Gemma says...

I'm a wedding photographer and I totally and whole-heartedly agree with you! It is quite soul-destroying to work for so many long and painful hours, to then have the pictures sitting on a (lost) disc and never treasured in the way that they should be. It really is what brides want though, so I do it for them! And I too will just be having a disc of my own wedding pictures! But I will immediately make about 10 big prints and a huge album of them, I swear! I like your idea of all brides now getting a disc and an album and print credit with your packages - at least you then know that the pictures are being looked at in a better format than a Facebook profile pic! Great post, well said.

Posted on: Jan 11, 2011 3:42 p.m.

Megan Casteel says...

I totally agree! I am a photog in East TN and have had my business for a year now. In all that time, I've only sold 1 canvas and a handful of prints, NO albums! EVERYONE opted for the disc. So with the new year came new prices and packages with albums and prints in all packages, discs can be purchased in ADDITION as opposed to instead of, and for a much higher price than before.

I too am one of those brides, I got 500 images on a hi-res disc from my photog... And sadly its been over a year and I have NO prints hanging, NO album, and only a few 4x6's to show for all that.

Thanks for this post! Makes me feel better to know I'm not alone in this disc revolution crisis! =)

Posted on: Jan 11, 2011 3:55 p.m.

Stephanie at La Photographie says...

WORD! Couldn't have said it better myself.

Posted on: Jan 11, 2011 4:03 p.m.

Lauren says...

Im a photog too and people always want the CD, rather than prints.

I am very guilty of the other side of the story though. I got married a year and a half ago. I made some gorgeous prints at the time yet all my photos are still on disk and negatives lol. Ive planned the album just haven't gotten around to creating and having it printed.
On the other hand though, my sister in law got married four weeks ago, I've printed large images for her already and really feel like Im missing out now not having mine done, so Im pushing myself to sort it all out in the next few weeks so I can show them off :)

Posted on: Jan 11, 2011 4:28 p.m.

Michael Halliday says...

I must say I agree totally with what you say. I'm just getting established in wedding photography and have decided to offer all my packages with albums. I've heard the smae story as that of brides A & B so many times now. People will pay silly prices to have the latest fashions, the coolest phones, a better car than thier nieghbour yet they want to cut costs on something which will last a lifetime and hold precious memories for them and thier descendants. I sincerely hope any photographer wishing to avoid the "shoot and burn" culture survives against the cheeper competition.

Posted on: Jan 11, 2011 4:35 p.m.

stefanie says...

I couldn't agree more. Well written - going to spread the word on your post now!

Posted on: Jan 11, 2011 4:35 p.m.

Sam Hassas says...

I'd say you might be a bit short sided about this.

Some preamble. I shot 45 wedding in 10' and am scheduled to shoot another 50 this year. All my clients get a DVD and about 70% get an album as well.

DVD's are a revolution. Images on screen is the revolution. As much as I like prints, they are quickly becoming the route for the conosur. Picture this: Thanksgiving with the entire family at the house. Do we A. pass the 5x7 wedding pics around in a box for individuals to view one at a time with gravy and turkey grease rich fingers. OR B. put the entire set on the GLORIOUS 50inch backlight plasma screen for EVERYONE to view at once while listening to Journey and Harry Connick Jr.

Not sure I understand your balk at them wanting to use them for social network sites. Printed images will be viewed by tens. Digital images will be viewed by thousands. I can account at least 25 weddings that were directly referred from social networks like Facebook.

I for one embrace our digital overlords.

Anywho, though I'd play devils advocate.

~Sam

Posted on: Jan 11, 2011 5 p.m.

June Bride says...

I received a disk of my engagement pictures and made albums for myself and family for Christmas. I also have already ordered two canvas prints. It is so much more meaningful to pick the pictures you want and love to make your photobook, than the pictures the photographer wants. For a bride on a budget like it it also comes down to cost. I can make a 12x12 hard cover photobook on snapfish for $50 but every photographer I checked with charged ATLEAST $500. Yes it took me about 5 hours to arrange the pictures how I wanted in the book, but is that really worth charging me 10 times how much it book costs? I loved that my photographer gave me an option of buying the disk. You should be happy your brides are excited to share their pictures on facebook it gets your name out there and allows them to share their wedding with family and friends who otherwise would not get to see it. I searched for months to find a affordable photographer who was willing to give me what I wanted for my wedding, No the disk may not be for every bride, but for me it was the perfect choice. Why would you charge your brides more money for the disks just because you don't want them to buy the disk? It is their wedding, not yours, and charging them more just because you disagree with their choice doesn't seem fair to me.

