My sons bday party was Nov 13, I hired a photographer to take pics of his party. She originally was going to charge me $200, and I agreed. Two weeks before his party I told her I was over budget, so I unfortunately had to cancel. She offer to still do it for free as long as I promoted her once I got the pics. So I agreed. She came, took pics, even brought my son a present. It all went well. I ended up still sending her $75 for her services even though she offered to do it for free.Fast forward two weeks, I haven’t heard from her so I message her asking the status on the pics. She said she’s been busy with a wedding she’s helping plan, has most of them edited, just a few left. Said she would send me some pics when she got home. Never did.Another week goes by, I message her again. She said sorry, I’ve been busy but still working on your pics. Again said she would send some when she got home. Never did. I went back and reacted to a message so she would get a notification without actually receiving a message from me.It’s literally been almost a month since his party and I don’t have a SINGLE pic from it. And I’m really upset and don’t want to promote her or hire her again. Does it usually take this long for professional pics? Should I not be upset because I only paid $75 instead of $200? Am I just raging mom rn? Ugh. If you read this far thanks and I love you
The fact that she offered her professional services for free, you should stop rushing her. This is a normal time frame and she told you she’s been busy (with a job she is likely being paid to do).
Hey! Photographer here. There are some great insights and comments above mine. This is a typical timeline for pro-bono work, especially following fall wedding season. These clients are paying thousands of dollars and can be very demanding with firm due dates. It sounds like there is frustration because you have a due date in your head that was left unspoken when the job was done? When I deliver images to a client it is hard for me to pick a couple. I prefer to have all images ready and I look through all of them to make sure the color balance and editing is consistent. Editing takes hours and weeks. It is also an artistic talent so somedays it is harder to tap into that creative mind.
My suggestion is to reach out again, empathize you know she is busy, but if you could have a few images to give as Christmas gifts and that might help her understand your timeline and plans for your photos. She did a very generous thing by taking photos and bringing a present. Please don’t let an unspoken timeline sour the deal you originally made.
It’s definitely normal! Wedding season is crazy for photographers…depending on how many she’s editing for you, and she offered to do it for free…I’d stop rushing her!
I’d say normal. I just got married in October. Paid my photographer $1600 for a four hour day. And she even told me at my wedding that she was three months behind. She just messaged me today that I will have my pics at the end of next week and some sneak peeks this weekend.
Yeah no biggie. You got a great deal and she bought a gift. Keep to your word. A paying gig beats out a free one especially during the holidays.
I’ve hired for multiple professional shoots and it’s been a month I’d say was average. But the situation is hard, and even being $200 is pretty cheap for a true professional in my experience, so its hard to say without all context and details. Yes this could be a great and detailed photographer busy with weddings and holidays, or, not 
I don’t think it’s unreasonable how long it’s taken because I’m sure she’s had lots of others before yours that had to be edited also. Plus you just wanted to cancel on her 2 weeks before the party but she still agreed to do the pictures with is very generous of her. I’m not sure why you would book a photographer then cancel because you were over budget because wouldn’t you have already put the 200 aside for the photos when you booked it? I guess this is why a lot of photographers want payments upfront or at least half upfront so that they aren’t out money due to cancellations. I’m sure this photographer has a lot of work right now so close to Christmas so I would definitely give it a bit more time before reaching out again. I understand you want them but you need to understand that your not the only customer that does.
Wedding photographer here… it’s wedding season. She did you a favor. I ask my paying customers who pay thousands 3-6 weeks depending on their package. Have some grace. She’ll get you those pictures.
My friend is a photographer, and from what I can tell they have a lot of work behind the scenes to give you beautiful photos. They prioritize editing by date of photo shoot and can sometimes fall behind. Also free or cheap shoots are generally not priority, they will work on paid shoots before they touch free or cheap shoots. This is because the work behind the scenes is extensive.
Beautiful photos take time, continue to be patient and I am sure it will be completely worth it.
Took my wedding photographer months to give me mine but they were worth the wait
Just ask if she can give you the photos edited or not 
Always take a few pictures yourself with your cell phone or personal camera. That way you will have pictures immediately.
Im a photographer and it can take up to a month to do edits, get everything in order etc.
Sometimes it can take awhile. I would go on her page if she has one and see how many photos she has posted of people and what dates they are. Photographers, if good, can take awhile to get the photos edited and sent since there are so many and she might have kids or a family etc. If it takes another month though, I would say something. Maybe just ask her for an ETA instead of asking for them. Also, she agreed to do it for free to begin with, lol. So, I feel like, you’re the last on the totem pole since you only paid 75 dollars.
I usually wait 6 weeks to get my pictures back
Standard turn around time for any photographer at any given point is 4-6 weeks or even 6-8 weeks depending on workload. That doesn’t factor in holidays and taking time off for that either. If it has been less than half of that time, you need to calm your jets down and wait. If you didn’t technically sign a contract, and technically didn’t pay her upfront, she most likely isn’t going to prioritize your birthday party over a paid $2000+ wedding. She was kind enough to do it for free, but you’re over here getting mad because she’s not working on YOUR timeline? She has actual paying clients who paid 6 times what you were supposed to but didn’t. Sorry, but exposure doesnt technically pay the bills. Give her some grace and more time and practice your patience.
Would definitely depend on several factors. Factor 1 - she did it on her time even after you canceled.
Factor 2 - granted you did pay her some it was not the full amount.
Factor 3 - this time of year for photographers is prime Christmas time for Christmas pictures!
Factor 4 - there for she has customers that pay her in full on time will come first.
Factor 5 - she did say she was helping with a wedding, what’s not to say it’s her child.
I’m related to my photographer I don’t expect my pictures in any time frame even if she does mine first.
It’s definitely normal. An undoubtedly will take more time. Photographer is probably prioritizing paid customers before yours. I wouldn’t keep rushing her she’s doing you a favor.
What did her original contract say?
I don’t agree with the others, most photographers I know send/post teasers before editing all photos. If there mostly edited there’s no reason she can’t take a second to send you a couple.
Um well the way I see it, you canceled due to no funds… photography is TIME CONSUMING between travel, time taking pictures and editing. She was kind enough to offer to still do it, you paid less than half of the original agreed price, she most likely feels more obligated to those who fully paid for her services and rightfully so. 
Yes I’ve waited upto 6 weeks before
I think should just breathe and center. It is wedding season, my uncle got married November 12th and they don’t have their pictures yet either. You should have them early in the new year I’d think
I’d say average wait time is 3-4 months