Digital Negative Disks...

[ChristopherCoy]

Multi-part question, for those of you who provide 'digital negatives'...

1. Do your DND's contain only the negatives for the 'good' shots, or most everything that you shot?

2. Do you include anything else such as a slide show on your DND's? .PDF of your business card maybe?

3. Whats the price of your DND's if they are sold alone? Any discounts if they are included in a package?

[MulberryLane]

This would be good to hear. Thanks for the question, Chris. I have been putting my edits on the CD, along with all the other shots, if they order the larger package. If they just order the smaller package, I put the proofs of the edits on there, with the non-edited originals.

I also have a folder with my copyright information, TOU, my digital business card, and a PDF of my marketing flyer (also has my print prices on it).

Since I am building my portfolio, I have been selling the DVD, even if they don't order prints. I don't plan to do that in the future, though. If they don't order prints, I mark up the price of the DVD by $50.

[Peacock]

Amanda,
Do you also include photo release so that they can print, lots of places won't print photos unless you have something in writing say that it is ok to printed.

I have had issues with places like Wal-Mart and H.E.B in the past, when I visit relatives, they want me to take photos, I take them put them on disc and then when they go to get them printed, sorry we can't print professional photos! I am like thanks but I am not a professional...

so do you have standard form or release for printing?

[MulberryLane]

Originally Posted by Peacock

Amanda,
Do you also include photo release so that they can print, lots of places won't print photos unless you have something in writing say that it is ok to printed.

I have had issues with places like Wal-Mart and H.E.B in the past, when I visit relatives, they want me to take photos, I take them put them on disc and then when they go to get them printed, sorry we can't print professional photos! I am like thanks but I am not a professional...

so do you have standard form or release for printing?

Actually no. I don't want them to be able to make their own prints. I have a form, but I've yet to include it.

[David Whatley]

A lot of it would depend on the shoot. But for myself, if someone wants a DVD of a portrait session, the DVD is 500.00 and thats with the edited images.

[Tom]

I include the edited images on disk with my wedding packages. For portrait sessions, it is a case by case basis. Totally depends on my client's needs.

No one sees or receives unedited pics outside my studio.

[toverman]

Originally Posted by Thomas Campbell

No one sees or receives unedited pics outside my studio.

+1

And they only see the "good" ones. During a shoot there will be the inevitable ones that are out of focus, exposure just a hair off, expressions horrible. My clients never see those. Only the keepers, and only edited ones.

[MulberryLane]

Originally Posted by toverman

+1

And they only see the "good" ones. During a shoot there will be the inevitable ones that are out of focus, exposure just a hair off, expressions horrible. My clients never see those. Only the keepers, and only edited ones.

I'm with you on this. I go through my "negatives" and pick and choose what they get. Even the "non edited" ones are at least balanced and popped a little bit. Gotta love the "Batch" control in PS.

[Tom]

Originally Posted by MulberryLane

I'm with you on this. I go through my "negatives" and pick and choose what they get. Even the "non edited" ones are at least balanced and popped a little bit. Gotta love the "Batch" control in PS.

Pfft..

Lightroom.

[ronocnikral]

we are finally getting around to using lightroom and love it. it's like bridge on speed and a camera raw editor. Awesome. (I know we are slow).

like Thomas and Todd, clients only get to see the best. we delete away what is not up to par from the first minute we see it. all "proofs" are included in their digi negs. full edits are done only for reprints (we aren't for hire for them to have us edit and try to print somewhere else) and they are included with the digi negs.

for weddings, we don't release the digi negs until 3 months after their private consultation (included in our base pkg). and the online gallery isn't released to the world until their private consultation.

they get a personal CR release for archival purposes only. full CR are not for sale (I say that, but most can't afford it).

[J Eddington]

Digital files would be the same as the ones they see to purchase. After they purchase $120 of a photo they may buy the digital file for $75.00. If it is just the file it would be $225.00 for the file. With all that said for ANY photo they purchase, I gift them a Facebook file. This is a small file with my logo and sized for facebook. If they tried to print it 8x10 it would look like crap. This gives them a way to share with family and I get credit for the photo. If you want more action. Place the photos on face book and then have them tag you. You will get alot of action if they tag the photos and share with family and friends.

[w9ctm]

Good idea Janice!

[Cajungaltx]

Digital files are $200.

If they purchase a package - minimum of $425 - they get mid-rez images (of the prints they purchased) for $50. These are good for printing up to a 4x6/email/etc.

They ONLY get edited images.

[Nena2007]

I wanted to bring this post back up.. I too have a couple questions..

What are the benefits of offering dvd images?

What if the customer wants only the dvd?

I am at a bit of a loss, I just missed out on an engagement session because I didn't want to offer the DVD and they found another photographer who would. I offered to give them high res images of the prints they ordered but that wasn't enough... I guess I need to figure out which way I want to do this. I'm just bummed I missed out on a session!

[ronocnikral]

Originally Posted by Nena2007

What are the benefits of offering dvd images?

That's what most people want these days. Some people think it is better to just get their money, shoot and burn with no plans on profit from reprints.

Originally Posted by Nena2007

What if the customer wants only the dvd?!

What do you think? "Ummm...I just want the DVD and have no plans of buying any prints." I would scan them and send them to the library of congress and show up at their reception to take pictures of all your images on display.

Originally Posted by Nena2007

I am at a bit of a loss, I just missed out on an engagement session because I didn't want to offer the DVD and they found another photographer who would. I offered to give them high res images of the prints they ordered but that wasn't enough... I guess I need to figure out which way I want to do this. I'm just bummed I missed out on a session!

IMO, you done good. Unless you have no regard for your name, work and reprint sales - then you should have buckled and gave them their images. You can't win them all, so just stick by your guns and win the ones that fit you best...