OK. Quite often the subject of "do you give me my images on disk?" comes up. In my industry, it has become a real hot-button topic. It's something I feel pretty strongly about and here are my thoughts on the matter.
For me the issue is a matter of "value". The question I always ask people looking for their files is this. How much does a photographer value their work if they are willing to give it away? And if they don't value their work, why should you pay them to work for you? Think about that. Let's say you have a nice pair of earrings on right now and I tell you I really like them. Would you just give them to me? Probably not. They have value to you. If something is valuable to you, you don't just give it away. So ask yourself... Joe Shooter charges me $x and is willing to give me my files. Does Joe Shooter value his images?
If Joe is willing to give it away, he is probably not too concerned about the finished product. It doesn't matter what it looks like. Joe Shooter has given away his right to say "that photo isn't high enough quality for my client. My client deserves the best."
Second, it is absolutely vital that you understand what you are getting when you receive those files. Most photographers give files that are either print-ready or SOTC (straight out of the camera) and will probably look like the "before" photos shown below. The portraits I give my clients are the "afters" shown below. See the difference? People are willing to give away the photos on the left. The images on the right are "portraits" and worth paying for. I don't want to give you just "nice pictures". I want you to have something to brag about. I want you to look at an image and remember the fun you were having, not the bad acne that showed up on your big day. I want you to remember how much you love each other, not that it was 90 degrees and your face was dripping with sweat. See what I mean?
Micki looks pretty on the left. But... on the right is a very beautiful portrait.
Lisa is a pretty girl too but add a little artwork and she looks like a bride who is just glowing on her big day.
It isn't just about acne, shine and exit signs. Natalie and Brent had a pretty cloudy day. By adding in a blue sky from other photos, the image went from a "nice" shot to being postcard perfect. 
This photo, I think really illustrates what I'm talking about. I LOVE this photo and have a version of it on my wall. The photo on the left is nice but it's almost like too much pose for not enough "polish". It's a great pose and has a very Vogue fashion feel to it but without the artwork it just doesn't shine. On the right, they are truly a couple who could appear in an ad in a fashion magazine.
I really hope this illustrates what I'm trying to say. It is all about value. Having your images look postcard, fashion magazine perfect is a very valuable commodity. If you receive your files without that, you really weren't given very much. Thanks for letting me stand on my soapbox for a bit. Tell me your thoughts.
dk
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