In the age of digital photography, there is often confusion about file types. Couples sometimes believe that having the “RAW” files means they own the highest quality version of their photos. However, asking a photographer for the RAW files is a bit like asking a chef for the ingredients instead of the meal, or asking a painter for the canvas and tubes of paint instead of the finished portrait.
A common technical question I receive is: Do you provide RAW files? The short answer is that I generally do not include them in standard packages because they are unfinished data. However, for clients who specifically require them, they are available for an additional fee. This post explains the difference between RAW and Edited files, and Adrian Bonet Photography’s policy on delivering them.
Do not let logistics stress you out. Secure a photographer who knows the area inside and out. Contact Adrian Bonet Photography to check availability for your venue today.
Index
What is a RAW File? (The Digital Negative)
The Edit is Half the Art
Policy: Purchasing RAW Files
Practicality: Can You Even Open Them?
Final Thoughts
What is a RAW File? (The Digital Negative)
Unfinished Data
A RAW file is not a photograph you can print or share on Instagram. It is a data file containing all the information captured by the camera’s sensor. Straight out of the camera, a RAW image looks Flat and Desaturated. It lacks contrast, sharpness, and vibrancy. It is often gray and dull because it is designed to be processed, not viewed.
The Film Analogy
Think of a RAW file as a film negative. You wouldn’t frame a negative on your wall; you frame the developed print. The RAW file is merely the foundation upon which the final image is built. Delivering a RAW file is essentially delivering an unfinished product that does not represent my professional standards.
The Edit is Half the Art
My Signature Style
When you hire Adrian Bonet Photography, you aren’t just hiring someone to click a button. You are hiring me for my vision. That vision is achieved through post-production. The way I manipulate color, light, and shadow during the editing process is what gives my photos their emotive, cinematic look. Without this editing, the photo is not an “Adrian Bonet” image.
Consistency
If you were to look at the RAW files, the skin tones might look different from shot to shot depending on the lighting. The editing process is what brings Consistency to the gallery, ensuring that the dark reception photos match the vibe of the bright ceremony photos. This cohesive look is part of the service you are paying for.
Policy: Purchasing RAW Files
Available Upon Request
While I do not include them standard, I understand that some clients (perhaps fellow photographers or designers) may want the RAW files for archival purposes. If you wish to own these files, they are available for an Additional Fee. This fee covers the transfer of intellectual property and the cost of the physical storage media.
Delivery Method
Because RAW files are massive—often 5 to 10 times larger than a high-resolution JPEG—they cannot be delivered through an online gallery. If you purchase the RAW files, they will be delivered on a Physical USB Drive or hard drive. This allows you to store the massive amount of data securely.
Practicality: Can You Even Open Them?
Software Requirements
Before asking for RAW files, it is important to know if you can use them. You cannot open a RAW file with standard photo viewers on your phone or laptop. You require Specialized Professional Software like Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop, or Capture One to view and edit these files.
The Reality of Ownership
Most couples who ask for RAW files eventually realize they never open them because the file sizes are too large to manage and the images look “worse” (flatter) than the edited JPEGs. Unless you have experience in photo editing, the high-resolution JPEGs included in your package are almost always the better format for printing and sharing.
Final Thoughts
Trust is a huge part of the photographer-client relationship. You trust me to capture the moments, and you trust me to edit them to perfection.
When you book Adrian Bonet Photography, my goal is to deliver a finished masterpiece, not the rough sketches. While the option to buy the raw data exists for those who truly need it, I promise that the curated, hand-edited gallery I deliver will be the version of your wedding you want to remember forever.