Wedding Blog
As soon as I saw this post on the blog of Ksenija Savic (who might just have a harder name to say than I do!), I commented and asked her if I could re-post it here. I loved Anne Ruthmann’s post on Weddingbee PRO that talked about this very subject (and in fact, Ksenija’s post was inspired by Anne’s post). Ksenija took things a step further and broke down in hours how long each step of the process takes.
All the words and photos past this point are by Ksenija herself. I hope this helps you understand just a little bit better what it takes to process a wedding.
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Why does it take so long to receive my wedding/portrait images?
(Heather & I decided to collaborate on the verbiage for this post!)
While we haven’t had anyone ask us these questions, at times we wish they would! We wonder if people might be asking themselves these questions, or if they perhaps want to know more about the logistics of it all!
Let’s use a wedding as an example! Here are the basic steps of the process we fine art photographers go through the minute your session or wedding is over.
Step one:
We load all memory cards into the computer in order to properly back up your beloved photos. Then we begin what seems to be a NEVER ENDING process burning DVDs of these files to make sure the images are safe. We also back them up to an external hard drive!
EXAMPLE: 3500 images = 8 to 10 hours (MINIMUM)
Step two:
Thousands of images are reviewed (often times up to 4500 images… yes, 4500!). One by one, we choose the best of the best images, to help make your life easier. The idea behind narrowing down images is to make sure only the most perfect shots are edited and given to you. We take so many to make sure we can have a grand selection of every moment, as well as duplicates to ensure the moment is captured!!!
This process takes hours and hours. We look at each individual image and decide which ones to keep and which ones we don’t.
EXAMPLE: 2500 images = 2 to 4 hours (MINIMUM)
Step three:
Somewhere between 100 and 300 top favorite images are selected and then given very special artistic effects that are custom to the photographer’s style. This makes your wedding unique and special! This is the part of the process that takes the most time, energy, and personal touch, as well. In order to provide you with the beautiful, one of a kind, fine art you invested in, this process most definitely cannot be rushed.
EXAMPLE: 75 images = 10 hours (MINIMUM)
Step four:
A blog post is created so that you have a great sneak peek to be able to view, share, and enjoy some of the top faves from your day! I really LOVE being able to make my blog posts as special and personal as possible. I want your first look at your wedding pictures to be moving and memorable.
An blog post from start to finish takes me on average about 24 hours & up (MINIMUM)!
Step five:
Color and density is corrected in each and every image. Images are cropped, if necessary. Because your wedding was shot in a multitude of different lighting situations, each image can require different corrections.
EXAMPLE: 2500 images = 21 hours (MINIMUM)
Step six:
The images are loaded to an online proofing company for viewing, sharing and ordering! Depending on the photographer’s system and the online company used, this process can take several days.
EXAMPLE: 2500 images = 48 hours (MINIMUM)
… So now you can see it typically takes a minimum of 117 hours just to get to this point! This of course doesn’t include other weddings and sessions shot, client meetings, daily emails, phone conversations, downloading/backing up, orders made, album designs, etc. That all happens in the ’in between’ time!
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Thanks to Ksenija for letting me repost this! Check out Ksenija’s blog for more of her beautiful work. If you have any more questions about processing wedding photos, ask them below and I’ll ask Ksenija to come over and answer them for you.
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Share this post: So Hard to Wait for Such Pretty Pictures
Impressive to see how much work still needs to be done AFTER the wedding. And what beautiful images throughout the post!
Definitely worth the wait for such breathtaking photos. =)
Holy cow! I didn’t realize photogs put so much time into each contract!! I understand MUCH BETTER why they can be pricey (but totally worth it!)
The pictures are amazing! Def a splurge that needs to be made but also so tough…. hopefully picking your 100 best will be easy eee =D
This is great info and totally justifies the huge price of wedding photographers. Plus, the pics are amazing!
I guess this shows how important it is to pick a good photographer, and how much work has to be done after the last picture is taken. If you’re looking for good photographer’s in your area that meet your budget try Weddzilla.com
Isn’t this a great post? Heather, Ksenija’s photog friend whom she wrote this post with, is my photographer! She’s fabulous and had posted this piece with her own pictures on her blog. Check it out! heatheressian.blogspot.com
@Mrs. Penguin: I thought at first that this one was grossly exaggerated as well, but then I realized that she means the entire process.
1. Go through 2000+ images to choose favorites, any touchups if necessary
2. Shrink them down
3. Add a logo
4. Upload (this seems to take forever no matter how you do it)
5. Resize for the blog
6. Write the story of the photos between the captions.
So I don’t think she is exaggerating anymore 
And I think it’s important to remember that these times are for how long it takes you to get your pictures, not how long she has to sit in front of the computer doing things, you know? Step one takes 8 to 10 hours but she doesn’t have to be sitting there working on the uploading for every single second of that time.
I do wedding photography on the side, so add to my list of additional things, a full-time, 40-hour work week. AND I’m discovering that this wedding planning is a whole job unto itself. No wonder I feel like I never sleep.
