questions re: what images to offer client

[my3peas]

I've gotten a lot of interest from a some people who all used the same photographer. They're unhappy with her prices and quality of work. The problem I'm beginning to have is that they were all used to her offering images on disc. She offered all the images from the session on disc, and they were able to go through and pick each one that they wanted to print. There's no way that she could have processed 172 (more or less) images, so I am inclined to think that her images were SOOC and maybe cropped or sharpened (I don't know for sure).

So, the potential clients are asking if they will be able to look through all images and maybe pick some that I wouldn't care for. I'm not sure how to respond to this.
I'm offering custom photography with fully edited images. I'll be offering approximately 20-30 images for the client to choose from. Do I just tell them that I go through each image and pick the best of the bunch? What do you tell your clients about the images you offer them? This is becoming frustrating *sigh*

Thanks for any response!

[HeatherLou]

Christie, I suggest staying with what your doing. There unhappy with her at this point for whatever reasons, just explain to them, that you offer 20-30 wonderful images, and they are ALL fully processed, tell them what YOU DO OFFER and stay firm to that. The art of telling someone NO, is hard to get right without hacking someone off. So reel them in with the great "other things" you give them.

[my3peas]

Thanks Heather!

Do you think this sounds like a good response:

You will be provided with 20-30 images per session. These images have been analyzed, edited and enhanced by me
because of certain characteristics that the image contains. As my creativity is what sets me apart from some other photographers, you
can be assured that your images will be of excellent quality.

[boxofrocks]

Amazing. When I cull down to 20-30 images, most of my customers still can't decide. 172?!? No way.

[carrbowl]

Christie,, what are you shooting...kids and babies?? Is the other person shooting the same? I'm wondering how you can shoot 172 photos and feel like you can get that many good photos??? that is alot of pictures!!!! I'd be tired and I'm not even the one smiling!!

[my3peas]

Renae, yep kids, families.

yeah I was pretty shocked when I heard this. The photog just sends a contact sheet and the disc. I won't even get into what she charges--not that it's bad for the disc of images, but it doesn't seem like they're processed.

Anyway.now they are all kinda spoiled because they get to mule through all of those images and pick the ones they like. But they don't understand the processing part of the session.

I just don't want to start out by giving less than quality images, ya know?

[carrbowl]

Well from a person who is there and moving like the speed of light out of there...I have a really hard time charging what I should. Don't know why...just not confident enough I guess. Had to pay someone to clean my house the other day...pissed me off enough to start getting my business gear in butt and start charging what I should and quit putting up with the crap I'm putting up with from a Mom fright now. She is clueless but thinks she understands it. Luckily when I explain it to her, she doesn't ask me to do it. But it is a lesson in hard knocks. And I'm learning I am a better judge of which photo looks better, maybe not which one like like better, but which one is a better quality......the learning is so much...the time so little...thanks for the forum and the nice people with all the great advice for newbies like us!!!

[Jake]

I'm doing online proofing now(I will stop that soon) and let them pick with ones they want. They have a lot more the 30 to pick though, but I only fully process a few. I don't want to spend too much time on images that wont sell.
I shoot RAW so I just batch and output the jpgs for online viewing. I don't offer a CD.

[HeatherLou]

Sounds like you have a good start on what to say! If they persist, just explain that this is what you (photog) have decided to offer, and you will do your very best job possible to give them great images!

[my3peas]

Jake, about how many do you offer?

From a children's photography site that I frequent, 30 seems to be the norm, but again, fully processed.

[carrbowl]

Why are you stopping on line proofing and what will change to?....whoo...hope I'm not hijacking...

[Jake]

Originally Posted by my3peas

Jake, about how many do you offer?

From a children's photography site that I frequent, 30 seems to be the norm, but again, fully processed.

Right now I put up way to many Anywhere from 50-100. I think 30 sounds like a good number to shoot for.
Only a hand full of mine are fully processed, but even the ones the aren't still look good


I'm going to start doing in person proofing where they buy the prints when they first see them. No more thinking about it for 30 days after the newness wares off.

[CaptainTom]

Originally Posted by thejakestir

Right now I put up way to many Anywhere from 50-100. I think 30 sounds like a good number to shoot for.
Only a hand full of mine are fully processed, but even the ones the aren't still look good


I'm going to start doing in person proofing where they buy the prints when they first see them. No more thinking about it for 30 days after the newness wares off.

Good plan. Most top level photo studios will have the client come in and view the photos that have been selected by the photographer. From these, the client makes a decision on which one or ones they want to have printed. They pay for them then, and the decison process is over. If for some reason they don't like any of the shots, the photog can offer a re-shoot, or just keep the sitting fee and have them go to someone else.
You will always run into a client who cannot be completely satisfied. It wouldn't matter if Ansel Adams did their photo, or if Gerogia OKeefe painted their portrait. They'd still bitch about the results.

[picasso]

I read recently where you shouldn't offer any more than 12-15 images (Portraits) to the client because what happens is they just get confused and can't make up their minds (Especially if they are all good.) I also saw recommended that if you have an on-line gallery you only put them up for a VERY short period of time because otherwise the people will not purchase if the can continually go out and look at them. I know from personal experience that telling someone they will only be there 2 more days will speed them into deciding which ones that way. I'm not sure about only showing 12-15 images myself I like to show more but, just thought I would share what I had read recently.

Paul

[my3peas]

Paul thanks for that. I think I'm going to go with 5 or 7 days for online viewing, for the reasons you mentioned.

Tom, good points! I wonder how often a re-shoot is neccessary.