On a recent fashion shoot, I found myself getting involved beyond the usual shoot-and-deliver mode. My working relationship with the client, and my role in the project, has evolved from just being a part of the campaign's pictorial to being a constant supplier and creative consultant in almost all of its succeeding phases.

Along the way, I must have done almost everything imaginable in Aperture to deliver the photos and other visual materials "just-in-time" throughout the various stages of the campaign. Whenever the client needed something, would send it to them, directly, and easily, from Aperture.

I've created a web page, a web journal, a DVD, and a MobileMe album. I've printed the photos, created a slideshow, emailed images, and ordered prints online. I've even directly uploaded files to FTP servers and posted images to Facebook and Flickr.

But of all the work that passed through Aperture, there was one thing I haven't done: a courtesy book.

At first, I had second thoughts because the client have already seen everything, and they even have a copy of almost every shot and every version. I imagine they might be too tired to look at the pictures all over again.

But then, since the project has officially ended, I was looking for a way to nicely end my participation. A simple thank-you note would have been enough, but I felt it would be a more memorable gesture, like a decorative flourish in a calligraphy, if I give them a thank-you gift instead, in the form of a "courtesy book."

I had an idea what to put in the book. With all images, sketches, scans, outtakes, behind-the-scenes photos, and many other visual bits all stored in Aperture, it took me less than an hour to come up with a humorous phase-by-phase "diary" of the project. It was different, more personal "take" on the project, something they've never seen before.

I upload and ordered the book using Apple's book-printing service. But instead of mailing the book to my address, and then mailing it to the client, I had the book mailed directly to them.

A few days later, I received a call. The client was happily thanking me for the funny souvenir I sent them. They loved the way I put the book together, using many of the visuals from the campaign and juxtaposing them with a number of images they might not have seen before, mostly pictures of us working with funny titles and captions. The book was a hit.

If my client liked it, I suppose others whom I've worked with might also like it. I ordered a dozen more copies from Apple's book-printing service, each delivered directly to the models, hair-and-makeup artists, fashion stylists, fashion designers, and a couple of agents. That was the last thing I did before finally archiving the images. In return, reaped thank you notes, letters, emails and messages.

And maybe, just maybe, I might have reaped something more. In an industry that thrives on word-of-mouth, it doesn't hurt that my client, and everyone else I've sent the book to, might remember me more because of my humorous take on the project through the courtesy book.