Can I Have My RAW Images? Why I Don’t Share RAW Files – A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Your Photography Experience
At Elizabeth Lang Photography, I get the occasional questions about RAW images – especially from clients eager to have every shot from their session. "Can I have the RAW images?" is an infrequent request, but the answer is no.
While this may seem like a simple question, the reality is that RAW images aren’t quite the “finished product” many people imagine. Let me break it down for you with a metaphor.

Why RAW Files Aren’t Shared
RAW images are a starting point for photographers. They offer the most unprocessed, detailed data, which allows me to adjust things like exposure, color balance, and contrast during editing. But they’re not ready for viewing, sharing, or printing. Here’s why:
- Unfinished Images: RAW files are not yet fully processed. They’re essentially the “canvas” that I work with to create a polished image. It’s like asking for a rough draft of a book instead of the final manuscript. You wouldn't want to judge the book by its rough draft, right?
- Incompatible with Most Devices: RAW files are large, complex, and require special software to be viewed. Most phones, tablets, or computers can’t open or read them. So, unless you're a photographer or have editing software installed, you're left with files that are unreadable on most devices.
- RAW Files Can't Be Printed: Unlike finished JPEG images, RAW files can’t be printed directly. In fact, they need to be converted into a format that is printer-friendly – another step in the editing process to ensure they look their best when framed on your wall.

RAW Images Are Like Bakery Ingredients
Imagine you order a beautifully decorated wedding cake – something custom-made and expertly crafted for your celebration. Now, instead of getting the cake, you ask for the raw ingredients: flour, sugar, frosting, and cake batter – all in their raw, unprocessed state.
Sounds a bit odd, right?
That’s because the raw ingredients aren’t what you’re looking for. You want the finished product, not the parts that have yet to be combined, processed, and perfected. Similarly, RAW files are just that: the “ingredients” of a photograph. They are unedited and need to go through several stages before they can be transformed into a finished image.

What Do You Get?
What you do receive is a high-resolution JPEG image. With my Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless Camera, I capture images using a 45-megapixel full-frame sensor, which means you’re getting images that are large, crisp, and rich in detail.
These high-resolution JPEGs are perfect for printing at any size, from beautiful canvas prints to smaller framed images. You’re getting the best quality photos that are carefully edited and ready for you to enjoy and share. The JPEG files are optimized for viewing on screens and can be easily printed, which is exactly what you want from a final image.
The Photography Editing Process
To give you the best experience, I carefully edit each photo to enhance its beauty. This includes:
- Color correction
- Adjusting brightness and contrast
- Retouching (for skin tones, backgrounds, and any small blemishes)
These are the steps that transform your RAW images into the polished, finished photos you’ll treasure for years to come.
In Conclusion: Quality Over Quantity
I understand that you want every shot from your session, but the magic happens in the editing process. Sharing RAW images would be like handing you a pile of ingredients and asking you to bake a cake without the recipe.
The finished product – the edited JPEG – is what you get. It’s the image you’ll love and treasure, ready for display, sharing, and preserving those beautiful memories.
If you have any questions or need more clarity on the process, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m here to make sure you’re happy with every photo and to ensure you get the highest quality images possible.
At Elizabeth Lang Photography, I’m passionate about delivering timeless images that capture your memories in the most beautiful, professional way.
Elizabeth Lang Photography
Serving Cloverdale, Surrey, and the Vancouver Area

In Conclusion: Quality Over Quantity
I understand that you want every shot from your session, but the magic happens in the editing process. Sharing RAW images would be like handing you a pile of ingredients and asking you to bake a cake without the recipe.
The finished product – the edited JPEG – is what you get. It’s the image you’ll love and treasure, ready for display, sharing, and preserving those beautiful memories.
If you have any questions or need more clarity on the process, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m here to make sure you’re happy with every photo and to ensure you get the highest quality images possible.
At Elizabeth Lang Photography, I’m passionate about delivering timeless images that capture your memories in the most beautiful, professional way.
Elizabeth Lang Photography