Pixtus - Photography Forum, Photographers, Photo Tips

tukaniray · **Digital Files -** 06-08-2011, 11:17 AM

So, I had a family photo session this past weekend. And they also paid for a few prints.

Happy yay.

But then, I they asked for Digital Files to have on their iPads/ iphones and computers.

I didn't position myself correctly to tell them I charge for digital files ... so I think I am SOL, on this family. And will have to be prepared to have a set price for the next family.

Question:
1 - Do you put your logo bug on the files and send to them to have?
2 - Do you size it in a way that looks good on those mediums and yet not good enough to print?
3 - Do you charge them for digital files? It wouldn't take me long at all (as just about all of you know) to create a digital file.

A friend of mine stated to charge them a small fee for the digital files. Since it takes away from my own print costs.

I was thinking the same thing, that's why I brought up stamping a logo on there and making them a size for what they want it for ... but not a good enough size to print.

Also, I have the copyright stamp turned on for the Meta-Data on my DSLR ... does that block print companies like Ritz / Wolf camera from printing it (per their policy of printing pro-work)?

Thanks guys.

-Ray-

kayumangi · 06-08-2011, 12:28 PM

Once you give out the digital file you really have no control on how they will be printed, even if they're resized.

I say give out digital files that are social media and media device ready with your watermarks on. If they use your images then you have the opportunity to market to their network. Just make sure you design your watermarks for marketing purposes so that it's tasteful and appealing. And politely ask them not to crop out the watermark, I know from experience they will still end up cropping it out but at least if those images are compelling enough you'll get some inquiries from their friends.

Now, if they ask for a non-watermarked file then charge them your happy price.

Most local labs don't even have the capability to read EXIF data so am not sure if the copyright on the metadata will be of any use. Some Walmart and Walgreens stores do demand a print release document so if they don't have any they may be denied printing services but not all stores do that.

tukaniray · 06-08-2011, 01:17 PM

Thanks Marius. I will do that.

Now I just need to figure a small cost for a digital file. Trying not to hurt my print sales nor my time for doing it ... which doesn't take much.

-Ray-

ggeen · 06-08-2011, 03:07 PM

In my workflow, I have a custom file that converts files to an 800x600x100pix JPEG. I can then select all the files I want to convert and apply that change. So, if I already edited my NEFs, then it really is not that much effort to do a second save as. You might consider adding something like this to your workflow in the future.

I use this special configuration for save web-ready files.

tukaniray · 06-08-2011, 04:18 PM

Yeah, I have a custom AutoMator saved up for files. So ... it's in my workflow, but not in my pricing.

-Ray-

J Eddington · 06-08-2011, 04:48 PM

Raymond, you might want to consider that for every ?$ that they spend they can choose ?# of digital files from the photos that they have ordered, that suitable for the web, FB etc. Most clients only want 3-5 to share with others. of course if they only want digital files I am ok with that. It just costs them about the same as a 20x24 print.

reader0428 · 06-08-2011, 08:12 PM

I include a low-res, watermarked file for web use for any image that the client purchases in print. I charge enough for my prints that I feel good about giving the client the low-res file as an added value. It's not on my price list and no one has asked yet, but if they did ask, I would offer to sell a low-res file if they did not purchase a print of that image for probably $10-$15. And some will say that people will try to print even a low-res file, no matter what size it is or how bad it looks. I've structured my pricing, product offerings and sales presentations to highlight the value of professionally printed art pieces. I rarely have a client purchase all digital files and no prints (although it's happened a few times - and even then, they chose a small digital file package, not the whole enchildada, again because of how I've structured my pricing). Because of how I've priced and positioned the products I offer, I feel like I'm attracting customers who also value high-quality prints and wouldn't want to print a low-res file at Walgreens just because they have it and they "can".

tukaniray · 06-09-2011, 09:04 AM

Hmm ... thanks for the info Amanda and Janice.

I would love a snippet of how you present that too your clients, if you don;'t mind. to get an idea.

Thanks.

-Ray-

tukaniray · 06-09-2011, 01:58 PM

Thanks for the info guys. It's working like a charm.

They have decided to pay for some more prints and pay for some digital files with out my logo bug on them.

I like clients like these.

-Ray-

tukaniray · 06-09-2011, 01:59 PM

When they are done ... I will post up some photos in the Showroom and get some feedback.

-Ray-

texkam · 06-09-2011, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Once you give out the digital file you really have no control on how they will be printed, even if they're resized.

Once you sell a print you really have no control on how they will be scanned and re-printed/posted. Just saw a FB post today of poorly scanned Senior pics.

reader0428 · 06-13-2011, 12:58 PM

Ray, by "present" do you mean "deliver"? If they purchase several digital images or a digital collection, they receive the CD with a custom label inside a custom photo CD case (ordered through WHCC, they are absolutely gorgeous!). If they only order 1 or 2 images, I'm having a 5x5 trifold card printed at WHCC with my branding elements and photos, and will include a plastic thingy (that's the technical term, ha!) to hold the CD in the inside middle panel. That's what I"ll use to deliver smaller digital orders. If you mean pricing, send me an email - info@amandafaucettphotography.com