guys, can you share your timeframe/work schedules for weddings? like -- do you accept a wedding tomorrow or it has to be at least a month with bookings? how long do you plan to finish post processing? the albums? etc.

Thanks!

Dex

I accept shoot depending on availability. The shortest notice for wedding I got was 1 day. I once got a call from a coordinator at 6am and asking me to shoot an engagement at 9am in one stormy Sunday. I took it. It's all for the love of money... I mean photography. :)

It doesn't happen everyday. Most of the time, I turn down those short notice because I'm not available anymore.

Proofs should be given within 2 weeks. Album layout is available within 2 months except for December-January weddings. Waiting time is longer as I normally book 3-4 times more during that time. I explain this to client very carefully.

Dino

Same system as Dino. However, I only accept bookings that are "within the year". I dont accept bookings for over a year from now. That is just me and you can set your own availability time. Regarding albums. layout takes 4-6 weeeks from the time they have made their choices. If they take too long making their choices, ( I make most of the choices and incorporate their choices) I go ahead and make my own layout. They come in for a visit, give their ok signal for the layout or make some changes..once approved I ask for anotheer 4-6 weeks for the editting, printing and mounting. If possible, once the wedding is done, do the layout already and have the work out of the way as soon as possible that way, you don't get a backlog. Especially if you do all the work yourself, including layout of the album. Sometimes waiting for the couple takes forever!! That was a mistake I did when I first started. i waited for their choices...and waited...and waited...waited until 1 day, they all called and gave me their choices. What a nightmare.:Shock: Since the clients get a full res dvd, they already have acces to printing all the photos to their hearts delight so working on the album takes a backseat since they go on honeymoon, fix the house, ect.
Also, I ask for a full payment on or before the wedding day due to this fact. That way, if they want to take 10 years on their album, You have been paid in full already. Another reason is, once they are married and you ask for the balance, it feels like an "unexpected" expense for them, they dont feel excited anymore pulling out their checkbooks and writing you a check after the wedding:Oops: I get so embarassed:RedEye:

I forgot. I accept more than a year booking. Again, for the love of ....

More than a year booking doesn't happen everyday, maybe just 2-3 couples per year. So, it's manageable. I loose on those jobs because of the rising prices of prints and album but I get to use it as a marketing pitch.

If anyone who's booking a lot of more than a year wedding, maybe, it's time to revisit the price.

thanks guys! hehe! dino, that was actually a 3 hour notice! hahaha!

i was wondering, have you guys ever had sit in or back-up photographers to shoot your weddings incase you've more than 1 booking in a day. what do the clients say about it? "I want Pilar!" or something. I mean to ask, are your clients particular in you personally shooting their wedding?

:D

I only accept more than 1 booking if they agree that I will not be in their wedding. Even if the case is one morning wedding and one afternoon. My priority is always the one who first book my service regardless of package. If I can drop by in my second wedding, I'll do it but I'll just be the third photographer.

Ditto what Dino had to say.

as with dino, availabilty is the key. 18 months is the is the most i had to wait.

one reason i prefer shooting film is the post process. digital is such a bitch.

:<)

@Eddie Boy

You're still shooting film? I thought you've shifted?

@Eddie Boy

You're still shooting film? I thought you've shifted?


yup, quite a large no of my couples still like me to shoot film. i actually prefer the skin tone and depth of my film pics. could be that i am still a digital dummy pa kasi.

:<)

yup, quite a large no of my couples still like me to shoot film. i actually prefer the skin tone and depth of my film pics. could be that i am still a digital dummy pa kasi.

:<)
Wow... I'd be more than willing and happy to post process your images digitally Eddie... :) Wishful Thinking...