The "business" of showing previews.

[lyncca]

I will show cute out takes but not closed eyes or other junk pictures (or even duplicates, since I will take 2-3 of some shots to ensure I have no blinks, etc.). I also don't show non-edited images. EVER (although I will show some in camera at the session so they can see they are doing a good job -- this immediately relaxes them). Clients ask for all the images and even say they will take them unedited and I just explain that it is not my policy and that there is no reason to have duplicates or other pictures they will not print.

I see no reason to water down the good images with blury or other crappy ones. Since 2007 I've only had one lady really keep insisting, but I can insist more that I'm not doing it :)

I read once that the difference between a good and great photographer is the amount of pictures they show. I don't think that is 100% the difference, but I can certainly see where its coming from!

[BenE]

Originally Posted by lyncca

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I see no reason to water down the good images with blury or other crappy ones. Since 2007 I've only had one lady really keep insisting, but I can insist more that I'm not doing it :)

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Years ago, in film days, I photographed a group of adult brothers and sisters. In those days 20 shots was customary for a simple portrait (20 exposure roll). I made 20 exposures and had 10 good and 10 with one step-brother's eyes closed, so I sent the 10 good ones for ordering.

The oldest sister kept insisting, for weeks, I send her all of them, so finally I did, and marked each one with a sharpie showing closed eyes. After about a month I received an order for 1-16x20 and 5-8x10 prints of one with closed eyes.

I explained that whoever paid (and it was all due before I placed the order) would have to sign an agreement that they would accept them, knowing the step-brother's eyes were closed. After another month the youngest brother came in and asked where the order was. I explained the situation and said no one had ever sent the money and no one signed the agreement.

He frowned and said, "We ain't gonna pay until we see them, because we may not like them, our step brother's eyes are closed"

[lyncca]

Originally Posted by BenE

Years ago, in film days, I photographed a group of adult brothers and sisters. In those days 20 shots was customary for a simple portrait (20 exposure roll). I made 20 exposures and had 10 good and 10 with one step-brother's eyes closed, so I sent the 10 good ones for ordering.

The oldest sister kept insisting, for weeks, I send her all of them, so finally I did, and marked each one with a sharpie showing closed eyes. After about a month I received an order for 1-16x20 and 5-8x10 prints of one with closed eyes.

I explained that whoever paid (and it was all due before I placed the order) would have to sign an agreement that they would accept them, knowing the step-brother's eyes were closed. After another month the youngest brother came in and asked where the order was. I explained the situation and said no one had ever sent the money and no one signed the agreement.

He frowned and said, "We ain't gonna pay until we see them, because we may not like them, our step brother's eyes are closed"

LOL, that sounds about right!

[BenE]

I appreciate the replies. Thanks.

[Ernst-Ulrich Schafer]

Your the photographer and you should know which images are the best. The more you show the lower your sale and the more confused your client will be. Your job is not only to be the photographer your job is also to sell and it doesn't have to be a hard sell to make money. David I do this for profit!!! ;-)

[BenE]

Originally Posted by Ernst-Ulrich Schafer

Your the photographer and you should know which images are the best. The more you show the lower your sale and the more confused your client will be. Your job is not only to be the photographer your job is also to sell and it doesn't have to be a hard sell to make money. David I do this for profit!!! ;-)

I agree. If you show a lot of duplicates, the customer will naturally choose which duplicate they like, and start eliminating. Once they eliminate the duplicates, that process continues until they eliminate most everything they have seen.

[Kraftsims]

I have done just a few shoots now. I showed more than I should have, but I did not show any that had obvious flaws such as eyes closed, etc. Some were chosen for final pics that surprised. Their reasoning? They saw something in the personality exposed in one pic over another.

Specifically, there were two pics from two different families that it was obvious to me which pics of a certain pose were just right. Good framing, composition, clear eyes into the camera, etc. They wanted instead the one with her turning her head slightly where she was moving her hair with her hand. The pic wasn't bad, but they said it was so typically "emily" that they couldn't resist buying that pic. I was surprised.

Another one was just so slightly blurry of their son under a train. I have to admit, the expression was interesting, but it wasn't what I would have chosen at all. Since she was a family friend, I let her see what I call the second round of pics. I never let them see the junk pics.

She wanted this one pic because of how he was opening his mouth and sticking out his tongue. Mind you, it wasn't cute or posed. it was natural and nothing I would have ever chosen for them. Yet the mom is ordering a 5x7 of that print. Why? She loves what he is doing so randomly with his mouth. She says it is so typical of him that it captures something of his personality.

I have pondered these events and realized that I should go with my instincts and show the first line obvious prints, but show a second line of off prints that aren't bad or have obvious problems, but are somewhat maybe a bit strange to me. There are "personality" pics that come through, if that makes sense.

Good thread.

[carrbowl]

I have changed to projector viewing....it is obvious to me I suck at this!!!!!!!!!!!