6 Reason Why I Give ALL the RAW and Unedited Jpeg Files to my Clients

This is a question asked very often and I decided to make a video to answer why I give all my RAW and Unedited Jpeg files to my clients..
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“Jiggie is a seasoned wedding and portrait photographer who is well known for his ability to turn any scene into timeless images. At the same time he is a well respected content creator and undoubtedly the country’s most reliable source of educational content for portrait photography and lighting“

[@hackerdev1L]

Confidence in giving raw photos will surely boost your skill as a photographer. Well said Sir Jiggie. 100% agree 🎉🎉

[@JiggieAlejandrino]

Absolutely

[@Bigricky06]

I'm so sorry Jiggie, but i do not give no raw pictures. As a photographer, the clients hire me as an photographic artist because the clients went through my portfolio and like my work and decided that they want their photos with my artistic touch. I always tell them that they have the right to do whatever they want with their pictures, if they modify just don't tag my name on it because it is no longer my artistic touch. Just simple.

[@neiils899]

same thoughts

[@Ericbjohnston5150]

Somebody does bad edits and says they are photos by Jiggie. Jiggie gets a bad name when people see bad photo edits. Giving raws and someone elses edits them. You could lose business because of bad edits.

[@JiggieAlejandrino]

Tbh it doesn’t bother me, they can do that weather or not they have the raw files or edited files. You can’t stop people from doing what they want to do :)

[@ViewportPlaythrough]

thats irrelevant with the current tech; anyone with a phone could edit a photo. anyone with a social media could also post whatever. regardless if you give them the raws or jpegs, if they wanted to edit it, they would edit it. the "professional" part comes with how you respond with them claiming that its your photo/edit. if all it takes to break your business is some faulty edits made by a random somebody, then you know that you have to get better being a professional.

[@ViewportPlaythrough]

its important to understand the points he says before deciding if his workflow would work for you or not. one of the bigger part of it is understanding that in commercial photography, most of the time a "photographer", a "photo editor" are totally separate work titles held by different people. just like the graphics design would be handled by a different person, a project manager would be another and so on. know and clarify on which jobs you are getting hired for and being paid for, adjust deliverables as needed, also, point them out on your contracts, invoices and receipts. you dont want to get tangled on a misunderstanding that might have been easily fixed by contracts. for all the right reasons, i 100% agree with all the points he made. love the confidence with him saying that he is fairly confident with his in camera jpegs, its something that i want to hear from my field photographers. and the "i wouldnt edit all 5000" is fair and true. its crazy to do so even if you have a dedicated photo editor. what i love about this video is its lifting the value of what photography as a craft thats worth spending money on. its giving his audience the confidence na ay, pwede naman palang hindi pababaan ang laban sa presyo. which to be honest, the pinoy photographers badly needs to hear and know. i hope to see more contents along those lines from this channel. kasi nakakayamot yung makikita mo sa ibang bansa ang tinuturo ng pro photographers nila "have pride with your craft as a business. know that its something that your customers would spend money on", samantalang yung mga nasa pinas ang tinuturo "bababaan mo yung presyo mo kasi walang kukuha sayo" on that note, can i request some videos about pricing your work? 😇😇

[@JiggieAlejandrino]

Thanks for taking the time to write such a lengthy well said comment. About pricing, that’s another topic I wouldn’t want to touch, but hey I said I didn’t want to do this video, so who knows I just might. LOL

[@ViewportPlaythrough]

@@JiggieAlejandrino wahahaha, understandable. its a very "walking on egg shells" kinda topic sa pinas.. still, i hope you consider weighting the pros and cons of talking about it when you have time ^_^ again, thanks for the video above

[@marchinderickx8193]

Photography is capturing an image, a moment and magnifying it through development. It is also an art and future brides and grooms choose a photographer for their style. I find that delivering RAW files and/or unprocessed JPEGs is providing work that is not finished. I often share albums but the photos are sorted and developed with care.

[@ChoicesHabitsAttitudeLuck]

mahal ang hard drive to keep thousands of photos hoping that your clients will buy the raw files. just give it to them and include it in your pricing. so kahit wala ka na sa mundong ibabaw NASA kanila and files nila.

[@JiggieAlejandrino]

I do integrate the cost of the drives, but I also don’t keep the raw files after editing, I leave it up to them to archive

[@tschopp23]

I never understand people who insist on never giving the raw files, then delete them a year later to save space. Or they want to price them out of reach so they won't be purchased. Same goes for similar thoughts on copyright. What are you going to do with the copyright to someone in a wedding dress, or a family and their dog?

[@JiggieAlejandrino]

exactly

[@robigerovasilisphotography]

Interesting perspective but I don’t understand really what the client is paying for and getting. Basically it seems they are paying for you to simply document their wedding because they are not getting a full service. The end result they are getting is not an edited photo that looks good. They have to then source somewhere to be able to complete the job. It doesn’t matter how good your creativity or photo style is if the client doesn’t see the end result what are they really paying for. I guess in someways you are very confident with your initial product that you give them straight out of camera as I said this is a very interesting perspective but one that I disagree with.

