I couldn't make this up...

[Flores]

Originally Posted by rhoffart

We need an IT pro to tell us how to make a digital file expire -or- limit number of prints from a file. I know it can be done with movies ... can it be done with image files?

realistically. once that image has been used for SOMETHING by the end user, you have lost control over it. the same is true for movies or any other media.

You can spend millions on encryption, fancy players with 'security', and all sorts of other schemes, but that is all they are 'schemes' to make it more inconvenient for pirates and thieves to get the content. that actual truth is, it barely slows them down.

the only way you could limit the number of prints from a file is if it was on YOUR system. with cloud apps becoming reality, this may not be all that hard to do... but again. EVERYTHING has to be under you control. you can't let them print to their own printer. otherwise, the first thing I would do is print a 30x40 to a PDF file and never bother buying a print off your site again.

The trick with digital is to either recognize that the USE the image is for, and tailoring it to that. I believe it's possible to give someone a 'hi-res' image that looks GREAT on facebook and as a screen saver, but will print like crap unless they do a lot of work on it. :D

What business are you really in? Selling prints? or selling 'content'?

If it's the former, guard your images with your life! if the latter, the more people who see your work, the more business will come you way. In short, you have moved into a 'volume' business, where you will make up the extra margin you lose on 'lost' sales by the new clients you draw in by the free advertising.

Maybe. :)

[scottbuckel]

I did some work for a photographer when I was living in southern California. During that time he started giving out what he referred to as Facebook photos. If he shot a wedding or a portrait session he would usually within 24 hours, no later than 48 hours, he gave the client a series of images sized to 600x400 pixels so they could share the images with their families and post of social media. These all had his watermark on them. His business more than doubled in two years.

We also put copyright information in the metadata, not allowing printing. This does work even at some WalMarts, but now always. The watermarks will frequently get the WalMart printer to look at the metadata.

For Frank his work was shoot the session or wedding, archive all of the images, do a fast edit in Lightroom and get a set of images out in Facebook format, than start working on developing the images for use in albums and other profitable products. He would never allow proofing of the images on line, this in his opinion needs to be in person. That way he see the reactions, can guide the client and give them the personal attention to justify his costs - the concept of being value added.

He is a very good photographer, definitely not the best around, but he is one of the best marketers I have seen. Marketing is likely the main reason many photographers do not make it in the long run.

For me working with several wedding and portraits guys convinced me that I did not want to make a living do it. I will keep to nature photography . . .

Scott

[J Eddington]

No one raised an eyebrow when clients wanted to purchase negatives. But if it is a digital file. OH MY GOSH, how dare a professional sell the digital files!
I do the same as I did with film. You purchase the files or negatives and you are responsible for those files. I give information how to protect them. Different packages have different levels. Some only want 3-5 digital files for facebook. With certain $$ they get that. If they want only digital, it costs about the same as a 24x20 for each file they want. They want an album designed and the files from that, no problem. Cost is more than three albums. Discount if they buy $$$$ or the files with a package with a printed album.
In this day and age there is a chance that the photographer you hire will not be around in 10 years or you can't find them. (something like 89% of photography business fail in 10 years). We live in a mobile society, If you value those photos you want the files along with prints to preserve your memories. Make those files/negatives for sale at a price that you can afford to let them go.

[ChrisTX]

The photographer that did my wedding 10 years ago sold us an album with prints. Now, 10 years later, the guy is nowhere to be found. I couldn't buy a print if I wanted one. My only option is to scan the prints, and hope for the best. If my house catches fire, or some other disaster happens, those pictures are gone for good.

I completely understand why someone would want a digital file they can easily backup online.

[KD5NRH]

Originally Posted by StevenGWebb

I was in Dallas City Hall the other day and saw my first credit card acceptor on a soft drink machine.

Aren't you the guy on that Geico commercial?

YouTube - ‪Do you live under a rock? - GEICO Commercial‬‏

YouTube - ‪Do you live under a rock? - GEICO Commercial‬‏

Things have changed a lot; they've got color film and cameras that wind themselves between shots these days.

[hbwise]

Originally Posted by texxter

I am not a professional portrait photographer and my opinions here are those of an armchair businessman. But for whatever they are worth....

Digital delivery of images or video is what customers expect today. They will want prints too, as long as the prints are amazing, but just about everything today has a digital delivery option. Those adapting their business model to this trend, like magazines including fancy digital delivery with embedded videos, or photographers offering licenses for dgital versions of their work profitably, will ride the digital wave.

Those who insist that the only way to get images is via paper may end up being forced to change their business models as the competition offers them. Or become obsolete.

Bills, bank statements, insurance policies, medical check-up results, airfare tickets, party invitations, etc, etc, are all being delivered digitally. Consumers want their images delivered digitally. Find a way to do it in a profitable manner.

+1. Digital downloads are second only to 4x6's in my business.