time budgeting

[photagraph]

Do you usually ask for more time than is needed knowing everything will most likely be running behind schedule?

I usually ask for 1 hour at the bare minimum, but usually get half that. After the group shots are done there is not much time at all for just bride and groom shots. This is so frustrating, I feel like I am competing with the bar for time. Do they plan to hang a 16x20 of the bride drinking a bud lite and smoking a Marlboro over their mantel?

I don't think I'm being greedy here. I just wish there was a way to get a little more time for portraits.

Any suggestions?

[samnz]

That's the great thing about pre-consultation. Usually it's where I'm able to help design the schedule for the evening : pretty much like a Wedding Planner I guess. Therefore I'll explain what my expectations for the evening are...then see where their plans sit...and the number crunching starts.

If you need more time for formals...just ask them.

Some couples might even be open to the "pre-wedding" photos option.

I guess too...it's the whole profession of being a Wedding Photographer. Being able to "leap tall buildings in a single bound", take 20 stunning portraits in 45mins and STILL make it back to the reception before the couple arrive. Sooo much fun :)

Personally I prefer to work quickly and an hour is ample time for me to do the entire bridal party and b&g. If there is still time at the end of the shoot, then you can improvise if they wish. Usually we have 'eats' during the shoot so they're quite happy to relax before they need to be anywhere else.

[tim]

I always talk over the day well in advance of the wedding, and I almost always have enough time. Point out that all the best photos from that day will be taken in that half hour or hour, so you don't want to rush it.

[ironchef31]

So if it were up to you to budget the time, what would be a good rule of thumb to follow. Most of the time you won't have all the time you want but sometimes you run the risk of taking too much time. What percentage of time would you spend on b&g, wedding party, family etc?

[tim]

You'll have to learn by experience how things work in your part of the world. My general idea is 30 minutes for group photos, maybe less. Wedding party with B&G an hour. B&G alone 30 minutes.

[ironchef31]

You'll have to learn by experience how things work in your part of the world. My general idea is 30 minutes for group photos, maybe less. Wedding party with B&G an hour. B&G alone 30 minutes.

Thanks Tim
That's a pretty good guideline.

[Peacefield]

Tim's numbers sound right. And I always discuss this at length during the consultation meetings. That said, as much as they talk about wanting the "fantasy" Brides Magazine Cover type of shots and are willing to make the time during those meetings, they seem much less anxious to pull themselves away from the party and guests when the time comes. Producing these images does indeed requrie that superhero stuff.

[photagraph]

as much as they talk about wanting the "fantasy" Brides Magazine Cover type of shots and are willing to make the time during those meetings, they seem much less anxious to pull themselves away from the party and guests when the time comes

Exactly.

From now on I will go into detail with the B&G how the time needed for photos will be broken up between group shots, wedding party, and b&g alone shots.

Occasionally I will show the B&G a shot or two I took when doing portraits. This helps spark a little interest and can help keep them motivated when they see how nice they look.