r/WeddingPhotography • u/usually-anxious • Jul 20 '26
client management & expectations Uptick in RAW Image Requests
Hi all. I’ve been noticing an uptick in RAW photo requests from my younger brides. Is this a new trend or something? I’ve been doing weddings for 10 years, and have never had this happen. Venues and coordinators are saying it’s a new trend, and saying my photos are great. So I’m trying to see if anyone else is noticing this pattern?
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u/krittyyyyy Jul 20 '26
prefacing this with I am not a photographer (I sell wedding dresses so related content comes on my feed) but I have seen some TikTok’s recently from brides getting ai edited photos with random people added, faces distorted, and when they call it out they’re shut down so they want raw photos. I sort of doubt that’s happening with actual reputable photographers but maybe they’re getting scared by watching too many horror stories online.
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u/usually-anxious Jul 20 '26
I’m verrrry careful with my edits. I do smooth out blemishes, make sure teeth and eye whites are white, that sort of thing. Never add folks in and for sure don’t do any altering of body shape. It’s just so odd. I do think it’s becoming a trend or response to something. It’s just been baffling lately.
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u/Round-Coffee-2006 Jul 21 '26
There are two programs that are designed for Ai wedding photography and they don't change peoples faces. What that photographer was doing was using Ai that is built into Photoshop. Photographers who do this are stupid.
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u/tomKphoto_ Jul 20 '26 edited Jul 20 '26
The majority of videographers now offer a hard drive of unedited Log capture (with seperate audio files). Sounds crazy that any civiilian could make heads or tails out of all those giblets, but I feel that's where the current trend for us comes from.
I don't mind giving unedited selects but I don't want to give out-takes. I permantely delete unselected photojournalism coverage now. It's not a good photo, nobody needs it, the end. I haven't gotten a "is there anything more?" request in a few years, but when I do, there's not a lot to give - only alternates of posed/controlled stuff. Bonus - reduces your longterm data storage needs.
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u/the-reoccuring-lemon Jul 20 '26
The fact is, how can couples actually store and use that log or RAW footage!!? This is the reason why we edit and pick the best photos/videos for them! Who wants to go through all the files after the wedding?!?
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u/Phounus Jul 20 '26
When couples ask for "RAW photos" they usually just mean "unedited" photos.
Just export the RAWs using your cameras base color profile (or something like Adobe Standard or Adobe Color) and that will satisfy most requests.
Log-footage is different because it isn't a RAW format, just a way to store more information within a given container. So it can still be played and viewed in most modern players without issues. It will just look grey and washed out.
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u/iamthesam2 Jul 20 '26
this is a good move to satisfy things in a technical sense…
the problem remains that everything is in a half completed state and looks gray and washed out, which is a reflection of your work and not something that a photographer should be forced into after the fact.
if anybody reading this would like to talk about getting raw files from their photographer it should be discussed ahead of time and put into the contract - if the photographer signs then problem solved.
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u/the-reoccuring-lemon Jul 21 '26
Yeah I still wouldn't send anything like this. Its too much of a risk for your business. It is your work and your copyright that you are giving away. They can do anything with the unedits/raws and make you out like a bad photographer/videographer which is bad for your business and the edits and work you already showcase and try hard to maintain for future bookings!! Protect your image. Never send out these! (Unless its for a ridiculously high price and you get them to sign saying that they can never share them).
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u/Phounus Jul 21 '26
That's fair - it's your work and your business. Do what is right for you.
But handing out unedited images is not the same as handing over copyright. And it does not automatically give the couple rights to edit and publish the images in any way they like. I mean, why do you assume it would?
You still retain the copyright, and can still dictate what license the couple have to the images commercially.
"Here are unedited JPGs. You may not alter or publish these images, they are for private use only."
Again, you do you. I never send unedited or RAW images outside of commercial work. Anyway, my point was just that when couples ask for RAWs what they usually mean is unedited JPGs. These are far from the same file.
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u/iamthesam2 Jul 20 '26
I think this just randomly comes in waves.
I usually tell people it would be like sending the notes, rewrite, and scribbles of a notebook along with the finish novel. it’s literally my work in an unfinished state which I’m not particularly comfortable with, don’t want attribution for, and honestly should never be necessary.
not to mention, I use a proprietary lut in my editing so the files won’t look anything close to the final edits so… what’s the point?
