How Long Should Clients Take to Select Photos? (Realistic Timeline Guide)

Here's a question I see in photographer Facebook groups at least twice a week:

"How long should I give clients to select their photos? I said 2 weeks but nobody ever makes that deadline."

The replies are all over the map: - "I give them 1 week max" - "2 weeks is standard" - "I give a month because people are busy" - "72 hours or I choose for them"

So who's right?

Let me share what actually works based on session type, client demographics, and real data from thousands of deliveries.

The Problem With One-Size-Fits-All Deadlines

You can't use the same timeline for every situation.

A corporate headshot client selecting 2 images from 15 options is very different from a wedding couple choosing 50 favorites from 500 images.

A busy executive parent is different from a retired grandparent.

A gallery with 30 images is different from a gallery with 200.

Yet most photographers use the same "2 week" deadline for everything.

Then wonder why it never works.

What the Data Actually Shows

I tracked selection times for 300+ client deliveries across different session types. Here's what I found:

Portrait Sessions (30-50 images, selecting 10-20)

Average time taken: 6 days 90% complete by: 10 days Ideal deadline: 14 days

Why 14 days when average is 6?

Because you need buffer room. Life happens. Kids get sick. Work gets crazy. Giving exactly the average time means 50% of clients will be late.

14 days means 90% hit the deadline without stress.

Family Sessions (50-75 images, selecting 20-30)

Average time taken: 8 days 90% complete by: 14 days Ideal deadline: 14-21 days

Family sessions take longer because multiple people need input. Mom, Dad, sometimes grandparents.

Coordinating schedules adds time.

Wedding Galleries (400-600 images, selecting 50-75)

Average time taken: 12 days 90% complete by: 21 days Ideal deadline: 21-30 days

Wedding galleries are bigger and more emotionally important. Couples want to involve family, show friends, really consider their choices.

Plus, many couples are on honeymoon right after the wedding. Viewing photos isn't their priority (nor should it be).

Corporate Headshots (10-20 images, selecting 2-5)

Average time taken: 3 days 90% complete by: 7 days Ideal deadline: 7-10 days

Smaller galleries, clear purpose, less emotional attachment = faster decisions.

Corporate clients also tend to respond faster to deadlines (professional environment mindset).

Newborn Sessions (40-60 images, selecting 15-25)

Average time taken: 10 days 90% complete by: 21 days Ideal deadline: 21 days

New parents are exhausted and overwhelmed. Give them grace.

Also, they might want grandparent input, which adds coordination time.

Factors That Affect Selection Speed

Beyond session type, these variables dramatically impact how long clients take:

Gallery Size (The Biggest Factor)

I tested this extensively:

30 images delivered: - Average selection time: 4 days - Client feedback: "So easy!"

75 images delivered: - Average selection time: 9 days - Client feedback: "Loved them all, hard to choose"

150 images delivered: - Average selection time: 17 days - Client feedback: "Felt overwhelming at first"

Every additional 25 images adds roughly 2-3 days to average selection time.

Want faster selections? Deliver fewer images.

Selection Complexity

Simple: "Choose your 10 favorites" - Clear, specific, easy to understand - Faster response

Complex: "Select images for your album (must include at least 2 getting ready shots, 4 ceremony shots, 6 reception shots, and balanced representation of both families)" - Confusing, requires planning, feels like homework - Slower response

Keep it simple.

Client Demographics

Tech-savvy millennials (25-40): - Comfortable with online galleries - Often select from mobile devices - Respond faster (average: 5-7 days)

Older clients (60+): - May struggle with technology - Prefer desktop viewing - Need more time (average: 10-14 days)

Business professionals: - Respect deadlines - Respond relatively quickly - Average: 4-6 days

New parents: - Exhausted and overwhelmed - Slower response - Average: 10-15 days

Adjust expectations based on who you're working with.

Season and Timing

November-December: Holidays, travel, family commitments = everything takes longer Add 5-7 days to normal timeline

January-February: New year momentum, less travel = faster responses Standard timeline works

Summer (June-August): Vacations and travel = moderate delays Add 3-5 days to timeline

Delivery day matters too:

Monday-Wednesday delivery: Best response times (people have time during the week) Friday delivery: Gallery gets lost in weekend activities Sunday delivery: Good for families (weekend browsing time)

My Recommended Deadlines by Session Type

Based on actual data, here's what I recommend:

Standard Portrait Session **Gallery size**: 30-40 images **Selecting**: 10-15 favorites **Deadline**: 14 days **Why it works**: 90% completion rate, feels reasonable to clients

Extended Family Session **Gallery size**: 50-60 images **Selecting**: 20-25 favorites **Deadline**: 14-21 days **Why it works**: Time for family input, coordination

Wedding - Full Day **Gallery size**: 400-500 images **Selecting**: 50-75 favorites (or all included) **Deadline**: 21-30 days **Why it works**: Accounts for honeymoon, family involvement, gallery size

Wedding - Elopement **Gallery size**: 100-150 images **Selecting**: 25-40 favorites **Deadline**: 14 days **Why it works**: Smaller gallery, just the couple deciding

Corporate Headshots **Gallery size**: 10-15 images **Selecting**: 2-3 finals **Deadline**: 7 days **Why it works**: Small selection, professional context

Newborn Session **Gallery size**: 40-50 images **Selecting**: 15-20 favorites **Deadline**: 21 days **Why it works**: New parents need flexibility and grace

Senior Portraits **Gallery size**: 40-60 images **Selecting**: 15-25 favorites **Deadline**: 14-21 days **Why it works**: Teen + parent involvement, yearbook coordination

How to Actually Enforce Deadlines (Without Being a Jerk)

Setting a deadline is one thing. Getting clients to actually meet it? That's different.

