Quick summary: Transfer high-resolution images with WeTransfer by uploading your photos at wetransfer.com and sharing via email or transfer link. WeTransfer supports all image formats without compression and is perfect for sharing RAW files, TIFFs, and full-resolution JPEGs with clients, editors, or print shops.
Why WeTransfer for High-Resolution Image Transfers?
Professional photography files are massive. RAW images from modern cameras (50-100MB each), TIFF files with layers, and high-resolution scans can't be sent through email. Social media and messaging apps compress photos, destroying quality.
WeTransfer makes it simple to transfer high-resolution images without any compression or quality loss. What you upload is exactly what your client or collaborator downloads — full resolution, full quality, all metadata intact.
Step-by-Step: How to Send High-Resolution Photos
Here's how to share large image files using WeTransfer:
1. Visit WeTransfer.com
Open your browser and go to wetransfer.com. You can send images instantly.
2. Choose Your Delivery Method
Select:
- Email: Send directly via email to your recipients
- Link: Generate a shareable transfer link for gallery delivery or client review
3. Upload Your Image Files
Click Add your files and select your photos. WeTransfer supports all professional image formats:
- RAW formats: .CR2, .CR3, .NEF, .ARW, .DNG, .RAF, .ORF, and more
- TIFF: .tif, .tiff (including layered TIFFs from Photoshop)
- High-resolution JPEG: .jpg, .jpeg
- PSD: Photoshop files with layers
- Other formats: .PNG, .BMP, .GIF, .HEIC
Upload individual images or entire folders from a photoshoot.
4. Organize Your Selection
You can upload hundreds of images in a single transfer. Consider organizing by theme, selection status (finals vs. proofs), or file type before uploading.
5. Add Project Details
Include a message with shoot details, delivery instructions, or usage rights information. This is especially helpful for client deliveries.
6. Transfer Your Images
Click Transfer to upload. Upload time depends on the number and size of images — hundreds of RAW files may take slower to upload on standard connections.
For wedding photographers, commercial shoots, or anyone sending complete photo collections, we recommend trying out WeTransfer Ultimate. Ultimate transfers can remain available for up to 365 days.
Tips for Transferring High-Resolution Images
Use clear naming conventions. Rename files before uploading: "ClientName_ShootDate_001.CR3" helps with organization. Many photographers use batch renaming tools like Adobe Bridge or Photo Mechanic.
Include both RAW and JPEG. For client deliveries, consider sending both RAW files (for archive) and processed JPEGs (ready to use). This serves different needs without requiring additional transfers.
Compress into folders by category. If sending images from different setups, locations, or days, organize them into folders before uploading. WeTransfer preserves folder structure.
Add IPTC metadata before sending. Embed copyright, contact info, and keywords into your image metadata using software like Adobe Lightroom or Photo Mechanic. This travels with the image file and protects your work.
Use password protection for unreleased work. Essential for exclusive photos, celebrity shoots, or confidential product photography.
Include delivery notes. Specify usage rights, editing permissions, or credit requirements in your transfer message to set clear expectations.
Sending Complete Photo Projects
Professional photography deliveries often include hundreds of files. When sending complete projects:
Organize by deliverable type:
- Folder 1: High-res finals (TIFFs or large JPEGs)
- Folder 2: Web-optimized versions
- Folder 3: RAW files (if requested)
- Include a README.txt explaining folder structure
Consider creating a ZIP file for very large collections to keep everything organized in a single download. This is especially useful for clients who may not be technically savvy.
Maintaining Image Quality Through Transfer
WeTransfer never compresses, resizes, or modifies your images. This is crucial for professional photography because:
- Color profiles are preserved: Your embedded ICC profiles remain intact
- Metadata stays complete: EXIF, IPTC, and XMP data transfers with the file
- RAW files stay RAW: No conversion or processing happens
- Resolution remains unchanged: A 45-megapixel image stays 45 megapixels
- Bit depth is maintained: 16-bit TIFFs stay 16-bit
Your images arrive pixel-for-pixel identical to the originals.
Security for Professional Photography
All images uploaded to WeTransfer are encrypted during transfer using TLS encryption. Your photos are stored securely and automatically deleted after the expiry period.
Your content is always your content - we don’t use machine learning or any form of AI to process content shared via WeTransfer.
For sensitive photography (celebrity shoots, confidential product launches, or exclusive content), use password protection.
Troubleshooting Image Transfers
Upload taking forever? Hundreds of large RAW files take time but we make the upload as fast as possible. Keep your browser tab open during the upload.
Client can't view RAW files? RAW files require specialized software. Include processed JPEGs alongside RAW files for clients who need immediate viewing without photo editing software.
Images look different on client's device? This is usually a monitor calibration issue, not a transfer problem. Include a note about color management and recommend calibrated displays for color-critical work.
Now you're ready to transfer your high-resolution images quickly and securely with WeTransfer.