Do you edit client shoots in order (i.e., if you did a paid shoot 2 weeks ago, do you edit & return those images before editing & returning images from a shoot you did 2 days ago?) Or is it more of a "whatever I feel like doing first & when I get around to it" kind of approach?
In most cases paid is priority over TF both in shooting and editing, it also depends on work load and how much editing has to be done, so it could be TF images get done faster than paid.
I like to keep the editing schedule in order, but like Rachel Reilly said, some times the deadlines get pushed around due to one reason or another. If the terms of the contract are to deliver the images by X date, I am obligated to meet that deadline.
i give priority to the ones who paid the most and/or seem most likely to have the most lifetime value as a customer. otherwise it's first-come, first-served. also sometimes people have a deadline (like needing the shots for the yearbook or to have in the guest book at the wedding) and so that comes into play as well. and of course some days i'm just more motivated to work on X vs. Y.
if someone pisses me off or disrespects me then they tend to get de-prioritized.
the paying work gets priority over the TF work (unless the model was super cute!) but i still try to get the TF work done promptly.
SoCo n Lime
Posts: 3,202
Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
if your in the habit of giving your client their pictures after two weeks then unless your in the wedding genre you wont be in business for very long
you cant build a good reputation if your turn around time isn't prompt. its only one of the many things you have to be on the ball with to come across professional regardless if you've done the job for free/cheap or for top rate
i prefer to complete any job by turning it around asap so no back log is created.
if im shooting multiple gigs at the same time then unless its practically impossible i would always fit in the editing time (after all you've charged for it) even if it means pulling off nightshifts to get it done (if its practically impossible you shouldn't be taking on the work)
Robert Jewett
Posts: 2,257
al-MarsÄ, Tunis, Tunisia
I always edit in order unless someone is paying a huge expedite fee. Then I edit on time I wouldn't otherwise be processing so the other clients are not inconvenienced.
Yes, in order...based on a risk/reward type of formula. Usually that means a paid project takes priority over another.
But I take into account which client most benefits me to make happy (or harm my business if I weren't to deliver efficiently)...so it's not always paid over another form of compensation.
If I have a project with a large house client, they're going to take precedence over a mom & pop one-time project, even if that mom & pop are paying more.
In MM terms, it usually means the model shooting TF* is taking a backseat to every other project. If all I shot was TF* with models I would handle the images in order of the shoot date. Unless one model expressed the need to have those images sooner for whatever reason.
So, after that long-winded response, it would be "it depends" lol
Hector Fernandez
Posts: 1,146
Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
Michael Pandolfo wrote: Yes, in order...based on a risk/reward type of formula. Usually that means a paid project takes priority over another.
But I take into account which client most benefits me to make happy (or harm my business if I weren't to deliver efficiently)...so it's not always paid over another form of compensation.
If I have a project with a large house client, they're going to take precedence over a mom & pop one-time project, even if that mom & pop are paying more.
In MM terms, it usually means the model shooting TF* is taking a backseat to every other project. If all I shot was TF* with models I would handle the images in order of the shoot date. Unless one model expressed the need to have those images sooner for whatever reason.
So, after that long-winded response, it would be "it depends" lol
+1 besides that I charge a Rush Time fee if they "HAVE" have the shots in less than 48 hrs, if its in less than 24 hrs. is MORE.
SoCo n Lime wrote: if your in the habit of giving your client their pictures after two weeks then unless your in the wedding genre you wont be in business for very long
you cant build a good reputation if your turn around time isn't prompt. its only one of the many things you have to be on the ball with to come across professional regardless if you've done the job for free/cheap or for top rate
i prefer to complete any job by turning it around asap so no back log is created.
if im shooting multiple gigs at the same time then unless its practically impossible i would always fit in the editing time (after all you've charged for it) even if it means pulling off nightshifts to get it done (if its practically impossible you shouldn't be taking on the work)
Cool, this photographer works often, I'll touch base. I saw some shots already posted from a shoot done just two days ago, still waiting on images from a paid shoot from over 3 weeks ago. Just wanted to find out what was common.
llama emily wrote: Cool, this photographer works often, I'll touch base. I saw some shots already posted from a shoot done just two days ago, still waiting on images from a paid shoot from over 3 weeks ago. Just wanted to find out what was common.
I would not concern myself with what the photographer is processing first and what next - as long as you get your images in the time you were promised.
eg.: Say you were promised images after four weeks. In those four weeks, the photographer might, besides your images, do 1000 other things that do not concern you. As long as you get your images when the four promised weeks are up, all is good, I would think.
model emily wrote: I saw some shots already posted from a shoot done just two days ago, still waiting on images from a paid shoot from over 3 weeks ago. Just wanted to find out what was common.
Depending on the project, I have done quick edit of a few images right after a shoot for the client to preview; but if I have several shoots going on, I will either post preview images for each shoot or not at all. Client perception is important, however as I said in a previous post, I follow what was agreed upon in the contract.
I do mine in order too.
Sometimes if I've done two shoots close together, I will start to do one image from one shoot and then another from the other shoot. This way both models get something in a reasonable time.
First in, first out, regardless of the type of shoot, unless a client indicates they need something beyond my normal terms, in which case we would negotiate an outcome based on those needs.
always in order. If I do any TFP shoots I will usually treat them the same way, once or twice I have done a shoot while in the middle of a lot of client edits and I mention it to the model/mua/stylist that there will be a slight delay before we even agree to the shoot.
Cash or portfolio images, both have a lot of value to me and I treat them the same; after all I would not have the clients without my book.
Treat every project like the real thing. Paid or not.
Develop good workflow habits and keeping everyone happy with respect to finished artwork should not be a problem.
People who say "paid" work first aren't thinking big enough. The models, MUA's and other talent you work with on TF projects have jobs too and they may be waiting on your images to pitch new work.
Develop good working habits, efficient workflow and manage the expectations of others.
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