The Simple Truth About Photo Delivery: Less Can Be More

Here's something interesting I've noticed after many years as a photographer: the more photos you give clients, the less special your work seems. It sounds odd, right? Shouldn't clients love getting hundreds of pictures from their session? Don't we usually think "more is better"?

Actually, no.

Think about this: You go to a really nice restaurant. You're excited for a great meal. But then the waiter brings you a huge pile of 27 steaks. Suddenly, that amazing filet mignon doesn't seem so unique anymore. It's just too much. It makes the whole experience feel... ordinary. Just another piece of meat on a giant plate.

Photography works a lot like this. If you give clients too many images, it waters down how they see your talent. It makes it seem like creating beautiful photos is easy – like you just snap your fingers and a masterpiece appears. If clients think it's that simple, they might start to feel, "Hey, I could have done that!" And suddenly, your unique art doesn't feel much more special than tap water.

I've done this myself. Early on, wanting to really wow people, I'd happily deliver hundreds of photos from one session. I thought clients would love my generosity. But often, it just led to them struggling to choose, and they'd ask for endless small changes. This really took away from how much they appreciated the art in each shot.

Then I learned about something powerful: scarcity. It's like a little trick that makes anything more desirable. But practicing this scarcity for my clients had an even bigger impact on me. By forcing myself to be selective, to really study the hundreds of frames and choose only the absolute best, I began to truly hone my photography skills. It trained my eye to see more critically, to understand what makes a photograph truly stand out. This process of tough curation for delivery became a powerful way of developing my artistic voice and refining my brand – showing only the work that best represents me.

This focus on quality over quantity means that over time, I've developed the ability to capture a strong image quickly, almost instinctively, no matter what equipment I have. I've been out walking, casually taken a quick photo or video for a family or couple I just met, and without knowing anything about my profession, they immediately react with, "WOW, that was a great shot!!! You have a great eye!!!" The perceived speed and ease of that moment are actually the result of years of training that critical eye. It reminds me of the story of Picasso. He was supposedly in a restaurant, drawing on a napkin. A woman recognized him and asked if she could have the drawing. When he hesitated or named a price, she exclaimed, "But it's just a napkin!" He replied, "No, that's 50 years of work!"

When I started offering fewer photos – carefully chosen and edited with real care – each picture suddenly became precious. It was a unique piece of art, clearly crafted and rare. My work was no longer seen as "easy" or something anyone with a phone could copy.

A Simple Idea: We Value What's Harder to Get (And It's the Result of Years of Practice)

Think about diamonds, rare sneakers, or a tough-to-find video game console. We want what's limited. We naturally value things that aren't everywhere. This is true for almost everything, and photography is no different. When I deliver fewer, thoughtfully picked images, clients cherish each one much more. They can feel the effort, skill, and specialness behind every frame.

Plus, the discipline of choosing only your best for clients directly helps you improve. It pushes you to shoot with more intention, edit with more purpose, and clearly define your artistic style. This constant practice is what builds that "great eye" that allows you to capture incredible shots, even quickly. What started as a way to avoid overwhelming clients became a crucial practice for my own growth and the strength of my brand, built on years of work, not just a single click.

So, if you're a photographer, don't make the same mistake I did. Remember, your magic isn't about how many photos you deliver. It's about the smart choice of saying, "Here are my very best – enjoy them." This practice isn't just good for your clients and how they see your value; it's essential for honing your craft, building your brand, and recognizing the value of your own developed skill.

My Key Takeaways:

• Too much makes things ordinary. When there's a lot of something, it loses its special feel.

• Scarcity is your friend. Use it wisely to make your work seem more valuable.

• Curating for clients is also training for you. It sharpens your eye and defines your brand, reflecting years of skill development.

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What I Do Differently Now:

I deliver fewer, carefully chosen images. My focus is on quality over quantity, so each photograph truly feels special. This practice has been vital for my artistic development, the clarity of my brand, and understanding the value of the skills I've built over time.