RAW files - Keep them or give them to your Photography Client?

Should you give your clients your RAW files?

It depends.

I am personally happy to hand over the RAW files to my clients if they ask, but I make sure that we are all clear on what will happen to those files, how many images can be used, how they can be used, and what my involvement will be beyond the shoot.

When it comes to bigger projects, like campaigns and lookbooks, or editorials, I'd say this is where it makes much more sense for you to have creative control over how the final images look.

If you're shooting e-com, or the brand has specified that you will only be taking the photos, and not doing the editing, you can approach the job from the start with that mindset. Bigger brands will almost always request the RAW files because they will do all of their retouching and editing in-house. This is particularly true with any e-commerce photography.

You have to ask yourself…Do you want to use the images in your portfolio? Do you really mind if the images are edited differently from how you would usually edit your own? What kind of work are you shooting?

So in summary: it depends on each situation and each job. Speak to your clients. Have open and honest conversations. The best way to avoid any miscommunication and work long-term with any client is to best have this conversation beforehand.

Happy Shooting!