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Help - Downloading Raw Files

You received a link from your wedding manager to the raw footage from your event. What do you do now? Open the sections below for more information.

  • You will have received a link in a text or email that looks similar to this:

    If you click on the link, it will take you to a site similar to the following:

    Now, all you need to do is click 'Download all', and it will download all of the files at once into a zip archive. This may take a long time, as the files are often incredibly large!

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    This should trigger the download to your computer. Most browsers will place the downloaded file in your computer's Downloads folder. Your browser should also show you the progress of your download

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    For a video tutorial, go to this YouTube video.

  • On Windows:

    1. Using Windows Explorer:

      • Locate the ZIP file you want to open.

      • Right-click on the ZIP file.

      • From the context menu, select "Extract All..."

      • Choose the destination folder where you want to extract the contents.

      • Click "Extract." The files will be extracted to the selected destination folder.

    2. Using File Explorer (Windows 10 and later):

      • Locate the ZIP file you want to open.

      • Double-click on the ZIP file. Windows will automatically open the ZIP file, showing its contents.

      • To extract the files, click the "Extract" button in the "Compressed Folder Tools" tab at the top of the window. Select the destination folder and click "Extract."

    On macOS:

    1. Using Finder:

      • Locate the ZIP file you want to open.

      • Double-click on the ZIP file. macOS will automatically extract the contents to the same location as the original ZIP file.

    2. Using Archive Utility (Pre-installed on macOS):

      • If the ZIP file doesn't automatically open with Finder, you can use the Archive Utility to extract the files.

      • Right-click (or Control-click) on the ZIP file.

      • From the context menu, select "Open With" and then "Archive Utility."

      • The Archive Utility will extract the contents to the same location as the original ZIP file.

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    If you prefer using third-party software to handle ZIP files, there are various free and paid options available for both Windows and macOS, such as 7-Zip, WinRAR, and StuffIt Expander. Just make sure to download from reputable sources to avoid any security risks. However, for most basic ZIP file tasks, the built-in tools on both Windows and macOS should be sufficient.

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    For additional help, see this YouTube video.

  • Please keep in mind that the file format of the photos your photographer has taken are not intended for viewing. The files are very large and are in a format that our editors need to product the best output.

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    If you still want to view the raw photos on your computer, you can follow this guide:

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    Most modern computers can handle popular RAW formats like .CR2 (Canon), .NEF (Nikon), .ARW (Sony), .ORF (Olympus), .RAF (Fujifilm), and .DNG (Adobe Digital Negative).

     

    If your computer doesn't natively support the specific RAW format, you might need to update your operating system or use third-party software that can read and open RAW files.

     

    Third-Party Software that Supports RAW Files: To view and work with RAW photos on your computer, you'll need software that supports RAW image processing. Some popular options include:

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    For Windows:​

    For macOS:

    • Apple Photos: Built-in software on macOS that supports RAW files from many camera models.

    • Preview: The default image viewer on macOS can handle some RAW formats.

    Paid Software:

    • Adobe Photoshop: Allows you to open and edit RAW files. (Requires Adobe Camera Raw plugin)

    • Adobe Lightroom: Import, organize, and edit RAW files in a user-friendly interface.

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    Install Necessary Plugins or Updates (if applicable): If you're using software like Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom to view RAW files, you might need to install specific camera RAW plugins or update your software to support the latest camera models and RAW formats. Check the respective software's website for updates and compatibility information.

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    Open and View the RAW Photos: Once you have the appropriate software and plugins installed (if required), you can open the RAW files using the software. This will allow you to view, edit, and save the images as needed.

    Keep in mind that RAW files offer greater flexibility in post-processing but are typically larger than JPEG files. If you need to share or publish the photos, you might consider converting them to JPEG or another more widely supported format after editing.

  • Please keep in mind that the file format of the videos your photographer has taken are not intended for personal viewing. The files are very large and are in a format that our editors need to product the best output.

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    If you still want to view the files on your computer, you can follow this guide:

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    First, try to open it using the default viewer on your computer. Often times, this will just work.

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    If the file won't play, download and install VLC Media Player. You should then be able to open the video file from VLC Media Player. Here are video tutorials for installing it on Mac and PC:

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    Can't hear the audio?

    If you are having trouble hearing the audio from the video files, we recommend you import the files into Adobe Premiere Pro (you can use a trial version), and you can export them into an MP4 format. You will need to first download the files to your computer (see above info).

    See this video tutorial for additional help.

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    As a last resort, you can still try these steps:

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    1. Identify the RAW Video Format: Determine the specific raw video format your professional camera produces. Different camera brands and models use various raw video formats, such as CinemaDNG, REDCODE RAW (R3D), ProRes RAW, Blackmagic RAW, etc. Knowing the format will help you find the appropriate software for viewing and working with your raw video files.

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    2. Install Codecs or Specialized Software: For Mac and PC, you'll need to install codecs or specialized software that can decode and playback the raw video files. Some cameras' manufacturers provide proprietary software for handling their raw video formats, while others may rely on third-party solutions.

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    For Mac or Windows:

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    3. Importing and Playback: Once you have the appropriate software installed, you can import your raw video files into the software's media library or media pool. Depending on the software, the importing process may differ slightly. After importing, you should be able to view and work with the raw video files in the software's timeline or preview window.

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    4. Hardware Considerations: Keep in mind that working with raw video files can be demanding on your computer's hardware. You may need a powerful computer with sufficient processing power, RAM, and storage to handle the large file sizes and intensive video editing tasks.

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    Remember, different cameras and their respective raw video formats may require specific workflows and software solutions.

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