For My Fellow Photographers - Let’s Talk Proof Galleries

This one’s for my fellow photographers—because this is a question I get asked all the time. And not by clients, but by other photographers:

“How do you have the confidence to share your proof gallery with unedited, straight-out-of-camera RAW images?”

Here’s the short and simple answer -

My clients aren’t paying me just to take a picture.

Let’s be real—they could do that with their phone.

What they are paying for is the experience, the technique, and the artistry that comes with hiring a professional photographer. Yes, our talent includes having “the eye” and being able to capture beautiful, emotive moments—but editing plays a huge role in the final product. It’s the polish, the magic, the signature style that brings everything together.

So when I send a proof gallery, I make it clear: these are straight-out-of-camera images. They are watermarked for a reason. They’re not meant to be saved, downloaded, screenshotted, or shared. The purpose of a proof gallery is simple—clients are choosing the pose, the expression, the moment they connect with. They are not evaluating the image based on its final edit.

Once they make their selections—or purchase any additional images not included in their package—that’s when the transformation happens. That’s when my creativity, editing, and attention to detail come into play. That’s what they’re investing in.

Now, if you’re a photographer who’s still editing every single image before even sending a gallery, here’s something to consider: if your client hasn’t invested in those images yet, why are you investing your time in editing them?

I wasn’t always doing it this way. In the early years of my career, I used to choose the images myself. I’d select 30 or 50, spend hours editing, and deliver them. But with experience, mentoring, workshops, and constant growth in my craft, I’ve evolved. Now, I send proof galleries, allow clients to choose what they truly love, and offer additional images for upsell—and it’s been working so well.

In fact, I’ve found that clients appreciate the process even more now. It gives them ownership over what they’re getting, and they love knowing their final images are hand-edited with care and intention.

So if you’ve been debating how to handle proof galleries, or you’ve been afraid to share unedited images—just remember: it’s not about perfection in the preview. It’s about trust in your talent 🙂