What do I do if my photographer said I'd get my images back in 5 weeks and now it's been 8?
Do I have the right to be mad
L S
Question Asked: 11/05/2018
Wedding Date: 10/03/2018
Wedding Location: Strathmerton, 3641
Most Helpful Response
(12) · Brisbane, Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast, servicing all of South East Queensland.
Posted: 26/06/2026
Answered by: 7 Experts
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Good question.Lean back to the service contract if there is any. Do not be afraid to keep checking.
Just like any professional business, sometimes there are legitimate delays. However if the photographer hasn't informed you of the reason why, that's disappointing. A quick phone call to understand the reason/s for the delay would be the most recommended suggestion. Nevertheless - if the delays mean that the photographer has broken the contract, you could be entitled to compensation - eg. extra editing / printing / albums etc... This could then work in your favour in the long run.
(26) · Cairns, Palm Cove & Port Douglas
Posted: 6/06/2018
Polite phone call or email should do the trick. If they are a good photogrpher they may have a lot of work on.
Give them a phone call asap and as my fellow photographers have already advised, ask them for an ETA. It could be a postal issue or simply that they are running behind schedule. Its frustrating to be told 5 weeks and for 8 to have passed, but definitely give them a call to set your mind at ease and enable them to explain what's happening; will save you from getting further anxious. Best wishes x
HI, I would give them a call and see if there is any delay in postage, or what ever the arrangment was. We try to keep to a 4 week turn around, but sometimes in the busy season it can take longer. We send our clients their images registered post so its important also they give us a secure address, occasionally the packages can be returned to us, I would check with them one on one rather then speculate before I get upset. REgards Linda and Anthony
(13) · Tamworth, Newcastle, Hunter Valley, Coffs Harbour, Sydney & ALL NSW.
Posted: 12/05/2018
Hi, I can understand how you would be upset that you have not received your images. Have you reached out to your photographer to see how your images are coming along? It's certainly a good idea to make contact and get an ETA. They may be behind if your wedding was during peak season and they had several weddings on.
My contract states 6-8 weeks for delivery of images, but I always love to get my images back to clients asap. My clients are surprised and love that they receive their images before the timeframe stated in my contract. It hasn’t happened to me, however if I couldn’t make the timeframe I would most definitely keep my clients in the loop that there would be a delay.
I hope you get your images soon.
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Your feelings are completely valid, so yes, you're allowed to be frustrated. Eight weeks when you were promised five is a real gap, and the bigger issue here isn't even the extra time, it's that nobody has reached out to explain. A good studio keeps you in the loop the moment they realise they're running behind, so the silence is the part I'd gently raise with them.
Before you let it ruin your week though, send a friendly but direct email or give them a call and ask for a firm delivery date. Most of the time there's a genuine reason: a back to back run of weddings through our peak autumn and spring months can blow out an editing queue fast, and careful editing simply takes time when it's being done properly rather than rushed. We edit every photo and film in-house ourselves, so I know first hand that a busy stretch can add a couple of weeks, but that's exactly why we tell our couples the second a timeline shifts.
When you contact them, it helps to be specific. Ask what date you'll have your gallery, whether part of it can be sent through sooner, and what the holdup has been. That turns an anxious wait into a clear answer and usually settles things quickly.
If you have a written contract or booking agreement, have a quick look at the delivery timeframe it actually states, because that's what they're held to rather than a casual mention of five weeks. If they've blown well past the contracted time with no communication at all, it's reasonable to raise that and ask how they'll make it right. I'd hold off assuming the worst until you've heard from them, as more often than not it's a workload delay rather than anything to worry about, and your photos are on their way.