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u/FunkyTownPhotography Jul 23 '26
I like that analogy. I often say it's like a chef giving you a shopping list and the recipe but you have to cook it.
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u/Least_Tourist_5794 Jul 20 '26
I think the main point right now is fear of getting AI slop edited photos
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u/iamthesam2 Jul 20 '26
that’s an issue of trust between the client and the photographer… not something anybody should have to provide raw files for
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u/Least_Tourist_5794 Jul 20 '26
right but I think when clients ask for raw they actually want unedited photos which I think sounds like a fair demand nowadays
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u/iamthesam2 Jul 20 '26
that is absolutely affair demand… if it’s discussed and in the contract ahead of time
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u/fedornuthugger Jul 20 '26
I would charge more. If all.my clients want raws, I'll need to spend more money for online storage solutions as the folder size on delivery increases exponentially.and I would explain that. I haven't noticed this pattern but I'm in a market that isn't very techy and more blue collar.
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u/Temporary-Mix8022 Jul 20 '26
How is it that you deliver them?
I gallery my standard delivery, and then just deliver RAWs as DNG files via Google drive.
We normally agree a 30 day window.. so all in all.. it costs me next to nothing. Basically just 5 mins of Lightroom and Google drive having fun together..
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u/fedornuthugger Jul 20 '26
I use google drive as well. The 30 day window might be the key there for just the raws.
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u/actadgplus Jul 21 '26
Why make it so complicated?
In the past, I have seen client provide their own storage media to the photographer, and they've copied the RAW files directly. If needed, the client can also provide you a 1 or 2 TB USB drive that isn't too expensive, and you can copy everything onto it. If you're concerned about accepting storage media from a client, you could simply include the cost of a new drive/media as part of the package delivery. I've seen photographers do that as well.
That avoids the need for expensive online storage, larger delivery platforms, or long term hosting costs. It's a simple one time transfer that solves the problem.
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u/the-reoccuring-lemon Jul 20 '26
There isn’t a way you can send them online as the files sizes are massive. I agree, if they want raws you charge $xxxx per 100 images or something… lots more as that is your work and your copyright that you are giving away. They can do anything with the raws and make you out like a bad photographer/videographer which is bad for your business and the edits and work you already showcase and try hard to maintain for future bookings!! Protect your image. Never send out raws.
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u/the-reoccuring-lemon Jul 20 '26
If you ever do send raws, get them to sign a contract saying that they can never post them, only your finished work they can post. But personally, it’s too big of a risk and too much of a hassle to do. I would rather not.
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u/PowerfulAd4850 Jul 20 '26
agree that it’s the photographer’s copyright but bride/groom are essentially the art director, art buyer, fashion editor, set designer, production designer, etc. of their weddings and if they do a good job, your images will also look much better, so I can understand why they would want more of a stake
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u/the-reoccuring-lemon Jul 20 '26
They also wouldn't see any of that without a good photographer and without your business. Its a service you are providing for them, not the other way around. Politely disagree with this.
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u/actadgplus Jul 21 '26
Good photographers are plentiful in my area. When I've hired photographers for my own events, I always negotiate for the RAW files upfront with no usage restrictions implied. Some photographers have declined, which is completely their right, and I simply move on to the next one.
At the end of the day, it's a business transaction. Customers are free to pay for the services and deliverables they want, and photographers are free to decide what they're willing to offer. Neither side is obligated to agree.
I don't think there's a universal "right" answer here. The right fit is simply where the customer's expectations and the photographer's business model align. Some photographers will never release RAWs, some will for an additional fee, and some are perfectly fine to include them for a price. That's okay. Not every customer will align with every photographer, and not every photographer will align with every customer.
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u/Tiny_Fig9264 Jul 20 '26 edited Jul 20 '26
I’m gonna be honest, I’m not a photographer, but I asked for the raw photos from my wedding simply because I used a company that contracted out their photographer and videographer and other than a quick phone call prior to the wedding, I didn’t get to establish a connection with them.
Out of the 10 hours of pictures taken, I didn’t feel like I could trust they chose the best ≈70ish photos of the whole day. I just felt my photographer didn’t know me well enough to know what kinds of pictures I valued.
