YOU Shouldn't Give RAW Photos to Clients - Here's Why

[@TheLASportsNetwork]

Thank you buddy!!!!

[@Addrian.]

You'r welcome my friend!

[@Jeremy-wp4yh]

There's a bride that is going viral on tiktok and I would like to know your opinion. She requested the raw images from the photographer because she wasn't happy with the edited version. The photographers work looks amazing from a stylistic choice but after seeing the brides own photos I understand why she wasn't happy. All the photos seem to have this "sepia" filter. All the greens are slightly brown and all the blues and whites are more yellow. This defeats the purpose of having the beach as your venue and lots of trees and plants. What would you do in this instance? Is it necessary that all work needs to be edited to match YOUR style instead of what the client wants?

[@Addrian.]

This is a great question! In the instance where you've not delievered to the bride / couples expectation where you've really undelivered. In these circumstances I definitely would say the photographer should provide the raws to the couple where they can seek someone else to take care of the editing to their style / expectation. A big thing to note as well a lot of couples don't look at the photographer's portfolio enough or don't ask the right questions. I also shoot weddings and as a wedding photographer and videographer I thoroughly ask questions so I understand their vision and vibe for the day. Hope that helps!

[@carriekouri8198]

Thank you for explaining this.

[@Addrian.]

You're most welcome.

[@shadyninja1]

Random guy calls me for an impromptu shoot in three hours time. I asked what happened to his original photographer to which he said nothing (BIG LIE). He said i would shoot for 4 hours, no flash, would only stay in one position. I quoted £400. He said he was only expecting to pay £100 and wanted the raw files. I told him i was going outside to make a phone call then drove off.

[@Addrian.]

You made the right call. My suggestion for the future, always, always get a deposit! It's your time and time is money. Secondly, get it in writing whenever you can! So if needed you can turn to it. I've had a couple situations where it was in the fine print but never mentioned during the negotiations. You wouldn't think it's necessary as they never bring it up, after the shoot they then mention wanting RAW files. I now charge a high price for it if they want it.

[@MeepMeep88]

What is a raw photo? I just assumed it was the biggest file size of a photo. Why would a customer need those since they can edit the small file sized ones that you give them? I guess unless they want to put it on a giant canvas where super duper ultra high res needed. Is a raw photo basically the artists signature? Metaphorically where they can claim it's there's legally? Thank you! This video randomly popped up in my recs lol.. I have no knowledge of anything professional photography

[@Addrian.]

Hey! So a raw photo is pretty much a digital negative of all the details of the photo. Yes that's correct, though you can also do that with jpegs as you it'll have your digital imprint on it (date, camera used etc) what we call metadata. A raw photo is an image file format that contains unprocessed and uncompressed data straight from the camera's image sensor. When you take a photo in raw format, the camera captures all the available information without applying any in-camera processing, such as sharpening, contrast adjustments, or white balance corrections. This results in a file that contains a vast amount of data and allows for greater flexibility in post-processing. The client generally wants them so they have full autonomy to do as they please when it comes to post processing and editing. As a professional you never want to give them the RAWs and you do make sure to charge a pretty penny. As at the end of day we're protecting our brand / style. Raw files can be manipulated by clients without your knowledge or consent, potentially altering the intended style and look you've carefully crafted as a photographer. To strike a balance, many photographers offer high-quality JPEG files or other web-friendly formats for client use. These files are processed and optimized by the photographer, providing excellent image quality while being easier for clients to handle. However, it's essential to set clear expectations with clients about the file formats you provide and educate them on the benefits of your chosen format. I hope that helped you out :)

[@MeepMeep88]

@@Addrian. Perfectly answered, thank you so much! Is it common for customers to get sued by photographers for editing the photos (non raw)? Or is there a set agreement as to what the customers are allowed to do with the non raw photos before you give it to them? World of photography is quite complex O.o.

[@Addrian.]

@@MeepMeep88 no it's definitely not very common because photographers mostly don't want to be bothered with it. Also if the client has the photographers raw files generally it will be because there's been a mutual agreement 🤝 in this already. However there are certain times again more uncommon where their photos have been used for commercial use and the said client didn't have proper permission by the photographer to use it. When drafting agreements and contracts generally the photographer will be clear from the very beginning before the exchange of services so that way the photographers are protected from the start and its also there to protect the client as the agreement is there to also serve both parties. With regards to editing over edited photos it's happened a lot to me not as commonly though I just brush it off. It's more of client ignorance and not understanding than anything else and it was mostly wedding / portrait clients who did it. I just kindly asked them not to tag me as it wasn't true to my work. Hope that helps my friend. And yes the world of photography I'd complex and then you go videography and its a whole another world again ha ha.

