Understanding the Value of a Professional Photographer

Every photographer gets the question "Can I have the Original unedited images? Just in case I need them? I want to to have a go at editing them myself". 

Hands up if you've done this. It's sort of human nature really, we often think we can do better than the next person. The short answer to this question is no, but I wanted to help you understand why. Every now and then I find myself absolutely livid about a situation, but once I understand the reasons as to why things haven't happened the way I want them to, I realise I need to take a chill pill. 

I'm going to show you some of my images completely unedited in comparison to their final edits.  By the end of this read, you'll realise how much you don't even want the unedited images.

I don't just say no to this question because I'm being a mean old lass. I promise I'm not just holding on to that one perfect photo. Why would that benefit me?

You may already be familiar with the terms RAW and JPG. If not, these are file types. Basically, JPGs are what you use to upload to Facebook, Instagram, Websites, or what you get printed. RAW files are what come straight out of my camera. They hold a lot more information, including a significantly larger amount of colour and texture details in the shadow and highlight areas. To even be able to open these files, software like Photoshop or Lightroom are required. If I sent them to you as they came out of my camera, you couldn't do anything with them without running them through a special software.

Every professional photographer shoots RAW because having all that information is key. The thing is, RAW photos that come straight from the camera generally look sub-par. They're flat with bad contrast and dull colours. Until the image is edited, the image isn't finished, and that's by design.

A RAW image is a carpenter having a wood shop full of tools and materials to create whatever he wants. A JPG is buying a table at the store, you either like it as it is, or you don't, but there's nothing you can do about it.

My editing style is a key component to my work. My skills as a photographer involves so much more than just editing like framing, timing, lighting and a pile of other skills - including the creative thinking and planning that happens before an image is even shot.

The image isn't the finished artwork that I'm proud to put my name on until the editing is complete. You don't put a load of washing on and stop it half way through to get dressed in your soapy wet clothes. 

The before and after images you're seeing here are what represent me as an artist. They're the quality I want people to expect when they hire me.

What about the images you never see?

These are the ones with the hair in your face, closed eyes, and blurry. There's also a lot of duplicates (so many freaking duplicates). For every image you receive, there will seriously be dozens that are ever so slightly different and a just little bit less good. Part of my editing job is to spend a good slice of time doing side by side comparisons until I find the absolute best variations.

If I have two different images that are both awesome, I'll never just give you one. The whole point of the culling process is to bring the best possible images to life, and minimise the excess. Do you really want to look through 5000 images that all look pretty much the same?

It’s my job to deliver a professional high quality body of work to you. Meaning - images that document and reflect what happened on the day. There will always be a few images in there that you might think look like outtakes e.g. pulling funny faces or having a good laugh. These are the images that create the character and real authenticity of the gallery. “Professional” doesn’t mean all straight faces and no fun.

We will always have a plan of action in place before shoot day. This will include expectations, time frames, number of images required, locations, equipment needed etc. All depending on the project of course. It’s my responsibility as a Photographer to make sure these things are clear and understood by the client. My pricing has been developed to incorporate all the key aspects of a shoot. Including the final number of images to be delivered, usage/licensing, time spent editing, and hours spent on location. Sometimes life happens and images can’t be delivered as fast as expected, or maybe the images need to be delivered to a quicker deadline. The best way to make sure everyone is kept in the loop is simple - communicate throughout the process.

Why should you trust me to choose the best images?

Put it down to the thousands of hours I’ve spent looking at photos and learning the difference between great and not so great. If I sent you 5,000 average images you would not be stoked. It’s also part of why you hired me. You shouldn’t have to do the tedious sorting work for me. Some jobs will obviously require a little more client input. All I’m saying is, once I’ve made my selections, edited and sent everything through, asking for the unedited images is unnecessary.

You need to choose your photographer because you’re in love with their style. Don’t hire a photographer because their pricing is more attractive, and expect them to deliver anything other than what they have available on their online platforms. Look at their website, their Facebook, Instagram. Definitely don't re-edit on top of your photographers edits. No adding the old Instagram filters either! You may as well be saying you'd just like to change a few things on the Mona Lisa. Another reason to really do your research. What are they posting? Do you like their editing style? Is this the type of imagery you want? If it is, great! If not, find someone who’s work is more up your alley. When you do find a photographer you love, trust them.

This is a hard topic for a lot of people, but usually it can be dealt with fairly easily by communicating expectations before your shoot. Nobody wants to disappoint anyone. My hope is just that maybe I can give you a deeper understanding of a photographer's point of view.

Trust the process! We're all in this together.

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