Posted on: Jan 11, 2011 5:06 p.m.

Luis Murillo says...

In my case, I got married in 2009, and I didn't get a disc...I got the JPGs off the SD card of the photographer...yes, I know. And the fact that I'm a photog didn't have anything to do with the fact that I got the images right off the card...where are the pictures you ask? on facebook and somewhere on my hard drive...hopefully. I hope to get proper photos of my wife and I soon and get prints so I can hang on my walls.

I offer prints and a disc with my sessions since I've been shooting my portrait sessions on film.

Posted on: Jan 11, 2011 5:10 p.m.

Colleen Moore-owner White Orchid Bridal says...

This is yet another example of how doing things the good old fashioned way is best. I know in my hearts of hearts it is a case of how many brides try to save money by "doing it themselves". There is much to be said in letting a professional artist do the job you paid them to do in the first place. Photos on-line are a dine a dozen, but having company over and watching someone sit down and really take the time to study and enjoy every photograph is an authentic moment that creates even more memories. I once found a boyfriends album of his parents marriage in 1959, wow...what a blast we had looking over it!

Posted on: Jan 11, 2011 5:54 p.m.

Nicole says...

I read the article and while I can appreciate the message, I did receive a cd of my wedding images as well as an album and I'm glad we have both. There are a lot of pictures that I may not want in an album, but they capture special moments from the day that I wouldn't have without having the cd. Since I am in the wedding profession as well, I want to pay vendors for their time and am more than willing to pay a little extra so I can get the cd. Otherwise I know eventually most of these photos will be deleted and it breaks my heart to know I will loose them forever without the cd.

Posted on: Jan 11, 2011 6:01 p.m.

Jessie Blum says...

I don't know. I mean, I'm not a photographer. I'm in the wedding industry, but I'm also a recent bride.

We have about 715 beautiful images from our wedding photographer. Our package included high-res disc and three prints. No album, no print proofs. Maybe I am in the minority, but the day I got my photos, I began putting together my wedding album, which I made through a higher end non-professional website. I made a smaller album for my mom. I had a beautiful canvas print made to hang on the wall. I printed a dozen photos at a good quality photo lab to frame for photos for Christmas presents. I printed 20 photos for myself to frame in a photo collage. And then I followed through, framed all of the photos, made the albums, etc. I was married in October, and this was all done by the end of December.

Yes, I put some photos on Facebook and used some in blog posts. Sure, there are maybe 500 photos that I may never actually print out physically. But I love that they are there. That I have them, and they are in a safe place (on the disc AND on my computer AND backed up) for my children and grandchildren to enjoy and pour over.

I know that with my grandmother's wedding photos, all we have left is a single photo album of 20 8x10's, the album mildewed with age, the photos falling off the pages. I recently scanned all of the photos so we can make sure they will be around for another generation. I'm glad that I have the full resolution digital copies of my wedding photos. Maybe my grandchildren will page through my album one day. Or maybe they will scroll through the files on their computer. I like that they have the option.

Maybe in ten years, I'll look through my wedding photos and decide that I LOVE a different picture I hadn't really noticed before, and want to print it - and I have that option bc I have the high-res disc. Maybe my kids will love a certain photo in twenty years, and I'll be able to easily make them a copy of it.

Anyway, I do see your side, and I understand that you want your work to be preserved and treasured. But now that there are couples out there who will treasure their 715 high-res weddings on disc just as much - or even more - than an album.

Posted on: Jan 11, 2011 6:05 p.m.

Mia says...

At a time when couples are saving for a wedding a disc package is a way of keeping the budget down.
Ideally we'd all love an album but the way packages are priced they force those of us on a tight budget to make a choice between having an album with a limited number of pictures or a disc with hundreds. It just feels like better value for money to have all the pics.
My friend had an album for her wedding and 2 years later the photographer gave her the opportunity to buy the disc iat a reduced rate as he was clearing out old stuff. She couldnt afford it so he threw it away!
Why not include the disc with any Album purchase? What use is it for the photographer after the day?

Posted on: Jan 11, 2011 6:15 p.m.

Rhonda Cartnam says...

I completely agree with Sam. Sorry, you may like the idea that your pictures will be put in an album but this is not a part of the digital world that is and will take over. What bothers me a bit is that it just bothers you that there are not prints but really if your time and the CD are being paid for what does it matter to you it's the customer who needs to be satisfied? You mentioned the CD was $1500 plus you got paid for your time taking the photo's. Don't understand, sounds like you’re getting paid for what you do.

