Middle Ga, Photographer Explains- WHY BRIDES REQUEST DIGITAL FILES

Hi, I'm Dorine, owner of Pederzani Photography. If you're a photographer, I bet you've been asked if digital files are included in your packaging?  Most clients claim they only want the digital files for printing out their own pictures. But did you know digital files are only what they think they want because they've been told it's more affordable by well meaning friends, and even newbie photographers eager to get hired, myself included. But I have learned this belief doesn't constitute good reasoning for your client. When the consequences are weighed, it turns out to be costly and very heartbreaking for them.  Here's how to respond to the request for digital images.

Modern technology is always moving forward and making new roads into the normal way of doing business, What is normal today becomes obsolete tomorrow. Many newer laptops don't even include CD trays any longer; they're being replaced by the very popular Flash drive that come in a variety of colors and materials. I love them myself. But the question is how long until they become obsolete? The printed medium is the surest way for maintain your keepsakes over long periods of time. They will be with you forever in whatever form you print them in; from albums to canvasses they will be well protected and kept conveniently close. Cd's will necessitate special equipment over time for viewing as well as any electronic storage device. They'll become as obsolete as Atari games and Ericsson Cell Phones (which I also had and loved). And the client will be constantly updating their outdated storage device just to keep the images viewable, (my own word). The bottom line is, it'll become costly to maintain the quality and viability of their images. Storage in the 'cloud', will need more space over time, because more and more files will be added; and then the possibility of losing passwords is ever present as well. In all it'll become very taxing to the individual to keep on top of the problem and very likely to get behind and give up altogether.

"But they want digital files for printing, " they reply. Yes, but the fact of the matter here is most CD's end up in the junk draw, scratched up, ill labeled and forgotten. Any photos that did get printed are disorganized in some draw also, getting dirty, ripped, bent and thrown out.

Your customers need their thoughts refocused with a renew appreciation for art.  Classic art on any printed medium has tested the annals of modern inventions and like a Timex Watch, they keep on ticking....and never lost their charm! Your clients are coming with questions that others have told them to ask, whether friends or some published magazine article; this a perfect opportunity to use the consultation as an educating tool to inform them what questions they really need to be asking. Turn the questions into answers they need to hear; because a well informed client is a happy client. Ciao!