As my wedding season kicks off, I thought it would be fun to let you in on my wedding world abit and share with you a typical workflow for one wedding. As a professional photographer, I often hear from people that "it must be great to only work on Saturday's". MYTH! Working only on Saturday's is far from the truth and this post is inspired by that misconception about wedding photographers.
Now I love what I do-I can't not do it!! But I also have a responsiblity to my clients to treat them as if they are my only clients and to give them the attention they deserve. This includes the ability to work efficiently and as organized as I can and providing them with the highest quality product and customer service. : )
This is the typical workflow for one wedding from the booking process to the final album delivery.
1. Email and phone consultation, create client contract and email, create client personalized folder includes contact info, client needs, coverage, other notes, etc.
2. Mail out ‘Welcome Kit’ to client.
3. General email returns, questions, payment reminders, etc.
4. One month before the wedding email wedding day worksheet.
5. Pre-wedding day consult usually one-two weeks before the wedding day-discuss worksheet and create wedding day photo itinerary and email to client.
6. Other email exchanges for final wedding day details.
7. Make travel/hotel arrangements if necessary.
8. Get all equipment ready for wedding day (charge batteries, format cards, etc.)
9. Wedding Day!! Includes travel/drive time and usually 8-12 hours of photographic coverage.
10. Backup all cards to desktop, external hard drive and portable hard drive. Portable hard drive kept in fire-safe box.
11. Week after-select favorites for blog and slideshow.
12. Choose selected favorites including editing, exporting and resizing images, add framing and watermark. Create slideshow. Upload each to blog and upload to server. Email client.
13. Mail out a special surprise thank-you to my clients to let them know how much I appreciate them allowing me to be a part of such an important day in their life. (Now, I can’t tell you what that is or it wouldn’t be a surprise anymore!) : )
14. Edit and develop keeping only the best of the best images to present to the client. Only the best make the cut and receives the utmost in special attention from me including color and exposure corrections, cropping and creating those amazing artistic images.
15. Create final proof-set includes renaming images and resizing.
16. Upload proofs to server and create online gallery for viewing/ordering.
17. Upload images to printing lab for prints and proof book.
18. Burn backup DVD and add to fire box.
19. Online gallery is active for 2 months. Wait for clients to choose their album favorites. (May include album consult with the client to choose the best images to tell the story of the wedding day).
20. Receive 4x6 proofs and proof book. Package and mail to client.
21. Design album using client’s album picks.
22. Upload album preview to server and email client.
23. Make any needed changes. Communication with client to work out the perfectly designed album.
24. Upload revised album to server and email client.
25. Upload album to album printer.
26. Upon it’s shipment to me, proof album and package.
27. Burn DVD of digital files for clients if included in coverage and print personal print release.
28. Mail entire package to client.
This does not include the day-to-day management and workings of a business including emails, phone calls, marketing, reprint orders, filing, engagement, bridal, family, senior portrait sessions, proofing and album design for portrait sessions, accounting and everything else that would bore you to tears to hear! : )
That's it!!
I hope you're having a great day!
My heart filled with joy and my eyes with tears the first time Joseph put on a baseball uniform this year. God is good.
See lots more in their slideshow!
