The "business" of showing previews.

[BenE]

To me one important aspects of business, and sales, is showing previews to customers. In 2000 I started showing digital previews, either on the computer or projected on a large screen. I always select the best shots and I never show anything, such as closed eyes, or any type of "outtakes". I crop everything to 8x10, and I always am careful about any edges of backgrounds not showing. (It happens) I take time cloning if I have to.

I just viewed a photographer's site that had a client area with online previews and I was amazed at how the previews looked. Lots of outtakes, closed eyes, edges of backdrops where the light stand legs, cords and even folding chairs in a corner showed.

I realize the customer can be told that all this will be changed, or cropped and that the light stand legs will not appear in the final, but I also know how people forget the simplest information. I also wonder what other people, friends of the customer, or just a visitor to the site think when they see this.

The one thing that I really didn't understand was showing closed eyes. I get those, and on more than one occasion I will replace the eyes from another shot, but the customer never sees the closed eyes.

My question. Does this sort of viewing policy hurt the final sales? Am I worrying too much about the "first impression" and the importance of showing the best of the session?

This photographer is not a novice, and is well established.

[texkam]

My question. Does this sort of viewing policy hurt the final sales?

Yes.

Am I worrying too much about the "first impression" and the importance of showing the best of the session?

No.

[Tom]

I agree with Mark.

I think this also goes with a proof session vs online sales.

If you are into portraits and print sales, you KILL yourself by putting it online. You have to do the personal sales to make the sale. I've got 100k+ pics on my smugmug account. But to sell prints from a portraits sale, I do it at their house or in my studio only. You have to close the sale and the internet doesn't do it for you.

Smugmug and the like are great for things like backing up, showing LOTS of work, etc. Also, I use it to get secondary sales for weddings. Pics of the dancing couples, kids, etc from distant family or friends. That's about it.

Show your best. And do it in person. Make yourself familiar.

[HeatherLou]

I have always "taken out the trash" and never showed anything that wasn't printable right then. However, here is my projection, or in person sales story.

The Great and Wonderful Don Barnes told me to buy a projector, and that if I didn't make enough to pay for the projector on the first sales session, that he would buy it from me. My average sale at that time was $200. My first session with projection sales was $701.57. The projector cost me $432......nuff said :) Cuz it's all in the math baby!

[BenE]

Originally Posted by Thomas Campbell

I agree with Mark.

I think this also goes with a proof session vs online sales.

I am not sure if the photographer uses the online viewing for all sessions. I was just surprised at what was shown.... the blinks, background edges, etc. The images must be jpgs right out of the camera, because the size was about 7 x 11 x72.
I didn't even mention the wedding that was online. That is a topic all itself.

[reader0428]

I can't imagine showing closed eyes and junk around the edges of an image. I normally show 25-35 of the best images from a portrait session, and most of them are very different - I don' t show 5 different versions of the same pose with slightly different expressions. How could "showing it all" possibly be a good business practice?

[BenE]

Originally Posted by reader0428

I can't imagine showing closed eyes and junk around the edges of an image. I normally show 25-35 of the best images from a portrait session, and most of them are very different - I don' t show 5 different versions of the same pose with slightly different expressions. How could "showing it all" possibly be a good business practice?

I agree.

There was one wedding online. Total shots =1,065. Lots of outtakes, and many duplicates. The first 200 shots were of the food, cakes, table decorations. There were 30 shots of the girls having makeup applied.

[Tom]

The more you show, the worse it is. Show only the best. Water it down and your work will be judged by the lowest common denominator.

[reader0428]

I will say that with kids' sessions, I MAY put in one or two "outtakes" of a silly (or cranky) expression (see below) because it almost always makes the parents laugh. Sometimes they even buy them. :) But even what I call "outtakes" are edited like the rest for consistency.

[brad]

I preview out of camera at the time of the session so I don't miss the "Oh that look is SO him" kind of shots (that I might have thrown out)... they buy the hell out of those shots.

But sales sessions or the rare online posting of the session are fully edited. Always.

[David Whatley]

Disclaimer: I do not do this for profit

I have been amazed at the shots someone will pick that they like, that I on the other hand would not ever pick. The may like the smile or lack of it, or maybe they think they actually look good in that dress
I think that I/We tend to look past the emtional and more towards how "photographicaly" good a shot may or may not be.
So, what that says to me, with the exception of closed eyes, just maybe you ought to process more of your shots and preview more than you normally would.

Again: I do not do this for profit

[BenE]

Originally Posted by reader0428

I will say that with kids' sessions, I MAY put in one or two "outtakes" of a silly (or cranky) expression (see below) because it almost always makes the parents laugh. Sometimes they even buy them. :) But even what I call "outtakes" are edited like the rest for consistency.

Not the kind of outtakes I was talking about.

Those are nice shots, and the ones the parents will not only smile at but certainly buy.

The last one for sure. I would even buy that one, and I don't know who the cute kid is.

[reader0428]

Originally Posted by BenE

Not the kind of outtakes I was talking about.

Those are nice shots, and the ones the parents will not only smile at but certainly buy.

The last one for sure. I would even buy that one, and I don't know who the cute kid is.

Would you like that in a wall print or a gorgeous wrapped canvas?

[BenE]

Originally Posted by David Whatley

Disclaimer: I do not do this for profit

I have been amazed at the shots someone will pick that they like, that I on the other hand would not ever pick. The may like the smile or lack of it, or maybe they think they actually look good in that dress
I think that I/We tend to look past the emtional and more towards how "photographicaly" good a shot may or may not be.
So, what that says to me, with the exception of closed eyes, just maybe you ought to process more of your shots and preview more than you normally would.

Again: I do not do this for profit

I understand what you are saying.

Shots like the two that have been posted are cute and spontaneous. I would show those for sure.

I was referring to some where maybe one kid is looking away, or has head down. It is sort of difficult to explain really, and I do not believe it is proper to post a link.

[BenE]

Originally Posted by reader0428

Would you like that in a wall print or a gorgeous wrapped canvas?

If that one isn't on your wall, at least 20x24 or 23x30... shame on you.