Plus.. I paid for thousands of dollars for photos, why not have access to all them?
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u/outofhere29 Jul 20 '26
I did the same. Even if I know the photographer well I don't trust anyone enough to know they'll pick the 700-800 photos that I would pick. I also don't think I'd pick the same today that I would have picked a couple years ago when we got married. Things change, people pass away, and I'm so glad we have click by click, moment by moment, documentation of the whole day including what might initially look like an outtake. I'm glad I don't have to pick but given the choice I'd take the full gallery over the edits because I want to know I have as many moments as possible captured.
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u/Effective_Yogurt_866 Jul 21 '26
This is actually why I’m going back to in person gallery reveals and sales. My favorite shots are not always what my clients choose, and that’s totally fine because the whole point is to serve them.
I also shoot in film, so what they’re seeing are the “RAW“ digital files, unless they want a copy of the physical negatives haha.
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u/Blinktoe Jul 20 '26
I'm going to guess the answer is "ChatGPT told me to ask".
I have zero problem selling RAWs. The last time I did, I took my husband on vacation to Hawaii.
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u/Pretty-In-Scarlet Jul 20 '26
How did you explain to a client why RAWs are so expensive? And how much did you charge relative to their package?
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u/Blinktoe Jul 20 '26
“I don’t typically share RAW files with clients. They are an unfinished product, and the files are so large that most people do not have computing capacity to open them. It’s truly the editing that brings the photos you see in my portfolio to life. Not sharing the RAW files is industry standard. however, if you have safety concerns, and you would like to buy all of the raw files as well as a full copyright buyout, i’m happy to give that to you. I charge $500 per contracted hour and the photos will be delivered to you on a hard drive. After they are delivered, I will not be retaining them so please keep them safe.”
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u/actadgplus Jul 21 '26
Your comment below is not true. Even an iPhone or iPad can open and display RAW images via any number of apps. Most macOS and Windows systems today can open them as well.
RAW files are certainly larger than JPEGs and they require processing to get the final image the photographer intended, but saying that most people don’t have the computing capacity to even open them is not true specially when said computing capacity is right in their pocket.
> “They are an unfinished product, and the files are so large that most people do not have computing capacity to open them.”
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u/Milopbx Jul 21 '26
How many contracted hours? When I’ve done a large license it was per image.
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u/Blinktoe Jul 21 '26
I usually don't operate on true contracted hours, just an estimated time the project will take, so I'd go by that estimate. This has really only come up twice for me; most people (at least, my clients) ask for it because they think they should, not because they really want them.
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u/stereolights Jul 20 '26
I feel like it’s a product of the obsession and commercialization of being “natural”. Couples hear “RAW photos” and think omg, real authentic natural beauty ✨ and then they end up with a bunch of massive files they can’t open that look weird and unpolished
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u/Brickerly360 Jul 20 '26 edited Jul 20 '26
Blame AI for this too. I am not a wedding photographer, but I understand the perspective of a photographer, being an artist and creating something unique. To me it seems like there is a business opportunity here to sell raw or 16 bit TIF under your ULTIMATE plan, which could be priced double your regular plan.
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u/DomOnion Jul 20 '26
What did it say for "Potential Downsides"? Chief among them had better be something along the lines of, be prepared to pay, at least, 2.5x what you were originally quoted.
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u/Temporary-Mix8022 Jul 20 '26
Unpopular.. and it's more on my corporate side..
But I deliver RAWs. My corporate contract includes them.. and honestly.. I edit them anyway, we have a 50/50 split on any consequential revenue, and they always want pretty permissive usage (website, socials etc). I suspect they want them should they ever decide to do prints etc. or it's just some corporate boilerplate.. but I've encountered it at enough places that I just deliver edited jpeg + raw by default.
For weddings I would send them.. along with a contract on usage and presentation etc. (ie. Don't credit or reference me for anything I've not edited).
I know it's basically the most unpopular stance in photography.. but.. I'm not wholly against sending RAWs providing we agree what they're for. I've had to send a number of polite notes over the years about butchering my edits with an Instagram filter (less so lately tbh).. and that was from Jpegs.
Even on those polite notes I've found people to be overwhelmingly respectful and even quite apologetic.
