digital packages - from CD's to digital downloads - clients galleries

Gary.D

Gary.D

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Gary Derbridge
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Hi guys

I am a wedding photographer in Essex, and at the moment my digital package is currently a huge seller for me.

The files are currently provided on CD however I am now looking at offering the "digital download" straight from my website.

A couple of questions to anyone that may be offering digital packages like this....

* do you find clients mind not having a physical product?
* how long do you keep the galleries live for?
* how have you found is the most efficient way to get the password details to the guests?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, as that is one part of my business I have never really been able to streamline.

Many thanks
Gary
Www.gdphotographer.co.uk
 
I just use Dropbox. It's not branded or anything, but that doesn't bother me as I'm not trying to sell my brand to people who've already paid for everything. And it is easy - for me and for them. It works, and I don't have anything to maintain and constantly be updating software on a website.

Nobody is bothered about not having a physical product. If they wanted one, they'd ask for it.
Galleries stay up for ages, no specific amount of time, but as long as there's space I don't take stuff down. I tell clients to download everything and make multiple copies, explain about hard drive failure, etc., etc.
No password required, just email the link to them. If I did have password protected galleries then I would do the same, and email the password to them (not sure how that part could be more complicated than that?). EDIT: OK, seems I can't read. I don't deal with guests, so I don't worry about that.
 
I am interested to see the replies to this (I am sure it has been discussed before actually) as it's something I wonder about. I have no plans or desire to go full digital download but that's mainly because I aim to deliver something I would like to receive myself if I was paying £1,000 + for wedding photography. A lovely package in the post which my couples can open together and have a nice little experience whilst doing so.

Of course not every couple will appreciate that and some photographers in threads in the past have said that once the couple stick the images from the USB onto their computer, it will get shoved in a drawer and forgotten about, which I guess will apply to some folk. Either way, that's my approach and I think it's nicer than receiving an email with a link for 300+ photos to download. :)
 
I give my clients an online gallery hosted on my website with Imagely, which they can also purchase products through.

But I also deliver a USB to them in one of Folio Album's - Duo Folio cases.
 
Gary.D said:
It's one of my worrys gaz. The gallery I'm using is pixieset, which I have to admit is very nice. Just don't know if clients would much prefer to have that actual product
Click to expand...

I think at the end of the day, your couples will book you because of what you offer them with regards to the full package/experience that includes everything from your approach/attitude, the photography itself (of course) to the final product that you deliver. Tell them what you offer and if they like you and want it, they will book you. I learned ages ago that you don't have to try and be everything to everyone. I would personally love it if people had massive, printed products. Not because I make money on them, but because that's the way I feel photos look their best. :)

It's also interests me how some photographers like Andy above offer a link where folk can purchase products. I didn't think there would be much market for that to be honest if delivering full resolution files digitally.
 
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