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Just Said Yes August 2020

Photography Digital Release

Leanna, on January 17, 2020 at 2:13 PM Posted in Etiquette and Advice 0 12

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Hi Everyone,

Trying to finalize the contract with our wedding photographer and wondering if digital release is a common issue amongst photographers now a days. We found a photographer that we really like locally here in Minnesota and just got done with our engagement photo session. When asking about saving the finished photos to use on our save the dates/wedding website they say we must share them on social media and save from there or pay $50 for each individual photo. The base contract is 2k with the option of adding 150 prints digital release of wedding day photos being an extra 400 and entire photo “proof-set” being 800. I feel like they are just trying to nickel and dime us but I wanted to reach out before speculating to see if this is a common practice.
Sincerely, A Concerned Bride-to-Be

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12 Comments

Latest activity by Shane, on January 27, 2020 at 5:44 PM

Master January 2015
null · on January 17, 2020 at 2:17 PM
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I'm not sure if it's common practice, but I sure hope not. Our photographer includes digital release of ALL images in the package. I can't imagine having to pay $50 per photo for only the digital copy on top of the 2k, to me that's insane!
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January 2019
MOB So Cal · on January 17, 2020 at 2:22 PM
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Daughter's photographer's contract included full download and print rights to all edited photos (that was about 250 from the engagement session and well over 1100 from the wedding). If she'd wanted them, he would also have provided the digital files for all photos (edited and unedited) taken on the day of the wedding. The estimate was that there were likely about 8000 files (many of which weren't great compared with the 1100+ he chose to edit). She had no need for those, but the contract provided them to her. Personally, I'd look for another photographer and/or ask this one if they have an option that gives you rights to all the photos, so you can make a cost comparison. Good luck!
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Devoted April 2020
Sabrina · on January 17, 2020 at 2:45 PM
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Most photographers include a digit release....even 11 years ago, when I had my first wedding, that was provided. I am also not obligated to post to social media for their advertising. I don't think your photographer is being fair to you.
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Master May 2020
Kari · on January 17, 2020 at 3:13 PM
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I'm a photographer (not a wedding photographer, but I know "the photography industry" well enough, have friends who are wedding photographers, and am the type to ask a TON of questions).

I'm a little confused by your initial post, but digital release of images for personal use is generally included in all wedding packages, and this is for all of the edited images you receive. Paying extra to be able to share/use your wedding photos for personal use is not common.

Some photographers will limit print rights, but I don't think I've ever seen a wedding photographer require extra payment for digital release of images for personal use.

Note that personal use and commercial use rights differ. So if, for example, you wanted to use a portrait from your wedding session as your head shot for your biography insert for a book you authored, that would constitute commercial use and would require different terms.

Photographers also retain the "copyright" of their images - meaning they own them, you don't - but personal use of digital files should come with your wedding package at no extra cost. If it doesn't, I would go elsewhere, because then you are essentially paying someone to take your photos but not be allowed to use them.

Good for you for reading the fine print and trusting your gut!
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Master September 2019
Sherry · on January 17, 2020 at 3:15 PM
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Not common. Our wedding and honeymoon photographer gave us all of our images. We were not obligated to post anything. They are looking for free advertisement since they know how much of a business weddings are. I would definitely look for a different photographer.
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Just Said Yes August 2020
Leanna · on January 17, 2020 at 5:33 PM
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Hey thanks for your reply. I thought it seemed a little weird. It sounds like you got the gist of everything. If we go with their base quote for $2k, it doesn’t include any digital release other than social media. We have to pay $400 extra for 150 prints or $800 for all of them. They do fully edit the proof set (1k-1.5k of images).
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Just Said Yes August 2020
Leanna · on January 17, 2020 at 5:37 PM
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Thank you everyone for your responses. It definitely helps, my fiancé and I are going to ask the photographer some additional questions based on your responses and potential look at different options. It seems weird that we would have to pay extra just to have a digital copy of our own photos. We felt a little locked into going with this particular one because they did our engagement photo session without the contract finalize but we can always look at just paying for those separately if need be.
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Master November 2022
Chrysta · on January 17, 2020 at 6:33 PM
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Wow, I researched A LOT of photographers before choosing ours, and not one of them required payment for digital release. they all included it in the package price. Personally, I would be wary of this photographer.
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Expert August 2021
Ingrid · on January 17, 2020 at 10:08 PM
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We own all of our photos. With digital I think the new norm is that you own the files. Wasn't that way when pics were on film. I wouldn't pay more for the rights to your photos
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Savvy September 2021
Taylor · on January 18, 2020 at 12:33 AM
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I’m also a Minnesota bride-to-be and looked at a TON of photographers pricing packages recently (just locked ours in this week) - every single one I looked at included digital release rights through an online album. I would agree with your instinct that they’re trying to nickel and dime you because you should not have to pay extra just to see your photos!!
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Dedicated October 2019
KAREN · on January 24, 2020 at 1:26 PM
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We had digital release of all of our pictures in our package, and unlimited access to them. I think if we were to market them (like if husband and I opened a bakery together and used the images there) then we'd have to give credit.
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Just Said Yes June 2019
Shane · on January 27, 2020 at 5:44 PM
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A digital release should most certainly be included. They are, as you put it, trying to nickel and dime you. If they won't budge on that find a new photographer.
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