When I first started out in this photography business, I didn’t understand why 99% (that’s my best guess) of photographers didn’t offer RAW images as a part of a package to the customer. As time has gone on I QUICKLY realized why. So this is why I as a photographer do not offer raw images.
Ownership of photos - RAW files are proof that a photographer took a photograph. They may even come in handy when fighting plagiarism.
Value of the Brand - If RAW files are given, anyone can put their spin on it - then upload it online. This can seriously hamper the photographers reputation and brand value if a potential client is under the assumption that that is your style of editing and work.
Size & Accessibility - RAW files are often MASSIVE and are a huge pain to transfer to someone else. For example - the average RAW file is anywhere from 20-40MG vs 1-10Mg depending on if its website optimized verses a high resolution jpg for say printing.
RAW files are almost always flat, dull, and very unappealing to look at. This is because the magic really happens ones the image is edited and processed. So by giving RAWS - the images lack that spark and creativity that is given to them by the photographer. This can be disastrous for a photographers reputation and their ability to gain new clients. RAW images being often the dull and dark - can come across as the photographer did not know what they were doing, but in reality it was merely the first step of the creative process.
A final example...