[@JiggieAlejandrino]

Uhmmmm i mentioned I give a set number of processed photos as part of the package.

[@bigrobotnewstoday1436]

I've been thinking about selling the raw files. But if I do I'm going to give full instructions on my workflow. The bad thing about giving out raw files is if you give them to a noob that is just getting into photography and starts complaining about grain and does not know about noise reduction. So if you are going to give out raws I think its a good idea to give a basic idea on your workflow. Believe it or not I even know one pro wedding photographer that did not know about noise reduction in Adobe Lightroom. They never really cared because they only went to ISO 1,600 but me I'll go all the way to ISO 25,600 if I have to.

[@neiils899]

Giving raw file is a no no for me. Not because a professional said it doesn't mean we should follow or copy what he/she did, it might work for them or for some but not for everyone. Majority of clients doesn't have any idea what raw file/photo is unless they're a photographer or have a knowledge about editing. And also, at the end of the day clients just want to see the edited and well "polished" photo, so what's the reason of giving them the raw? Clients hired and paid us photographers because they already saw our work and acknowledge it. So I think it's enough to show them that, "this one is Good and that one is not". They will admire it anyway.

[@Keyboardwarrior42]

The photographer who dont hand the raw out are simply bad photographers. Simple as. They need to crop and edit heavily to retouch their incompetence. Also the customer could still edit the jpeg afterward and make them worse, then post them on instagram, tagging the photographer which could ruin their reputation. So there is no point in holding the raws back except to hide the incompetence.

[@keenobumbum]

Are you still using Evoto App Sir?

[@JiggieAlejandrino]

yup

[@adams8830]

Great video and interesting perspective! I wouldn't give up my RAWs even if my life depended on it . 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@JiggieAlejandrino]

lol that’s why I had to reiterate really to each his own :)

[@maggnet4829]

How do you ensure that people can read the hard drive you are giving in 20 years?

[@Bigricky06]

The commercial example, i completely understand.

[@magimusician]

These are interesting points of view. While I agree with most of them, there are a few reasons why I still keep my RAW files and how I plan to share them if necessary. First, RAW files serve as concrete evidence of intellectual property. Much like film negatives, whoever holds the RAW files is considered the owner of the photograph. Second, editing is an integral part of my identity as a photographer. When people view a photo, whether good or bad, they tend to attribute its quality to the photographer, not the editor. Most people can’t distinguish between a well-shot photo and a well-edited one. If a good photo is poorly edited, it may be perceived as a bad photo, while a poorly shot image can seem impressive with a great edit. Third, in connection to my first point, if I ever provide RAW files to clients, I will only share DNG RAW files, not the native RAW format for each camera brand. 😊

[@JiggieAlejandrino]

In a way, i am ok with that’s they can have the property rights of photographs from their wedding or the ads they commissioned me to photograph for them :) second wouldn’t it be nice to have a good photograph and stop there too? Point taken with the DNG but that would entail more time in converting the files too. But all valid points! :)

[@clarenceconner2469]

Very interesting perspective. I like the idea of challenging myself with this in mind so I am not taking too many photos. I find that I keep only 30% of the images taken, this would force me to be much more intentional about why I took the picture. This perspective is opening my thought processes, thanks for giving your thoughts!

[@JiggieAlejandrino]

Glad you got it!

[@herzoncastro5645]

Same sir if they afford to buy hardrive but Sadly iilan lang yung gusto eh

[@JiggieAlejandrino]

At least you gave them the option

[@rw3452]

What is the cost difference?

[@Redsufer967]

well said and informative

[@zoilopaynor]

Do you really give the ARW file? Or just the unedited JPG files?

[@JiggieAlejandrino]

Both

[@linokhimmedrina4109]

I also give raw files to my clients, but w/ reminder to not post it in social media, it is only for their personal viewing.

[@JiggieAlejandrino]

I do say that too and cross fingers after. LOL :P

[@rennhor]

Would you advise that one should rate higher if raws are included? Thank you for the video!

[@JiggieAlejandrino]

It's really your call for that, depending on your costs and profit margins.

[@MrBimbojereza]

agree Sir

[@John_1033]

Here is an example why I like to edit my wedding photos before delivery. I capture the bride coming down the aisle with a great expression on her face which will be gone in a second. The final photo has a guest's arm sticking into it from the side. I can edit that out and make the photo so much better. If I would had recomposed when taking the photo the expression would had been gone forever. Thanks for the video Jiggie.

[@JiggieAlejandrino]

Agree with that, but also the other side of the coin, you think that the image was ruined because of the arm, or is it a part of the story? or is it enough distraction to remove focus from the subject. Usually as photographers we see it, but to the 99% of non photographers who view the photos, sometimes they don't even notice those things, all they will see is the expression of the bride

[@aaronjonellhall1937]

@@JiggieAlejandrino I deal with demanding clients that have eagle eyes. My clients demand good editing. Its a part of my brand. They pay for the post processing.

[@JiggieAlejandrino]

@@aaronjonellhall1937 there you go :) as long as you’re getting paid to do it :)

[@John_1033]

@@JiggieAlejandrino Thank you very much Jiggie.

