Laura Brophy Photography

One of my favorite options I give my clients is the opportunity to purchase the Digital Files from their session with me, either as an add-on to a print purchase or as the primary purchase through a Digital Collection.  This gives my clients access to all their images at a great value, with tons of flexibility for preserving, sharing, scrapbooking and printing your images for years to come. I hate letting your images fall away to the editing floor as much as you do! As more and more clients consider the Digital Collection  option, I’ve been getting a lot of great questions.  So let’s get them all out there.

Do I get all the images in the gallery?

Yes!  Cool, huh?  With the Digital Collection you get ALL of the images that appear in your gallery as high-resolution jpegs, processed to print well up to 11×14, but you could probably print yourself a gorgeous wall mural if you wanted, I just don’t guarantee it.

If you are purchasing 10 files as an add-on to a print collection, you are restricted in your selection images for which you ordered prints.

Where should I get prints made?  And will they look as good as they do when you print them?

Your digital collection will come with some printer recommendations for basic prints and then other products you may want to consider.  I also tell you a few places where you should NOT go, but I’m not naming names out here where everyone can see it.  For prints, both labs I suggest do a fine job.  One is an online lab that has a robust professional lab, as well as a consumer division which you can access.  The other lab works with professionals only, but if you order through a special gallery I make available to you, you get to place your order directly through the lab.  And they will look great!  I’ve tested and compared and been very pleased with the results.

Will the prints be as expensive as when I purchase them from you?

No.  By investing in the files, you have paid me for my time and talent in producing them for you up front, allowing you to print the images to your liking at rates comparable to what you see when you print directly from a good printer. For example, if you print with the lab available through the gallery, you are looking at printing at the following costs (as of July 2012, prices subject to change): 4×6 $1.50; 5×7 $2.50; 8×10 $5; 11×14 $10.

What about other products?

I also make some recommendations for vendors for the following products:  press-printed cards for birth announcements, holiday cards, and grad announcements; gallery-wrapped canvases; photo books; and albums.  And let me know if you are wondering about other products.  I’ve done all sorts of crazy things with images, from SIGG water bottles to coasters to white boards, and I’m always happy to share my experiences and suggestions.

If I’m getting the Digital Collection, how quickly will I have access to the files?

How does right away work for you?  Within 24-48 hours of a Digital Collection purchase, you will get access to a special online gallery where you can download your files in a variety of sizes.  I also send you a link to a zipped file where you can download all the images at once.  Some Digital Collections come with a set of prints (and for Signature Sessions, a custom Image Box) and I prepare the additional sets of files for you, it can still take up to 2-3 weeks to get the disk and any images you ordered to you.  You now also have an option to get just the files.  In that case, they are delivered electronically only, and you are responsible for creating a backup disk.

Is it hard to work with the files?

Not really.  It’s super easy if you order your prints through the gallery and printer I connect you with.  But if you want the more affordable electronic delivery only or if you want to go to the lab of your choice, you need to know just a bit about dealing with downloading from the internet, zipped files, and jpegs to make this all work for you.  I can not provide tech support to those who are novice computer users or unfamiliar with image files.  If you struggled with your proof gallery or do not have experience with electronic file management, I strongly encourage you to consider a print collection.

Can I post my pictures from the Digital Collection on Facebook?

You bet.  I love seeing my images all over Facebook!  So much fun.  You can grab them right away from the gallery I link you to or you can wait for the disk.  I do ask that you credit Laura Brophy Photography when posting these images online, whether on Facebook or other social media sites.  But make sure you don’t try to print from the small files, as they are meant for online use only.

What comes with the Digital Collection?

As stated above, you can go basic and just get the files.  But you have the option to order the Digital Collection with prints. For full Family Sessions and Signature Senior Sessions, the Digital Collection currently offered includes a custom Image Box and a full set of bordered 5×7 prints as presented in the gallery.  (See the image box photos below.) For Express Sessions, the Digital Collection includes a set of bordered 3.5×5 prints.  Both come with a disk loaded with your images. It is your responsibility to copy and secure the disk for future use.

In the future, I may offer some special Mini Session days that include online access only to the files, but right now they all come with a disk and prints.

Do I own the copyright?

Laura Brophy Photography retains the copyright for all images produced from your session.  You, however, receive printing rights, to use and reproduce the files and print photos to your heart’s content for personal purposes.  Since I retain the copyright, images may not be used for commercial purposes or contests or anything else that requires you to have all rights to the image.  But if something comes up, ask me!  I’m pretty cool about these kinds of things.  There may be a fee associated with commercial uses, but uses for school, profiles in the newspaper, and stuff like that, you’ll be all set.

What’s the downside?

I love the digital option, but I love images and know how to use them.  My family had a great session with a Syracuse photographer in 2010, and I’ve printed holiday cards, art books, photos, and canvases from her amazing images, as well as posting them on Facebook and my blog.  It’s a bit of work, but makes for a great value from the session.  It has, however, been my experience that some who have great intentions of printing never do so, and thus never get full enjoyment from their images.  In a digital age, it is easy to simply store away the images and have them never see the light of day again.  So as much as it is great to have the files, make sure you use them!

May I add digital files onto a Print Collection?

Absolutely.  Many clients do this.  They are available as a Collection Add-On in your shopping cart.  If you want me to do your printing and/or album design, but you want all the files, this makes lots of sense. It’s the best of both worlds.  You let me do the work of getting you the images you want in print and album form, but you have access to all the images for other purposes forever.

Can I have additional editing on the photos in the Digital Collection?

Generally speaking, no. All images have been color corrected and gone through a round of basic retouching.  If there is a special image or two with a quirky problem, then feel free to make a request and I’ll let you know if I can do it.  Otherwise, the Digital Collection is “what you see is what you get”.  For a special request, let me know what you want, and I’ll get you a quote for retouching.

May I edit the photos?

No.  Sorry.  No funky cross processing or hearts and other crazy stuff Photoshopped on these photos.  You may crop them in the process of ordering prints, as different size prints require different crop ratios and some customization.  But remember that I hold the copyright and must be credited for the photos, so they need to be presented by you as I have provided them to you.

I am a senior. Do you still submit my yearbook photo?

Yes.  Yearbooks have very specific technical requirements.  I am very familiar with the cropping and resizing that is required for optimal reproduction in the yearbook.  So make sure you place your yearbook photo order along with a Digital Collection.

Okay folks, so what did I miss?  Let me know and I’ll add questions and the answers here.

 

UPDATED 7/31/2012 to reflected access to new professional lab and associated pricing

UPDATED 9/19/2012 to clarify policy and add an answer to “Is it hard to work with the files?”