Online Photography Proofing Considerations

Most photography businesses have moved away from print proofs to an online proofing and ordering system. These systems are less expensive and allow people to view their images from all over the world. While it is clearly the right choice for most photographers to have online ordering, there is a split among photographers on which type of online ordering system is the best. Some favor a system where a third party sets up the site, maintains the site, sells the images, completes the orders and sends out the images. Others favor an option where they setup and maintain the site and fill the orders. Each method has some benefits and drawbacks.

Many photographers go with the full service method because it allows frees up their time for other shoots. However, this freedom comes at a price. They have to pay a percentage of the purchase price to the order servicing company. The percentage at times gets as high as 18%. Photographers who go this route (and the service providers) argue that the service providers are specialized and thus offer more purchase options and are so much better than the average photographer at encouraging customers to purchase larger orders that their service pays for itself. They say if I can make just as much money and not have to deal with orders I'm much better off than if I maintained the site and filled the orders myself.

On the other hand are the photographers who setup their own system. These photographers say they like keeping more of the order money. They point out that by maintaining the system and fulfilling the orders in-house, they are able to better tailor and integrate the customer's photography experience. They make the case that their clients prefer to talk to the same people who took their images when running through the ordering process. They feel that while there is more work in processing orders, setting up the site and hosting the service, they are better able to cater to the desires of their clients and in so doing receive larger orders.

While most people agree that online proofing and ordering is the best way for a photographer to go, the debate is still which method of proofing and ordering is the best.