Hey SON...wedding photographer Question

[Stangkiller]

I don't know if you normally release your RAW files, but if you came across a potential client insisting on receiving the raw files. Would you consider it? I contacted 4 photographers for my wedding in March, so far it's 1 and 1. I had a lengthy conversation with the photographer who said no, she didn't even understand why I'd want them.

Is it unreasonable/unheard of to require the raws from the photographer prior to the editing? :bigears:

[NeedSpeed]

I'd guess that some don't even shoot in RAW and thus brush it off.

[DAB]

years ago, when i was doing weddings, i charged them a fee for my time, got film and developing costs reimbursed, and gave them the prints and negs (all matched up), so they could do what they wanted.

if i was doing it today with digital, i'd do likewise, i'd burn a copy to my files for reference, and give them CD(s) with the files.

too easy to duplicate pix anyway, why fight a losing battle. make your $$ on your shooting fee and move on.

[Stangkiller]

years ago, when i was doing weddings, i charged them a fee for my time, got film and developing costs reimbursed, and gave them the prints and negs (all matched up), so they could do what they wanted.

if i was doing it today with digital, i'd do likewise, i'd burn a copy to my files for reference, and give them CD(s) with the files.

too easy to duplicate pix anyway, why fight a losing battle. make your $$ on your shooting fee and move on.

For the pricing that they're asking for they're making PLENTY of $$.

[Tossin]

For the pricing that they're asking for they're making PLENTY of $$.

In your opinion. They are getting what the market is willing to pay for the service they provide.

As a wedding photographer, I will not release my RAW files without serious extra compensation. That being said, I've never had a client ask for RAW files (I provide full res files, not downsized images).

Why do you want the RAW files? Do you not trust the photographer to do an adequate job of post processing? As far as I'm concerned, the processing is part of the price and part of my effort in producing a package that reflects the day's events.

[Stangkiller]

In your opinion. They are getting what the market is willing to pay for the service they provide.

As a wedding photographer, I will not release my RAW files without serious extra compensation. That being said, I've never had a client ask for RAW files (I provide full res files, not downsized images).

Why do you want the RAW files? Do you not trust the photographer to do an adequate job of post processing? As far as I'm concerned, the processing is part of the price and part of my effort in producing a package the reflects the day's events.

A friend of mines wedding photographer screwed up the pictures pretty bad.
While all the photographers we're talking to I wouldn't expect any problems. I'd just rather get the RAW's and not worry about it.

[carlton_fritz]

years ago, when i was doing weddings, i charged them a fee for my time, got film and developing costs reimbursed, and gave them the prints and negs (all matched up), so they could do what they wanted.

if i was doing it today with digital, i'd do likewise, i'd burn a copy to my files for reference, and give them CD(s) with the files.

too easy to duplicate pix anyway, why fight a losing battle. make your $$ on your shooting fee and move on.

Same here with the one wedding I shot.

[Rob]

The ones we have talked to have told us that we will get both the raw photos and the edited ones.

I guess it all depends on the photographer and the package you purchase.

[Tossin]

A friend of mines wedding photographer screwed up the pictures pretty bad.
While all the photographers we're talking to I wouldn't expect any problems. I'd just rather get the RAW's and not worry about it.

I'm certainly not giving my pre processed RAW files to a client and don't know of many photographers who would either. :yesnod:

[Stangkiller]

Well, I didn't reply to the last e-mail from the photographer who said no. She came around and has agreed to release the RAW files as well.

[ZipZap]

Depends on what you mean. RAW, as in uncompressed, or RAW as in no post processing, but compressed.

Depending on the equipment used, the former might be a problem. Shouldn't be a big issue to hand over the full res versions of the original photos along with any that were post-processed.

[Datawiz]

Well, I didn't reply to the last e-mail from the photographer who said no. She came around and has agreed to release the RAW files as well.

Free market system is a wonderful thing.

[Stangkiller]

Depends on what you mean. RAW, as in uncompressed, or RAW as in no post processing, but compressed.

Depending on the equipment used, the former might be a problem. Shouldn't be a big issue to hand over the full res versions of the original photos along with any that were post-processed.

I want the unprocessed all original files. While I probably won't do any of my own editing...20 years down the road, that's an option. My friends sister had a wedding photographer who edited all the pictures a bit too much, then refused to re-edit without huge amounts of money. Basically they wound up with practically no wedding pictures.

[spitfire]

We had some photos done for my parents 50th wedding anniversary. They turned out horrible. The photographer picked just a few of the ones taken that day and would not release any of the other pictures. Its a moment in time that we will never get back.