acellis Loc: Charleston, SC

Happy Tuesday all!! Question on delivering images -- if in a session i make 100 images for example. I will typically use standard processing on all images - i.e. - one preset, crop, str8en, etc, Then i select a few to be processed in B&W lets say 25 and i process those. Then i select another 25 to be done in multiple settings, sepia, speical signature presets, dodging, burning, etc. My question would you duplicate the images for the special processing and deliver 150 images or would you pull the 50 out of the standard bucket and deliver 100 (50 standard, 25 B&W and 25 specially toned images? This would also apply to print only delivery. Do you show the 100 or the 150 during the preview? Thanks for taking the time to comment. Any alternative solutions are welcomed.

ACE

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Arthur, I would deliver and duplicate the images for the special processing and deliver 150 images. This way they can choose and select which option they may like. In fact they may like 2 of the duplicates and order them. I deliver on a thumb drive. How were you planning to deliver them?

acellis Loc: Charleston, SC

Hey Pixel!! Thanks for the thoughtful response. you are getting to the crux of the matter. i was culling out the standards giving them 100 to choose from. almost to a tee they would want a B&W back to color or ask for a color in B&W so this was getting weird so i thought i would see what others are doing. you make sense and i think i may just add them. my concern is in the viewing session it would be viewing 150 images now for the print selection. My concern is in the time that takes to review and select the ones they want. As to your question, I do a hybrid. I give the digital image of each of the prints they purchase. I will offer the entire library for a very high fee. i am trying to avoid them re-prossessing my images in a different style. Am i being too cautious?

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Be upfront and tell them to plan x amount of time for preview and discussion. Yes you are being too cautious.. After they place the order, I would offer them the digital files for a reasonable price. Not a very high fee. But that is my approach.

acellis Loc: Charleston, SC

Thanks for the thoughts... Appreciate the feedback.

ACE

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

Before I give you my thoughts tell me how you are presenting the images. Online, paper proofs, or in-person projection. It sounds like you are doing in-person sales, but I cannot be sure.

acellis Loc: Charleston, SC

Hi Captain Bob! Thank for the contact. Currently, it is in-person projection or computer based depending. When i shoot in a client's home i upload to my laptop and use lightroom to prview and mark the images. We set a viewing presentation meeting for a week or two in the future. i then process them in the 3 styles - "standard", B&W and toned. presentation meeting, selection for printing and framing, preparation of digital images of those purchased. once received i then frame and deliver print and digital frequently hanging the work in their home.

acellis Loc: Charleston, SC

jim quist Loc: Missouri

It is important to only show your best work.

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

If this is portrait work, IMO you are showing too many images and too many choices.

Here is how I do it and you can decide if there is anything that is worthwhile:
This is really for my high school seniors, but the process is exactly the same for a family session.

Regardless of how many images I take, I cull it down to NO MORE than 40 to show and usually 30-35. No two images are the same or even really close. It is MY job to pick the best image, not theirs. They see NO images right after the session. They only see them after I have decided what I want them to see.

So two weeks or so after the session, I show up at their home with a laptop, projector, screen, and display samples.

In those two weeks, I go over the images and pick the 30-40 very best and I retouch every single one to at least 80% of finished.

It is clear at the outset that there will never be an online gallery or paper proofs and that is not negotiable. AND it is made clear that on viewing night, everyone who wants to be a part of the decision has to be there. I have NEVER had a problem with these requirements.

I do not show two (or God forbid, three!) variations of an image. If I think B&W is good for an image, then it IS B&W. Now, if the client asks for a color to be B&W or vice versa, then sure, I can do it, but THEY have to initiate that.

I use a program for sales - ProSelect by TimeExposure: http://www.timeexposure.com/portraitstudiosoftware.php
This allows us to sort the images in to Yes, No, Maybe "bins." I tell them their goal is to sort all of them into either Yes or NO. I assure them that a YES is not a commitment to buy, just a way to get the ones they like into one set.

THEN we go through picking what image they want in what form: paper print, metal, canvas, etc., and in what size. I have physical samples in 16x20 sizes with me to show. YOU CAN ONLY SELL WHAT YOU SHOW!!

You never want to put the client in the position of having to choose between two images that are almost identical. You pick the best one and that is it.
Anything else causes "analysis paralysis." Make it EASY for them. I hear newbie photographers make the dumb statement that it is up to the client to pick the best. Wrong - unless you want to see sales suffer because you overloaded and confused the customer.

The software keeps a running total, adds the sales tax, and shows you a grand total.

Your next words are: "The total is $xxxx.xx. How would you like to handle that? Check or Credit Card?" After which you say absolutely NOTHING.

Use as much or as little of that as you wish. It is a proven system.

For portrait sales, online galleries are stupid and the sign of a lazy photographer.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

It's better for you to choose what you want and do the editing on those that you feel are best. If you give the choice to the customer, they might drag their feet choosing, or ask you for the digital files, or get picky about how you edit them. Just choose 50, do 25 B&W and 25 Sepia and deliver the 100 prints and be done.

Robeng Loc: California

Ace,

After a shoot I go through the images on my monitor get rid of all the really bad ones. I'll edited 5 that I like as a sample and send them all to my client. I wish I had as much time as you to spend on processing, I think that's great.

Rob

acellis Loc: Charleston, SC

CaptainC -- GREAT information. i have thought through your email and will be taking much from it. i have a job sitting infront of me to try a new approach. Follow up if you don't mind: Start to finish and with no unusual road bumps what is your start to finish time once the actual session has been held? Do you use an assistant when you do environmental sessions?

Thanks so much!! ACE

acellis Loc: Charleston, SC

Thanks Rob! I don't really have a lot of time. i work 40 - 50 hours in a major hospital and then 4 sessions a week generally on the weekend. I then work the evenings to complete my weekend sessions. Whew... this is why i am reaching out for some ideas on how to balance all this!! Appreciate your comment.

ace

acellis Loc: Charleston, SC

Thanks Jeep! you have words of wisdom there my friend!