Parenst dont understand the low Res Cd that I include?

[Erica]

I decided to include a low resolution cd in my Senior Package. I clearly state it is a low resolution cd that can be shared on social media sites as well as email. It does include my logo on the images so it's free advertising for me.

Only problem is the moms don't seem to understand that they still need to purchase the prints from me. I even included a file on the cd stating what the cd is and what it is for. As well as a order form and catalog.
It seems that I have the meeting with the Seniors and not the parents. They always seem to not care. I always ask for them to join in but they say they will leave it to the senior. Then things like this happen. I would like to have studio space but My parents arent very keen on that. Im looking for an apartment that has a room I can use for storage and meetings.
QUICK QUESTION..... What size and ppi is good for low res?

The CD I include is the edits. Depending on the package its either, 10, 15, 20, or 30

[darkroommike]

Most successful full time studios have a scheduled "reveal" by appointment (30 minutes minimum) where the photographer or salesperson explains that the images on the CD are only proofs (my old buddy Tom preferred the term "previews"). And that the images on the CD are like the photos in a catalog and not suitable for reproduction and that most places will not make her prints from these images since the images and CD have your copyright. This is of course simpler if you had a consultation before the appointment was made or a half hour before the shoot.

It's good to get the subject involved but remember that Mom has the checkbook. Show mom samples of the various products you have available, explain the packages (if you offer packages), suggest a possible "best buy" package, etc. Folks used to project proofs with an opaque projector into various size frames on a plain white wall, you could do the same now with a digital projector. And always start with a wall print larger than you think your target audience will buy.

Be polite, be enthusiastic, be excited by new products and close the deal. Remember you're not selling pictures you're selling your talent.

Stay sharp!

[Eric Lefebvre]

All of that has to be clearly explained to them when you have your consultation with them. you have to clearly spell out both orally AND IN THE CONTRACT what they get. I go over each point of my contract with them and ask if they have any questions.

Before you sign a contract with them, you need to explain to them that the included disk is what's known in the industry as a "proof disk" a disk to be used to choose images you want to order prints of and, in your specific situtaion, so you can share the images on social networking sites. The contract does NOT include a licence for them to do their own prints and they must come and see you to order prints.

You ask them if they understand that BEFORE anyone signs the contract.

If they say they understand, sign the contract and then still get prints done or edit out your watermark ... then you either sue, and risk alienating future potential clients, or let you "clients" trample your intelectual property. There's nothing else for it.

EDIT for EXTRA INFO
"It seems that I have the meeting with the Seniors and not the parents."
Who signs the contract? It's the parents right? If they sign and then violate the terms of the contract then too bad ... sue them. How would you like a new house (150,000$ per violation of copyright in the US).

"They always seem to not care. I always ask for them to join in but they say they will leave it to the senior. Then things like this happen."

Th emore I read this, the more I think you don;t have them sign a contract. That' just a bad idea for you and for your clients.

"I would like to have studio space but My parents arent very keen on that. Im looking for an apartment that has a room I can use for storage and meetings."

Careful about exploiting a residential area for commercial use. You might get in trouble with ... the landlord, the city, your insurance company, the landlords insurance company ... you need to look at the municipal business laws. For example, in my city, I'm not allowed to run a studio in a residential zone (so annoyed, would have converted my garage into a proper, finished studio) ... this varies from place to place so you want to look into this for wherever you live.

Your other option is to rent a studio. some studios offer "memberships" that give you a certain number of studio hours a month for example.

EDIT FOR YET MORE INFO
"What size and ppi is good for low res?"

PPI is just used for printing but if you absolutely WANT to set it (or rather set the DPI) set it to 72.

Set your resolution in terms of pixels 400 or 500 on the longest edge at most ... that is more than enough for facebook and e-mail. In my portfolio on my website, my longest edge is 600 pixels.

So 600 X 400 printed at 300 PPI = 2 inches by 1.3 inches.
To print it even at 4X6, they would need to sacrifice some quality by printing it at 100PPI.
But that is at 600 pixels at the longest side.

400 at the longest edge would be 250 in the shortest so we would be looking at 1.3 inches by 0.83 inches if printed at 300PPI.

to print that image a 4X6 , they would need to drop the quality down considerably ... like 66 PPI. That is going to look very pixelated.

400 might not seem like much but remember that the most used screen resolution right now is 1024X768 so the image would take up more than 1/3 of the screen (1024/400 = 2.56). Plenty enough for facebook and email.

[sarahashleyphotos]

This should be explained at your first meeting. Show samples of prints and photo books and really push the printing side of it. Have them sign a copyright agreement for personal use web only images that clearly states that they can not be printed. They should also be very low quality so they do not look good printed. Though once you give someone digital files know that they will do whatever they want with them even if your logo is on them. Again just push the prints and the quality of the prints and price the CD at a appropriate price to where you feel comfortable if they do not buy any prints.

[andy w]

YOU are not managing your customers expectations properly.
It is upto YOU to ensure that they understand what they are getting and any restrictions etc.