Proofs are photographic prints made by the photographer, usually for the purpose of selecting the best negatives for enlargement.
They were once an important step in the photographic process, but with the advent of digital photography and Photoshop, they have largely been superseded by contact sheets and digital previews. Nevertheless, proofs can still be a valuable way to assess image quality and composition before making a final printing decision.
Proofs are typically made on high-quality fiber-based paper, which gives them a look and feel that is quite different from that of standard photographic prints. They are also more expensive to produce, which is one reason why they are no longer as common as they once were.
Why Do You Use Image Proofing In Your Process?
I use image proofing because I want to make sure that the client is happy with their end result before I print and mail it.
What is your opinion on using electronic signature vs handwritten signature when signing a contract/agreement?
I think it’s a little risky to use an electronic signature. I would use that when there was no other choice. Sometimes you can’t avoid using it because of time restraints, but personally, I would want something in writing with my own signature on it.
What is your favorite book, and why?
I really like What the Dog Saw by Malcolm Gladwell. In the book, he talks about a lot of interesting stories and gives great tips on how to improve your life and business.
What is something you learned from another company that made a big difference in your company?
I think it’s really important as an entrepreneur to surround yourself with people who have skills you don’t have. That way, you can maximize the things that each person brings to your business.
What are three things that drive your company forward?
– Clear goals and direction
– Unwavering focus on making customers happy, no matter what it takes (we answer every single email)
– Product quality and efficient process for printing designs on shirts
How Do I View And Choose Favorites In My Proof Gallery?
When your proof gallery is open, you will see an “f” icon at the top right of the browser window. This allows you to view favorites in your proof gallery.
From here, you can create a favorite folder for easy browsing and storage of proofs that are important to your business. By clicking “+ New Favorite”, you will see two options for favoriting proofs.
1. Favorites are organized in folders by date, making it easy to organize your favorites on one page. You can also choose this as a default view from the “favorites” drop down menu next to your folder name.
2. Inline Favorites – Inline favorited proofs will be displayed within your proof list under the “favorites” filter. You can tell which proofs are inline favorites by the black arrow with a white checkmark next to them in your list of proofs.
Favorited proofs show up at the top of your proof gallery, regardless of what folder they are in. Favorited proofs will also remember where you left off in your proof list and return you to that location the next time you open your gallery.
To un-favorite, a proof, click the black arrow with a white “x” to un-favorite a proof. You can also remove an entire folder of favorites at any time by clicking the “remove” button next to that folder’s name.
Photography Proofing – Tips And Tricks For Photo Sales
Photo proofing is an essential step in selling your prints. Having high-quality images on display will help buyers make up their minds about which ones to purchase. Here are 5 tips and tricks to ensure you get the best pictures for your photo sale.
1. Go Monochrome or Sepia
Sepia-toned photos look elegant and classic. Monochromatic images work well for those who want to keep things simple and less distracting. Bear in mind these options will only affect the display of your photos and not how they look after purchase.
2. Use a White Background
You don’t need a professional studio lightbox to make your product stand out; simply use a solid white background. You can buy this from photo supply stores or just use plain paper.
3. Make Sure the Photos are in Perfect Focus
You know how irritating it is to see photos with out-of-focus parts, so don’t let your buyers experience that same frustration! Check every picture before the sale to make sure everything looks sharp.
4. Don’t Let Your Photos Touch the Edge of the Mat Frame
Having your photos touch the edge of the mat frame will make them look crowded and messy. Instead, leave some space between your picture and the border to give off a more organized appearance.
5. Keep an Eye on Light Leaks
Light leaks are annoying and distracting elements that you should avoid having in your photos. Watch out for light leaks at the back of the photo or on the side of it if hung. You can do this by having a constant preview when you have your camera open
Easily Showcase, Share And Sell Your Photography
Do you enjoy taking pictures? Do you make money off them too? Or perhaps, are you an aspiring photographer looking to break into the industry? If so, then this article is for you.
