Why I Don’t Sell Digital Files (and Never Will)
You finally find a photographer you like and can’t wait to book your session. It’s me! I’m the photographer you found and fell in love with. But….
During our first phone call, after telling me about everything you want, who, and why, you find out I don’t sell digital files. You’re shocked. The kind of shock where you‘re a little speechless. Everyone else gives a digital gallery with hundreds of images.
“What do you mean you don’t just give digital files?” you ask.
My answer is probably not what you expected to hear.
“Well, I’m a full-service photographer. I photograph you, I edit everything, and we meet for an in-person ordering appointment where we can laugh and cry together while you see your hand-selected images. Then, after you choose your favorites and how you want them printed, I send them off to my professional lab. Then, I hand-deliver everything to you.”
Yes, I do everything for you. I take the photos. I edit the photos. I print the photos. I deliver the photos.
Here’s what I don’t do:
I don’t send a gallery link with 800 images for you to decide which is best.
I don’t hope you’ll print some images eventually.
I don’t let you print them from your home computer, the drugstore, or big box store.
I don’t hope they were shipped to the correct address and arrived undamaged.
I don’t wonder years later whether you ever printed them or not.
I don’t hope you downloaded them to your phone or laptop so you don’t lose them.
That’s a lot of don’ts, right? I know.
Here’s what I do, do:
I do have a chat with you to see if we’re even compatible. I’m loud, chatty, and not everyone’s cup of tea.
I do meet you for a consultation. We plan your wardrobe, colors, mood, and theme together. I’ll show you artwork and samples so you can plan ahead for what you want printed and how you’ll use your images.
I do plan your fantasy photo session in advance. I create a mood board, make props, buy props, and let you borrow from the client closet.
I do have my studio ready for your arrival. It’s kept cozy or cool, whatever you prefer, complete with snacks, water, cocoa, and tea.
I do arrive at your outdoor location (if that’s what you chose) a little early so I can scout spots with gorgeous light and beautiful backdrops.
I do make sure your portrait session is light and fun. I want you to feel confident and have all the fun! It’s your day to shine.
I do guide you and pose you, so you don’t have to overthink anything.
I do take hundreds of photos. Then cull and edit everything. I narrow it down to the very best ones; I can’t wait to show you.
I do show you in person, at your ordering appointment, all the gorgeous images of you (and your loved ones). You get a slideshow to sit back, relax, and watch. No interruptions from kids, phone notifications, etc.
I do help you choose what you want printed in an album or as large artwork to hang in your home.
I do send your beloved images to my print labs that are only available to professional photographers. No Walgreens or Costco prints here.
And, lastly, I do hand-deliver everything to you.
Whew, that’s a whole lot bigger list than the “don’t do” list.
I do a lot for my clients. We basically become best friends during the course of a photo session. I do everything for you; all you have to do is show up. This isn’t school; you won’t leave the session with homework to do when you get home.
Okay, back to why I don’t give digitals.
How many times have you taken a photo with your phone and you felt beautiful? A lot, right? And then what?
Nothing, usually.
You don’t print it, and you don’t hang it up on a wall.
You might send it to your friend or mom.
“They say ‘Oh, fun.”
And then life continues.
You probably post it to social media, get some likes and a few comments. Then, everyone moves on to the funny cat video.
The photo gets buried in your camera roll. Only to be forgotten, just like the other 2,000 photos.
Oh, and if you’re thinking,
“Wait, I want to post the photo I get from you on my social media.”
How does that work?
It’s easy. For every image you purchase from me, you get a digital copy for social media. It won’t be print quality; the size is for a screen, not a wall.
I’m not a monster; we live in a digital world, and I know you’ll want to post on social media.
Example: if you purchase a set of 4 images in a frame, you’ll receive those 4 digital copies. If you order an album with 45 images, you’ll get those 45.
I do not sell a digital image package unless you’re hiring me for branding images.
If you’re looking for a photographer who will give you 400 digital images, they are everywhere. Google “family photographer near me”, and you’ll find 47 photographers that will send you a digital gallery.
I’m different and offer you something tangible. I offer the gift of legacy. I offer something that will outlast you. I offer something that you’ll want to grab first when there’s a fire!
Perhaps your phone dies. Like, really dies. Gets lost or stolen. All those photos weren’t backed up; now they’re gone.
Google Drive and the cloud work great until they don’t.
So, I’ve started a little rebellion. It’s us against digital photos.
Let’s take back our memories. Let’s start decorating our homes with art again. Not the boring stuff Suzie down the street has. But actual meaningful art!
Artwork that screams “YES, that’s me!” Artwork that says, “Oh my gosh, I remember that day.” And you walk past it every day.
Artwork inside a whole album that hangs out on a coffee table or bookshelf amongst the dust fairies. You can pull it out every few months just to reminisce and look back on what a fun day it was.
Artwork that will be fought over for generations.
Nobody is ever going to say, “Let me have Mom’s phone so I can have her memories.”
So, do you want to join my rebellion and have art created instead of just another digital gallery that you’ll do nothing with?
This isn’t for everyone. It’s for those who want photos they can actually hold, hang, and pass down. Is that you? Join us.
Cheers,
Annette
