So I have been asked these questions several times by some of my clients, Can I have the RAW files? Can you just send the unedited images?
I can just edit them by myself why can't I have the RAW files?
The first thing I want to say is, it is not because we as Artists are choosing to be mean, on the contrary it is exactly this..we are Artists. Our job is to create Art, a very large majority of Photographers in Adelaide are not just there to point and shoot, this would be rather boring, there is no room for creativity and skills without the post editing process.
Imagine going to a restaurant and the chef gives you a plate with all the ingredients on it, without actually preparing, cooking and presenting them to you.. the product is unfinished, and that is not why we go out for a meal, we go out to enjoy the professional expertise of a chef cooked meal.
If you're a Generation Y or older and remember film cameras, you will remember the film and the delicate little brown negative, a RAW file is kind of like a digital negative which requires processing. It is uncompressed and unprocessed, and contains all the information captured by the camera's sensor giving much more flexibility during post processing. Unlike a JPEG file these files are very large and they require special software to edit/process and view the file.
A lot of Adelaide Photographers like myself actually look forward to racing home after shooting your session because we are so damn excited by creating the art that comes out of the work we shoot. This is a huge part that personally fills my cup, I love to create something unique for every single client, each and every edit I do is individual and I do all my edits by hand, I don't use presets, or purchase filters to put over my images. I adjust everything by hand, the lighting, the colours, tones, shadows, contrast, white balance, dehaze, straightening horizons, adjusting the shades of green, removing random photo bombers from your frame anything and everything to produce the final finished piece of perfection which is then delivered to you to keep forever. I am sure you can imagine and appreciate that all of this takes time, it is not a quick 'slap, dash and go' type of situation, well at least not for me anyway.
My edits are my final flourish, the signature of approval on the product that I sell. I like to think my editing style is like the clothes I wear, it reflects who I am and my personality; it exudes warmth, romance and fun, and is organic, clear and bright with a consistent but individual look to each and every gallery I produce!
If my art was a type of movie it would be unapologetically a Romantic Comedy for sure!
I hope this blog gives a little more insight into Why some Photographers won't release RAW files to their clients. Remember we are the creative type, we are considered Artists and we are proud of the Art we create and the memories we capture for you. If you are expecting a genuine and unique Maternity Photographer in Adelaide, you can request a booking here.
I look forward to working with you and your family someday soon.
Your Story From My Eyes
Kj
xxx