[@thebahd]

Good reasons and perspective. ❤

[@JiggieAlejandrino]

🙏

[@arthurgimena4596]

100% agree. All points taken. This is also how i roll for paying clients. Kudos (Y)

[@hendersonribeirobrandina2120]

I'm the first! Didn't even watch it fully! But I know it's gonna be a great content! Trust you! Hehe Big hug from Brazil!

[@JiggieAlejandrino]

Hahahahaha! Thank you!

[@omarortizytc]

i don't see anything wrong about giving raw or unedited jpegs to clients

[@JiggieAlejandrino]

My point exactly :)

[@dialdfordramas]

This is very great perspective and I truly agree

[@TeddyCavachon]

Back when I shot weddings (1972-74) with Monte Zucker the standard contract was for a 50 photo album so the idea of shooting 5,000 images at a wedding is a bit mind boggling for me 😂 Are these 5,000 separate images in single shot mode are they taken in higher fps ‘machine gun’ mode? That said if that’s what today’s wedding market expects 5,000 photo files it makes a great deal of sense to do as you do, download the files open receiving payment and offering editing as an additional charge since that is a separate skill. Being able to deliver really good JPGs out of camera is much easier today than say ten years ago because the dynamic range, bit-depth, AF and AE on the newer mirrorless bodies are all an order of magnitude better than a circa 2014 DSLR. I do far less editing of my mirrorless images than I did with those taken with DSLR for those reasons. Do you edit and delete any shots that don’t turn out as planned while shooting? For commercial work giving the clients the RAW files also makes sense. I moved on from professional photography to managing publication printing and in the early 2000’s when digital submissions replaced transparencies for reproduction I always preferred to work from RAW files which are stored in Lab format because they had to be edited and output with the ICC profile for the press CYMK ink gamut and sharpened based on reproduction size and subject matter for optimum results. Results are not as good if working from RGB JPG files which are already tweeked and sharpened in camera. I’m curious how you handle the issue of copyright and licensing for use for your retail wedding/event and commercial clients. Do you include that in your contracts? Do you limit use or give them an unlimited use license?

[@JiggieAlejandrino]

usually 3 shooters in every wedding hence the sheer amount of photos, but that would I say be the maximum when there are just so many things happening and the size of the wedding. we usually hit that number when there are 800 or more guests in the wedding. the copyright and licensing for commercial work is usually stated in the contract. For weddings, i am very lenient, it is their wedding after all :)

[@jiancarloulloaart]

Jiggie, thank you for sharing your reasons for giving the raw files. It's actually a refreshing point of view, and quite different from what is the tendency at least here in the US. However, in commercial settings, sharing raw files is often necessary due to the complex workflows and post-production processes involved in advertising and media production.

[@JiggieAlejandrino]

yeah every region may have different practices, well actually every person should do what works for them :)

[@riorellama7738]

Nice Info, but how do you give it to client sir jiggie? do you have an external hardrive provided?

[@JiggieAlejandrino]

Yes I do, incorporated in the cost

[@ViewportPlaythrough]

on a side note from my other comment, theres this "sepia bride" incident that happened lately with a texas based photographer. search it up for the details but point is, its one of those cases where sending out raws and unedits would save yourself out. though it did not save her from the entire thing, it did gave her enough legal standing for her legal defense. its also one of the reasons why i believe that if having other people badly edits your photos and use it against you is enough to crumble your business, then you have to step up on your professionalism. if the texas based photographer was not professional enough, it would have crumbled her entire business entirely. but because she knows how to stand her ground and cover as many bases as she can as a professional, she had the means to defend herself and most if not all other photographers around her supported her as well.

[@JiggieAlejandrino]

The forever problem of false colors

[@emmanuelphillips1740]

Great Video! I do the same thing as you and I've gotten into many heated debates about this as many people do not agree with this approach

[@JiggieAlejandrino]

It’s really to each his own

[@flozygeds8458]

Same din po yong ginagawa ko sir Jiggie (sooc din ako). All of my shots are transfered to their hard disk.

[@JiggieAlejandrino]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@vivoviv]

I agree to most of your points, Jiggie. Thank you for presenting the other side of the fence. Your practicality is very admirable. Thanks for your video! 🙂✌🏻

[@JiggieAlejandrino]

You’re most welcome

[@vivoviv]

@JiggieAlejandrino It's nice hearing a pro talk about this matter, not demonising some of us who part with our raw files. The thing is, it's our business, it's our craft and probably a legacy that we should have full control with. Plus, I am not a chef. 🤭 A big fan of you, sir!

[@robamarante]

Well explained 🫡

[@JiggieAlejandrino]

Thanks

[@marcevancalayag4593]

Agreed!

[@JiggieAlejandrino]

👍🏻

[@jumbosalabas5623]

Well said

[@JiggieAlejandrino]

Thanks

[@jessiepalanca1022]

👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@JiggieAlejandrino]

👍🏻

[@Indianvytes]

Great Content Sir Jiggie

[@JiggieAlejandrino]

Thank you