I have always offered 4x5 paper proofs to my seniors and as part of my package they can choose 8 of their favorites to put in a portfolio. I also offer to let them purchase all of them at a special price if they purchase a certain dollar amount.

I am wanting to get away from paper proofs because of the scanning issue. I don't know what would be a better alternative. I could offer a proof book with so many on each page - but how many? I could also put them online. I don't know what to do :confused:

It is nice to have something tangible to see and hold but I don't want them scanning them either.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
Sherry

Aloha Sherry!

Are you shooting film? If not, I suggest you do away with paper proofs all together! I have been using digital preview for eveything for the last 3 years, and the results have been very gratifying.

When people ask if they can buy proofs, I tell them I don't do proofs...all the prints I make are finished portraits, and a 4x5 is $16.

I have been previewing on a 21" monitor, but will eventually move to a projector where I will show previews at 40x50"!

As long as you hand out paper prints, unless you print PROOF all across the image, people will scan and copy.

On the rare occasion my client can't come to the studio to proof and order, I will make a low-res proof CD for them, and every 4x6 @72 dpi image has my copyright printed across the bottom. I charge them for the CD and credit the CD price to their order as long as they order within 2 weeks.

I don't have a lot of experience with on-line proofing, but I don't like the idea personally. I tried it once and, if I remember correctly, I got one small order. According to the ads for online proofing services, it works for a lot of people, but I don't like it for a number of reasons. First, you don't know what the viewer's monitor looks like, or makes your images look like!

If the client is happy viewing their portraits online, no hurry to place an order, right? And I don't like having my print prices published that way. I believe what Charles Lewis says in this regard: your price list is a sales tool. You can't use your tools if you just hand them out to everyone.

When you preview with your client in front of you, you have the opportunity to explain options and how you will finish the portraits for them. You can ask about retouching specifics they may want, and talk to them about portraits as wall decor, and the lasting value of fine portraiture, etc.

Hope this helps.
SPC II

Thanks Stan for the input - I appreciate it.

I am shooting digital. I guess one of the reasons I would want to give them something on paper is because they show all of their friends and that in turn leads to more business.

I had never thought about how they might be viewing the ones online. That is good to think about. I don't think I will be going that route. Thanks.

My studio is in my home so I'm not sure how well it would work to show them either on the computer or projector. The computer would probably work better. It would be good to go through the options with them.

It does help - thanks

Give them proofs!... in a folio to show around to all their friends in school. Don't let it out of the studio free however. Thats what will get you more business. Online proofing is really convenient but I don't think it comes close to generating 'buzz' about a studio like proofs can.

Stan LOL,
When I started reading your answer I said to myself, "he sounds just like Charles Lewis". Do you or did you subscribe to the Inner Circle? I used to be a member and find much of Charles' advise to be quite sound. I just lack the confidence due to lack of experience to capitalize on his ideas.
StanCox:
Aloha Sherry!

Are you shooting film? If not, I suggest you do away with paper proofs all together! I have been using digital preview for eveything for the last 3 years, and the results have been very gratifying.

When people ask if they can buy proofs, I tell them I don't do proofs...all the prints I make are finished portraits, and a 4x5 is $16.

I have been previewing on a 21" monitor, but will eventually move to a projector where I will show previews at 40x50"!

As long as you hand out paper prints, unless you print PROOF all across the image, people will scan and copy.

On the rare occasion my client can't come to the studio to proof and order, I will make a low-res proof CD for them, and every 4x6 @72 dpi image has my copyright printed across the bottom. I charge them for the CD and credit the CD price to their order as long as they order within 2 weeks.

I don't have a lot of experience with on-line proofing, but I don't like the idea personally. I tried it once and, if I remember correctly, I got one small order. According to the ads for online proofing services, it works for a lot of people, but I don't like it for a number of reasons. First, you don't know what the viewer's monitor looks like, or makes your images look like!

If the client is happy viewing their portraits online, no hurry to place an order, right? And I don't like having my print prices published that way. I believe what Charles Lewis says in this regard: your price list is a sales tool. You can't use your tools if you just hand them out to everyone.

When you preview with your client in front of you, you have the opportunity to explain options and how you will finish the portraits for them. You can ask about retouching specifics they may want, and talk to them about portraits as wall decor, and the lasting value of fine portraiture, etc.

Hope this helps.
SPC II

Sherry:
I have always offered 4x5 paper proofs to my seniors and as part of my package they can choose 8 of their favorites to put in a portfolio. I also offer to let them purchase all of them at a special price if they purchase a certain dollar amount.

I am wanting to get away from paper proofs because of the scanning issue. I don't know what would be a better alternative. I could offer a proof book with so many on each page - but how many? I could also put them online. I don't know what to do :confused:

It is nice to have something tangible to see and hold but I don't want them scanning them either.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
Sherry
Hi Sherry,
Being an ex-inner circle member I was about to suggest that you stop giving paper proofs but Stan beat me to the punch. I have a question for you, though. One of the things I struggle with, probably because I don't do much business, is how to decide what to charge. Let me put that differently, is there a formula or methodology you used when developing your prices?