Why I do not hand over ‘raw files’.

Would you contact the Coca-Cola Company and ask them to send you the ingredients and method so you can make the drink yourself because you didn’t want to pay for an actual finished product?

How do you think you’d get on if you contacted Paramount Pictures and asked them ‘to email over a few clips’ of TopGun Maverick’ so you can use on your own socials to promote your business for free?

As a photographer and videographer, my decision not to provide ‘raw files’ to customers can be influenced by several factors. Here are some reasons why this is the case with myself:

* Creative control: Raw files are unprocessed and contain all the meta data captured by the camera sensor. They require extensive post-processing to reach the final desired look. By not sharing raw files, I maintain creative control over the editing process, ensuring that my artistic vision and style is preserved.

* Quality control: Raw files may include outtakes, test shots, or images that are technically flawed. Providing only the edited, final images ensures my clients receive a selection of high-quality, carefully curated content that represents my best work.

* Client expectations: Some clients may not have the technical skills or software required to work with raw files effectively. Providing edited JPEGs or videos simplifies the client’s experience and ensures they can use the content without difficulty.

* Protecting my reputation: Raw files can be manipulated in ways that may not align with my professional standards. By providing edited images and videos, I can maintain the integrity of my portfolio and protect my reputation as a photographer or videographer.

* Licensing and usage rights: Many photographers retain copyright and licensing rights to their raw files as do I by default in the UK. By not providing raw files, I can maintain control over how the images or videos are used, preventing unauthorized modifications or distribution.

* Time and effort: Editing raw files is a time-consuming process that requires specialised software and expertise. Providing clients with edited content allows me to streamline my workflow and focus on delivering a polished final product.

* If we’ve met at an event you are not entitled to content I have been paid to created.  Customers have paid me to film, shoot and edit content for them.  Why would you assume you could just have those files for free?

* Business model: My business model and pricing structure is based on a few factors including selling the final, edited images or videos as a package. Providing raw files separately will disrupt this model and affect my pricing strategy.

Basically – you’re paying me to create, edit and distribute to you a version of the events you hired me to capture.

Any external storage medium / hard drive  that you may have provided to me is merely a device to hold assets pertaining to work I have been hired by you to capture.  I retain this for you should you require further edits / amendments on previous work.  This will be provided as a new ‘job’ with a fresh quotation.  You are always welcome to have the storage medium returned to you but it will be in the original state – empty.

I am totally happy to help support you with your marketing and business but will not send you clips that I have taken.  I will be more than delighted to edit footage together for you at cost.  I operate as a business, not a stock footage site.  Of course you could always go and spend tens of thousands of pounds on cameras, lenses, drones and editing software to do it yourself.  Don’t forget all of the required insurances as well.

Any questions please get in touch.  Lee.