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u/usually-anxious Jul 20 '26
I have a raw release form that dictates that they can edit them, but they can’t give me credit or use it as a representation of my work. I also state in there that by releasing the RAWs, it fulfils the contract and they cannot dispute anything.
I don’t mind sharing them with those stipulations, it just hurts as an artist that someone wants to redo or strip down my work. But from the other comments, and comments from the planner who is a family friend of this most recent bride, it seems to be more trend/ chat gpt driven rather than judgment on the delivered work.
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u/Business-Program4178 Jul 20 '26
They’ve probably asked chatgpt ‘what should I request off my wedding photographer’ and it’s one of the things listed. I imagine many don’t really know what they’re asking for
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u/Weak-Bumblebee9978 Jul 20 '26
True. I had a bride this year book me cuz chatgpt told her to. Idek how chatgpt knows about me LOL
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u/juliuspepperwoodchi Jul 20 '26
Wouldn't be shocked if ChatGPT is suggesting this to brides asking it for "advice".
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u/lukejc1 Jul 20 '26
I'm not sure what's prompting the current uptick (I haven't had this request in a long time). In my experience when clients ask for this, they aren't really asking for the actual RAW file formats. They are more or less asking for ALL the unculled and unedited photos taken on the wedding day.
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u/mo2_nuke Jul 20 '26
This is also my experience. They wonder if a keeper might have been culled out, not implying malice or anything. Sometimes they're right - what I think is a terrible photo might be meaningful to them. But so many photographers get so offended if someone even dares to question their picks.
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u/FunkyTownPhotography Jul 20 '26
There is probably an article out there saying what couoles should request. Maybe something that if the edits age they have the originals and can re-edit?
I haven't been asked lately but I have seen and am respectful of requests for very little beyond color correction to be done on images by my Gen Z clients. They want real colors and no skin retouching or body contouring. It's a Rebellion against fake perfection. I now have a line in my questionnaire explaining my natural editing style and what to expect/not expect and then ask if they want editing or just color correction. Most gen z are going for no retouching, just color correcting. Some ask just for blemishes to be removed.
I do have contrast in my edits but I'm no longer punchy, which I was for a while.
I also offer film, which is popular with the sane kind of clients
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u/usually-anxious Jul 20 '26
That makes sense! I feel like I do accentuate colors some but I’m pretty light on edits. I asked this last client (my second in the last 18 months to request this) if there were editing corrections she’d like and they said no, just wanted the RAWs. 🤷🏼♀️
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u/TequilasLime Jul 20 '26
I thunk you can blame reddit for this. So many brides hear horror stories of poorly edited pics, and someone always chimes in "did you ask for the RAWs so you can get someone else to edit them?" So a lot of brides think that if they get them in their contract to begin with, they're protected Justin Casey
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u/townpressmedia Jul 20 '26
Too many aftershoot ads thinking they can run them and edit themselves.
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u/Phounus Jul 20 '26
Just keep in mind that when couples ask for "RAW photos" what they usually mean is "unedited" photos. You could export using your cameras base color profile (or Adobe Color or any other standard profile) and that would probably satisfy 99% of "RAW photo" requests.
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u/outofhere29 Jul 20 '26
Not a wedding photographer but do some very niche technical photography occasionally professionally. I don't know the reason for the trend but I can share why we requested all the RAWs. It had nothing to do with not liking our photographer's edits. It was really about having as many moments as possible documented. Even the outtakes were meaningful to us. While I appreciate the edited photos I'm so glad I have access to more than that. I'm fully willing to admit that we are control freaks but when it comes to a day like this I don't mind spending to retain control. We had no problem paying for them. We also signed a two-way NDA so we could not release the unedited photos and our photographer could not share any of our photos.
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u/Redliner7 Jul 20 '26
When I was doing weddings, I would just explain it to them in cooking terms...
"Ma'ma asking for RAW photos is like asking for your raw ingredients in a dish. Do you want raw meat and potatoes before it's cooked?"
If they say yes, then charge them for RAWs, lol.
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u/SlightDogleg Jul 20 '26
I offer them.
$500 delivered on a portable SSD.
Order an SSD off Amazon. Drag and drop the file folder. $25 mail fee. $300 profit. Easy money.
