What to do with extra pictures?

Okay, I just finished a wedding where my assistant and I took over 800 pictures

total. My contract with the couple promises them 100 proofs in a proof album. I

have narrowed down the 100, but am not sure what to do with the rest of the

pictures. There are so many great ones I would like them to see. I know many of

you give CD files with all the pictures on them...that's not what I do. I make

such a good profit off of the reprints...

 

Anyways, what are your suggestions of what to do with the additional digital

files? My idea was to put them on a CD with a watermark copyright symbol on

each for them to view for additional purchase. But, should I give them that CD

(since they have all my copyrights on them anyways)? Or, should I only "loan"

it to them for viewing/ possible purchases, or should I charge them for that CD

if they want the copyrighted images? I won't give them the images without a

copyright symbol unless they purchase them. I'm just not sure what to do. I

have always just given my clients all the pictures in the past on film. I don't

want to print out the other pictures, because of the cost involved, if they

aren't interested in purchasing them. I keep thinking there has to be an easier

way, because it's taking forever to watermark each picture.

 

I'm thinking I may just start charging more and giving more pictures in the

future. 100 is very limiting to me. It's just what my mentor always used to

give his clients. It seems like I'm pretty limited to just the "formal" shots,

and there are so many good candids.

 

Thanks for your input.

 

Kari

Not a wedding pro (just a random schmo from other forums here), but I don't see any problem delivering more than you promised, especially if you think it's likely to create more demand for prints. They can't buy prints of shots they haven't seen...

If 100 is too limiting for you, then change your policy. Just because that's the system that

worked for your mentor doesn't mean it's the way you should do things.

 

For this couple, rather than give them a proof CD, why not put the watermarked images

online? If you use a pro proofing service, they won't be able to download the images to their

computer, but though WOULD be able to purchase prints from you that way.

Why not use a projector and project the images for your clients in your office. Not only will you sell more, you will sell bigger. Getting large prints order from small proofs is hard work, projecting the image out at 40x60 makes selling 20x30's child's play.

 

Personally, I never give out proofs, nor do I put studio images on line. Clients only get to look at projected images and final delivered product.

I find that 300 pictures barely does a decent job of telling the story of a wedding celebration.

 

Follow your heart and the bridal couples will follow your photography and recommend you to others.

 

A mentor guides and then suddenly you find yourself creating a style that is your own and the mentor "should" smile with joy.

I would think your couple would be thrilled to have a larger selection of fabulous photos to select from - why not make them available for order.

Yes, I definitely want to make them available for order. I'm just wondering how is the best way to do that? I don't have a projector screen, nor an office. I do this out of my home for now part time. Do you think the CD is the best way or to print out proofs. The thing about printing extra proofs is that I have to pay for them and have no need to believe that they will buy them. Kari

Kari

 

Use your living room and project into a frame right over the couch. Rent the projector if you have to, it will pay for itself the first time you use it. Well, that's as long as you offer something larger than an 8x10 and charge a decent price. This will sell you more 20x30's and 30x40's than you can imagine. Make sure you don't have any little pictures on display in your own home. Everything should be 16x20 and larger, and have a 40x60 price on you price list. The reason for the 40x60 isn't because you expect to sell it, but because if that is the size that you project your images, and you have it on your price list, then people will buy the next size down. It's much more profitable to sell one 30x40, than a hundred 8x10's, and it's a lot less work.