Rhonda

Posted on: Jan 11, 2011 7:16 p.m.

Emily Takes Photos says...

I absolutely agree with this! If they're using them digitally, it makes sense, and people are seeing the photos, so I don't mind. But if they're sitting on the disc in a drawer and never used, well, that's just sad. I offer the disc and the album together, and clients are always happy to have something tangible.

Posted on: Jan 11, 2011 7:39 p.m.

Val McCormick says...

Well said! In film days no one would ever think of asking for the negatives. Now it's expected.

My policy is that of "The Youngrens", I will release the high resolution files (digital negatives) to the Client upon the delivery of the album. If the client does not order an album, the images will be delivered on the one year anniversary of the wedding date free of charge. Should the images be required prior to the one year anniversary, they may be purchased for $1,000 per set for wedding images and $500 per set for engagement/pre-wedding images.

I am so guilty of not sticking to policy. I LOVE my clients. However, there are times I feel unappreciated for the rush of the photos after all the work, effort and time that could be spent with my family.

Posted on: Jan 11, 2011 8:36 p.m.

Corinne says...

I just got married 2 months ago and one of the criteria of finding a photographer (which was the second most important thing about our wedding - after getting married!) was that they offered the images on disk. My photographer was fantastic and I appreciated everything she did for us on the day and in the editing process. I now have over 300 photos that I love having. Admittedly I don't need that many, but it is nice to have memories of aspects of your wedding that may not ever end up in an album (table decorations, guests mingling etc). I'm in the middle of making the album and had pre-purchased my albums even before our wedding day. It is something I wanted to do myself. I can now also give albums to our parents, something I would not have been able to do otherwise. There is lots of mention of old-fashioned ways, but I notice that your albums are digital! Unfortunately you can't have it both ways. Also the people (and that may be me one day who knows) that leave a "30 cent disc collecting dust in a desk drawer" are probably also the same sort of people that leave an album gathering dust in a cupboard.

Posted on: Jan 11, 2011 10:34 p.m.

Jessica @ Dairy Free Betty says...

I am a bride to be and can totally understand where you are coming from.

I wonder about this too... my photographer is charging $375 for a photobook and has told me to just buy it (she's a friend) because otherwise I will never make one, this helps me with that decision too... I know I will print pictures, because my family would shoot me if I didn't plus I am a photo crazy person!

Great article though!! :)

Posted on: Jan 11, 2011 10:42 p.m.

sarah says...

I wanted to have a wedding album. But we chose to go the disc route because it allowed us to get the photographers of our dreams and still be within our wedding budget. Getting an album from them would cost 3x more.

We've been married 8mos. While I haven't made an album for us yet, I have made albums for our parents. I had printed photos for our walls.

And for those hundreds others that didn't get printed? I look at them periodically. They allow me to remember the feeling I had at the exact same time that the photo was taken.

Just because we didn't pay for an expensive album doesn't mean we don't cherish every single photo, printed or not.

Posted on: Jan 12, 2011 12:21 a.m.

Paul Conrad says...

I am going to make two points here. The first is that I used to work as a carpenter. I would finish a project, get paid and walk away. Sometimes in as little as 6 months things I had built had been destroyed,either by pets, children, drunken rampages, whatever. I learned at that time that once I am done with a job I walk away. The finished product belongs to the client and that is just the nature of selling a product. I don't loose sleep over brides who just want pictures for Facebook.
The second thing is this: those cheap CD's you buy only hold data for 5-10 years on average, if they are stored well. One big scratch or and afternoon in a hot car and you don't even have that long. I have started giving my brides two discs, one the cheesy little 30 cent disc, and the other is an archival grade disc, which I explain is the master copy. I explain how the first disc is the one to use and abuse, and if it gets damaged the second one is the master which should retain data for a hundred years. No hard drive around today will still be functioning in one hundred years, and I feel a lot of brides will wind up losing their memories. It is up to us as photographers to educate or clients.

Posted on: Jan 12, 2011 8:47 a.m.

Victoria Mason Photography says...

Well I was developing the same idea in my blog post about the tips for the bride http://victoriamasonphotography.blogspot.com/

I don't care much about overpricing the DVD. I don't think it's fair for a bride to pay a photog for services & then pay AGAIN for prints bc she didn't purchase the dvd. As a photographer I deliver the _finished product_ whether it's a dvd or prints or an album. But generally it's true that if a bride didn't order an album within 2 weeks after the wedding, the chance of selling it to her is close to 0. And for the same reason all of my packages now include a print credit, an album & sometimes a dvd.

