Tim Stapp Loc: Mid Mitten

What format do most folks crop to? Normal camera format (2x3), portrait frame size (4x5/5x7) or?

Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

I crop to what looks best for composition so long as it is a typical size for a frame ... I never standardize to one size ....

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Actually, it depends on what I'm shooting. Either way, I always crop in Lightroom, so I can go back and adjust crop later. I know you can crop without deleting pixels, but for me LR is just easier.

For headshots, always 4x5 (8x10) For portrait work, I usually don't crop until the ordering session, and using my sales software, I can project any size (actual size) crop, and even put in virtual frames. If they would rather not meet at their house, I can also do room view, and show them scale photos on photos of their rooms, over various furniture, etc.

For weddings, on the candid reception photos, I either don't crop at all, or I crop it for composition. Since the reception photos are rarely if ever ordered, and they just end up in the album, I don't mess a lot with them, unless I really like it.

For formals, I start with the 5x7 ratio for proofing purposes, because it's so easy to crop it in a little from there if they want to order an 8x10 gift print.

I'd say that no way is "the" way to do it. Just after a while, it's what I've done that works for me.

DebAnn Loc: Toronto

Depends. If I'm cropping a photo for my own use, I custom crop a size that I think works. Then I have a custom matte made to order. if I'm doing a crop for someone else, I ask what traditional size they'd like - 8x10, 8x12, etc.

crazydaddio Loc: Toronto Ontario Canada

You will hate my answer as it "enables" the trend that most true pro's would agree demeans the profession. Ready for it ?

I crop most @ 4x6 so the B&G can print at Walmart.

Cue rage.

Ok, so I still do wedding albums etc and will crop to support that plus 8x10s etc but most will be cropped 4x6 as I also give the B&G a large list of high quality digitals in 4x6 post processed in LR.

Seems to be the trend.
However if you have the portfolio that provides evidence of the "OMG level" off camera softbox with side striplight and 4 assistants ...the result being something off the pages of Vogue, then premium pricing with 10 prints for 10k is still a legit business model.

I can still get those shots too but not without 3 assistants....and that's a different business model.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

There are as many business models as there are wedding photographers. I don't think you'll find a lot of "outrage" Sometimes, you'll get some advice, but it's up to you to take it or not.

If you promise not to tell anyone, I'll tell you a secret I learned a long time ago when I was in bands, or doing solo music. Trust me, I didn't get better, but I booked a lot more when I charged more. I couldn't book a gig to save my life, when I tripled my price, I started playing 4 nights a week. A very good friend of mine who was a professional magician taught me that. He claimed that the more he charged, the better people thought he was.

I'm not saying that we shouldn't strive to be the best by using education, the best techniques, and good equipment. What I'm saying is that "doing what the trend is" makes you blend in with the crowd. My business plan is to set myself apart any way I can. I use OCF, almost exclusively. (when allowed) I don't give digital images, but have a great explanation for the couple why I don't. (I frame it as a favor to them, disks get lost, and/or never printed) I include albums, my kids and grandkids still love getting my old wedding album out and making fun of the styles, the hair, etc. I still have my parent's album. It is so important to us, that our kids have actually fought over who gets the albums when we pass.

Is that getting angry or putting down your business model? Not in the least. It's just different.

I think it was a year ago, that I posted a suggestion to people who give out disks to set them apart from everyone else. Why not give the couple a nice size digital frame with a preloaded SD card that they "could" take to get printed if they want, but at least the photos won't end up lost in a drawer... It's all about not doing exactly what everyone else does. (In my humble opinion)

Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

Bob .... which digital frame do you give away?

crazydaddio Loc: Toronto Ontario Canada

I keep raising my prices each year and have yet to have anyone even try to negotiate ...so you may be on to something here.

At the same time, I usually judge my work and try to price within the range of what I see on equivalent photographers sites. Probably more my faux self-humility (ie pride) than actual good business practices. ..

....think I will jack my prices one more time ... :-)

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

I haven't yet. I don't do digitals, but this is the one that I sourced when I was considering it. I didn't want to cheap out, and wanted something to really stand out without breaking the bank.

https://www.amazon.com/Digital-Andoer-Picture-Distinct-Display/dp/B07DNTNZFN/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1538412725&sr=8-2&keywords=digital+photo+frame+17+inch

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

As some of you know, I took this year off to deal with building a house, and some personal crap. Well, the good news is that last week, I called a few other wedding vendors that I know, and have booked 2 weddings for next year already. (and yes, not one person noticed, or mentioned price)

I still say the best advertisement, is just building good working relationships with other vendors.