Is this regular practice

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Forum -> Hobbies, Crafts, and Collections -> Photography and Fine Art

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joss3

Tue, Nov 03 2020, 3:46 pm

I had professional pictures taken about 2 years ago, but I didn’t choose pictures to edit and print. The photographer never followed up after the shoot, and did not contact me besides for emailing watermarked pictures.

I recently reached out to her and was told she no longer has my pictures and can’t help me further. She gave me permission to have a graphic artist remove the watermarks, and print whatever I want. That is a costly and not so effective solution.

Is that normal practice in this era of digital photography? Would pictures be fully deleted, with no backups after 2 years?

BatyaEsther

Tue, Nov 03 2020, 3:47 pm

Doesn't sound right to me.

lk1234

Tue, Nov 03 2020, 3:48 pm

I don't know much about photography, but as a layman I would not expect a service provider to have something from 2 years ago. If they had it it would be nice, but I would not expect it. I think it would be on you to follow up on this closer to when you had the pictures done.

going-up

Tue, Nov 03 2020, 3:51 pm

I'm not sure what's the norm but 2 years is a long time. I had pictures taken a little less than a year ago and one of the prints I never picked up. The photographer contacted me that she will be throwing it out if I don't pick it up asap. For whatever reason, I wasn't able to pick it up so she threw it out. I understand, they can't hold onto everyone's pictures, not enough digital space or physical space. I'm sorry that you lost out on your pictures. 😔

joss3

Tue, Nov 03 2020, 4:05 pm

Digital storage is so easy and abundant, I didn’t have any idea that could happen.

Guess I need a graphic designer recommendation now.

LovesHashem

Tue, Nov 03 2020, 4:07 pm

Did you have a contract? They usually keep pictures for 1 year or so. Maybe 2,

Success10

Tue, Nov 03 2020, 4:09 pm

joss3 wrote:

Digital storage is so easy and abundant, I didn’t have any idea that could happen.

Guess I need a graphic designer recommendation now.

Are the watermarked files full resolution?

joss3

Tue, Nov 03 2020, 4:44 pm

Success10 wrote:

Are the watermarked files full resolution?

I think they are.

TranquilityAndPeace

Tue, Nov 03 2020, 4:57 pm

Every photographer has their own regular practice.

I used to keep things for years.

Now I have a contact- prints and albums not picked up within 30 days of notification will receive a shipping invoice, which can be paid within 60 days. Afterwards, which is 90 days after being notified to pick up your products, your items will be recycled. I have a gorgeous album here from 5 years ago, that’s why I put this policy in place!

Digital images I keep for one year. And clients must choose their images immediately after the session, or come back 1-2 weeks later to choose their favorites. Otherwise, I can’t close out old orders, which messes up my workflow. If a client, for some reason does not choose her images within 2 months, there’s a $100 monthly archive fee added to her order, since I have to keep multiple copies of all of her raw images.

Sunny Days

Tue, Nov 03 2020, 5:12 pm

Guilty of this! Did one photo shoot in my life & before the prints were ready to be reviewed we ended up in the hospital for a while. We got hold of the cd at some point but I so wasn’t impressed with the coloring and everything & to sort through which is worth editing, printing etc... so I still have the cd somewhere & hopefully by the time I’ll manage to sort through the photographer will still be able to service us Can't Believe It

Java

Tue, Nov 03 2020, 5:25 pm

I think that's pretty common... Our wedding photographer gave us a year deadline to choose our prints, album etc. but she for sure should have communicated better