When giving digital files to clients...

[thebeginning]

How do you do it?

I don't want to know about selling and package balance and such, but the actual logistics of giving them the files. Do you simply burn the full-size images on a cd and give them a 'rights release'?

I currently am just winging it, and I don't think I like that. I want to offer a professional looking cd/dvd in a nice case, in a format that they will understand. At the moment I'm simply burning the files (after they've been narrowed down and color corrected) onto a DVD, along with a folder of the same images resized and watermarked for web use. I also include a digital version of a 'rights release' that they can print off. I put an 'INFORMATION' or 'READMEFIRST' text file in the root directory that explains what is on the cd.

It sounds complicated, but it's extremely simple when you see it. However, I'm not sure if that's the best way to do it. Not only that, but it's just a dvd with writing on it. Looks crappy. Any suggestions for that? Are there companies that will print single dvd stickers or covers? I don't want a company to put all the files on there for me, that's silly.

Also, for those of you that do sell your files, where do you suggest your clients take the images to be printed? I recently had someone take their cd to wal-mart and come back to me complaining because their machine made some mixup error and they printed the wrong images. I never suggested wal-mart, that's just what people do if you don't tell them where to go.

Any thoughts?

thanks!


p.s. don't think it will really matter, but I was referring to wedding clients ^

[koppiwrite]

I do a couple different things, depending upon what type of session:
For portraits I will printa CD label with my favorite image and place the CD in a plastic sleeve. then I deliver it in a 5 x 5 trifold brochure that has the digital print release and the digital negative printing recommendations.

http://thepolishedphotographer.com/

for weddings I lightscribe my favorite image, create a custom DVD cover and provide the digital print release and recommendations on a folded card on the inside cover.

YOu can find the 5 x 5 trifold brochure at the link below. I designed my own though. I have them printed at
Burrell Colour


Hope that helps.

[venchka]

Say what?????????????????

Professional photographers didn't give away their negatives. Why would you give clients your digital files?

Shaking his head and muttering.............

[koppiwrite]

I give them a CD with the images sized to print no larger than 8 x 10. I charge what I would like to make on print orders for the CD. Many clients prefer this method of delivery.

[ShaneKislack]

Originally Posted by venchka

Say what?????????????????

Professional photographers didn't give away their negatives. Why would you give clients your digital files?

Shaking his head and muttering.............

You are thinking too narrow. Commercial and editorial photogs have to give digital files all the time. How else would they print them?

[venchka]

I suppose.

[KimHurt]

I burn my files on to a dvd in three folders. One marked print, one marked web and one marked print release. I put a signed and dated print release in PDF form in the last folder. I have a standard design that matches all my other business materials with my logo, website, date portraits were taken, client name, and type of session that I use for the label. I just print it with my photo printer on to an adhesive backed label. I put the disk in a clear plastic sleeve and the whole thing goes in to a bag with my logo along with matching tissue, business card, card directing them to my blog, and a few chocolates.

[thebeginning]

Ooh, shnazzy stuff, Kim! I've been wanting to do that for a long time...I'm trying to slide over into the boutique studio mindset and setup, but I'm having a difficult time. I know this sounds silly, but it seems more difficult for a single guy to pull off some of that stuff (especially design-wise) than for a woman or a couple. Not being sexist or anything, that's just how I've seen it.

I'd love to get some info from you, if it's okay to peruse your brain :D Where do you get your bags and tissue, if I may ask?

[thebeginning]

Originally Posted by venchka

Say what?????????????????

Professional photographers didn't give away their negatives. Why would you give clients your digital files?

Shaking his head and muttering.............

First off, I'm not 'giving them away'. I am selling them, and making a very decent profit from it.

Second, this is just what the industry has evolved to. I don't like it any more than you do, but when nearly every single wedding client asks for it, you start getting the idea that you'll lose a good amount of business for not offering it.

Photographers that don't sell their files for SOME price are few and far between these days.

[kd322]

How do you save your files so that clients can only print up to 8x10? Can I ask what you charge for this. I love it!

[LEATHERNECK]

Ok Kim..I'll be pm'ing you myself about that dvd set up..........

[KimHurt]

I get my bags and tissue from www.bagsandbowsonline.com. They have a huge selection so you can find something that will fit you style. They also coordinate their products so even a single guy can find matching labels, tissue, bags, and ribbons. I get my gift certificates from them also. I use Memorex cd labels the package comes with an applicator so there are no bubbles when you apply the label to the disk. Also there is some very simple design software included - I just used the same background and font as my business cards. I think it looks more professional if everything I give the customer looks like it belongs together. I also try to make sure that every time they see me they leave with something tangible. Even if it is just an appointment card or a little bag with candies.

[koppiwrite]

Originally Posted by kd322

How do you save your files so that clients can only print up to 8x10? Can I ask what you charge for this. I love it!

I resize them and decrease the resolution so that if they print any bigger it will be poor quality. I have an action in photoshop that I use as a batch. It resizes, renames and saves in a seperate folder. It is super easy. I tell my clients up front that the disk they are purchasing can only print up to 8 x 10, if they would like the ability to print larger, then the price goes up. the pricing really depends upon whether they want all or some of the photos on a CD. For a few I charge what I would charge for an 8 x 10 print each. For all of them it depends if it was a wedding or portrait session. But you should price accordingly to what you would like to make off of the order if it were prints. I have a "goal" amount I would like to make off of each wedding and that is what I use to price the CD.

[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!

[toverman]

Younger clients expect digital files nowadays; it's up to us to ensure we're making a healthy profit from it. I don't really like it, either!