Posted on: Jan 12, 2011 10:13 a.m.

Shere says...

Books are so fabulous and after 20 years of marriage, I'm finally putting together "our Love Story" book which means scanning every single negative and photograph taken. I admit I did get caught up in the DVD home movies - but hardly ever look at them. The book is almost 300 pages filled with photos and stories of our life and when it's printed, it's going to sit on our coffee table where we can see it every day! I'm also a wedding photographer and recently put together a "love story" book for a happy wedded couple and they loved it! They admit that it was the best thing they did! Photobooks are the way to go.

Posted on: Jan 12, 2011 10:32 a.m.

Paula Leach Photography says...

This year 2011 I've restructured my pricing where higher resolution disks and books are one price covering both. They can have a 'shoot and burn' wedding, with a lower res disk for my budget brides. They can always upgrade post event.

Budget means nothing to have a high res disk and the photographer has little experience, no real skills and thinks their camera is so expensive it does all the work for them. So I respect that some have a smaller budget, and let them know at least once beautiful photography has been made it's here for them to upgrade their purchase later.

Coffee table books have a mid res disk, and Custom professional albums come with high res disk.

My brides who've just had disks do make lots of prints, sadly though they are drug store prints.

Personally until a bride has at least one professional print, they do not know what they've missed out on. So in the past I always included even for my budget brides one large mounted print or canvas, even if they didn't have the budget for a real album.

I get both sides of this topic, I can see the brides p.o.v. she wants all her photographs. As the photographer I know that an album printed by my custom pro labs and personally designed by myself with my bride in mind is going to show the true beauty of their day.

Understanding on both sides will help us all. There are years of education, experience, talent, large and continued investment in cameras, gear, software, computers as a true professional photographer. So pricing is based on much more than the end product.

I do educate my brides and it's even in my contract with them that they have an added need to back up their images, and burn those images to new disks every few years, or new whatever media replaces disks in the future to insure their images last forever.

I'm happy for this post as it opens up the dialog between photogs and brides even more. I do spend time at consults educating brides, and I also listen closely to what matters to them personally. Educating the bride and adapting to her wants and needs is what will keep a great photographer in business.

Posted on: Jan 12, 2011 10:39 a.m.

Corinne K says...

As a newbie to the scene, this was really good for me to read. I haven't started creating albums yet because they seem intimidating, but I think having tangible pictures is just as important as the concept of reading the written word. This world of technology and everything on bright LCD screens just seems another world away.

On the other hand... once I've created my images I agree with Paul. The most important thing to me is how I feel about the photos, and the bride's reaction. Once I know that my clients love their photos and I feel I've done the best I can do, my job is done. It's up to them what they do with them after that.

I'm also one of those brides that bought the disk from my photographer and not the album. I too wanted to get the photographs of my dreams and that was the only way I could afford them. We've been married over a year and I haven't made an album yet, but I know that I will once I have the time. We have a few prints on the wall, but most of them are strictly on the computer. I don't hate myself for this, most importantly I have the images. I can't imagine NOT getting a disk! But I need them printed too.

I think your packages with the included album is a great way to resolve the issue. Thanks for taking the time and courage to write this. :)

Posted on: Jan 12, 2011 10:55 a.m.

Carlos Thomas says...

Great point Paul C.

Part of that education should be the ephemeral nature of Digital data, and to emphasize the importance of getting something physical as quickly as possible, perhaps. Don't lose sleep, sure..give them the knowledge and if they really take heed, they'll know what they need.
Otherwise, only deal with clients who understand the value, and can afford to pay you what it is worth to have an album. Although those client #'s are diminishing as the facebook nation gets larger :S

Posted on: Jan 12, 2011 10:59 a.m.

alex bee says...

While I agree that it sucks when couples don't have any tangible images from their wedding, I disagree with the idea that you don't really NEED the high resolution images on a disk.

For me, I offer disks to my couples because I want them to be FULLY in control of their images. Where will I be in 10-20-30 years if they want more prints? What if their grandkids bring over a new puppy and it chews up their album somehow? What happens if I pass away? I would never trust another person to archive my photos for me. No one treasures those photos more than me. I give my couples a disk & tell them to liberally make copies of the data everywhere & continue to do so in the future.

Posted on: Jan 12, 2011 11:41 a.m.

alex bee says...

One last note:

You mentioned at the end that wedding photos are heirlooms. I COMPLETELY agree & that's why I believe every couple should receive a hi res disk.

