Consider/Re-Consider Your Product Delivery

If only being a photographer was as easy as people tend to think it is; we are glorified button-pushers or something of the like so it comes as no surprise that clients would rather receive their images on a disc thinking that this is the cheaper route, especially because it should be "inexpensive" for us photographers to put it all together, plus, "anyone can do it".  It's unfair for people to use that expression though because most of them will probably pay for dining, cleaning, and entertainment services that can also be done by "anyone".  The real deal though is getting what you pay for.   

No matter what kind of photographer you are you have probably had to consider the type of media to deliver to your client.  

I have read that the DVD-R is the better choice for delivering large files and large quantities of images especially because it has less compatibility complaints.  Many of us provide this product exclusively as an option to our clients because it's generally fast, easy, and they want to be able upload them to a device for social media and send them via email.  High-resolution digital files are not the answer for this situation/solution.  Also, with the rise in popularity in devices such as iPads, a disc is not the best option for delivering files; this is where USB flash drives are becoming a more popular method--it is also my preferred method.  Nonetheless, who's to say where technology will take us in 10 years, 50 years, even 100 years?  Discs and USB's will inevitably become obsolete as well as misplaced, broken, and damaged over time but a high quality print will last indefinitely.  

There is a stunning difference between what we see on a computer screen and what we see in a high quality professional print.  With the right steps and consideration taken during output and how it will be rendered, a photograph can impress your clients beyond technical proficiency.  They can actually hold and closely inspect the photo and have it in their immediate physical possession.  Oftentimes, those who only want a disc will have good intentions of printing off the photos at the lab of their choice but more than likely the images will end up on social media and sitting in a forgotten computer folder. 

 

This is why it is important to consider, or, re-consider your product delivery.  A disc, in my opinion, should be a separate product for low-resolution files that clients can use for sharing on the Web, high-resolution images on a disc or USB can be purchased a la carte, and print packages should be your biggest service product.  I would even suggest helping them choose the best printing options, help them put together and design an album or photo book, and even go so far as to help them get it framed as part of your service package price because, as a professional, you should still make the effort to ensure the quality of your work.

Recently I had an experience where someone wanted to hire me to take a few photographs and go get them printed off at Wal-mart for them since they wanted these in a rush.  I flat out told them that I would love to be their photographer but I will not voluntarily print any photos from anywhere that is not one of my trusted professional printing labs.  If they wanted a disc to take and print off themselves I would have been happy to do that.  Needless to say they went with a "cheaper" photographer and although this situation upset me a little, I can look back and be proud that I am not a "cheap" photographer.  I want my work to be cherish, relished, and displayed with pride, don't you?  There is a difference between a good photo and a great photo, strive to always be great.

So, does any of this change the way you will delivery your product?  What is your current method or what do you anticipate doing?  Do you need advice?  Leave me some feedback in the comments and thanks for reading today!  You can read the whole article here.

Works Cited

"Compact disc in a computer CD-ROM disc drive." Photograph. Encyclopedia Britannica ImageQuest. Web. 25 Aug 2014. <http://quest.eb.com/#/search/132_1311364/1/132_1311364/cite>

"Couple signing mortgage paperwork." Photograph. Encyclopedia Britannica ImageQuest. Web. 25 Aug 2014. <http://quest.eb.com/#/search/154_2880728/1/154_2880728/cite>

Fitzpatrick, Alethea Cheng. "Please Don’t Just Give Your Clients The CD or DVD!" tiffinbox. Tiffinbox, 9 Sept. 2010. Web. 25 Aug. 2014. <http://tiffinbox.org/please-dont-just-give-your-clients-the-cd-or-dvd/ >

"Girl taking picture of three girls." Photograph. Encyclopedia Britannica ImageQuest. Web. 25 Aug 2014. <http://quest.eb.com/#/search/154_2883658/1/154_2883658/cite>

When Pro Bono Becomes a Problem

Hand-in-hand with the pricing puzzle ("what am I worth?") is the pro bono problem ("when should I shoot for free?"). When people find out you are studying photography, they will often volunteer their children, families, or even events to act as your subject matter. Early in your studies this can be a great boon, but eventually it may very well become a burden. As you gain knowledge and experience you need to charge for your work so you can make a living doing what you love. Of course, there will always be opportunities to share your skills with worthy causes and good friends.

Some professional photographers choose to offer big discounts for friends and family, others charge full price, and still others don't charge a thing. It's important to have an idea of where you need to fall in that spectrum in order to feel good about helping your friends while still making a living. In my case, my friends and family members get a much better rate but only a small number get my services for free. Make sure that when you start charging for your services, people are well aware. Someone whom you've photographed for school projects in the past may not realize that you've gotten to the point in your career that you need to start charging, and that can end up in an awkward situation for both of you.

Something I still find difficult is passing on shoots for non-profit organizations. I dedicate time to giving rescue dogs photo shoots to help them find homes and also shoot certain events for organizations I've built a relationship with over the past few years. If I agreed to provide my services for free every time I was asked, though, I would soon go bankrupt. If you face a similar situation and aren't sure how to say no, I find it best to be totally honest and state that you are honored to be asked but provide your services pro bono to select groups already and cannot afford to assist this time. I'll usually point the person asking in the direction of a local photography school where I know students are looking for event experience as well.

If you want to do what you love full-time, you will need to continually reassess your value and how much pro bono work you can commit to in your schedule. It also helps to have your break-even point in the back of your mind so you can charge a "friend rate" accordingly. Keep those Business worksheets handy!