I thought I'd start a topic. Do you include a disc of high-res negatives of all your images or charge for it? What do you think is the best route to follow? And why do you think its better to not include/include the digital negatives.

I know a lot of photographers offer high-res disc on their packages. (I use to offer it as well). Recently I decided to make the disc as an additional charge for $ on top of my wedding and portraits sessions – I know a few who charges an additional $500-1100 for the high-res disc.

If you ask me, I felt that by giving away the disc, you are giving away your work not to mention losing the value of the product. For clients, it would be a free disc but if they pay for it they'll cherish it even further. We are getting paid to capture the memories and I think they are worth more than having a client print it themselves in Costo for 15 cents - $2.00. It is also still nice to make a profit from prints, albums, or from the high-res negatives alone (if they decide to purchase it) aside from the wedding coverage alone.

Think about it this way. Not every client is the same. I think having the option is a good way to go.

For me, when I was searching for a wedding photographer, any photographer who didn't offer the disc in some form (included in package or extra) got automatically crossed off my list.

I have been thinking of the same thing for pricing my portrait package. Increase the price of the package to include the disc (only color corrected photos, no 'artistically retouched' photos), or just have it as an a la carte item.

My current wedding package includes a CD in the package price. I don't consider giving it away as the cost of it (the loss in revenues from print sales) was included in my package price calculation.

My portrait package does not come with it, but people may buy it as an add on. It works well to hit a variety of markets as customers can also buy digital negatives of single images or all images or no images...therefore, making a package that suits their needs.

I also include print credits in my packages to encourage the clients to place print orders or buy albums.

This has been a huge debate over the years...do a little search and you'll probably find a bunch of input in here.