Online Verification Guide for Photographers Online Verification Guide for Photographers

The photo proofing process is a crucial aspect of the workflow of any professional photographer working for a client.

Photo proofing is arguably nothing new in photography and is probably as old as professional photography. Photo proofing allows clients to review, select and approve photos so the photographer can process, finalize and print the approved images.

Along with advancements in technology, however, proofing in photography has also evolved over time. Before the era of digital printing and the internet, the proofing process could only be done by printing a proof (a dummy version of the photo) and then sending or showing the image to the customer.

However, we have online verification, allowing photographers to upload photos to an online review platform right after a photo shoot is over. The customer can then access this online verification platform, choose images, leave comments and follow all the processes in real time.

In short, online proofing will facilitate a more efficient approval process for the photographer, which will ultimately promote a better experience for the client.

Online verification for photographers: overview

Digital photography, while very common and accessible today, is a relatively new field.

In the not so distant past, photos should be printed in a dark room first, which is a very lengthy and error-prone process. Meanwhile, to perform photo proofing, we can either show the camera film negatives to the customer or print a mock-up version of the photo (in a smaller size to ensure cost efficiency).

So, as we can see, photo proofing was a very inefficient and expensive process in the past. Not to mention, you need the expertise of film processing in a darkroom to complete the photo proof printing process.

Along with advancements in technology, however, we can now perform photo proofing in a more accessible way, and generally there are three main photo proofing methods that photographers can offer today:

1. Method of in-person verification

This method involves meeting the client in person and then showing them the photos.

Today, however, we no longer need to print a photo proof mockup to show the customer, but can deliver the digital file of the photo to a screen (i.e. laptop or an iPad) to the customer, which makes this method more cost effective.

In-person photo proofing offers a significant advantage over other methods: interaction. The photographer can interact with clients in real time, and you can often get more honest feedback while still having the opportunity to build a long-term relationship.

However, the downside of this method is quite obvious – it is time consuming and not cost effective.

2. Email verification method

The second and arguably most common proofing method used by most professional photographers is to email the digital files of the photos. To prevent abuse and clients running away with the proof photo, photographers can put a watermark on the fictitious images, so that clients cannot use the photo before making the required payments.

This method is easier to perform and takes less time than photo proofing in person. However, email communication is not a very efficient medium for real-time collaboration and can lead to disputes and other issues. As discussed, you also won’t get the real-time physical interaction that you would otherwise get when checking out in person.

3. Online verification method

Online proofing is using the cloud online proofing software for photographers like WeAproove, which offers the real-time interaction of in-person proofing while facilitating the speed and cost-effectiveness of email proofing.

With WeAproove, for example, photographers can upload the digital files of the photos to WeAproove’s gallery and then send an invite link to the client. The customer can then click this invite link to access WeAproove without needing to download or install anything, and then they can use the platform to review, select and approve the photos in real time.

As you can see, online proofing offers the best of both worlds: real-time interaction, speed and cost efficiency.

Benefits of online verification for photographers

Using the line proofing method can provide the following benefits to photographers:

1. More efficient real-time communications

Maintaining transparency in communication is very important for photographers in order to build lasting relationships which will ultimately result in more business and increased income.

By providing real-time communications in online proofing, we can facilitate more transparency and accountability throughout the photo proofing process. You can more easily explain your ideas and concepts behind a photo, while your customers can also find it easier to make their point when they leave comments for review.

2. Automated notifications

With suitable online proofing software like Aproove, your customers can receive an automatic reminder when a new photo proof is ready for review so they don’t miss it.

On the other hand, you will also be notified when a customer has left a comment on a photo or selected / approved a photo.

As you can see, this will ensure a faster and more efficient process.

3. Fewer revisions

Since inline proofing facilitates better communication transparency, this will generally result in fewer revisions during the photo editing process, reducing the need for redundant round-trip communications.

For example, the photographer and client can more easily track comments and different versions of photos in previous revisions. This will ensure a more effective and efficient review process and fewer review cycles.

4. Reduce costs

Long and inefficient proofing processes can be costly in the long run, and inline proofing can also help reduce printing costs that you would otherwise have had to spend printing photo proof mockups.

We can also ensure that each project is on time and on budget by ensuring an efficient approval process.

Closing thoughts

For photographers, inline proofing can dramatically streamline the photo proofing and approval processes, improving the quality of the approval process for each photographic project.

By facilitating a more transparent and efficient selection, review and feedback process, customers can have a better experience when choosing and approving their photos, and satisfied customers will result in the bottom line. account by more business and income.

With all of the benefits mentioned above, investing in a suitable online proofing solution like WeAproove can save your photography business more time and money in the long run.