Images that clients select

[KevinStecyk]

I am curious about the images that clients select from professional photographers. Do they often select the photos you would reject for any number of reasons? Do you know why they select different images than you, a photography professional, would choose? If their choice is ultimately destined for someone else, say their parents or relatives or friends, is there any research that demonstrates that the clients's choices were correct?

Recently, I took several photographs of my friend and his wife at a park. I provided them with all the images that were in focus, regardless of whether there were flaws, such as blinkers, inappropriate cropping and others. Given that it is a friend, I had and have no concerns about showing all the shots. I was surprised at the photo he and his wife chose for his parent's gift, because there is a definite cropping issue. I brought my flaw to his attention, and it didn't concern him in the least. There were other concerns too with the picture. I thought there were many others that were much better.

I am perfectly okay with his selection. It's his photograph and it's for his parents. So whatever works for him works for me.

But it made me think about the psychology behind choosing pictures. What makes a person choose one photo over another. I am looking at the technical as well as artistic aspects. They had plenty of pictures to choose from.

My own guess is that there is something subtle about their expressions or posture that they identify with that completely escapes me. Somehow that photo best represented them.

So I am curious about you professional photographers. Have you given much thought or do you understand why your clients choose photos you would NOT have chosen yourself?

[ChrisPerry]

I shoot basically 5 things - events/T&I, etc where they get the one or two pics that I take - they get no choice in other words.

Babies/toddlers...I pick out what I feel are the best and they often buy them all and get a book for them.

Weddings - I show them 500 and tell them pick 70. I generally have enough to show that I rarely have issues with what they pick.

HS Seniors..now I saved this one till last cause it's more like what you're talking about. I love it when a client chooses one of 'my' (favorite) images and sometimes I force, um, suggest, it on them as one of their selections if it's in the near final selections.
They buy mostly on expression rather than composition or BG or cropping, etc. What you and I often choose may lean more toward iconic, or images that let a third person 'into' the image -that's not what their concern is.

I can almost predict that they'll toss out one of my faves in the first round and keep a 'bad' pic till the end. Lately my clients have been doing better at buying what I feel are the best images - does that mean i'm getting better at some aspect of my job (shooting, culling, showing, selling?) or are they more in-tune with my style/vision?

I've given this thought in regards to choosing portfolio images - if you could choose only 1 image for a website/ad what would bring in the most clients, the clients that are most like what you are looking for? It's like a company slogan or jingle - you have to communicate a lot in just one image.
Ever had a client say "I love your images! But I don't want to do that"? You've got them in the door with your vision, but what they (say they) want isn't as edgy as you've been showing.

I've said for years now that the industry as a whole needs to somehow get on the same page and educate the public on what is a good image and why hire a pro. To borrow a line, an educated consumer is our best customer.

[KevinStecyk]

Originally Posted by ChrisPerry

I've said for years now that the industry as a whole needs to somehow get on the same page and educate the public on what is a good image and why hire a pro. To borrow a line, an educated consumer is our best customer.

That would be extremely difficult, I think. I will be difficult to get their attention prior to them wanting a picture taken. There are so many demands for people's time. And when they want their picture taken, then they want it taken shortly and believe that they can judge the good from the bad. In some respects, who are we to argue? The picture they chose hits an emotional chord, one that we might have missed with our other shots.

Judging from your response, my experience is a common one. That is, some of our favorites might be overlooked and some of our lesser rated photos are chosen. My favorite photo of them was chosen, but it was not the main photograph chosen as a gift to the parents. It is for themselves and at a much smaller size.

They had trouble with an 8x12 photo, thinking it was too large. The parents are nearly 90, so I was thinking large is good. Because I am not a professional and because this was for a friend, the only charge was the print itself. Thus, the cost for an 8x12 was not a factor.

The pros have my empathy when customers don't chose the best images and do not want the huge sizes of 8x12 and above. I found the whole experience interesting.

[DougAxford]

Kevin, my question is whether we as pros are selecting the best image based on our experience & prejudices and whether the client is selecting on whether they just 'like it'

I've long ago given up on actively editing images and I now prefer to allow the customer to decide. The only exception is when the image has a serious focus issue, but that is very rare. Almost any image shot too bright or dark can be adjusted to be saleable and we're to the point where it's all expression and impact.

