Clients sometimes ask if they can have the RAW images from their session or wedding. Since this can be a very sensitive topic, I thought it would be useful to address why it is an industry standard not to deliver RAW files.
Without getting too technical, here’s what you need to know about RAW files:
→ They are not technically image files (they require special software to be opened). If you try to view them on a desktop, laptop, etc., you won’t be able to see any images at all.
→ Raw files are meant to be edited, they cannot be printed without being post processed first.
→ They are dull, flat “images” that are low in contrast and not as sharp.
→ Photographers capture RAW files when they shoot because the RAW files contain complete (lossless) data from the camera’s sensor that photographers can use to edit in their specific style…
…which is EXACTLY what attracts someone to a photographer’s work in first place!!
It’s an industry standard to only deliver edited images for a few reasons!
Photographers spend years defining and perfecting their style. They build their brand by producing consistent images in style. So when potential clients come across their work, they know exactly what to expect when they book their photographer.
If someone does have the required software to work with RAW files and they edit the photos themselves, the chances are that they are not going to match their photographer’s style. Which means that their final edit would be a misrepresentation of the photographer’s work. In this case, if an image posted online is of less quality than what the professional photographer would typically deliver, it will likely harm the photographer’s reputation. Moreover, if potential customers come across the same image edited multiple ways, they might think that the photographer is lacking consistency in their work.
Since editing is very much a part of the photography experience, if a photographer were to deliver RAW images it would basically be like a baker delivering raw ingredients on a wedding day, instead of the fully baked and decorated cake :)
Every image you see on this website has been carefully processed to fit my style and vision. When clients stumble upon my work online, they know exactly what to expect if they book me to photograph their wedding: bright, vibrant, and colorful images.
Enjoy the experience of using a professional photographer whose work you love because their unique talent cannot be replicated anywhere else!