[@MeepMeep88]

@@Addrian. Super helpful and informational. Thank you again for taking the time to answer!

[@Addrian.]

@@MeepMeep88 Happy to help! :)

[@99unclebob]

people like this think they can get away with this sort of thing any time they want, I did a small home routes concert for friends who own a B&B and there were tickets sold for this venue and the musician was the cousin of one of the owners and at the end of the night said hey i want those photos and videos you took of me to night they're my property , i laughed in his face and told you did not hire me and this was done as a favour for the owners, i don't plan to do anything with them, he said i don't trust and i said the same the way you came at me I am surprised anyone would trust you, uh ok I'll call the cops, i laughed at him packed up my gear and went home, i get an email 2 days later saying that I am in possession of stolen property from some lawyer, i never responded and this guy calls me up threatening me, I laugh and hang up he calls me back, i asked him not to call again, he threatened me again, this time lethally, and hung up called the police and told them about it from start to finish, he was paid a visit that by 2 officers and they called me from his residence asking if i wanted to press charges and said no, if this ends here which it didn't so i called again and had recorded the last phone call he was in jail that evening , what a piece of work, just a nobody thinking he is somebody, my friends asked for the pics and video i just said my memory card was compromised, all the files were corrupted and its all garbage , so you are right free, favours or cheap customers aren't worth the time, and i only do this as a hobby, I did a video for a lady fire dancer i know couple of months back and it turned out fantastic and gave her the files that night, it was all of 10-15 minutes of work and i got have fun and a free dinner and help friend out who is an artist, we need more decent people in the world or re - educate the cheap skates 👍

[@Addrian.]

What a crazy story! Some people are just too entitled to realise what their doing is not on and that reality check, the photos are not your property. Ha ha. I have heard that one a few times as well. I try and educate if they continue their shirade, that's on them. Appreciate you sharing the story. Glad it all got sorted in the end and you didn't give in.

[@shudidesai]

Thanks for making this video, well articulated. Quick one- what I dont understand is why its more expensive to provide the files that require less work? Surely editing takes alot of time and energy on your part so they would be more costly? Much appreciate any response.

[@Addrian.]

Hey mate, thank you for the kind words! I thought I had already answered, but it didn't go through so i'll answer it again. You ask a very good question and there is a few reasons for why it's more costly. 1. Intellectual Property: Raw files often represent the original, unprocessed content that can be considered the intellectual property of the creator. The higher cost reflects the value of providing this original material, which clients can then use in various ways. 2. Licensing and Usage Rights: When you receive raw files, you are often getting broader usage rights, which can include future edits and modifications. This flexibility and control come at a premium. 3. They can pass it on to someone else for cheaper having complete versatility. Putting a higher price bracket generally pushes them back from asking for it and if they still want it, you know you'll get paid what you're asking for it. Editing certainly requires a lot of time and effort, but the value of raw files lies in their potential and versatility. Hope that helps answer your question!

[@alexanderdreger9109]

A typical scenario: I book 3 photographers to cover a big event. All just give their edited photos with their editing style. How in earth can I pass the pictures to a production company to create a professional result?

[@Addrian.]

@@alexanderdreger9109 really great question Alex! In this instance, I would state looking for photographers to cover event, no editing required. FULL raws to be sent after shoot. This is actually more common than you think, I do a lot of shoots like this and have no problem with It as its stated beforehand. You'll still have copyright as a photographer but so does the client. It's exchange of services. In that instance that's the beat way to do it. Only time photographers would have an issue with it is if you wanted it edited then later request raws when it was initially discussed or agreed upon. Hope that helps

[@davidknight6981]

Good stuff dude.

[@Addrian.]

Thank you David 🙏

[@azuki2919]

I agree with this. I put my time and effort into editing only for them to slap on an instagram filter from the raw

[@Addrian.]

Worst feeling as a creator Azuki. Hold on to those RAWs! If they want it they have to prepared to pay premium.

[@azuki2919]

@@Addrian. Right on!

[@narsplace]

In order to discourage this type of behaviour I may think about offering shutter press service from $12,000 for 500 files, more files will cost more. This covers the raw files, the licencing, copyright, trade rights, equipment replacement cost and any protection that I may need in legal proceedings. This is an example, but if I was I to do this the cost might be different.

[@Addrian.]

@@narsplace this is brilliant! One of the reasons photographers charge a lot for raw footage.

[@AlexCimmaronBS]

You should do an overnight camping video at Penrose State Forest.

[@BartRos1980]

I have never been asked. But I never will!

[@Addrian.]

@@BartRos1980 smart man!