Should We Ask Our Photographer for RAW Files from Our Wedding?

Written by Curator Lisa Kathan

As a photographer, I’ve been asked about getting RAW wedding images a few times — but most couples doesn’t fully understand what RAW files are or how they’re used. Read more about RAW files, and find out why having RAW files from your wedding will probably not be useful for you.

What are RAW files?

The term might be a little confusing — indeed RAW files are unprocessed and in their original, unedited form. But when photographers refer to RAW images, it’s actually a file format, which can only be read by special software.

RAW files must be selected

Most photographers take between 400-1k images an hour. And trust me, you don’t want all those images! They contain your aunt eating with her mouth open, 32 shots of people with their eyes closed during your family photos, and that awkward shot of you bending over with your bum in the air. Plus blurred photos, poorly composed images, and so. many. multiples.

Your professional photographer has the software to select those images and will spend a good amount of time picking out the best images before they’re even edited — a process called culling. Being able to tell the difference between a great image and a “meh” image takes experience and skill, which is why a good photographer will deliver only the best-of-the-best images from your wedding day.

RAW files must be edited

A RAW format image is almost always useless in its original form. The image must be edited and turned into a useful format (like JPEG) in order for you to do things like post it to your Instagram or print it. 

Also, a RAW image is flat and unprocessed, and really doesn’t look good. Your photographer will use their editing style to make it look perfect and beautiful, and in order to do that, you need professional software and skill.

Additionally, professional wedding photographers are quite protective of their own editing style, which often takes years to develop. Most won’t be too excited to hand over files that don’t include those edits.

After all, their amazing photos are one of the reasons why you want to hire them, and editing your wedding images is one part of how they achieve those perfect memories from your day. 

RAW files will cost a small fortune

RAW format images contain a lot of digital information, including copyright to the images. Back in the day when weddings were shot on film, photographers would charge couples a package price that included photos only in printed form. If you wanted the physical negatives, you had to pay a lot of extra money for them, because the photographer no longer had access to the photos.

A RAW image is a digital negative, and your professional wedding photographer will have it baked into their contract that you’re entitled to use the images, but you don’t own them. Some wedding photographers may allow you to purchase the RAWs if you feel you could benefit from having them, but you’re going to pay a hefty price beyond your initial investment. 

Also, you won’t be able to take advantage of the photographer’s gallery delivery system, which allows your friends and family to view the photos, and often make purchases. Basically, if you purchase the RAWs from your photographer, your relationship with them is over and you’re on your own to edit, print, backup, and share your photos.

Before and After

Do you trust your photographer?

If you’re hiring a professional photographer, you should be able to trust them to select and edit the images from your wedding day. If you don’t trust that person enough, it’s probably time to keep looking for another photographer.

Some photographers honestly get a little touchy when asked for RAWs, since it sort of implies you don’t trust them from the get-go. So if you really want the RAWs from your wedding, be prepared that the photographer may simply say no.

Bottom line, if there’s still a reason you’re hoping to purchase RAWs from your wedding, this is something you absolutely must discuss with photographers before you book them, since their contract with you will likely need to be heavily revised and they need the option to be able to say no if it’s not something they’re comfortable providing.

The raw truth about RAW files

At the end of the day, RAW images are totally useless for most couples.

Imagine getting a pile of wood delivered to your home, and being told to build a beautiful, custom cabinet. You have no tools, no additional materials, and no skills or knowledge to do it. 

The RAW files are like the wood; and everything else that goes into making that cabinet an heirloom piece you want in your home forever — is what your wedding photographer brings to the images you receive from your wedding.