Editing pics, stuck on formal portraits - how much should I really have to fix?

The extra groups are not part of the issue you are asking about, really.

As for your question, why do you feel you have to take out outlets and pew corners? Particularly on 'all' the images? I'd only work on ones that go in an album, or by request (a limited number), unless you promised them that all images would be perfect. If you did, that was not a good idea.

What did you tell them you would do about group formals, if anything?

If they are using some in the album, then take out the junk, otherwise, it is what it is.

Adam

Nadine-
If there were 15 groups I would have no problem fixing those but you are right, that is not the issue.
why do you feel you have to take out outlets and pew corners? - my last few day jobs have been fixing working for on site studio photographers who shoot off backgrounds and I think I am just used to fixing anything that shouldn't be there.
I am not including an album with their package, but they have shown interest in purchasing one. I will let them know that I will fix those images for free but charge $3 or so for additional images.
I told them that the portraits would be done very quickly and that I was not a good fit if that was their main issue. I think they were strapped for cash and tried getting as much as they could out of me. The reason it got to 70 groups is because we were waiting for the families to show up and the bride decided she needed a picture of every couple there by themselves. That and the fact that they expected us to stay till the very end 12pm-1am eventhough no one as dancing and there was no ambient lighting what so ever. I ended up packing up and leaving.

Well--in film days, here was no fixing of outlets and pew corners as a matter of course, although one normally tried to not have outlets and pew corners in the photos to begin with, just because it was so expensive to fix (cropping can take care of some pew corners). It is true that some clients expect perfection on each and every frame now because they think it is so easy to do with digital retouching. This is why it is always a good idea to be clear about this from the beginning--even have it in your contract.

If you didn't specifically discuss this with them, I would do as you describe--tell them you will do a limited number for the album, or a limited number with others chargeable. I think that is reasonable.

The outlets likely could have been fixed beforehand by avoiding them being in the shot via people placement or camera angle. The pews are what they are and I wouldn't try to take them out with anything more than simple cropping. PSing is to enhance what was there and not to completely change the environment. How much you charged and the number of group shots that you took or that they wanted is irrelevant.

Nadine,

Well--in film days, here was no fixing of outlets and pew corners as a matter of course, although one normally tried to not have outlets and pew corners in the photos to begin with, just because it was so expensive to fix (cropping can take care of some pew corners).

SURE there were fixes but they were tremendously expensive. Labs used to charge $20 just to remove some weird red eyes :). Just back then clients appreciated the work that went in to taking a good shot and didn't BS (well some did) about mm of frame here and there.
Today, sadly enough, every JA*K can get 5dm2 or D3s with a 2.8 glass, watch and replicate online tutorials & call him/her self professional yet knowing NOTHING about photography. Clients, thought aren't educated in photography, aren't stupid and know what technology can do thus EXPECT it to be done for free.

Few weeks ago, was shooting a wedding, groom's face was sweaty, so I asked him to wipe his face during formals., he comes back "well can't you photoshop it". Yeah, he wanted me to go though 400frames where he is in and cleanup every image where he is sweating.

Adam

Julie,
Let's take the client's perspective and expectations here. What did you show them originally for samples and what did you promise? If you weren't specific, they may expect everything repaired in every image. If you didn't show them a collection of images with outlets and pew corners, they may very well take the attitude of "you're the professional and we expected perfection".
It's always wise to set this up ahead and also to scope out the location ahead of time. Once you received the list and knew what was expected, you probably should have done some planning to avoid or minimize some of these issues. You photographed these images leaving PhotoShop as the only way to fix them. Some/all of this could have been avoided.
Do you really want this client showing off images like this? If there was nothing stated or preplanned, the time that it will take is irrevalent compared to your reputation....-Aimee

Why don't you avoid these problems by defining the scope of work and final product goining into the first meeting? For example, you meet with the couple and say the package you've selelcted includes 250 images for $XX.XX Basic retouching wihich covers obvious blemishes and other criteria you define will apply to these images. Changing colors, backgrounds, body parts etc will be charged on a time and material basis, or $XX.XX/image. The remaining low resolution proofs that make it past the first edit can be purchased for $XX.XX. On my proofing gallery I do a rough crop and color correction on the images and post only those images that can reasonably be retouched in a few minutes work. I used to make the mistake of posting images that were just a little too under/overexposed or poorly focused to be corrected and wouldn't you know they were always the ones people wanted?? By doing as first edit and removing anything that can't be quickly repaired you'll save lots of time, headaches or embaressment from having to tell the customer that its not possible to make a 16X20 print from that image. I have a page on my proofing gallery that shows basic picture and basic retouching and a statement any pictures purchased from the proofing gallery include basic retouching. I find that makes people feel a little better about spending $10.00 for a .19 cent print.