Should you give out RAW image files?

Should you give your clients your RAW files?

I get asked this almost weekly, and most of the time it’s because someone has been asked by a client if they could please send the RAW files. Sometimes it's a brand, other times it isn't.

The first thing to know is that certain bigger brands will 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. So a lot of these requests will come down to context. If you're shooting e-com, or the brand have 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.

It's ultimately a personal choice. Do you want to use the images in your portfolio? Do you really mind if the images are edited differently to how you would usually edit your own? What kind of work are you shooting?

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. But that doesn't mean that the client shouldn't still have copies of the RAW files.

I personally am happy to hand over 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.

So in summary: it depends on each situation and each job. Speak to your clients. Have open and honest conversations.

I hope that helps!