Just my 2 cents. I still love Dixie Pixel x 1210940293 :)

Posted on: Jan 12, 2011 11:44 a.m.

Courtney says...

I'm getting married in September, and I'm sure that I will purchase a disc from my photographer (I'm still in search, and I love Dixie Pixel) but you can also bet that I will be purchasing an album. Something that I can take to my friends and say look, not oh look at my album on Facebook.

Thank you for the excellent point! Why pay all that money and waste your photographers hard work for a disc?

Posted on: Jan 12, 2011 12:40 p.m.

megan beth says...

I've never heard of someone running back in their burning home to grab a disc of images...just sayin'.

Posted on: Jan 12, 2011 1:39 p.m.

Jm says...

I just had this same discussion with a friend of mine recently. There is no easy answer and I can see both points of view. I do worry though that we are devaluing the images. It used to be you picked out a few very special images that became heirlooms. Now you have 750 images on a disc that sit on your hardrive or on a disc in the drawer collecting dust. How valuable are those images if you've been married for a year and still haven't done anything with them? I think it's great to have digital images to share online and on social networking sites. But I don't think they should take the place of prints or albums, just be something to have in addition to.

Posted on: Jan 12, 2011 1:55 p.m.

Chloé says...

I enjoyed reading this-it's well argued. I can see it from both perspectives I suppose, as bride and photographer.

I was just starting out in weddings when we got married and my photographer was happy to give us our disc with a few prints that we ordered from her. I will one day make a wedding album (we have a polaroid book of all our guests from the day), but we do have lots of prints of us & our guests on our walls and we also sent some prints to specific guests. These images everyone sees when they come over, but I'm not sure I would sit everyone down to pour over an album. I also use mine on Twitter & Facebook, which I couldn't have done with an album-only package.

I don't sell many albums now and I do include a disc with my packages, but I know that my clients do order prints and will choose albums that are very affordable instead of my higher quality fine art books. I really don't mind at all, so long as they're happy and love their photos.

It sounds as if you have struck the perfect balance with your album & disc package and it's good to see industry professionals moving forward with the times too.

Posted on: Jan 12, 2011 2:12 p.m.

CmJ says...

I went to a seminar once and the speaker said something that I found very interesting. For your wedding you might hire a caterer, a florist, a band, and a photographer among other services. Once you've hired a caterer, do you then go to the grocery store with the caterer and pick out all the individual food items with them? Do you go into the kitchen with them on the day of the wedding and oversee the actual cooking? Do you go to the flower market with the florist and pick out the individual blossoms that will go into the bouquets? Do you have final approval on each individual stem that goes into the centerpieces? Of course not. If you've done your research ahead of time, interviewed the people you're hiring, you've already made the decision that this person/company is to be trusted with your ideas and your vision. A good service provider will do all these things. That is their job. That is why you hire them. Why would you think that a professional photographer couldn't do as good a job as you could at creating a memorable album of your special day? All they do all day, every day is make images. How could they not get it right in an album for you? If you can't trust them to do that, then you probably shouldn't hire them in the first place. I thought he had kind of a cocky attitude at first, but then I thought about it and it's kind of true. This guy running the seminar says he makes photo books and does, in fact, use every picture he shoots. He usually does two books. One has more of the traditional/formal shots that you would see in a traditional album. The second book has all the other shots. He has professional graphic designers doing the layout. He said he has never once had a bride send back an album because he didn't choose the right pictures. Let the professionals do their job and make a great album for you. You can still have your images on a disc to share online, but don't get it instead of an album. Get it in addition to.

Posted on: Jan 12, 2011 2:21 p.m.

Chris says...

Just a couple of comments from a pro who has shot about 250-ish weddings. I include a low res image CD with all my packages. I sell storybooks as an add-on. I feel the need to include the image Cd in the same way I expect to have wheels included on a car when I buy one.

For the brides designing and ordering albums from places like Snapfish/Costco i'd simply say you get what you pay for. I've heard many stories of books from such providers falling apart after a year. My storybooks come from vendors that produce some of the best albums on the planet, that will last several lifetimes if properly looked after. My Clients invest around $1700 in their storybooks. Note I said 'Invest'. They appreciate the time that goes into designing them, as well as their luxury quality. I see my client albums as family heirlooms that increase with intrinsic value over time.

Posted on: Jan 12, 2011 4:57 p.m.

Tillman Bunch says...

Very nice topic and post!!!