Although photography may seem like a fun hobby, there’s actually many ways to turn it into a profitable side hustle. In fact, some people get so good at it that they’re able to turn it into a full-time profession. If you want to get started, here’s seven ways to easily showcase, share and sell your photography:
1. Sell prints of your work online
If you think about it, everyone loves wall art. Be it in their homes or offices, we all want to add that personal touch. And if you’re looking for an easy way to start selling your photography, then look no further than social media. More specifically, there’s a ton of photo-printing websites available for you, such as:
- CVS Photo
- Snapfish
- Walgreens
- Shutterfly
Just create an account and upload your photos. From there, you can either print out single images or entire photo albums from there! And if people like what they see, don’t be afraid to ask for their email address. This way, you can send them notifications about any future prints that you release.
2. Offer to take photos for friends and family
If taking photos of strangers is a bit too intimidating, then perhaps it’s time we opened up the lens a little more to those around us ? After all, your friends and family love having their pictures taken, so why not offer to do it for them? Not only is it a great way to get time with them, but you can also make some extra cash on the side!
3. Sell stock photos online
Have you ever looked at an advertisement and thought, “Hey, I’ve seen that before!”? If so, then chances are you’re seeing someone else’s work without realizing it. That’s because many companies buy stock photos to promote their products. And the best part is, there’s no limit on how many they can use or who can use them!
In other words, this leaves a wide-open opportunity for aspiring photographers. So grab your camera and start snapping away at everything around you! Then just upload your photos to a stock-photography site, set your prices, and you’re all done!
4. Provide photography services for local businesses
Believe it or not, many small business owners are looking for someone to take their product photos. That’s because they need images that find the perfect balance between attractive and informative. And while most people assume that these jobs are only aimed at professional photographers, that’s not the case.
In fact, you can get started by reaching out to local businesses and offering your services. Not only will they be impressed by your credentials, but they’ll also like how affordable you are compared to others in the industry.
5. Sell stock images online
This is pretty similar to selling stock photos. The only difference is that stock images are mainly editorial based, while the other is more focused on business. That said, if you want to sell one online, then you can do so through a platform like Shutterstock. Just create an account and upload your photos for people to buy!
6. Organize contests
If you have a large following on social media, then why not use it to your advantage? In fact, some companies will even sponsor you for a fee. All they ask is that you post images that highlight their products or services! This is a great way to showcase your photography skills while also promoting the company.
7. Sell themed prints
Looking for another easy way to sell your photography? Then check out websites like Etsy, Redbubble, or Cafepress. They all offer a wide range of customizable goods such as:
- T-shirts
- Phone cases
- Posters
- Bags and clothes etc…
All you have to do is design an image, upload it and wait for the profits to come rolling in! However, it’s worth noting that these sites take a certain cut of your total earnings. So if you don’t want them taking control of your profits, then consider selling through your own website instead.
Customized Proofing Galleries For Your Photography Clients
For businesses of any size, customer service is the key to success. From restaurants and hotels to doctors’ offices, every organization lives or dies by its ability to keep customers happy. And while no business has time for every customer, there are times when keeping the ones you have means going above and beyond their expectations.
Proofing galleries for your photography clients
In the world of photo printing, there are a lot of people who used to send their photos from home computers or from mobile devices. In many cases, they were not satisfied with the quality and results. One reason is they didn’t have enough information on how they can do it better or what is going behind that simple print service.
Understanding that, the most popular photo printing services like Shutterfly offer customized proofing galleries. This means that you can upload your client’s images to an online album, and they can view it in order to decide which images suit their needs best.
In case you have many customers sending you pictures from mobile devices or from home computers, where the quality of the print is not a priority, you can offer them a simple service where they don’t have to upload anything. You just need their e-mail addresses, and that’s it – you will receive all their pictures in an automated way, one after another. In this case, as well as in the first one, customers can choose which images suit their needs best.
And this is just one example of what customized proofing galleries can do for you. If you’re planning photo printing with your clients in mind, be sure to think about offering them the possibility to view their pictures before they are printed. This way, all of you will be happy!
