If you've just read through a photography contract or met up with a photographer, there are probably quite a few unfamiliar terms buzzing around in your head. And that's okay. All these photography terms can get confusing, and so we've created this guide to help you understand digital negatives a little better.

What are digital negatives?
If you consider the potential of a single film negative, you can imagine how powerful digital negatives can be. Digital negatives are unedited image files that can be retouched, enhanced, and reproduced over and over again. With the proper knowledge and tools, these small, portable files can yield some powerful work, such as the images you see on our blog and portfolio. These are extensively retouched images that all started out as digital negatives. What you receive on your DVD will be non-retouched digital negatives, which are delivered to you with your wedding album (unless otherwise noted).

Do I want the digital negatives?
Many people want a copy of all of their images from their event or portrait session because it allows them to print or post their images themselves. The digital negatives that are purchased or included in your package are yours to do with what you wish, as long as it follows the terms of the limited image release on your signed contract. With these files you may print your own photos and post images online on any personal website or profile, such as Facebook and MySpace.

When do I receive my digital negatives?
For weddings, a DVD of the wedding and/or engagement high resolution, non-retouched digital negatives are delivered upon the completion of the wedding album. For portrait sessions, the digital negatives and retouched files are available for purchase. 

Why can't I get the digital negatives before my wedding?
Like any other artist or professional, we care about how our work is handled, produced, and displayed. We work with professional photography labs and vendors for our prints and products to ensure that the image quality is at our standard. For this reason, any images showcased at the wedding must be ordered through us--we cannot have a third-party vendor represent us while we are working at the wedding.

What if I want to use an image before the wedding?
We understand that some people choose to make their own save-the-dates, invitations, slideshows, etc. and that is perfectly fine. However, we still need to standardize our image distribution. High-res, retouched digital files may be purchased individually for personal reproduction, which means you can use the image for anything from making your own wedding programs, website, to enlargements and wall-decor. Otherwise, we are willing to distribute web-sized (non-printable) images for any retouched prints that are ordered.

What do you mean by "color-correcting" and "retouching" the images?
Each image goes through two steps of editing. The first step is referred to as "color-correction", where we adjust the exposure and color of the image to make it presentable for proofing. The next process is where actual "retouching" occurs, which refers to special treatments like color enhancement, sharpening, artistic effects, masking, removing blemishes and imperfections, erasing distractions, and adding special effects such as vignettes and vintage tones.

To make things easier, the following examples show you a visual sample of the difference between "color-corrected" and "retouched" images. The images you see in your proofing gallery and receive on your DVD will have basic "color-correction", whereas any custom prints, canvases, cards, and albums will be artistically "retouched".