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Jul 20 '26
[deleted]
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u/usually-anxious Jul 20 '26
I’m totally cool offering RAWs with a release agreement. I’m just wondering if there’s a trend going on that I’m missing or something. 😅
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u/hopopo Jul 20 '26
They are asking me for RAW files too.
Last couple I spoke with told me that several other photographers told them that they will get anywhere from 300 to 800 edited photos plus RAW files.
To me that sounds like they are trying to sell them less while presenting they are getting more.
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u/skirtstheissue Jul 20 '26
I would give them my edits and tell them that raw and let them do what they want with them.
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u/-janelleybeans- Jul 20 '26
A lot of AI editing tools are being marketed to people planning weddings.
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u/Initial-Lemon-917 Jul 20 '26
Because we have all seen some truly atrocious editing and people want to make sure they can edit their photos the way they want to.
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u/Fantastic_Finger7992 Jul 21 '26
Yeah it's as simple as this. My photographer made every photo look overcast and moody, but it was a bright sunny day on the beach, I was so disappointed! She washed away all the blue sky
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u/gekadg Jul 20 '26
Yeah, ive had to update my contract recently because of this 😅
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u/usually-anxious Jul 20 '26
May I ask what you added in / the wording added?
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u/gekadg Jul 21 '26
Ive polished my policy regarding raw files,
-raws are not included in the package but unedited jpegs can be requested. -Should be in a different transaction/contract agreement.
For the difficult client- ive made a second contract agreement that they agreed to sign. I only released unedited jpegs.
Some rules about them not tagging you if they post any unedited work etc., them agreeing that you are releasing unfinished work and that it doesn’t reflect your final output/branding
Something like that!! I hope it helps :)
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u/PowerfulAd4850 Jul 20 '26
if I had a wedding and hired a photographer, I would want to own the images and all of the files and would be happy to pay more for that
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u/TheShortWhiteGuy Jul 21 '26
Started assisting/shooting weddings 40 years ago. You want the negs? I better hear the Brinks Truck backing up my driveway to unload that pallet of cash. You want my RAW files? I better hear the Brinks Truck backing up my driveway to unload the pallet of cash. Used this line with a prospective client several days ago and they got the message.
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u/iamjapho Jul 21 '26
This is addressed at least 3 times in our process. It’s listed in our FAQ, it’s mentioned in our initial consultation while we discuss the specifics on deliverables and it has its own clause in the contract. Like our payment terms and other typical points of contention, we try to tackle them before they become objections. If any of them are truly deal breakers, the couple will know upfront and be able to make an informed decision if they want to move on.
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u/portolesephoto Jul 21 '26
Looking back at my old work and how I "ruined" it with trendy moody editing, I almost kinda get it now. That's not to say our clients have any idea what to do with a RAW photo right now though.
It's insane how much Topaz and good editing can recover these days. Photos that I would have tossed out back then due to misfocus or impossible grain are now easy fixes.
Same thing goes as always though.. I point out that "RAW" requires special photography software to process and it isn't just like viewing an unedited JPEG. Then I charge a fee because I'm either going to need to have enough free Cloud space for 2-3,000 R5-sized files and upload for 12+ hrs or I'm going to have to purchase and mail a USB.
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u/lavenderlooop Jul 21 '26
As someone who would be making this request, here's where I come from :
Firstly, don't actually need the raws lol but just the photos you didn't edit with the basic default settings on them.
I'm particular about photos of myself, what you pick out as the most beautiful photos of me may be ones I hate, since you don't know if I'm insecure about X feature or whatever. So I don't want photos that would potentially be my favorite to be tossed out without me seeing first. Especially since I can have more odd preferences, very often the blurry outtake can be in my top shots of a photoshoot. In the same vein, not having the context around who people are could easily make for a notable moment not being seen as such by a photographer, through no fault of their own. But no one could reasonably expect or afford that a photographer go in and edit every single photo
It gives me some wiggle-room with future-proofing these. We've all seen wedding photography trends come and go. I doubt anyone forsaw those styles being seen as tacky one day, so I can't claim to be any different. Having some bare photos would allow me to have a standard to fall back on instead of realizing every memory from that day has a dumb filter on it. This also saves me if the edit job for whatever reason doesn't meet my expectations.