Many more people will see those pictures on the average person's social network page than will ever see them in an album on their coffee table. The customer wishing to share the visual experience of their very special event with many people can most effectively do so on the www. It seems to me that the average wedding photographer would like for his work to be seen by as many as possible. Given that alignment of interests, I see a much better future for DVD's than for an album. I am not surprised by Dixie Pixel's survey results. The wave of the future will be towards more attractive representations of albums using digital presentations such as Apple TV. An 8x12 hard copy album is going to have a difficult time competing with a 60 inch high def digital display on the wall.

Posted on: Jan 12, 2011 11:27 p.m.

Chantel says...

Thank you so much for posting this! I've recently stopped shooting birth photography, which was my niche, because of life circumstance and I'm seriously considering weddings so I can use my documentary skills (I'm ITCHING to shoot an event!) This really helps me determine where to go with pricing and packages. And I completely agree. I had a student shoot my wedding and she handed over my negs and I had a whole slew of 4x6's made. And that's it. I have nothing else printed or hanging. I never made an album. I never will, 14 years and a divorce later...

Posted on: Jan 14, 2011 12:11 p.m.

Wendy C. Photography says...

AMEN SISTER! I recently polled my own brides from the past two years. And they said the same thing... They have not printed any photos, or albums. But my brides who have albums... they are ecstatic. It just seems like brides are looking for a photographer that offers the cd of high res images, but they have no idea why they even want it. It's like someone pulled them aside in college and taught them that it was necessary to find a photog who will give them this. WHy? No reason. Just because. And then there is regret.

Posted on: Jan 14, 2011 12:14 p.m.

Angel Gray says...

Amen Sister! I cannot say how many brides have told me the same thing, expressing disappointment over not having used a disk that they received from their wedding. Usually this is the sister of the bride I am working with or a bridesmaid talking bc I don't offer shoot and burn. Just like you, I prefer that my brides are happy 5 years from now, 20 years from now... and they won't be if all they have is a disk. Their grandchildren will thank me too. I do include image files with the packages but no package comes without an album, the centerpiece, the lifetime guaranteed heirloom, the ONLY part of the wedding a bride and groom will hold in their hands after the wedding day is long gone!

Posted on: Jan 14, 2011 12:21 p.m.

Nicole C says...

I am a wedding photographer who just went through a price change... A lot of my prices went way up because I now offer albums with my packages...

I was married back in 2006. My hired a professional wedding photographer who would give us our images on DVD a year later. Well our wedding images were horrible. They must have just gotten the fish eye lens because a majority of my wedding images were taken with that lens. That lens can be awesome if used correctly, but it to my dismay, it wasn't. I shared this with our photographer who in turn offered to give us the full res images at that time. We still have not printed one image from that disc. Thankfully my husband's dad was taking pictures and we loved those! We have a ton of those printed!

Posted on: Jan 14, 2011 1 p.m.

Kandice Ledford says...

I loved it and agreed so much that I shared it on facebook. 100% true, why hire a professional photographer if you don't really want a professional photographer - you just want someone to snap a bunch of pictures and you really don't care about the quality or presentation.

I love social media but in 50 or 60 years when you want to show your heirloom photographs to your daughters and granddaughters, what will you do, facebook will no longer exist. It's a fad and people are putting too much stock into a passing fad.

Posted on: Jan 14, 2011 1:30 p.m.

Filmmaker says...

I produce documentary films for a living, both independently and for non-profits. When a client hires us to do a project, they own the footage and can do what they want with it. It's as simple as that - even if we are largely in creative control of producing and editing the project. As an artist myself who is often undercut by distributors and broadcasters, I absolutely believe in protecting the integrity of artistic works. But when you are having individuals paying large fees for your artistic vision, I find it astounding that photographers charge so much for the DVD and feel so reluctant about "giving it away". If it's really about having your work be seen and not stashed away (as you say it is), charge them for prints and a book and throw in the DVD for no extra charge. Once you categorize it as "wedding", prices shoot through the roof and all reason goes out the window.

Posted on: Jan 14, 2011 2:14 p.m.

Rebekah says...

