Melissa Welsh is a lot more than a photographer. She is a problem solver. Especially, if it is a problem photographers are having.

One major topic of contention among photographers is how to respond to clients who ask for digital files. If you are reading this post, I know you have had a client who has asked or demanded for “their” digital files. And, you have struggled to find the right words that will satisfy both them and you.

Am I right?

Most of the wedding industry now “gives” the files to the couple. Some portrait photographers sell the files. Some photographers bundle it with other products. There isn't one industry standard that makes everyone happy. Either the clients are miffed because they were expecting or assuming the files would be included in the fee, or the photographer is upset because she or he is now having to deliver more value with no or a negligible monetary return.

Something had to be done and Melissa Welsh, a Victoria, British Columbia photographer with 20 years of experience as a photographer set out to find a solution that will be a win-win for all. Information about the Pixel Cents app is available here.

So what is this elixir? It's called Pixel Cents. It's both an ebook and a iOS application. The ebook is smartly bundled together with a few other tools you will find useful.

Photographers can use our industry standard cents per pixel (cpp) rates and calculate the value of their photos for all types of personal, commercial, editorial and advertising photo use.

A few weeks back, when Melissa was about to launch Pixel Cents, she emailed a bunch of her friends to introduce the idea to us. Some of us received the Pixel Cents ebook to read in advance and to possibly review.

Most often, I download an ebook, I let it sit for a few days before reading it. Pixel Cents was different. I dove in and couldn't stop reading it. If you could have seen me then, I was nodding in agreement to what Melissa has written. It's a well-crafted, lucidly written alternative to the craziness that is currently our lives. I quickly wrote back to her and asked if she would spend a few minutes speaking to us about her big idea – Pixel Cents. So click the video below and watch the interview:

Pixel Cents is bringing both efficiency and profitability to my family portrait photography business. And, I am no longer struggling to explain whether digital files are or are not included. Who wins? Everyone. Clients receive their files and I am compensated fairly. Hand wringing is history.

Need more convincing? Here in a nutshell is Melissa's solution.

The Pixel Cents Formula is the simple, easy way to value your photographs for personal, advertising, editorial and corporate use.

I trust this post will stir a pot a bit and we are all open to having a healthy dialogue here. So, comment below. We would love to hear from you. If you buy Pixel Cents, let us know what you think. Could this business model be the new industry standard? I really think so.

So, let me ask you again, do you have any Pixel Cents?