How long should it take?

[MaxineO]

Just wanted to put the question out there as to how long generally should a newly married couple have to wait for a photographer to have their wedding album processed. We have now waited for 12mths!!! Was i justified in getting very annoyed with length of this process.
We had a 144page coffee album style book made.
Yes at the end of the day the photos were very nice but surely 12mths seems to be a long time.
Has anyone else had to wait this long???

[TheDarkReaver]

12 months seems far, far too long.

[Bluenoser]

Have you been in contact with the photographer recently?

12 months is far too long, seems fishy to me. I'd be doing some serious checking into this photographer, because this just isn't right.

It would be a real shame if this guy up and disappears or just doesn't get the job done. You can't exactly go and do the wedding over to get new pics.

Did you do a thorough check of this person before hiring them?

I'm very skeptical of anyone that takes that long. A month should have been enough time, but 12 months? Sorry, but I have a bad feeling here that you aren't getting your pics.

[kirbinster]

When I deal with any contract I always insist there be a specific performance clause that outlines time requirements.

When I put an addition on my house the contractor told me it would take six weeks, I told him I would give him 90 days. He assured me we did not need to write that in as it would be done in six weeks. I added a clause that he would pay me $100 a day from day 91 on till completion, he signed it but said it was not needed. Lets just say he was not a happy camper at day 120

Bottom line, expectations need to be in writing with a stick if they are not met.

[oldwolf]

12 months is way too long. Shoudn't take them more than 6 weeks max. One great photographer I know promises them a certain time but always gets it to them at least 2 weeks before the proposed delivery date.

[Jim Bryant]

I hoped you had signed a contract with this photographer. I suggest you hire a lawyer to writer a letter of "concern" to that photographer warning them of failure to produce in a timely manner.

[MaxineO]

Thanks guys for all your advice, certainly liking the clause with payment after specified period!!

I did actually end up going to Dept of Fair Trading stating my case.
He eventually delivered our album 2 days after the date he promised. So thank goodness for that. We still have not recieved our proof DVD or a 12 x 18 enlargement as he was saying he had computer problems. So have once again have asked Dept of fair trading to contact him for the remainder.
I have never in my life come across a business man who has treated his clients so badly, there was no communication through the whole 12mths other than what i instigated. I am truly disgusted in the whole process. I dont know how this man gets away with running a business this way.
Anyway that is enough of my venting.......hope you guys are all well!! PHEW!!

[Twinpanther]

To have a successful Photography business you need to be good at BOTH Photography and Business. Unfortunately, it sounds to me like this person only has the Photography part down. On the bright side, of the two I'd rather have to fight for delivery of good wedding photos than have had crappy ones delivered on time.

Glad you got your book and heres best of luck on the receiving the balance of your photos!

[MaxineO]

Well another 2 weeks down the track and our beloved (feel my sarcasm) photographer has so elegantly delivered our proof dvd and enlargement in a cardboard box unprotected!! Dickhead!!
Just wondering should the proofs be in Hi-res?? and should we have a right to be able to copy them??
He makes me sooooooooo mad just talking about him!!!

[theosus]

Originally Posted by MaxineO

Well another 2 weeks down the track and our beloved (feel my sarcasm) photographer has so elegantly delivered our proof dvd and enlargement in a cardboard box unprotected!! Dickhead!!
Just wondering should the proofs be in Hi-res?? and should we have a right to be able to copy them??
He makes me sooooooooo mad just talking about him!!!

You should have spelled that out in the contract... unless he gave you rights to copy them, no, you dont have that right. Same with the DVD - you needed to say in the contract "I get hi res shots on DVD"