When giving digital files to clients...

[koppiwrite]

Originally Posted by kd322

Thanks Jamie, that really helps a lot! Where did you get this action that you run? Sounds easy and exactly what I am looking for! I just had a request for this, so this is perfect!

I actually recorded the action myself in PS.
I found the minimum require ppi for a good 8 x 10 print, then used that as my scaling for resizing.

[Aric C. Hoek]

To keep the negatives and sell prints, or to sell the negatives?

Then came… Digital or film?

Now the question is… To retain the files and sell prints, or to sell the digital files?

I am all about making money from my photography to provide for my staff and family. I have a commercial space for my studio, so I have more overhead than the average photographer.

I say sell the digital files, but for an amount that exceeds what you would normally receive on an average residual order.

If you are experienced enough to argue that selling the digital files is the wrong conclusion, then you are experienced enough to know what your average residual sale is for re-orders on a wedding or whatever your primary discipline is.

Take the average residual sale that you have been receiving for the past ten years, mark it up by 25%, and that to me would seem like a good starting point as to what you should charge for the DVD with unlimited reproduction rights.

[Aric C. Hoek]

While adding a read me file sounds like a good idea, this is not what I have chosen to do. When you take this approach, I feel personally as if you have de-valued your product.

How many time do you see a Read Me file? I see them all the time.

A typed out release letter delivered with the DVD, and signed by the photographer allowing the recipient of the letter to print the images contained on the DVD, to me, has much more weight.

[thebeginning]

Originally Posted by Aric C. Hoek

While adding a read me file sounds like a good idea, this is not what I have chosen to do. When you take this approach, I feel personally as if you have de-valued your product.

How many time do you see a Read Me file? I see them all the time.

A typed out release letter delivered with the DVD, and signed by the photographer allowing the recipient of the letter to print the images contained on the DVD, to me, has much more weight.

Point taken (and I agree). I actually do type out and sign a release letter that I include with my DVD's. The 'read me' file I mentioned is not actually a readme file, it's just a document explaining how to use the dvd. I've found that is helpful for the surprisingly large amount of computer-illiterate people that tend to use them.

[KD5NRH]

Originally Posted by thebeginning

it's just a document explaining how to use the dvd. I've found that is helpful for the surprisingly large amount of computer-illiterate people that tend to use them.

If they can't figure out how to double-click the photos, how do they ever figure out how to double-click the readme file?

[brad]

Originally Posted by KimHurt

I burn my files on to a dvd in three folders. One marked print, one marked web

Originally Posted by Aric C. Hoek

A typed out release letter delivered with the DVD, and signed by the photographer allowing the recipient of the letter to print the images contained on the DVD, to me, has much more weight.

These are what I do for my headshot clients. Included in the package is the release (on my letterhead) and a few business cards.

As for the statement that photographers didn't give away negatives in the film days.. that's true. They didn't give them away, but they did often sell them. And no one serious about doing this as a business is giving away their digital files, either. They are selling them.

[sanmay]

I have tried both methods. It was a hard choice.
I decided to do both. I charge for a package and they also have the choice "add" the didgital files to their package, as an add-on. It helps to increase my average sale, 90% of my clients will go for it. Love it.

[Norma_S]

I sell individual digital images that are fully retouched for about the price of an 11x14 per each file. I also sell a CD of the session images that have had batch processing done to the images but are not individually retouched.

I have a personal print release form that has my letterhead info at the top. My form has a place to list the image names and a description of the images. I fill it out, print it, sign it, then scan it and save as a PDF. I copy the PDF to their disk and give them the original printout that I signed when they receive their disc.

I've been using CD and DVD cases from www.jewelboxing.com and think they look really great. They come with printable inserts that allow you to do custom CD and DVD case designs. They provide Photoshop templates for these inserts. I've developed a case design that all I have to do is place the client's pic on the cover template and update the names and dates and print it out. The back cover design is always the same and has info about me and my business along with my contact info. I don't like the way their disc labels print photos so I print directly onto silver inkjet-printable discs.

The whole thing is very cool looking and professional. My clients ohhh and ahhh over the design so I guess it's a winner.

Norma