I was married in 2007 at the time our Photographer was offering both albums and discs. We opted for the album. The cost of the disc would have almost double out costs. I am soooo happy we chose this route. I love having the album and have it out on the shelf on our coffee table and friends and guests look at it all the time and its so much fun to see what they think and take a look back. We also ordered prints thru the photographer and I have not regretted it for a second. I am however guilty of not having them properly matted. I purchased beautiful frames that had really nice matting in them. The matting was a little small on some of them and I just put the picture over-top of it and told myself I would take them in and have them done later. Well its been 3.5 years and I still have not got it done :) It drives my husband crazy. About 2 years after we got married our photographer contacted us and offered to sell our pictures on a disc for a fraction on the original cost due to the fact she was moving and going back to school and setting aside her business for a time. We bought the disc and like bride A and B have not make a single print from it. Yes, I am glad we bought it. Its tucked away safely if anything should ever happen to our prints but I really think that if we had only purchased the disc in the beginning like the matting on our current prints it would just get put on the back burner. I love our picture and the photography was very important to me. I spent more money in it than anything else. It was my one big splurge. I have had many friends hire a so so photographer or have had friends take the pics and they just are lacking. So a special thanks to those of you that take your passion and talent and put so much time in to capturing memories. So long story short. Brides, Just bite the bullet. Spend the money on a good photographer. (Its so worth it). Get it all. Prints,albums and the disc. Don't put it off. Order your prints right away and have them framed and hung. You put so much time into planning and preparing for your wedding. Now just take a little extra time to make sure your can look at the pictures and remember.

Posted on: Jan 14, 2011 3:35 p.m.

Brian Tao says...

Would you rather have hundreds, perhaps thousands of people see your photography when a bride posts to their Facebook or blog page, or a handful of people who might look through someone's wedding album once?

Posted on: Jan 14, 2011 4:27 p.m.

julie c butler says...

OMG OMG OMG .. I LOVE YOU!!!! and AMEN!!!! Thank you from one photographer to another!!!!!!
xox

Posted on: Jan 14, 2011 5:02 p.m.

Derek and Anna says...

There are valid arguments on both sides of the fence here...

We live and work in a country in which people don't want to spend alot of money on wedding photography, rather have their cousin or uncle shoot with their point and shoot cameras instead. It's hard enough to convince them otherwise...

But having said that, why not just leave it up to the clients? If they only want a cd and want to post their photos from their special day on Facebook, then so be it. We're still proud to have our name on the photos. After all, think of how many people will see those photos on Facebook... It's just another way of marketing for us as far as we're concerned... And the more people that see them, the more inquiries we get. And without social media there would be a lot of photographers out of work...

The majority of wedding photographers are hired based on their work as well as the overall experience they can provide to the client, within the client's budget of course... We'd be more worried about hobbyist "Shoot & Burn" photographers undercutting the pros that have been in business for years, rather than offering a cd to the client. Giving a cd to the client gives them control and gives them the ability to make their own choices and giving them choices means having happy clients...

Posted on: Jan 14, 2011 6:12 p.m.

Sarah says...

I received my wedding photos on a CD and I would never regret my decision. I have made tons of photo books with them and have had my pics put on huge canvases for little cost. I have no idea how someone could keeps such priceless memories stuck on a disc.

Posted on: Jan 14, 2011 8:41 p.m.

Tim Ryn says...

GREAT ARTICLE! Sharing...

Posted on: Jan 14, 2011 10:34 p.m.

Leslie Mccarroll says...

I got both an album and a disk.. I have printed a few times off the disk but the MAJOR reason I wanted it was for FIRE safety. I took it to my MIL house and it is in her safe if something ever happens to it. I also uploaded them to a site like flickr however, they are set to private. I don't believe in ripping off photographers.

Posted on: Jan 15, 2011 8:12 a.m.

Tanya Malott says...

As a photographer shooting high end weddings for 20 years....the first 15 film and the last 5 digital, I can say I am grateful for the disk option. I have every negative I ever shot, and I go to great lengths to protect them and keep them safe. I never gave away my film.....but I would have been grateful for a way to duplicate it. Spreading the risk is important to me. I used to hold my breath when I put film in a Fedex box.

My lab once lost 10 very important rolls of one wedding (out of 40 or so rolls)! I suggested the bride scan the proofs (back in 1998 when even scanning was not commonplace) What else could I do? They were never found, and I was devastated.

I don't worry today. I can make a better album than most brides, but if she wants to do it herself, that is fine. I can assure you that at the high end, she doesn't want to do it herself....but she does want to know she will always have the pictures. I would want to know that too. Most of all, I am glad that there is more than one copy in the world of these most precious images.

My basic policy is to give the disc of all images for free once the album is complete (incentive!) I also offer digital downloads of individual images for about the cost of one 8x10. Everything else is negotiable on a case by case basis.

Posted on: Jan 15, 2011 12:20 p.m.

Anonymous says...

