How Many Pictures Should You Deliver to Your Clients?

As a photographer, it can be disheartening when you send a client a full file of edited photos, only to have them come back unhappy with the amount of pictures you provided. You may have spent hours uploading, did your standard batch editing, and transferring the photos to ensure a quick delivery, yet they still weren't satisfied. But what exactly do they mean by "too much”?

This situation is common among beginner photographers and clients alike. It often occurs when photographers are trigger happy at an event and capture many decent shots. “I mean, that serie of shots I took from that one lady were all really good!”.

However, clients don't want to receive fifteen nearly identical photos and have to sort through them on their own. They are paying for your expertise in shooting, selecting and delivering the best images.

So, how can you make sure your clients are happy with the number of photos you provide?

Unless your agreement with the client specifies a certain number of photos or quality expectations, it's not a good idea to send them all the pictures or simply remove the bad ones. Every photo you deliver should meet both the client's expectations and your own standards.

Take a moment to evaluate the last set of photos you sent that exceeded twenty-five. How many of those photos do you honestly believe met the high standards you strive for? If you're like most photographers, you might say only one or two. If you're further along in your journey, maybe ten. Now consider how many of those photos the client actually used or their followers genuinely liked. It's likely only a fraction of the original batch.

Sending excessive amount of photos can imply a lack of quality or suggest that you prioritize quantity over excellence. It's essential to provide the client with the best images that align with their expectations, as well as with the expectations of their friends, family, and followers.

Let's consider a scenario where you photograph a band's first big concert. You've agreed on a price for the evening and capture over five hundred shots throughout the show. After eliminating the blurry and unflattering images, you're left with about three hundred. You edit these remaining photos, thinking they all look "pretty okay," and send them to the client.

But what does this say about you as a photographer?

By sending three hundred photos that are merely "okay," you may unintentionally convey that you settle for mediocre quality or prioritize quantity over delivering exceptional work. It's crucial to critically assess those three hundred photos and select only the ones that make you say, "Wow! I can't believe I shot that!" How many photos are truly outstanding? How many of those would have genuinely been worth the client's money?

So, back to the original question: how many pictures should you provide your clients?

Unless your package or client requirements specify a precise number of photos for a set price, you should deliver the exact number of photos that meet your desired quality standards and the client's expectations. In many cases, this should not exceed twenty pictures per shoot.

Remember, quality trumps quantity when it comes to delivering photos to your clients. By providing a carefully chosen selection of your best work, you'll not only meet their expectations but also establish yourself as a photographer who values excellence.