Open Question: Photography Nightmare

Open Question: Photography Nightmare

December 11th, 2006 @ 12:25 pm by Open Question
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Hi Weddingbee,

I’ve been a dedicated reader of weddingbee and recently got married in early December! My wedding was great but I’m now in the midst of a wedding photography nightmare! I’m from the bay area and signed on with this photographer who bascially sold me off to another photographer. While she did mention that she may send someone other than her to the site, I was under the impression that it would be someone from the same company. Apparently after I contacted the real photographer who was to come to my wedding, he signed off with his own wedding photography name and listed his own website!! His photography was decent enough but I felt betrayed and taken advantage of.

What’s more, I found out that the reason my photographer couldn’t come to my wedding is because she’s currently in China doing photography and is too busy to respond to any of my emails!!! I’ve called her office in the bay area and the person who picked up the phone not only informed me that my photos would be late, but that the complimentary engagement session offered by my photographer will not be scheduled until she comes back from China.

All in all, I feel like I’ve been taken advantage of - I’ve paid a lot of money for her services and now I don’t even know when I’ll get my pictures! If you know of anything I can do, please help! All I can think of is to complain to Consumer Affairs or some place like that. The most important thing is that if I keep pestering and calling the company, I’m afraid the quality of my pictures will be bad. Aaaaaaaaaargh!!

I’ve never felt so taken advantage of in my life and I feel defenseless because nothing in her contract stated that she needs to provide photos for me after a certain time, except after I choose them; then it specifies that I’ll get them in 6 weeks. At this point, I wonder if it’ll be months before I can see pictures of my special day…..

Kind regards,
Wedding bee fan

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5 Responses to “Open Question: Photography Nightmare”

Guest

Malia

Call an atty. A friend of mines had similar issues with his videographer and he ended up using an atty service called Pre-Paid Legal Services. He is taking him to court for breach of contract.

12/11/06 @ 12:37 pm (reply)

Guest

Mary

check to see if she’s listed with the Better Business Bureau. I also recommend that you seek legal advice. You probably have probable cause in getting your money back if her contract does not state that she can use an outside source other than her own photographers.

It’s like getting a mortgage from a small bank and that small bank selling it off to a bigger bank to make more money. It’s always stated in writing.

I’m no legal expert but hope that helps.

12/11/06 @ 12:37 pm (reply)

Guest

ms. mouse

I am really sorry you had this happen.

I hate to say this, but if it’s in your contract that she can substitute there’s not much you can do to get your $$ back. A sucky lesson- always ALWAYS go by what is written and not what is said. A lot of people will promise things and then not put them in the contract with various excuses, but when push comes to shove…

If it’s not in your contract that she could do that call a lawyer.

What you can do regardless of the legal ?:
Let the photographer know you’re unhappy. If she cares about her clients or reputation she should find some way to make it up to you.

If you’re afraid of retaliation don’t be. If you’re not happy with the prints refuse to accept them until they’re fixed. There is no reason to ever accept shoddy service.

Let your local knot board know. At least other brides can be spared this kind of b.s.

If you got a video see if you can get stills made- often the quality is high and the expressions are more natural.

Good luck! I’d love to know how this turns out!

12/11/06 @ 3:38 pm (reply)

Guest

Ashley Lauran

I would def. report them to the BBB and I would check out the contract, as well as consult an attorney. I’m so sorry that such a happy day sometimes must come with sad, irritating details such as this.

12/11/06 @ 5:02 pm (reply)