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Question from Beth: “What are your thoughts on offering a cd of images to clients if they ask for that vs. prints. I am somewhat hesitant due to the potential of my images being printed in poor quality labs with my name on it….”
Renae: Charge big for them. At least be compensated for it
Jamie: It’s something that clients desire. Price it to make yourself happy.
Tiffany: I always tell the client that I am not responsible if they print themselves and show them the quality of prints that I can sell them vs what they will get using the kiosks at department stores. That’s really all you can do.
Jason: It’s definitely something I want when I pay big money for a session! I would add it to a print package!
Reva: for the print release, i put a restriction on printing at ‘photo labs’ like walgreens, walmart, rite aid, etc. i refer them to mpix and a local PRO lab(s).
Shelly: I require them to purchase a print package from me if they would like to order a disc. Then they can see the difference in quality if they end up printing them on their own
Lynley: As a consumer also myself I wouldn’t use a photographer who didn’t offer a CD. That’s what I want because I can’t always afford the sit plus all the prints that I want at the time or maybe down the road I want more prints and I don’t want to go back to the photographer each time to order high priced prints. I also store all CDs with my kids pics in a fire proof safe for safe keeping. Most of my clients want the CD over prints some want both. I don’t watermark photos I give to clients either so my name isn’t on ones they print. To me that reminds me of Olan Mills or something. I don’t want to see logos on my prints hanging up so I don’t put it on my clients.
Stacey: Ask them why they want the digital images. Do they just want to share on Facebook? Offer complimentary FB sized images of ordered poses. They want all the images? Two choices, sell the slideshow or explain that if they order a session album they can get all of their favorite images in a way that they can look and enjoy. If they just want to print themselves? I know they’re not my client. I let my clients know that I sell wall portraits. I want something that they can see everyday and enjoy and they can’t do that with a disc in a drawer.
Lynley: I offer it with higher print packages too. If they want it by itself it’s priced higher.
Rebecca: I’d rather do that ,Lynley, than have people making prints of my work and passing it off as their own.
Kristin: I offer discs because in my area I have to keep up with the competition. People want something for nothing and don’t want to pay quality lab prices. I have a disclaimer that states I edit and color correct for my lab and I am not responsible for the color difference or image quality if the consumer prints images at a low quality lab such as Walmart, Walgreens and online companies.
Kat: I agree with Lynley. All of my customers have always requested a CD of images.
Heather: I NEVER wanted to offer discs, but I am only a few miles away from a very good protography program and the photographers around here GIVE their work away. I discourage printing from low quality labs as much as possible by showing examples to my clients and explaining to them why an investment in a higher quality print is a better option if not for thier smaller prints, then at least for the larger ones. Some get it, some don’t. And yes, I have seem my work abliterated by crummy print jobs before, but unfortunently, it is the way the world is going.
Tracey: I also give a cd but it is at cost..included I also have an 8×10 image from mpix.com along with same from walgreens so they can see firsthand the difference. I leave my watermark on images on the cd but if prints are purchased it is removed and I personally sign my name to each print…clients love that
Bekah: I just offer a disk with the session, but have been considering making a change. What is recommended for pricing the disk? I just include it with the session fee and no prints right now but I realize this isn’t the best business choice.
Marc: A young woman recently came to me with prints she made from a photographers disc at Walgreen’s in tears. The images that looked good on the disc looked horrible in print. The young photographer that did the images is now having to deal with defending her work as the prints circulate through the local high school. Sadly, this incident is horrible PR for this young photographer.
Selena: My goodness, what happened? Did she reduce the image sizes on all photos but did not let the client know? Or did the client try to print larger regardless?
I ALWAYS reduce and watermark my images on DVD’s unless the client(s) buy full printing rights from me. Clients are informed that this DVD is for internet use only; printing past a 4×6 is not possible unless they the “advanced DVD.” In that case the client now receives the reduced size and watermarked images for internet use, full size in colour and full size in black and white; both without watermarks for at home printing.
Shannon: I feel the same. I do not offer CDs.
Bekah: I haven’t had a problem with the prints turning out bad. I give instructions for clients to have the printing place turn off all autocorrect functions on the printers they use, and even at the Target kiosk (which I don’t recommend, I recommend professional print shops) they’ve turned out well (so far!), course the disks are high resolution. What printing company is most recommended if I start offering prints?
Christy: I require clients to order at least an 8×10 print before they can purchase that digital file
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