Hello everyone. We are currently working on some photos for a wedding we shot a couple of weeks ago. I was curious about the timeframe you usually give your clients for when to expect their packages to be ready. Specifically the disk, I suppose.
ps - I realize there could be a lot of factors to consider - work load, size of wedding, etc. Just a general ballpark would be helpful.
We generally deliver the finished fully processed photos in a week ,two weeks at the most. From there we sit with the clients and go over their photos so they can pick the ones they want for prints or for their books. Then 1 week addiitional for prints and three weeks for books.
Contract says 1 month, but we have been known to deliver in as little as 2 days, but usually we have a teaser up online by monday and the rest of the images within 2 weeks.
1-2 days for proofs, 1-2 months for actual images on a cd... 2-4 if it's peak season. It's better to take time and give quality products then to rush and give something mediocre. That's my philosophy anyway.
i tell them 6-8 weeks, but typically deliver between 4-6. just depends on time of year though. Working full time and going to grad school tends to extend the turnaround time
I tell them 4 weeks, so I usually begin the editing in about 3 1/2 weeks.. Seriously though, 4 weeks for the CD of finished images.
Albums take months after that typically, because I let them select their own photos for the album. Then once selections are made, the design and printing process takes 6-8 weeks depending on revisions.
I dont guarantee any particular date, but the actual turn around times are pretty consistent. If its a single photographer wedding, proofs in about 2 days, finished photos in about two weeks. If its a two photographer wedding, proofs in about 3 days, finished photos in about 4 weeks.
I dont like promising a hard date, then being forced to deliver regardless of what comes up on my end. I like to give myself a little flexibility.
I say 6 weeks -- but my PP is going faster, so I aim for a month. They want pictures, and I get tired of being on the same project. It also changes depending on when they are getting married or having the shoot. We shot an engagement session last week, but they know they wont' get the pictures until after Christmas since we're not even sure when we're in town and out of town. I just make sure the clients know the time frame before hand.
from wedding to online proofs, 5 days. if they are getting printed proofs, proof book, cd then it's 10 days longer so I tell them 3 to 4 weeks.
album design is a lot more variable as I have no control over the timing of it. I seem to get 2 or 3 album pic lists in the same week, or the bride that gave me her list the monday before thanksgiving and asked if she could have her album for Christmas! (I'm assembling now for pickup tomorrow so miracles do happen!)
I generally tell them 3 or 4 weeks on design and up to 6 weeks on production. There's enough time in there if i get busy I can still make my self-imposed deadlines. What I want more time for is if I have to reorder a print or in somes cases, I forgot a print or some call back and want to add one more print.
I don't like to wait for toys, equipment, and other thigns that I buy - I paid money and like it available to me as soon as possible. By that same token, I provide the proofs within two days (however, I'm in the process of completely changing the whole proofing thing for myself). The DVD of images is done and delivered anywhere from 2-4 weeks. Honestly, all it takes is a couple of weekends or a few weekdays days of processing. Album is designed within a week and available for delivery within 10 days of approval.
I don't take too long because then I get overwhelmed as multiple projects start to pile up. Then I feel that I have to rush to get everythign finished. Also, when I process, I have to be in a "flow". If I'm feeling it, I can finish off a whoel series in a week. If I leave it and let it sit, then I lose track and get distracted and the whole process just comes down to a crawl.
Due dates and deadlines are really about personality and discipline. I, personally, have to get everythign finished right away.
Saad, I'm the same way about getting what I have paid for quickly- that's why I really hate ebay. Also, being a project manager during the day, timeframes and follow-through mean alot to me, as well.
Thanks everyone for the excellent responses. It seems that the turn-around times will vary from photographer to photographer but following through with what you promise is most important.
Seriously though, 4 weeks for the CD of finished images.