 Kristi Eckberg |
how to present proofs after a photoshoot I have recently gotten serious about my photography and really wanting to make a business out of this. I'am a children's portrait photographer but have also done some senior sessions. I'am having a hard time deciding how to present proofs to clients. I have not done a whole lot of photo shoots so I have just been emailing them for the clients to view. I know I cannot do this any longer as I get more business so wondering if I should just present them on a cd (using digital rebel now) or order 4x6 proofs? My two concerns are the cost of ordering all the proofs in 4x6 (just starting out so not charging a ton, and with digital take alot of shots so to do 4x6 proofs would get pricey) and with the cd worrying that they will take them and make their own reprints. I could save them at a smaller resoultion I guess to avoid enlargements being made?? I need help with this please! I have a booth being set up at our children's festival to promote myself and need to have this all figured out soon.. Sorry to carry on forever.. Kristi
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Kerry L. Walker |
Save them on a disk at 72PPI and give them the disk.
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Kristi Eckberg |
Thanks for the quick response. So at 72ppi can they view them clearly on their computer? Can they make their own 4x6 prints at that size or do they turn out fuzzy? thanks!
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Kerry L. Walker |
They should look fine on the computer. I have found a few times, on certain shots, that I need to size at 96PPI to look OK on the computer. They can print them but they won't like what they get. You might also want to create a custom label for your disks with your name on them stating that all images are copyrighted to you. It won't keep people from trying to make prints at home but the labs won't touch it - if they are smart.
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Carol Dibble |
Hi Kristi, I usually process my own prints and give my clients 3.5x5 proofs as I can fit four on a page, along with a contact sheet. It's kind of a bonus for them as well to have a small print of the photo session (as part of the sitting fee). It's also nice for them to have something in hand to look at in case they don't have access to a computer. Just a thought.
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Diane L. Thomas |
Hi Kristi, I usually put my proofs on CD 72ppi so they can view but I add my name across the middle of the page. Just type in your © NAME then use the opacity and fade it to where it can barely be seen. So far all my clients haven't complained. After they order I give them a glossy set of the photo they choose. They are happy.
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Michelle Ross |
This is a great question as I have been contemplating this myself . . . I hate to print a bunch of "proofs" with the © symbol across them because I would like to also use them for my portfolio and don't want the added expense of having to reorder. I like the CD Idea with the copyright on them because then you can do that in a folder and it won't take up near the megabytes as a larger file. But what about those "small few" customers that do not have a computer or what about the differences in monitors?? I had one customer not like a photo that I had sent her via email to view but when she saw the print she ended up ordering one? One other thing I had considered doing was making contact sheets with 4 or 6 photos on them(8 x 10 page) and having more of a proof book. Mpix can do this and then you can always offer the proof book to the customer.
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Diane L. Thomas |
Your right Michealle, There are a few clients that don't have the computers and on my information sheet that they get they let me know there preferred choice of seeing their proofs. I use the same CD with © Name on it and run off the proofs on proof paper 4 to a sheet. Most clients take the CD so using proof paper for a few doesn't cost that much. Contact sheet proved out to be awful since the photo's are so small they could not see them well. I am for making my clients happy. Happy mean referrels. Most people are honest and fair.
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Michelle Ross |
Thanks Diane. . . where do you get your proof paper? and also what printer do you have. . . the color in mine is not good so the final print would like alot different? I agree with making clients happy :-) Living in a small town I kind of "know" my people so far and haven't been worried about them copying the photos from disk .. however. . . if hte business grows and I start getting out of town clients I have to be prepared! Thanks for the advice and info!
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Diane L. Thomas |
I too live in a small town but go to Houston and some places in Louisina. I get my papers from Red River paper company, http.//www.redrivercatalog.com/index.htmbut there are several places. I just like the service I get there. I use Epson 2200 printer. The thing to do for all printers, Calibraing your monitor, camera and white balance. Do this often.
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Michelle Ross |
Thanks Diane! I have heard of Red River but just have never taken the "plunge" and ordered from them. I have an HP printer and it does fine for candid stuff or if I"m just wanting to see what something looks like, but for anything else I think I'll probably just go with the lab and order in the proofs. I think the majority will usually end up having a computer and I will just make sure I mention that monitors vary, etc so to please ask any questions if they have a concern, etc. I did some dance photos a couple of weeks ago adn I just emailed them the "proofs" in small format and they were fine with that. . . but it wasnt' very many . . my senior session I did the other day had 20 proofs and we aren't even done. I like the idea of putting the copyright across the photo for the smaller version so it doesn't take up much computer space. I"ll check out Red River again! Thanks!
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Kristi Eckberg |
Lots of good info. thanks for the help.I discovered on my computer that I have a windows media movie maker so I can create cd slideshows of the pictures and add music. It's really neat and I'am thinking I will include that with the photo shoots just for them to have plus that could be a creative way to present proofs. I don't believe they could make prints b/c they would be to small and b/c it's a slideshow. Again if someone doesn't have a computer I will have to print proofs.
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Melissa L. Zavadil |
Has anyone heard or have done business with Pictage.com? This looks like a really neat site that manages your orders and displays your proofs on line. I was thinking of signing up for that because it takes a lot of the work away. This could possibly be a great alternative. I recently had my childrens portraits done where I viewed a slide show in there studio. I was still undecided about the ones that I wanted but they sent me home with just a photocopy of all the photos. I further could view them on line. It seems to be pretty convienent because you can have relatives see the photos too. What do you think? Or has anyone ever used a service like this????
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