So I just signed up during their special..

I really don't know much about it and I'm waiting on getting my package that explains a bit more.. I'm sure I'll also hit up the forums etc.

A few questions:

With the color correction - so do I still do basic edits?

Can you place your print order with other labs or do you have to use their lab?

Can clients order packages?

What do you like/dislike about using pictage?

I'm really looking for an outlet to help let up over my workload and get my life back!!!
(I'm also interested in using shootdotedit.com as well... any advice?)

thanks in advance!

Oh my...sit down, get comfortable and have snacks and food handy...you are about to get an eye-full. I would suggest reading this entire blog category while you wait for others to respond.

I tried Pictage's color correction, but I didn't really like it. Maybe it was my shooting style, but I ended up doing all my own edits because I liked the look that I produce.

Pictage has a pretty good lab to use, and for me, that was the main reason I was with them, in addition to online hosting, proofing, etc.

Lots of good things on their forums. Good people over there and I think you'll enjoy it.

Give it a try, and hopefully, it'll suit your needs!

Ksenia

I also don't use their color correction, but I do know folks who just quickly edit for exposure and then let Pictage take care of the cc and are happy with it.

I'd try it both ways, and see what you like

Warning: Be ready for the naysayers to come around soon and tell you that you are an idiot for signing up with Pictage. My advice... Ignore them. Listen to People that use Pictage and is working for them. Learn by their experiences and yours. That is the only way to learn how to make it works for you. Then, and only then, you will be able to determine if Pictage is for your business or not.

The truth is that it works for some and not for some. That it is a good solution fopr some and for some is not.

Those questions are best answered by your pro rep. He can tell you with as much detail what you need to know. You can also log in into your account and there is a part for you to learn, tutorials and PictageTV.

(1) I suggest you do all your edit and correction. Not because their is bad but because you want to upload printable images only. Do not upload bad images (close eyes, out of focus, etc. Seems basic but I have seen people that do that).

(2) One of the reasons to use Pictage is to outsource to them the printing and not have to bother with order fulfilment. To let them do that. You just set your prices, upload your images, let everyone know where they are and wait for the sales to occurs. Let Pictage do the rest. Can you use your own lab? I have heard of work arounds that allow you to do that but I not familiar with them. I use Pictage for up to 11x14 prints and anything bigger I do through a local lab or WHCC.

(3) That is a good question. I haven't done that yet, but I am sure there is a way.

(4) I like several things: The client/photographers interface are slick and easy. The new one coming out is even better. The fact that they offer more than prints. You can sell products to clients with your images and only be concern about earnings. The P3 system. The Pictage community is great. What I don't like? the $99 a month fee.

If you have any questions feel free to pm me anytime.

Welcome to the Pictage community.

We usually do some basics then let Pictage color correct on upload. This is for the bulk upload. We also do special edits, which are our favorites, and upload as a separate folder. If you are not going to let them do color correction make sure your system is color corrected to Pictage (they have instructions on the site).

I agree with David... many people will tell you that Pictage is the devil but I am not one of them. Pictage has been awesome to me. Yes, you need to do a basic correction for your uploads. Pictage uses an automated system to correct the proofs but the individual final prints are hand corrected. They look great too. I don't recommend using Willowbooks. Their proof books are not the best. Other then that I would say try Pictage out and see how it works for you. I offer my clients print credit so I don't have to mess with creating print packages. The P3 Processing allows clients to pay for wedding packages through Pictage and it is great because it is all automated and you can set it to charge the clients card on certain dates. In the end, you receive a check and you did nothing but a simple edit and upload to Pictage. I could do without the $99/month but I feel I make up for it through the convenient ordering that Pictage offers. I hope it works out for you and don't listen to the Picatage-bashers until you have tried it yourself. DJ, Colon and others support Pictage so if it's not working for some I think the problem would be on the photographer's side. The best to you!

Kevin

If I owned part of the company or received a hefty monthly check from them I think I could find some nice things to say about them too

(I'm not anti-Pictage, they just don't work for my needs - I just found that statement quite humorous)

Hi Keri!

As others have said, one of the main benefits of using Pictage is the "set it and forget it" or rather "upload and forget it" - and that is part of the service you are paying for. If you prefer to handle print fulfillment yourself using a lab other than Pictage, than this is probably not the service for you.

I do a basic color correction of all images before uploading and a folder of favorites that I edit more heavily and add some special artistic touches to. I have friends who do everything themselves and upload WYSIWYG and other friends who have Pictage handle their RAW conversions. You should try everything out and see what works best for you, your style and your workflow. I would even suggest doing a test batch of the same 10 or so images - SOOC (with the free color correction), RAW or Digitial Full Service if you shoot JPG (this is the pay color correction) and color corrected how you would normally (uploaded as WYSIWYG) so you can compare.

I love the Willowbook proof books - the new perfect bind and soft cover ones are great and my clients have really love them! MOBs especially go gaga over the 5x5 size!

As for your question regarding packages - there isn't a super easy way to do this - you can make your own as a studio fulfilled product, but then you have to place the order yourself. I had packages when I signed up with Pictage, but in order to make my life easiest, I switched to print credits and I have found that for me this is an overall better business model anyway - people buy a lot more prints.

Definitely head over to the Pictage forums too - great people and you'll get a lot of good advice! And if you have a local PUG, definitely try to make the next meeting! You can find out where and when here: http://pro.pictage.com/pug/

I'm always happy to answer any questions, so feel free to send me a PM or an email if you have any questions!

-Jessica

Kevin, you had me nodding in agreement during most of your post until that last sentence. Then I had to re-read it, and I'm still not sure I can get my mind around it.

Pictage doesn't work for some folks... actually a lot of folks. But I wouldn't put the onus on the "common" photographer -- just because Pictage has the endorsement of a few "big name" photographers -- some of which don't even participate all that much in Pictage's forum. They may show up at the big photo expo events... say a few words... and collect their paycheck. Admittedly, some of them, like the one's you mentioned have a lot to offer. But others are somewhat "stealth endorsers" if you catch my drift.

And there are MANY "big name" photographers that don't use Pictage.


Keri, best of luck to you with Pictage. Here's the best advice I can give you -- and I'm truly speaking with no bias... I'm not bashing them, nor am I lobbying to be selected to the Pictage "evangelist" society :

• If you're starting out in the business, then that's a definite plus when dealing with Pictage. Their "forum community" is first-rate and very active, so you're bound to gain some good info just by sharing and participating on that forum.
• If you're more established in your business -- or as you get more established, you may find your business model, style, and ways of dealing with clients directly may come to odds with Pictage's. Nobody can make that decision for you... only YOU can, and you WILL know when you're at that point. (Off hand, I'd say be watchful of billing and accounting errors, rampant emails to clients, and marketing campaigns that often have changing T's & C's with not a tremendous amount of notice.)

Best of luck... and enjoy the ride... leverage the Pictage relationship where you can, and where it doesn't work find alternative solutions and vendors that meet your needs effectively and efficiently.

David

thank you all so so much for taking the time to write all of this to me!

i really value all of your advice and i will definitely take it all to heart.

i am going to have to try it all out and see what is best for me.

i will definitely keep you all posted -and be sure that i'm sure i'll be PMing some of you for some words of advice! haha..

thank you again -

here we go........

if by naysayers you mean those who are honest about their bad experience....then yes...get ready to hear that pictage will never cancel your account unless you call them alot and then draw lots of attention to the issue. good luck.

HAPPY SATURDAY EVERYONE!!!!!