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Remember our fabulous photographer? I was so happy that I was able to find and book one that had an amazing portfolio and offered his services for a reasonable price.
Lately, the business of our amazing photographer has been booming. And why not? He is talented, professional, and affordable. A couple of months after we booked him, his prices went up by almost 50%. Sister Pudding (who interviewed the photog with me) and I both agreed that this was a good move - he really was a steal at what we paid. I was super happy that I managed to nab him before he got really popular.
Just the other day, I was stalking our photographer’s blog (totally normal, right?) and discovered that his studio is growing. When I hired him, the studio consisted of him and another shooter. Well, he recently hired 10 more photographers! Talk about expansion!
This made me a little worried about who would actually shoot our wedding. I wrote the photog a quick email, asking what these changes meant for our wedding. He replied that he would no longer be shooting it. Two other photographers on his team would be.
This worried me big time. We hired him because we really clicked with him.
I felt like he understood our vision for the wedding, and now someone we have never met would be shooting it! I took a quick glance at our contract, and discovered that it did not specify that the original photographer would shoot the wedding himself, but rather that a “studio photographer” would take the pics. I clearly remember omitting the “will you be the one shooting our wedding” question from my list of things to ask - after all, there would be two photogs at our wedding, and only two photographers were at the studio at the time.
Nervously, I wrote an email explaining my discomfort. Luckily, our photographer is a great guy, and explained to me that I had nothing to worry about. The two photogs shooting our wedding were hand-selected by him, and their work is fabulous. He even suggested scheduling an engagement session where he would shoot alongside the other two, and offered to shift things around so that he would shoot the wedding if I was still uncomfortable after that.
I haven’t decided what I want to do yet, since I don’t want to be difficult, and the work of the other two photographers is indeed pretty fabulous. Just feast your eyes on these:
What do you think I should do? Have any of you been in a situation like this?
It’s great that your photographer is so willing to help you. I’d probably do the e-shoot with the two other photogs to see if you click with them, and then if you aren’t comfortable talk to him about shooting your wedding.
Oh wow, if those are from the other photographers, you are in good hands!! I’d definitely want to meet them to make sure we clicked personality-wise, but other than that, if that’s a sample of their work, then you’ve got no worries!
I agree with Cole B. Go and do the e-shoot and see how you feel afterwards. You may find that you totally fall in love (metaphorically of course!) with one of the other shooters and really want them to shoot your wedding after all. And if all else fails then speak to your original photographer and see how feasible it would be to get him shooting your wedding.
Fingers crossed!
Those pictures are fantastic! I would definitely give the e-shoot a chance!
oh, i know that must be a bit of a bummer, but definitely do the e-shoot and have a sit-down with the new photogs. hopefully you will love them!
Wow, I would have been so stressed if I were in this situation. I wonder if you can meet with the actual photographers who will be shooting for you, just so you can discuss your ideas and vision. Even just talking to them via email might help you feel like they’re getting what you want. Maybe you might want to try the e-shoot idea, just to get a feel for the other photogs too. Good luck!
I would re-explain to the photographer, gently but firmly, that he is the one you hired and he is the one you expect to do the job. It sounds very clearly from your post that you are not comfortable with the switch (and I don’t blame you). I personally regret not being as firm about things with my vendors and worrying too much about being “nice”. Looking back at photographs I still get some pangs of “if only I had insisted on ____”. If your photog still declines to shoot your wedding personally and you don’t have a legal recourse based on the original contract then I would get the name of the new photographer you agree to (after an e-session) with him in writing as an addendum to the original contract. Good luck!
That would make me nervous too but if that is the work of your new shooters, it’s gorgeous!
Ah!! That would make me nervous, and mad that he didn’t bother to tell you he wouldn’t personally be shooting your wedding! However the work from the other photographers looks amazing, so maybe meet with them and make sure you click with them? If you don’t, ask him to rearrange, I feel like it was a misrepresentation!
I think that setting up a meeting with your actual photogs, and the engagement shoot is a great idea to make sure they “get” you and your vision for the wedding. Understandably, your photog wouldn’t hire them if he didn’t trust them.
BUT it worries me that your photographer didn’t tell you this, you had to find out. Because he was a two person studio when you signed the contract, I think it was safe to assume that he and his partner would be shooting, and I don’t think it’s fair that he didn’t tell you that it wouldn’t be him once he hired more people…
the others are really really good, but i’d definitely remind him that you love his work and although his photographers are good, you really want him to shoot your wedding. i definitely feel that it’s a misrepresentation and he should shoot your wedding and send the second shooters to the other event. you contracted with him and that’s who you should be getting, sorry…
I honestly wouldn’t worry. The pics above are amazing and if he is truly fantastic, then I’m sure he hired equally fantastic photographers. After all, he knows that his new counterparts are representing him and his name and if he backs them up completely, they should be just as great!
i would take him up on his offer. do the e-shoot and then decide. at least then you would have met with the photogs and had a chance to work with them
Aw, that would make me nervous too! It’s great that his business is expanding though and it looks like you’ll get great pics no matter what. I’d go with the e-shoot with the other photographers as he suggested, and if you afterwards feel that you’d be more comfortable with him - ask him to switch (as he offered) so that he would still shoot your wedding. Good luck and keep us posted!
I completely understand! I agree with the others; go for the e-shoot and see how you feel…and if it is not what you want, then put your foot down about getting who you want!
The photography is still beautiful. See how the engagements go and if you like them, full steam ahead. But if you don’t (either the pics or the personality of the people), then I am all for putting your foot down and speaking frankly and directly (not through email) to the original photographer. But nicely…I have learned that a little polite firmness can go a long way…
Wow, tricky situation to be in! I would for sure take your photographer up on his e-shoot offer. Then, I think it will be easier to make your decision after that. I think it’s great that he offered to shift things around if you aren’t comfortable, just goes to show what a professional he really is! I have a good feeling things will turn out well either way because that last photo literally made me talk to myself and say out loud, “WOW!”
I am not a lawyer (first year law student) and I don’t know what state you’re in (and I don’t know any state specific things anyway…), but at the time you signed the contract it specified two photographers, and there was only one other photographer at the studio besides the head honcho. Reasonable people would understand this to mean the head honcho logically must be shooting your wedding. He doesn’t have the right to change that unless you agree to it. It doesn’t always matter what the contract says, but what it meant.
I think you have the right to have the head honcho shoot your wedding, or if unable, all of your money refunded plus any additional expenses in securing a comparable photography package elsewhere. If you have any legal friends in your state, you should shoot them an email. This might be a quick/easy question for them.
I say give it a whirl and meet with them, who knows you might like them even better! but also confirm what your options are in case it doesn’t quite work out. good luck! 
Thanks everyone! I will arrange an engagement shoot with all three photogs, and go from there. Hopefully, this will all work out…perhaps it was fate?
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Mrs. Pudding, Greater Toronto Area/Vermont Age and Occupation: 26, High School Teacher Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Computer Engineer Engagement Date: August 2008 Wedding Date: July 2010 Venue: Catholic Ceremony, Cultural Hall Reception About Me: Quite literally a citizen of the world, I was born in Poland, grew up in Canada, and now live in the beautiful state of Vermont. I love reading historical biographies, multi-tasking, teasing my hair, and, despite my height, wearing high heeled shoes. I am the ultimate klutz with an uncanny ability to put on a graceful front. Mr. Pudding and I have been dating for over six years, and are very excited to finally merge our (very large) families. We are planning a traditional Polish-Catholic wedding that is anything but predictable.
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