they are asking you for this. |
Thats kinda what I'm thinking as well. We've not talked price yet, but this is what I'm expecting. |
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01/18/2011 02:06:48 AM · #6 |
Perhaps the bride and/or groom are already experienced photographers, but can't shoot the images themselves in this case -- they are using you as a sophisticated remote, and trusting you to make good captures from which to work.
As such, I think they should pay you a lot to acquire the images for them -- maybe between 50-75% of what you'd charge for a full package.
If you're concerned about use, include language in your contract which restricts their license to edit and use the images to personal use only -- they couldn't use them to promote their oun photo business, or as stock, or anything like that. Maybe in exchange, have them sign a release you you can use them as model-released stock images, or to promote your services, or whatever.
You could also make some kind of deal that they print a photo credit somewhere in the margin/border or something like that -- whatever you'd do with your prints. |
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01/18/2011 06:06:19 AM · #7 |
When I dove in as a full-time professional, I cared a LOT about things like this. Over time, I learned to care less...
My fees are based on shooting, processing, and usage. Most of my clients pay me fairly well not to do any processing. At first, I did the processing anyway, to 1) add value, and 2) make sure that my stuff looked as good as it could. In time, my clients and I realized that 1) the value was not in my editing, but in what I was capturing, and 2) I could not necessarily process a deliverable for every possible use. Most of the time, they (or whoever does their post-processing) nail it; sometimes some things don't look that great. All the same, I'm paid to do what I do and they're happy.
In the scenario above, I'm paid for shooting and usage. If someone wants me to make a print, then I charge appropriate lab-fee for processing the image. Money-wise, it all works out in the end. It's up to you as to how you rationalize what you do and what you charge...the main thing is to make sure you charge enough for what you do and to turn away the work that doesn't pay.
As for someone sullying your image by taking things into their own hands and totally botching it, I don't worry about that. I think that is more of an unrealized fear than an actuality. Sure, it could happen, but I don't think it happens that often. A strong portfolio that shows the breadth of your experience will typically over-shadow the occasional post-processing blunder.
A different tact to take in your situation is rather than asking for a photo credit, ask not to be credited. As  GeneralE suggested, make sure your contract allows you to use the images - then you can process the ones you like the way you want to. If you do a better job than they do, maybe they'll buy prints from you.
People are generally more concerned with the relationship than anything else. Were you easy to work with? Did you really work hard? Did you do the things they asked you to do? Were you flexible? Were you professional? Did you over-deliver? In the end, it doesn't matter what you get paid if your client doesn't think you're worth it and isn't willing to brag about you, or at least justify what they paid you.
Consider these exchanges:
Friend of Couple (FOC): "Oh, those are beautiful!" while thinking, "Those SUCK!"
B&G: "Thanks! We processed them ourselves. Our photographer was GREAT!"
FOC: "Really? That's amazing" and thinks, "not bad, all things considered."
vs
FOC: "Oh, those are beautiful!" while thinking, "Those SUCK!"
B&G: "Thanks! We processed them ourselves. Our photographer was such a jerk!"
FOC: "Really?" and thinks, "boy, you were lucky to get anything at all..."
or
FOC: "Oh, those are beautiful!" while thinking, "Those ROCK!"
B&G: "Thanks! We processed them ourselves. Our photographer was GREAT!"
FOC: "Really? Was he expensive?"
B&G: "Yes, but so worth it!"
FOC: "Who was it?" while thinking, "I hope we can afford him/her..."
vs
FOC: "Oh, those are beautiful!" while thinking, "Those ROCK!"
B&G: "Thanks! We processed them ourselves. Our photographer was such a jerk!"
FOC: "Really? Was he expensive?"
B&G: "Oh, God! What a nightmare!"
FOC: "Oh, that's too bad. Who was it?" while thinking, "never in a million years!"
Regardless of your business model, if you can't build relationships with your clients, you aren't going to make it, no matter what you charge... |
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01/18/2011 06:24:02 AM · #8 |
My New Years resolution was to not discuss weddings in the forums with  punk_kaos ;) |
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01/18/2011 08:20:40 AM · #9 |
| Well, I think they should just hire two photographers, that way they're sure to get better results. ;) |
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01/18/2011 08:40:23 AM · #10 |
I'm guessing they just want unlimited access to the files and don't want to pay for individual pictures, thinking it will be much cheaper that way.
I'd say it depends on the quality of your work. If you need to do a lot of processing to make your shots really pop, then I wouldn't do it, because they might not know how to process well. If your shots are require little processing because you're spot on, then why not? They don't have to do much work with them and probably wouldn't botch them.
The wedding that I did recently, many shots required little processing. However, some of my better shots actually needed a bit of work to get to there.
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01/18/2011 09:22:45 AM · #11 |
Originally posted by vawendy:
I'm guessing they just want unlimited access to the files and don't want to pay for individual pictures, thinking it will be much cheaper that way.
I'd say it depends on the quality of your work. If you need to do a lot of processing to make your shots really pop, then I wouldn't do it, because they might not know how to process well. If your shots are require little processing because you're spot on, then why not? They don't have to do much work with them and probably wouldn't botch them.
The wedding that I did recently, many shots required little processing. However, some of my better shots actually needed a bit of work to get to there. |
Hmm, I hadn't thought of it that way. I tend to do very little post anyway for the majority of my photos, so it may not be a huge difference in the end. |
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01/18/2011 09:23:04 AM · #12 |
Originally posted by coryboehne:
Well, I think they should just hire two photographers, that way they're sure to get better results. ;) |
There's a clause for that in my contracts now, trust me ;) |
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