I talked on an earlier blog about switching from CD/DVD as a deliverable to USB. It also talks about where I ordered my custom USB jump drives. Here is that post.

The question came up about how to deliver photos to a client on a board the other day. With new computers not coming with a CD/DVD player and the size of images today making it quite challenging to fit all your photos on one CD/DVD, the question is, what can you do? Here are my thoughts that go beyond the one size fits all.

The key when working with potential clients and clients is that you are thinking about them and not yourself. Telling them to bring a USB is thinking about yourself rather than you–that is if that is the only option you give them.

General pricing tips:

First, remember that you need options. This way, you communicate your desire to accommodate their needs and tastes.

Example:

Deliverable: You may choose any of these different options for having the photos delivered to you. If you have another way you would like them delivered, please let me know, and I can get you a price for that service.

1. Photos delivered on a USB Jump Drive

2. Photos delivered by the Cloud. We send you an email with a link that you can click on and, using a password, then download all the images on your personal computer. Of course, you will need the space on your computer for the photos. For example, a typical portrait session can take 500 megs of space on your computer, and a wedding can be 3 gigs to 4 gigs of space.

3. Photos put into an online Gallery. This choice allows you to order prints, t-shirts, coffee mugs, and more and download the images. An online gallery is when someone wants to share their photos with friends and family. The online gallery allows them to order their prints, and you do not have to get their money and handle shipping their prints to them–we handle all that for you.
4. Photos delivered as prints. This option is where you choose print size, and we give you all the photos as a print. You can pick 4×6, 5×7, 8×10, or whatever size you desire, and then we deliver all the photos as a print. You can also request multiple copies at the same time.
5. Combination of any of the above. You can mix and match the delivery of the above options.

I recommend pricing each of these and maybe even giving the price of combination packages of those options. I would discount them if someone ordered prints, USB and wanted an online gallery.

Remember, the thing that will make you more money than just taking the photo is the deliverable. The deliverable is the customer’s final experience with you and how they will share their experience with their friends.