I thought it would be fun for my first article to be about a controversial subject among photographers: showing unedited RAW images to clients.
So why do I show clients the back of my camera?
For every photo shoot, I make it a priority to show my clients the unedited images on the back of my camera. While this practice may be controversial among photographers, I firmly believe in it. Here's why I choose to show my clients the unedited images on the back of my camera during a photo shoot, and why I encourage other photographers to do the same.
Clients LOVE it! Feedback from my clients consistently shows that they are excited to see the photos during the shoot. A photoshoot is not just about the final product; it's also about the experience. If my clients aren't having a great time during one of my shoots, then it's a sign that something needs to change. When we're out there running, spinning, and playing, and everyone is hyped up and feeling good, it only enhances the experience by seeing a preview of the product we created together.
It helps build confidence. As a family and wedding photographer, my clients are everyday people who haven’t been professionally trained in posing. It's my responsibility to make anyone and everyone look good on camera. During my shoots, there’s always a special moment when at least one person looks at the beautiful photo I just took of them. Their face lights up confidently when they see how good they are doing, and that boosts the energy and positivity of the entire shoot.
My clients aren’t naive. Many photographers justify not showing unedited images to their clients because they don’t look like the final product. This, to me, sounds like it underestimates the intelligence of clients. People are aware that their photos are going to be edited. The clients hired a photographer because they have seen their work online and trust that their photos will look like the ones on the photographer's website and social media. Clients should see a preview, as it fosters a greater appreciation of the final image.
And here's a big one! It helps calm children. Given that I work as a family photographer, I interact with toddlers almost daily. Some are just fine, some are cranky, and some are apprehensive of the photographer pointing a camera at them. I have found that simply showing children the pictures of themselves and their parents helps calm them down more often than not. On the other hand, some kids love being on camera and will ask to see the photos I just took of them. Understanding this, I firmly believe it's important to accommodate their curiosity and enthusiasm.
And that's why showing clients the back of the camera is important. It’s about creating a fun and engaging experience, building confidence, and even calming little ones. Ultimately, it's all about making sure everyone leaves the shoot not just with great photos, but with great memories. I genuinely believe this approach makes the whole process smoother and more enjoyable for everyone involved. Next time you’re in front of the camera, don’t be surprised if you catch a glimpse of the action as it unfolds. After all, seeing those moments in real time is part of the magic we create together!