Why can't I have my RAW images?
Let’s talk about RAW images. I’ve had a few inquiries asking about if they can have the raw images. There is some confusing stuff on the internet about RAWS and what you should ask for from your photographer. I’m pretty sure these FAQ’s weren’t written by a photographer. 😂
RAW Image - Unedited
WHAT IS A RAW IMAGE?
RAW files are unprocessed and un-compressed data files that contain all of the “image information” available to the camera sensor. Because RAW files are unprocessed, they come out looking flat and dark, as you can see above in the “Before”.
DO I NEED THE RAW IMAGES FROM MY SHOOT?
The short answer is no. You don’t need the raw image because with out a robust photo editor and the knowledge of how to edit said raw image the file is no good to you. It's a flat, unedited image. These RAW images also include all the bloopers. Many of the shots are the wrong millisecond of the pose, instead capturing an awkward mid-stride. This is where all that work behind the scenes after your shoot take place. I go through and cull (take out all the blurry, bad images) every single image that was taken during our shoot. That can be from 200 images to thousands depending on the kind of shoot. This is part of the built in cost of your session. My time to pick all the good shots and then to edit them to perfection.
WHAT KIND OF IMAGES WILL I ACTUALLY GET?
Edited JPEG
You will get high resolution and web resolution edited JPEGS which can be used to share online and get printed to hang on your wall. These JPEGS are big enough to print Sizes upward of 60"x40" or bigger. If you tried to post RAW images to Facebook they wouldn't accept that type of image format. JPEGs are where it's at if you want to share your beautiful images and/or get them printed.
WHAT'S YOUR EDITING PROCESS?
In short when I get home I process your images by ingesting them into my computer and backing them up to the cloud. Once that process is done I then cull your images to refine your gallery down to just the best shots. After I cull your images I load them into my editing program and I hand edit every. single. image. I remove hair in your face, I adjust your skin tone to match, I bring color back to your eyes (remember we're still working with a flat raw image), I remove distractions from the scene and finally I make sure the horizons in your images are straight. Depending on the amount of images this process can take hours or even days. After your images are edited I then back them up to the cloud once more and upload them to my photo sharing website. You get a fancy little email letting you know that your gallery is done! You can then log on and see your images, share your images, download your images, and even get products, and beautiful wall art printed from your gallery.
Unprocessed RAW and Missed Focus and awkward posing
HOW DO I KNOW I’M NOT MISSING OUT ON ANYTHING GOOD?
After sitting in front of hundreds of thousands of images over the past 12 years you should understand that there comes a level of competence to know what is a good image and what isn’t. You hired me based on my portfolio of edited images and probably have seen full galleries. Trust me when I say that you will get all of the good shots. I promise you’d rather have the best of the best than have to sift through 5,000 images to find the 30-40 that end up in your gallery. You’ve hired me for my time and talent and quite possibly the way my photos look. Each photographer has their own unique artistic style. When you’re shopping around for a photographer you should like them for their style, not another photographers editing style. Expectations are important for both the photographer and the client. Make sure you set proper expectations. Again, editing style is important and it is an ART. You don’t hire a musician who only plays rock to perform at your wedding and expect them to play classical or jazz. You would be sorely disappointed. Ask the photographer to see some full galleries of the type of session that you’re inquiring about. This will allow you to see how that photographer does through the course of a full session and what the end result might look like. Again, Ask these kinds of questions up front before you hire the photographer. Asking after you’ve hired your photographer isn’t setting clear expectations.
“I hope that this helps you further understand why RAW unedited images aren’t a normal thing for typical sessions. There are times in which a photographer will give over RAWS per their contractual agreement. It tends to be in commercial photography situations and the cost is much greater for the client to purchase a RAW image. Let me know if you’re in the market for a session. You can check out full galleries at gallery.ajstegall.com”