Ksenija and I are thrilled you’ve posting this on your blog! Thank you so much for helping us to share with brides how passionate we are about our work and the time we feel necessary to put into the editing of each wedding
thank you Lynn! You’re pretty fab yourself 
holllaaa!!! whoop. yes, i ditto what Heather said & thank you again for being so rad. the world of photography is a grand one that requires a ton of patience, love & dedication to achieve the art you desire in the moments you captured/experienced. thank you to all who have already commented, as well as the super sweet compliments! also, Jenna, way to go with your explanation of blog processing — it is crazy to think, but SO true!! and, of course, all soooo worth it.
I loved this post when I saw it on Ksenija’s blog! She’s one of my favourites.
Don’t we all wish photos uploaded to our blogs in the blink of an eye? I could get sooo much more stuff done!
@Mrs. Avocado: Ahh… you’re so right! Picking the pictures that go in the blog post WOULD take a lot of time!! Thanks for the clarification! Let me know if you want to add that to the post… admittedly I kind of spit out my water when I read that
This is such great info! Which makes it totally worth every penny when you hire an awesome photographer!
Our photographer was really amazing and described this process to us as well, although not in such detail. It was still very helpful.
I absolutely LOVE the first picture in the post, the reflection in the water, it’s so unique.
Those photos are gorgeous. The end result is definitely worth the wait
Fascinating. Thanks, Avo! And those pictures are to die for!!!
I can’t believe all the hours and steps that go into the process. However, you can see above that the end result is so worth it. Amazing pictures
This is great info, but I’s like to mention a few other things that aren’t being discussed here:
• We always hear that photographers need someone around to help them identify the important people at a wedding. Your aunt Betty, or, elementary school BF. How is your photographer to know who is important to you after the wedding? Let’s say that you want to see ALL the shots of your wedding, and YOU want to decide which ones are the keepers?
• Often photographers won’t do shot lists, this is unbelievable. So often the photographers turn the day into their vision, which is great, but if you haven’t told your shooter about your vision, this is useless. Remember, artists interpret the same events that everybody else experiences, differently - that’s what makes them artists. Be sure they share your vision, and not the other way around.
• Finally, ask what their rate for creating their vision on each photo is. Be sure to get this upfront, because if you don’t you will be amazed at the cost after. For instance, if 80 photos include retouching, what if one of your very favorites isn’t included? What will it cost to have YOUR favorites artistically enhanced.
Thanks for such a great, though provoking article!
[...] is another great debate going on over at Weddingbee about why it takes so long to get your wedding pictures. It seems that digital cameras [...]
great questions! let me answer them the best i can in the order you expressed them. please know that these answers are based on how i personally work things in my business!
1) first, for me it is very important to connect with my clients before the wedding. i always get together with the bride & groom a month before the wedding day in order to finalize all wedding day details, as well as create a helpful timeline of how the day will tentatively go. at this point, i also ask for a formal list, along with anything else that is important, the couple wants documented, etc — i really try to go above & beyond and get to know the names of all important family & friends! as for the day of the wedding, it is also easy to identify important people/family members, etc. by the corsage or boutonniere that they are wearing. if there are certain friends who are not part of the bridal party & the couple wants photographs with them, all they have to do is ask. i also never ever leave without touching base with the bride & groom and asking them if there was anything else that they wanted pictures of!
as for the bride & groom being able to pick the photographs that they want as the keepers, i think that it may be hard to understand what going through 4,500 images is really like. it is QUITE a job & ultimately, i feel you have to really trust your photographer that they are going to do the best job. another thing that i want to express is that i truly leave A TON of images — i only get rid of images that are duplicates and/or have accidental motion blur, etc. i do this because i always say, ‘why would i narrow down the images just to fit a certain quota?” my couples, depending on the package chosen & hours worked, on average receive about 1,500-2,500 finished edited images categorized in folders for easier viewing!
2) as for to a shot list…. as i mentioned above, i always ask for a formal list, as well as any ‘must have’ shots. however, i do have to say that it is always easier when you do not have a strict ‘list’ because my job is to document things as they naturally unfold as a fine art photographer. based on my client feedback i know that my clients connect with me & my vision which is why they hire me. this is why i feel it is ultra important to have the right ‘fit’ when picking your photographer.
3) all editing is included in the packages & it is virtually impossible to itemize the cost. i really put my all into making sure that all of your wedding images are perfect. i would advise that if you have any hesitance on the final outcome of your photographers images, simply ask him or her to allow you access to view a completed wedding. this will help you gain an understanding of how much work they put into the final images!
i hope that helps! happy day,
: )
ksen
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Mrs. Avocado, Seattle
Age and Occupation: 23, Student
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Consultant
Engagement Date: July 27, 2008
Wedding Date: October, 2008
Blogging Since: June 30, 2008
Venue: LDS Seattle Temple & Hotel 1000
About Me: Somehow this little farm girl found herself a genuine Pole to fall in love and eventually move away to Poland with. I am an LDS bride attempting to plan a private religious ceremony, ring ceremony, seated reception for 100, and an open house while coordinating for guests flying in from across the United States and as far away as Poland. I try to avoid fads, excess waste, and saturated fat. I strongly endorse photography, DDR, calorie counting, rss feeds, cooking, and utilizing your resources.
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