When a photographer says that you get to choose 300 proofs, does that mean the negatives?

Question

I know I know I should of asked this before we used the photographer, but my original backed out and then I had to find one for my wedding a little more than a month before the event. So the contract says that we get:

Pre Wedding Coverage
Coverage of Complete Wedding
Coverage of the Reception until Bride and Groom Leave
200-300 proofs
Online Proofing Album

Does this mean we recieve 300 negatives? Or do all we get is her posting them on the internet and that is considered proofs?? THanks so much for your help!!

Answer 1

I am not going to attempt to answer this question and confuse you further, After reading these answers, you have to be confused now. My advice to you is to consult an attorney. Thats the expert on contracts, not the people on Yahoo answers.

Answer 2

Proofs are not negatives. Undoubtedly your photographer is digital. I believe she means you will have 200 to 300 images to choose from in selecting your prints or album. I would just call and ask her. In the "old" days, proofs meant actual hard copy prints. You had to have prints to look at, most people couldn't choose by looking at a negative! And they weren't necessarily the best quality, just a preview of what the real print would look like. when produced and mounted in an album. And usually there wouldn't be hundreds of them.

Recently the trend has been for some wedding photographers to offer several hundred images, often I have seen contracts offering a thousand or more! I usually have 300 - 400 left after editing, depending on the size and complexity of the wedding. So I'd say 200-300 is in line, what would a person do with 1000 pictures anyway?

Best wishes on your wedding.

Answer 3

If this is what your contract says you get proofs, but no negatives. Is this a reputable photographer or do you know anyone who has used them before? On line proofs are something new and quite nice, not everyone offers that so that is a plus. Photographers rarely give negatives, they are sometimes used later to make pictures for advertisements. It's just a general rule of thumb!! If they gave you the negative you wouldn't need them to generate prints of the proofs you pick out. That is where their real bread and butter comes from. Sorry. Good luck on you wedding, don't stress too much.

Answer 4

The proofs are actualy the all the photos taken at the event, from which you are going to select to make the offcial wedding album and/or the package you have chosen. Usually some photographers give a generic album with all the proofs, and some publish te proofs online for you to choose.

Hope this helps

Answer 5

I was a photographer. A proof is a good usable picture, one where someone didn't have their eyes closed. I could shoot 500 pictures, and only 200 were usable. She will show you 300 of the best pictures to chose from; even if you only choose 100. The photographer at a wedding has certain stock, classic pictures, bride walking down the isle, flower girls, etc. If you want a special picture, you and your great grandma, mention it. Congratulations.

Answer 6

I agree... that is a little unclear. I would assume that it meant you get 200-300 hard-copy proofs and in addition, an online proofing album to choose your prints. To be sure, I would call the photographer just to be sure since the wording is a little vague.

Answer 7

It sounds as if she's going to give you 200-300 hard copy proofs, as well as the ability to view them online. I would double check with her if you haven't signed the contract, that way you are one the same page. If you have signed it, shoot her an email and ask so you're not surprised after your big day. Congrats on getting married!

Answer 8

It means that you get to look at 300 photos that are watermarked. It's an online album which means you will have to view this from your computer. That also means that the photos will be protected against copying (watermarked) and right-click protected (copy protected).
You will be looking at small versions of the finished product online. You pick and choose which ones you want to be provided to you.
What you see on the internet are the proofs and that's what you choose from.

Answer 9

Proofs are prints and not negatives... the photographer will not sell the negs more than likely. They are his assurance of repeat customers for reprints.

The answer is NO, proofs are not negatives,

Answer 10

No, proofs are pictures, I guess nowadays they let you view images on computer. Remember not all pictures will be good. Specially groups pick the ones you like the best. Congratulations...God Bless your new union. He could take 1500 easy so you'll be able to pick the ones you want.