When you hire a professional photographer, one of the things you may expect is to receive the RAW files from the shoot. However, many photographers will not give you these files, or they will charge you extra for them. So, what's the big deal about RAW files? And why won't your photographer just send them to you? In this blog post, we will explore why photographers do this and what you can do if you want the RAW files from your photo shoot.
First, let's talk about what a RAW file actually is. A RAW file is an image file that contains all of the data captured by the camera's sensor. This data includes things like exposure, white balance, and color information. RAW files are larger than JPEGs and take up more space on your memory card or hard drive. They also require special software to open and edit them properly.
The main reason why photographers don't give out RAW files is because they are the professional and they want to make sure that the photos you receive are the best possible quality. When a photographer edits a RAW file, they have complete control over how the final photo will look. They can make sure that the colors are accurate, the exposure is correct, and the overall quality of the photo is high. If you were to receive a RAW file and try to edit it yourself, there is a chance that you would not be able to get the same results as the professional photographer.
Another reason why your photographer may not want to give you the RAW files is because they don't want you to share them with anyone else. When you receive the final edited photos from your shoot, they will be representative of the photographer's work and quality standards. However, if you were to share the RAW files with someone else, they would be able to edit them however they want and the final product would not be an accurate representation of the photographer's work.
So, what can you do if you really want the RAW files from your shoot? The best thing to do is to ask your photographer before the shoot if they are willing to provide them to you. If they say no, then you will need to decide if you are okay with receiving only the edited JPEGs. Remember that professional photographers spend a lot of time editing their photos and they want to make sure that you are getting the best possible quality product.
If you have any questions about why your photographer won't give you the RAW files, be sure to ask them. They will be happy to explain their decision and help you understand what is best for your needs.
Thanks for reading!
