It's quite a controversial topic among photographers: to offer digital images (disk or USB drive) or not to offer digital images. I understand both arguments for why you should and why you shouldn't.
The "why you should" argument is this: the photographer makes lots more profit from a disk. Why? Because the only thing you have invested in the session is time and a disk or USB drive. Even if you provide a fancy disk sleeve or USB box, you still don't have as much cost in the session if you would if the client ordered a large gallery wrap, some enlargement prints and some gift prints. Prints can be expensive. And clients can print what they want, when the want and very inexpensively.
The "why you shouldn't" argument is this: if a client makes the investment of time and money to have a professional photo session, shouldn't the client receive the absolute best quality images in prints as they possibly can? And the answer is, of course! I do offer clients digital files but I would much rather have more cost in a session by providing professional print lab quality images to them. After all, these photos will most likely be on display in the clients home and/or office for people to see, often for a long time. I want my clients to show off my best work in the best way possible.
A website called Improve Photography recently conducted a test of online printing labs where photographers can choose to have their work printed.
Here is a photo comparison they provided of a professional photography lab print versus a print from Snapfish. Shocking, huh?
The "why you should" argument is this: the photographer makes lots more profit from a disk. Why? Because the only thing you have invested in the session is time and a disk or USB drive. Even if you provide a fancy disk sleeve or USB box, you still don't have as much cost in the session if you would if the client ordered a large gallery wrap, some enlargement prints and some gift prints. Prints can be expensive. And clients can print what they want, when the want and very inexpensively.
The "why you shouldn't" argument is this: if a client makes the investment of time and money to have a professional photo session, shouldn't the client receive the absolute best quality images in prints as they possibly can? And the answer is, of course! I do offer clients digital files but I would much rather have more cost in a session by providing professional print lab quality images to them. After all, these photos will most likely be on display in the clients home and/or office for people to see, often for a long time. I want my clients to show off my best work in the best way possible.
A website called Improve Photography recently conducted a test of online printing labs where photographers can choose to have their work printed.
Here is a photo comparison they provided of a professional photography lab print versus a print from Snapfish. Shocking, huh?
My lab is among this list of labs that were tested. And while I don't want to disclose which lab I use, I will say they scored VERY WELL and I'm proud to be a client of theirs! For me they provide:
-Print quality, which provides MY clients with the best products!
-Pricing, which allows me to provide reasonable pricing for MY clients.
-Shipping, super fast shipping lets me get my clients' products to them quickly!
-Customer service, the service I get from my lab allows me to provide MY clients with the best service I can give!
It's a win-win!
Here is another image that often floats around the internet showing the difference between professional labs and retail labs. The difference is incredible. This image is from Photography by Carlise.
-Print quality, which provides MY clients with the best products!
-Pricing, which allows me to provide reasonable pricing for MY clients.
-Shipping, super fast shipping lets me get my clients' products to them quickly!
-Customer service, the service I get from my lab allows me to provide MY clients with the best service I can give!
It's a win-win!
Here is another image that often floats around the internet showing the difference between professional labs and retail labs. The difference is incredible. This image is from Photography by Carlise.
So, please, the next time you choose to invest your precious time and hard earned money on a professional photo session with me, please consider also investing in the high quality prints and products that I can offer you from a professional printing lab, like the one I use for everything I have printed!
I offer prints, canvas gallery wraps, books, invitations, "save-the-date" cards, magnets, bookmarks, mini accordion books and LOTS MORE!! I have hundreds of styles and designs to choose from for everything you can imagine!
I offer prints, canvas gallery wraps, books, invitations, "save-the-date" cards, magnets, bookmarks, mini accordion books and LOTS MORE!! I have hundreds of styles and designs to choose from for everything you can imagine!