Why Photographers Don’t Give RAW Files to Their Clients
Many clients hiring a professional photographer expect to receive all the photos taken during a shoot, including RAW files. However, most photographers refuse to deliver RAW files—not because they want to hold back, but because there are solid artistic, technical, and business reasons behind this decision.
Here’s a detailed look at why photographers don’t give RAW files to their customers and why edited images are the final product they stand by.
📷 What Are RAW Files?
A RAW file is an unprocessed digital image straight from the camera’s sensor. Unlike JPEGs or edited images, RAW files:
✔ Contain all the raw data captured by the camera.
✔ Require special software (like Adobe Lightroom or Capture One) to open and edit.
✔ Have no adjustments applied—they appear dull, unsharpen...