I understand that you take pride in your work, but the fruit of your labor is the cheque you receive at the end of the shoot, not the number of prints/albums you produce. With albums coming in with four-figure price tags, they are a luxury many couples cannot afford. You should be happy to see your photos shared on social networking sites, I can guarantee that an online album will be seen and appreciated by more people than a print album, even when handed down through generations.

Posted on: Jan 15, 2011 1:06 p.m.

Renata @ TEMPO Photography says...

Thank you, is is why I stopped doing weddings ....maybe I will start up again, with these parameters in place.... Thank you for sharing!

Posted on: Jan 15, 2011 3:08 p.m.

Mark & Fiona, Essence & Flaunt Studio Photography says...

This is so true! We find the same thing with our customers here in Australia. We combine our version of the "Shoot n Burn' package with a wall enlargement. I think it is our responsibility as pro photographers to do everything we can to educate our customers and not be scared to "sell' the idea and keep this precious tradition of having actual images alive, whether it be a wall enlargement or album.
I hope you don't mind we have posted a link to this blog on our website www.efstudiophotography.com
Thanks to everyone for taking the time to write and comment this is so important. Good-luck and godspeed Mark & Fiona.

Posted on: Jan 16, 2011 8:15 p.m.

Reverend Dave Miller says...

As a fellow wedding professional, I understand where you're coming from.

But as I read your article, all I could think was, "This sounds like a Golden Opportunity for a follow-up sale."

Have you approached any of those past 'Shoot & Burn' clients to offer them an album or prints?

Posted on: Jan 20, 2011 4:40 p.m.

Carrie says...

I asked for the disc. I made an album, and now store the disc in a safety deposit box at the bank. I don't want to lose my wedding pictures if the house burns down. I think it's great to have both!

Posted on: Jan 20, 2011 7:29 p.m.

Marie says...

As a bride to be, I read every response on here and can honestly say I do see both aspects to be a valid one. I am on a lower budget but I want to have available professional photos that I can cherish for a lifetime. It is #1 on my list for budget. However a nice book on the table would be nice to have it is too expensive for me to afford. I feel that if I buy the high res disc and then when I can afford to have a fancy book made, I will. Something was said that when you say 'wedding' prices shoot thru the roof and reason goes out the window, I will have to agree on that. I have my photog lined up for my wedding in August, for just the 'shoot and burn' package as you call it, and know that if I want more or can afford more before then I can always upgrade. Thankfully I found a great photographer for a reasonable price who allowed me to purchase a disc for a whole heck of alot cheaper then $1500. Some of the prices I have found are astonishing and wonder "Really"?? I loose sleep every night wondering how I'm going to pay for the next wedding bill not because I feel I am wasting my photographer's talent. They are very talented and will get plenty of exposure via my pictures posted on my walls and thru social networking. The key to a successful business is thru word of mouth and internet exposure not what I have sitting on my coffee table. I would say less then 10% of my Facebook friends have actually been in my house and looked at my coffee table or bookshelf. Just food for thought.

Posted on: Jan 20, 2011 11:10 p.m.

PXStevey says...

Hi, I'm new I would like to welcome all... :)

Posted on: Jan 24, 2011 11:28 p.m.

Louise says...

Well written article. Thanks for sharing.

As a wedding photographer I was asked prior to my first wedding if I would give a high res disk of images to the couple so that is always how I have done things.

Recently I heard a few brides were chasing a male photographer that went out of the industry and changed his home address, mobile phone number, home phone number and crashed his website. He left brides hanging with low res images on disk that they couldn't do anything with. That is cruel and irresponsible as far as I am concerned.

I make albums for each couple and often they say they could make them by themselves off the disk, but by the time they learnt how to use the software as well as me, it would be better to buy the album from me. I have had a few just want the disk and promise to come back later and get an album but they rarely do. You can normally tell those kinds of couples though. Some of them already have kids and might be on a second wedding so it's not that important to them.

If they just want a disk of images, then it's up to them how motivated they are to get images printed off it. As photographers we can't stand over them and make them get images printed or canvases made but we can offer to make them enlargements or canvases for their walls. Some people are motivated and other's aren't. I tell them they are creating heirlooms for the future.

I don't mind my photos showing up on Facebook as it actually gets me lots of business. I see it as another marketing opportunity too.

Posted on: Apr 19, 2011 8:37 p.m.

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Posted on: Mar 27, 2012 11:21 p.m.

Zoe says...

You made some decent points there. I did a thorough research on the subject earlier and think most will agree with what you brought up here. Definitely +1 to the Author!

Posted on: Apr 26, 2012 3:29 p.m.