Why Sending ZIP Files Links to Clients Hurts Your Brand as a Pro Photographer

As a professional photographer, you already know that your brand isn't just about the amazing images you capture - it's about the entire experience you offer to your clients. That includes everything from initial consultation to the presentation and delivery of your finished work. While it may seem convenient to simply toss all your high-res photos into a ZIP file and hit 'send’, doing so can negatively impact your brand in several ways.

Here are 7 reasons why you shouldn't send ZIP files of photos to your photo clients:

Sending a ZIP file is akin to handing someone a pile of unorganized papers - it's just not professional. As a professional photographer, you want to present your work in the best possible light. You want your client to feel confident they have booked the right photographer the moment they click the link you just sent them. Downloading a ZIP file, extracting it, and opening it in a subpar file manager - or, even worse, Windows Explorer preview - does not provide the type of experience that immediately generates excitement.

ZIP files require an extra step: unzipping. Your clients may not be as tech-savvy as you are, and forcing them to download and unzip files could lead to frustration. With plattforms like picdrop, your clients can view, review your work and create selections in a streamlined, user-friendly environment. It just doesn’t matter anymore if your client is tach-savvy or not. All they need to do is to click a secure link on any device.

ZIP files do not offer any image previews, requiring clients to download and open each file individually. Clients are not just clients; they also have become accustomed to smart tools in their personal lives. It's difficult to understand why they can stream an entire movie on their phone but cannot preview the amazing photos you just shared with them as a ZIP file.

One of the biggest downsides to sending ZIP files is the lack of a built-in feedback loop. This means more time consuming back-and-forth emails and a greater chance of miscommunication. When you send a ZIP file, it can be difficult for your clients to provide direct feedback on the images, leading to a slower and less efficient workflow. This can result in delays and frustration for both you and your clients.

Time is valuable, and the more you make your clients deal with emails and calls, the less time you and they have for their other tasks. What's worse, it doesn't contribute to being recognized as a problem solver or someone who is easy to work with at all.

Normally, neither private nor corporate clients are known for perfect storage and backups. Downloaded ZIP files are prone to getting lost or, even worse, accidentally deleted. It's just a matter of time. You don't want to inconvenience your clients by making them call or email you again to request another ZIP transfer. You want to be the photographer who offers an amazing "no questions asked" service that allows them to re-download their files, even long after the invoice has been paid, without the hassle of having to ask you for a favor. Because if you're not that person …

Last but not least, even if you believe that your clients are satisfied with receiving ZIP files and lengthy emails, it is only a matter of time before one of your direct competitors starts utilizing smart tools like picdrop. If one of your clients sees this and becomes accustomed to it, they may prefer the convenience it offers. As we have learned, it is not just the quality of your photography that matters, but also the overall way you conduct your business. If your competitor offers your client a tool that saves them time while maintaining the same standard of photography, they are likely to choose them for the next job. Is it really worth risking the loss of a paying client just to save a few bucks on a tool that can actually help both your clients and you save time?

Of course, there are numerous tools available on the market that claim to cater to the needs of photographers. However, there is one tool that stands out as it was specifically created by a professional photographer for photographers. It's called picdrop. picdrop was founded by Andreas Chudowski, an internationally acclaimed magazine and corporate photographer from Berlin, Germany.

With picdrop, Andreas created the tool that he had been missing so much: a file transfer and collaboration tool that focuses on the needs of photographers and their clients. With picdrop, you can upload your files in seconds, regardless of the format or size. picdrop automatically creates a new, secure client gallery and generates perfect previews for all devices within milliseconds. You can then customize the appearance of your file presentation and choose which features you want to use with your client on that delivery. Whether it's the super easy color marking for creating selections on the fly, the comments feature, or many other. After that you simply share the secure link with your client, and you're done! Your client can easily preview and download their files or provide feedback through various smart ways.

Your brand is your promise to deliver quality, professionalism, and a smooth client experience. Sending ZIP files undermines that promise and leaves room for frustration, miscommunication, and inefficiency. Switching to a professional image sharing platform like picdrop can not only elevate your brand but also streamline your workflow, saving you valuable time in the long run.

So the next time you're thinking about sending a ZIP file, remember that there's a better way. A way that respects your clients, enhances your brand, and lets you focus on creating stunning photography.

That way is picdrop.