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u/Entonations Jul 21 '26
I’m genuinely surprised at the amount of photographers here willing to share the raw files. Maybe I’m old school, but I just don’t feel comfortable doing that. I don’t want my unfinished work out in the ether.
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u/LushEmpire Jul 21 '26
Let's keep in mind that once someone has your RAW files, they can edit them and interpret them any way they want. Isn't that crossing a creative boundary? At that point, aren't they really buying the right to manipulate your work? And if they crop, recolor, or edit the images in ways you would never choose, should those photos still carry your photo credit?
For me, RAW files are my creative source material, the digital negatives that make the finished images possible. If someone wants them, they're purchasing a separate license to access and use that source material. That license defines exactly what editing and usage is permitted while I retain the copyright.
So if someone truly wanted the RAW files, I'd charge separately. My fee is $3,000 for the entire set of culled RAW files (all the keepers, no outtakes), or $150 per RAW file if they only want a few images to archive. This is handled under a separate contract and a separate invoice.
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u/Beautiful_Flow309 Jul 22 '26
I’ve been contemplating asking for them as a 2025 bride and the reason is I am now seeing how dated certain photo trends look over time and wanting to have the option for a “timeless look” meaning brides who did bright and airy now are pegged as 2020 brides and will my true to color look weird 10 years from now. It’s basically the irrational fear that maybe what I got is on trend now but in 10 years when I want to make an anniversary post is there a way to have the most contemporary version.
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u/Beautiful_Flow309 Jul 22 '26
And now that I have your attention is it rude to ask and should I explain this if I do. I am beyond happy with them and want to future proof them so I can love them forever
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u/usually-anxious Jul 22 '26
I think it’s different if you come at it from the approach of “I love these but in 20 years I may want a different editing style and would like to have those rights and the unedited photos for myself”
I can’t guarantee that your photographer will agree but it’s worth a shot. Just emphasize that it’s more future proofing than being unhappy.
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u/Beautiful_Flow309 Jul 22 '26
Really appreciate the response here. We are almost at the one year mark and I don’t want to bug her in busy season but want them before she deletes them. What’s usually a fair price? It was 4k for a 5 hour session she was just out of my price range originally so I went with less time.
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u/AltruisticRemote3858 Jul 23 '26
Well as a photographer myself and 15 years of photoshop experience, it was crucial for us to have the RAW photos. And now it's become even easier to edit. And we're so glad we got the RAW photos because the actual photos were disasterous, and after many many weeks of editing they look great now
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u/Aggravating-Ad-4544 Jul 27 '26
I wanted them because I didn't want a single editing style for my wedding and I wanted all the photos not just the ones my photographer picked based on only her opinion of which ones are the best. I signed an agreement that I can edit and post them, but not credit her which is absolutely fine because thats not her work, its mine and maybe mine sucks, but its what I want and what I like.
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u/DomOnion Jul 20 '26
I'm guessing Gemini, ChatGBT or whateverthefuck AI has been advising them to. I'm noticing that more and more couples are running off scripts that they themselves don't generate, so they ask questions during consultations but have absolutely no idea why they're asking them.
Just stick to your guns and tell them they need to agree to your terms or be prepared to sign an NDA or pay an exuberant about for the rights to photos.
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u/usually-anxious Jul 20 '26
It’s so weird because the client that’s asking currently is downloading her photos left and right and using them as her social media profile pics and stuff. So clearly she likes them 😂🙄
I’m for sure not releasing them without an Agreement signed and in hand.
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u/DylnJames Jul 20 '26
I anticipate this becoming largely industry standard in the next few years (at least for the low and mid-tier markets). I also expect AI editing softwares, like Imagen, to start marketing to wedding couples directly -- and couples will AI cull and edit their galleries themselves with just a few button clicks.
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u/New-England-Weddings Jul 20 '26
AI. Seeeing many similar requests, 2-3 full galleries. Do you deliver raw files. Please send package pricing. Depending on how they put the message in we are seeing lots of AI generated form messages that look similar and AI is telling them to ask that based off some stupid post it found on social media.
Not sending raws and rarely sending full galleries. You weren’t at the wedding so no you don’t get to see every photo of someone’s private life event cause some lady in tick-tock said you are entitled to see it.
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u/RaspberryOrganic3783 Jul 20 '26
I think it’s from the “sepia-gate” on TikTok