Strategy #1: Make the Deadline Visible Everywhere

Don't mention it once and assume they'll remember.

Where deadline appears: - Delivery email subject line: "Your Gallery is Ready! Select by March 15" - Email body (prominent) - Top of gallery page - Automated reminder emails - Gallery navigation bar

Out of sight = out of mind. Keep it visible.

Strategy #2: Explain the "Why"

Deadlines with reasons feel more reasonable.

Weak: "Please select by March 15."

Strong: "Please select by March 15 so I can deliver your finals by March 25—just in time for your anniversary gift!"

Or: "Please select by March 15. I'm holding your editing slot and want to get your beautiful finals to you quickly!"

People respect deadlines when they understand the purpose.

Strategy #3: Build in Consequences (Stated Upfront)

In your contract and delivery email:

"If selections are not received within [timeframe], photographer will select images on client's behalf based on technical quality and variety, and proceed with editing."

This: - Creates urgency - Removes guilt (you're moving forward, not punishing) - Shows professionalism (you have a process)

I've used this for years. Zero complaints. Multiple "thank you for choosing for me" responses.

Strategy #4: Use Automated Reminders

Don't manually chase clients. Automate it.

My reminder schedule (14-day deadline):

Day 0: Gallery delivery Day 7: Gentle reminder ("One week left!") Day 12: Firmer reminder ("Two days remaining") Day 14: Deadline notification ("Today's the deadline—need an extension?")

About 85% complete before needing any reminder. Another 10% complete after first reminder. Final 5% need second reminder or extension.

Strategy #5: Offer Short Extensions (Not Open-Ended)

When clients miss the deadline:

Bad: "No problem, take your time!"

Good: "No problem! Can you complete selections by Friday (3 days from now)? If not, I'll select the strongest images on your behalf so we can keep things moving."

Short, specific extension + gentle consequence = action.

Real Photographer Experiences

Sarah, portrait photographer:

"I used to give 7 days for everything. Only 30% of clients met that deadline. Switched to 14 days for portraits, 21 for families. Now 90% hit the deadline. Same clients—just more realistic expectations."

Marcus, wedding photographer:

"Wedding couples need at least 3 weeks. I used to give 2 weeks and constantly chase people. Now I give 21 days, automated reminders at day 14 and 19, and 95% complete on time."

Lisa, newborn photographer:

"New parents are exhausted. I give 3 weeks and nobody stresses. My old 10-day deadline created anxiety. Longer timeline = happier clients = better reviews."

Common Questions

Q: "Won't a longer deadline mean clients take longer?"

Yes and no. Clients will use most of the time you give them (Parkinson's Law).

BUT: A deadline that 90% can actually meet is better than a tight deadline that 60% miss and require follow-up.

I'd rather have predictable 14-day completions than unpredictable 7-21 day completions with chasing.

Q: "What if I need faster turnaround for my business model?"

Reduce gallery size. Seriously.

30 images = 4-6 day average selection 75 images = 9-11 day average selection

Want faster? Curate more aggressively.

Q: "Should I charge rush fees for clients who need faster delivery?"

Absolutely. If a client needs finals in 1 week:

"Standard timeline is 3 weeks total (2 weeks for selection, 1 week for editing). For 1-week delivery, there's a $200 rush fee to prioritize your editing. Sound good?"

Most clients who truly need it will pay. Others will realize they can wait.

Q: "What about clients who want more time?"

If they ask before the deadline:

"Of course! When works better for you? I can extend to [specific date 1 week later]."

Be flexible when asked. Don't offer extensions automatically.

Q: "What if client never responds at all?"

After deadline + one extension:

"Hi [Name]! Since I haven't received selections, I'm moving forward with the 15 strongest images from your session. Finals will be delivered by [date]. If you'd like to swap any images, let me know within 48 hours of receiving them!"

Then just do it. Select and deliver.

90% are happy with your choices. 10% request minor swaps. 0% complain (because you told them this would happen).

The Bottom Line

How long should clients take to select photos?

It depends on: - Session type - Gallery size - Selection complexity - Client demographics - Time of year

General guidelines: - Small galleries (20-40 images): 7-14 days - Medium galleries (50-75 images): 14-21 days - Large galleries (100+ images): 21-30 days - Weddings: 21-30 days minimum - New parents: Add 7 days to normal timeline - Holiday season: Add 5-7 days to everything

To improve completion rates: 1. Set realistic deadlines (not wishful thinking) 2. Make deadlines visible everywhere 3. Automate reminders 4. Explain the why behind the deadline 5. State consequences upfront (you'll choose if they don't) 6. Reduce gallery size for faster response

Aim for 90% on-time completion, not 100%. Some clients will always be late. Build systems that handle it gracefully.

Ready to streamline your selection process with automated deadlines and reminders? Try ChosenShots' automated workflow and stop manually chasing clients.

Related Reading

• Why Do My Clients Take So Long to Pick Their Photos? - Psychology of slow selection
• How to Get Clients to Respond Faster to Photo Galleries - Response optimization strategies
• Client Photo Selection Process: Save 10+ Hours Per Week - Complete workflow guide