A question for the masses. Do you let the bride and groom select images for their album or do you create the album and let them review for approval before printing? We currently do the latter but are finding it takes the bride a while to pick out images. We just had one that took 6 months. We finally had to call and say it's time to do this.
I create the album with no input at all from the B/G. After I'm done, I show them the spreads and they let me know of any changes they like. They usually wind up making very minor changes to about 1/4 of the spreads. The corrections don't take me long at all and I find from start to finish I get done a lot quicker if I just put together the album myself to begin with.
I usually ask them for 10 or so of their favourite images... I find it's helpful to get them 'involved' in the process. The layout then goes off to the B&G for changes/approval.
deepbluejh wrote:
You mean you currently do the former?
I create the album with no input at all from the B/G. After I'm done, I show them the spreads and they let me know of any changes they like. They usually wind up making very minor changes to about 1/4 of the spreads. The corrections don't take me long at all and I find from start to finish I get done a lot quicker if I just put together the album myself to begin with.
Same. Once they see their album presented as a slideshow they are usually hooked and changes are minor.
I used to choose, but this not only was a lot more initial work but more work afterwards as they wanted this photo, didn't want that one and so on... So now I let them choose and it is a lot easier on me and I know their album bets THEIR favorite photos, not mine (this is very important). And I never seem to pick their favorites, as I'm picking the best "photographs" in terms of lighting and composition etc, while the brides are picking mostly based on subject matter relevant to them.
And yes, I have had brides take 6 months to decide, so what? It's their album!
I design and show them the proofs. if they make any changes, it is usually one spread at most, and usually no more than two images on that spread (if there are more than two). I don't like when they take too long, but i don't pressure them too much. Just send kind reminders every once in a while.
ChrisDM wrote:
I used to choose, but this not only was a lot more initial work but more work afterwards as they wanted this photo, didn't want that one and so on... So now I let them choose and it is a lot easier on me and I know their album bets THEIR favorite photos, not mine (this is very important). And I never seem to pick their favorites, as I'm picking the best "photographs" in terms of lighting and composition etc, while the brides are picking mostly based on subject matter relevant to them.
And yes, I have had brides take 6 months to decide, so what? It's their album!
+1 Except for the "so what? It's their album!" part.
I allow clients to choose up to 20 images for their album. Within that 20 I can replace 10+/- depending on the flow of the book. The only images I do not change are formal pictures because they are usually on a spread, are not part of a "collage" in story telling, and are very meaningful to clients.
My clients are CONTRACTUALLY REQUIRED to submit their selection within 2 weeks after they are notified that the image gallery is available for them to make their selection for the album. If they do not the work is outsourced and there is a fee of $400. This fee is paid to whomever the album layout designer is. The design is available for them to review within two weeks after they submit their selection. They can make up to 3 photo image changes for free. Up to 2 layout changes for free. Beyond that there are various fees.
The above is ALL in the contract that they sign. I explain everything before they sign it. I have never had to outsource the design but it is there to move things along. This also gives them a feeling of input to what goes into THEIR album. After all they know who is important to them and who they want in THEIR album. Many clients ask if they get to choose the images for THEIR book and the above is my answer to them. They understand and appreciate it.
I battled with this for some time. On one hand, it takes me time up front to select the best images, however, I find that more often than not, the B&G agree with my choices, and make very minor changes overall. I explain that I choose what I think are the best "storytelling" images from the day, and that they are free to make up to 3 rounds of changes before the book goes to print. Most folks swap an image here or there (mostly because they may not like their own expressions, and replace them with alternate takes), but overall, they leave it the way I design it.
This way, I feel good that my best work is out there being shown to potential referrals, and the bride is happy because her album is in her hands faster this way. Life can get in the way of a B&G picking photos, and my choosing the pics both gives them a sense of direction and helps move the process along much more quickly. I deliver sometimes over 1,000 images from a wedding and folks don't even know where to begin when choosing images for their wedding album. It's overwhelming. I consider choosing the best of the best part of my job, and my clients trust me to do so.
Of course, there are always exceptions, high maintenance clients, etc., but for the most part, folks like what I come up with.
I have started working a "favorites" folder into my workflow now - choosing album-worthy images along the way as I edit. I have the amazing 5-star shots, the 4-star shots (good alternates, shots the B&G may love), and the 3-star shots (not earth-shattering concepts, but necessary to tell the story of the day, details, etc.). After export out of LR I save them in a separate folder, and that's what I base my design around. So far, it seems to work very well for me. Would love to hear what others are doing for album choices.
Chris Miller said: And I never seem to pick their favorites, as I'm picking the best "photographs" in terms of lighting and composition etc, while the brides are picking mostly based on subject matter relevant to them.
I can't tell by the name, but I'd bet you're a male photographer. That is one advantage we women have—we can think like the bride, and know what is important from a female point of view.
But I can also sympathize with your wanting the best lighting and composition in the album with your name on it! Sometimes it's a hard pick!
I let them pick - less time and hassle on my part.
Some (most) pick their images w/i a few months of the wedding. Some never do - really, they never do (perhaps the marriage didn't work out).
I give them a year. After that the images are archived and there's a fee to dig it all back out. That's usually enough encouragement.
Of the last 6 albums one bride requested on change to one image (and that was to make a BG image more prominent). I average about 65 images/book. I do sometimes add or rarely remove a photo go have the album tell the story and flow better.
