Wedding Albums Stalled - Client Tardy or Not Interested

I have 2 clients who have paid in full but the first client after numerous emails has said she does not have the time to select the photos for the album. This wedding was done late 2013.

The second client has been MIA and was also done late 2013.

Both of these also included slideshows.

Not sure what do here? I can't keep these files open forever......

1) Send them both a registered letter indicating the file comes to an end at a certain date and they forfeit any monies paid?

Then again this may spread nasty rumours in the community about my reputation as a wedding photographer?

Not sure how to put closure on these 2 clients?

Did they have a disc in with the package? if so I would just give them a week to choose prints etc if they fail to do so then just remove them time to move on....

How about sending them a certified letter saying they have until a certain date to choose photos. Put in the letter that if they don't respond by that date, you will choose the photos for the album.

charlie z wrote in post #17137589
Did they have a disc in with the package? if so I would just give them a week to choose prints etc if they fail to do so then just remove them time to move on....

Yes they both have a disc.

I just read that again been along day ! haha I would say to them that unless images are chosen from the gallery for the album then do it yourself and choose them!

jwhite65 wrote in post #17137593
How about sending them a certified letter saying they have until a certain date to choose photos. Put in the letter that if they don't respond by that date, you will choose the photos for the album.

I was thinking of a registered letter with a file closure date where like you said I would pick the photos for the album?

Some clients are just plain lazy .... saying there to busy to choose there images isn't a good response to their big day can I ask is your gallery system easy to navigate and choose from?

I should have language in the contract that stipulates a closure date for the photos in the album. After this date the photographer will choose at his/her discretion the photos for the album, then deliver the said album to the client???

charlie z wrote in post #17137610
Some clients are just plain lazy .... saying there to busy to choose there images isn't a good response to their big day can I ask is your gallery system easy to navigate and choose from?

Yes my gallery is check mark driven where they place a check mark and then click submit, then I get an email with all the file names.

picworx wrote in post #17137617
I should have language in the contract that stipulates a closure date for the photos in the album. After this date the photographer will choose at his/her discretion the photos for the album, then deliver the said album to the client???

Send out a email explaining your plans or if possible give them a call instead things sound much better in person rather than reading text! and just gently say if you do not have the time to choose do you mind if I pick all the best images in a story telling way of your big day! and even offer them to choose a few to add in the book as a gesture so they do not feel like they have to pick them all !

This is exactly why I do not let clients pick which pictures they want! They get a full album of prints and then some bonus pictures on top of that. That way I can have the pictures done and back to the client within 6 weeks. In reality I am delivering them in 2 weeks.

jimeuph1 wrote in post #17137653
This is exactly why I do not let clients pick which pictures they want! They get a full album of prints and then some bonus pictures on top of that. That way I can have the pictures done and back to the client within 6 weeks. In reality I am delivering them in 2 weeks.

So how many photos do you shoot and how many do you drop into the album?

picworx wrote in post #17137660
So how many photos do you shoot and how many do you drop into the album?

How many spreads did you offer in the package?

I tried letting client pick the images. I think going though 400 to 1000 images is just overwhelming. When I started to do the initial design and letting them make a few changes, it works out a lot better.

Have you called them on the phone?

scorpio_e wrote in post #17137673
I tried letting client pick the images. I think going though 400 to 1000 images is just overwhelming. When I started to do the initial design and letting them make a few changes, it works out a lot better.

Have you called them on the phone?

Yes no answer left voice mail but no returned calls. I think I will have to settle with a registered letter as proof I tried to make contact set a completion date and do the album for them.