Respecting the Photographer





06.11.23



Recently a member of one of the photography Facebook groups posted an interesting article on 5 ways to respect a photographer. I liked the post. I am sharing this article with you and I am also adding some further insights.





Here it goes:

1. Don’t ask photographers for raw photos (raw photos consume LARGE amount of data which is hard to transfer and not all photographers are comfortable providing raw snaps) if they want to provide you they will or if it’s within the contract.

2. Don’t add filter or edit pictures that are already edited by the photographer without consent. (Photographers wants to take CREDIT from pictures they’ve “SPENT TIME EDITING” and not from pictures that are filtered by ig/fb or 2nd hand edited by anyone “Stop tagging/ Stop re editing / Stop cropping”!

3. Don’t ask a photographer to take your photo if you don’t like their style. (If you think you can shoot better or the photo you want doesn’t match the photographer's style, then don’t bother asking. You need to trust your photographer)

4. Don’t expect quick outputs. (Editing is not a quick process. Not all photos or style works with presets. We as an artist take our time to edit the photos including little details that might not matter to others. We don’t simply tweak panels to adjust colors. We try our best to set moods, and read angles when we postprocess.)

5. Don’t initiate free photos. (Photography is no different from your daily job. If your job is a call center agent would you enjoy taking in phone calls for hours without pay? I don’t think so. Let photographers initiate. Don’t obligate them to bring their cameras or take your photos. They would most probably want to take photos of their family and friends.


"I've found that all these five points resonate perfectly. In the world of photography, showing respect for your photographer is not merely about being polite; it's about comprehending and appreciating the art and effort that go into capturing those moments. When working with a photographer, it's essential to refrain from requesting raw photos, as these files can be unwieldy to handle. Additionally, the RAW file is equivalent to the negatives used in cameras from decades ago.


I was bewildered when, on one occasion, I gave the edited photos to a client, and she uploaded them with a subpar filter on her social media. Please resist the temptation to add filters or make unauthorized edits to their meticulously crafted images. Remember, photographers take pride in the editing process and desire their work to be recognized as their own. Trust their style and vision, and if it doesn't align with your preferences, it's better to find a photographer whose style resonates with your own.


I recall a time when I received a late-night call from a client asking for his girlfriend's photos a week after the shoot. It was a time when I was overwhelmed with work and couldn't possibly edit these photos before those of other clients. Patience is key; please bear in mind that the post-processing stage can be time-consuming, with a keen focus on even the smallest details.


Lastly, photographers are professionals who deserve compensation for their expertise, just like any other profession. Don't request free photos; let them initiate, and respect their choice to capture moments for themselves and their loved ones. In the end, it all boils down to mutual respect for one another."