photographer is freaking out about my review

[SunBride]

So my photographer read my review and is absolutely freaking out, saying I ruined her reputation and wants to cut off all future contact with me (although she will do my order for prints which are part of my contract).

I keep re-reading it and thinking it's fine. I point out a few negative aspects but it's largely positive. Not all reviews can be 100% positive right? (well not if they are honest). I've made a couple small changes since then just to emphasize (i.e. one sentence in capital, deleted the sentence where I gave an example of her negative attitude, and added a numbered rating at the bottom to emphasize that I'm overall happy). In fact I really downplayed the first two negative aspects, especially the first, seeing as I did not go into details about how she stressed me out and stuff. Plus in every negative paragraph, there is some positives, i.e.

"was happy that she was taking her work so seriously"
"In general Jodi got along wonderfully with my family (very important when your photographer is there for a full week)"
"But I think this is just because she takes her job so seriously and wants so so much to do a great job"
"if this is what it takes to get such an enormous amount of amazing photos it’s fine by me!!!"
"would be crazy to complain about it because I got an insane amount of wonderful photos"
"I don’t think any other photographer could have done a better job at getting the shots I wanted"


How the hell are we suppose to be giving honest reviews when shit like this happens?

She's very upset that she can't respond because of rules about vendor participation (not sure about this forum, but also posted the review on 2 canadian forums I used a lot and vendors are not allowed to post at all). I told her I know it sucks but it's part of the business she's in and not all reviews will be 100% positive.

Anyways, the emails she's sending me are really awful. I wish I could post them here but I don't want to put myself down to that level. I thought she might be a little upset to raed the review, but I never thought it would be anything like this. I guess I should have known she would freak out based on how I've gotten to know her (i.e. the anxiety, stressing me out and being negative experiences should all have pointed to the fact that she was going to freak out).

Since I'm sure everyone will want to run out and read my review to see what I'm talking about, it's in the MR forum.

[townie princess]

Sorry, I haven't read your early post about the photographer's review, but maybe she's not good at taking criticism?

Now I've gotta go read your review...

[Morgan]

Wow, I didn't think it ruined her rep. I was very impressed by her pictures & the review didn't make her look bad to me. But, I know it can be incredibly hard to read a critique especially when it was about her personallity. Her feelings are probably really hurt. it looks like she worked her butt off to get you amazing pics (& tons of them) and feels insulted about the critique. But, we do appreciate honest feedback. That is what makes a forum so useful for planning.

[serena]

i read your review and thought there was nothing wrong with it, like you say its an honest review!!! she shouldn't read the reviews if she can't take some criticism!!!

[townie princess]

OK, so I've just read your review and I think it's fine. You're right, you can't be 100% positive because then you wouldn't be 100% truthful.

I think that the photos look fantastic, she should be proud of her work as that speaks more about her than anything else.

And I didn't really see any black gross stuff in the ocean in your pics, I would have just thought it was the rocks in the ocean or seaweed. At least it's not caught between your toes! LOL

[alex]

I read your review the second it came up (I am slowing starting to look for photographers that I may fly-in from ON with me when I go) & your review gave good information without being mean/rude/whatever she thinks you did!
It was honest in how you felt, but I don't really think you put her down at all!
I still checked out her site & bookmarked it to show Mat as a maybe.
BUT now her attitude is what's making her look bad. Plus the tone she uses in some of her wording on her website hurts her way more than a few small negatives on a review!!
I'm so sorry she's reacting this way & making you feel bad. Remember, you did nothing wrong & we all appreciate your honest feedback! If she can't handle that, then maybe she shouldn't read any reviews...

[SunBride]

There's only a set of like 10 pics that have the black stuff in the ocean, yeah, it's coral or rocks or seaweed or something. Not a big deal since it's only about 10 photos out of 2500.

[SunBride]

This just really casts a bad shadow on my photos. I really hope one day I'll be able to look at them without thinking of the negative stuff, but for right now it definitely makes me enjoy them a lot less. Even before today, my enjoyment of my photos was slightly hampered by remember all the stress having my photographer come caused me (i.e. like people would say I made the right decision by choosing her, and in my head I would think "yeah but it caused me some stress") but now after this it's much much worse.

[LC_Rachel]

I haven't read your review, but personally, I think you have to be willing to take criticism-especially if you own your own business. I think critiques allow us a chance to better our business. After all, if no one provided honest feedback, how would someone be able to know their client felt their product/services weren't up to par? They would never have a chance to fix the problem, and the client would go on, not speaking highly of the product they received.

I hope it works out in the end and your photog won't continue to take it to that personal level.

[alex]

I know it's hard, but try to think about how happy your wedding day was when you look at the photos instead of thinking of how much of a PITA the photog was/is!