On Saturday I shot a couple with a young child and I was actually thinking of you when I was shooting it - now that's scary!! I did 20 typical posed shots in the fall colours sitting on the ground, then a dozen very close, quickie shots with very bright yellow leaves with sun behind, then another 10 sitting on some rocks. The 3 yr. old was super good, otherwise I would not have taken as many.

I had one flash to fill-in eye sockets on camera, one on a stand as main light, then lots of natural fill light. (no umbrellas - that's when I was thinking of you). Exposure was great. The close-up was flash fill on camera only, all shots taken within 60 sec. and I didn't get a chance to adjust white balance or flash fill correctly because the sun had just popped from behind a cloud. Third pose was proper exposure.

You know what they picked - the quickie with the flaming leaves behind. The faces look blue (even on preset WB) - it was quite cold, but not that bad. The end result will look just fine after a bit of extra PS work and the order will be well worth the time involved.

They viewed and selected the images right after the session in the studio and although there were good expressions in all 3 poses, the quick shot had something they wanted that the others missed. It could be spontaneity or expression - it's their choice, it's hanging on their wall and as long as I'm not embarrased by it, I'm happy.

When we started showing our preschool shots in on-line galleries last year, I really took notice of how many ordered (read- and paid $$$) for shots that I would normally have edited out and how many ordered a copy of every pose because they wanted every pose. That's something we as pros still aren't used to.

DougA PS when I get a chance, I'll post the family session for you to see.

[KevinStecyk]

Originally Posted by DougAxford

On Saturday I shot a couple with a young child and I was actually thinking of you when I was shooting it - now that's scary!!

Agreed, that is scary.

My friend is off for his vacation shortly. Perhaps once he returns, I will interrogate him as to why they chose that photo.

This could be an interesting topic for some grad student to study. Why do people chose the photos that they do. And then going back to Chris's point, if these same people were to become more educated as to what makes a good photograph, would they change their selection?

I have a hunch that, with my friend, his selection wouldn't change. The cropping issue that bothers me is not an issue for him. I can almost hear him saying, "nobody cares that a part of the hand is missing; they are focused on the faces and their expressions." And perhaps that is true. Me, I'd want both the facial expressions and cropping to be correct.

Your observations Doug about showing everything that is permissible and then being pleasantly surprised at the sales results is also interesting. As you allude to, I wonder how many sales dollars have been lost because photos have been edited out prematurely?

[DougAxford]

Originally Posted by KevinStecyk

going back to Chris's point, if these same people were to become more educated as to what makes a good photograph, would they change their selection?

I wonder how many sales dollars have been lost because photos have been edited out prematurely?

You are assuming that any of us are educated as to what makes a good photograph. Yes, we're educated in photography, but in many cases we've absorbed the same info photographers have been taught for many decades. Today's consumer is re-writing that and actually seems to prefer anything different over the traditional values. Best to look back on the history of art. Those artists who brandished a unique brush are the ones who most often are rewarded, albeit in some cases after they have died. - note to self: something to think about.

With sales, yes most of us are losing sales because we still haven't adjusted ourselves to what the consumer wants. I'm often driven to drink trying to rework our sales prices to accommodate requests. Sometimes that's bad but in the past week I've had 2 suggestions from customers that are genuinely worthwhile.

I think weddings have really embraced the change in styles in the past 5 years, I think portraits are just now beginning to move a bit.

DougA

[KevinStecyk]

I recently watched an interview with Platon, the photographer who took Putin's picture for Time Magazine's Person of the Year. You can see the YouTube video here:

"A good portrait is like a great song"

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It was both interesting and somewhat alarming in that he commented some of the most noteworthy photographs today are being taken by unknowns using cell phone cameras (or words to the effect). He also talked about the "democracy" of photography in that in a sense, we are all photographers. That goes back to the lament that we often have as to how we educate the masses as to what makes good photography.

In a sense I agree with his comment. If you happen to be where a newsworthy event is taking place, anything you use to capture that event is worthwhile. The image speaks for itself. But, on the other hand, most casual photographers struggle with composition and lighting. I know I certainly have lots of room to improve in both areas.

Interesting video nonetheless. Just a warning, the sound and visuals do not line up and get progressively worse as the video plays along. So I just watched for when they showed his pictures and did other computer activities while listening to his message.