photographer is freaking out about my review - Page 5

AlmostMrsForbes · 04-22-2008, 12:37 PM

OK - first, thank you for your review. After all, isn't that what this forum is for? If you can't give your honest opinion of how you felt, what you liked/disliked, etc. what good is it? It's not like you posted negative reviews on her website or something.

Additionally, I didn't think the review was "bad." OK, so there were aspects that you didn't like. You conveyed, though, that you really LOVED your pictures. It's like she forgot to read and/or process that part.

Next, her response really bothered me:

"I hope you realize how unfair it is to make comment on a forum where I can not also make comments about the negative experiences I had or defend or explain the comments you made - such as your train which would never sit properly because it was an add-on of a clump of material that did not move well."

What is this all about? I think she is confused about her role as a wedding photographer. Why would she make comments about "negative experiences" that she had with you? In what arena is that (a) relevant or (b) appropriate? You purchased a service from her - end of story. She's really doing a lot of damage to her own reputation with her childish response.

I'm sure she did work really hard and put a lot into the wedding. That is her job, though. If I draft a contract/documents, etc. for a client, really work my butt off, and in the end they're not happy with them, I can't respond emotionally. I can't imagine ever responding "well ... working with you was a negative experience, too."

How ridiculous and unprofessional. I'm sorry you're having to deal with this.

AnnR · 04-22-2008, 12:44 PM

I haven't read this whole thread, so I apologize if this is repeatative.

How would she respond to the review if she could? Is she a member of this forum? She can send me a PM with her response if she wants, and I can discuss it with the other mods. But that is extremely unprofessional and can only "hurt her reputation" more by how she is reacting to an honest (and overall positive!) review. She should take your review and learn from it, and inprove in those areas - not freak out and refuse to talk to you anymore.

Morgan · 04-22-2008, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlmostMrsForbes

OK - first, thank you for your review. After all, isn't that what this forum is for? If you can't give your honest opinion of how you felt, what you liked/disliked, etc. what good is it? It's not like you posted negative reviews on her website or something.

Additionally, I didn't think the review was "bad." OK, so there were aspects that you didn't like. You conveyed, though, that you really LOVED your pictures. It's like she forgot to read and/or process that part.

Next, her response really bothered me:

"I hope you realize how unfair it is to make comment on a forum where I can not also make comments about the negative experiences I had or defend or explain the comments you made - such as your train which would never sit properly because it was an add-on of a clump of material that did not move well."

What is this all about? I think she is confused about her role as a wedding photographer. Why would she make comments about "negative experiences" that she had with you? In what arena is that (a) relevant or (b) appropriate? You purchased a service from her - end of story. She's really doing a lot of damage to her own reputation with her childish response.

I'm sure she did work really hard and put a lot into the wedding. That is her job, though. If I draft a contract/documents, etc. for a client, really work my butt off, and in the end they're not happy with them, I can't respond emotionally. I can't imagine ever responding "well ... working with you was a negative experience, too."

How ridiculous and unprofessional. I'm sorry you're having to deal with this.

I didn't even notice that remark. What would be the point of her posting negative comments about being at your wedding? Weird? She kind of did too. On her website she said the beach wasn't as sandy white as cancun.

It's not like you ranted about her. With each negative comment you posted something positive.

OK, I was trying to see her side, but I really don't understand why she would email that to you.

SunBride · 04-22-2008, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlmostMrsForbes

What is this all about? I think she is confused about her role as a wedding photographer. Why would she make comments about "negative experiences" that she had with you? In what arena is that (a) relevant or (b) appropriate? You purchased a service from her - end of story. She's really doing a lot of damage to her own reputation with her childish response.

I'm sure she did work really hard and put a lot into the wedding. That is her job, though. If I draft a contract/documents, etc. for a client, really work my butt off, and in the end they're not happy with them, I can't respond emotionally. I can't imagine ever responding "well ... working with you was a negative experience, too."

How ridiculous and unprofessional. I'm sorry you're having to deal with this.

That's a good point, I don't have to be professional here, I'm just a normal person in this relationship, yet I'm trying really hard to be professional. She on the other hand should be handling this with professionalism, which she is not.

I hadn't even noticed the part where she said she had negative experiences. I'm sure she had some, I don't think they would have been that major as I tried really hard to always be nice to her, and my family was really great about including her. That being said, she probably still had some negative experiences, just like anybody would have had, you can't expect anything to be perfect, especially when you're hanging out with strangers.

Alyssa · 04-22-2008, 12:48 PM

Wow - what an unfortunate situation!!

I read your review when you posted it and I did not feel it was bad at all, there were a few nit-picky kind of things but you called attention to them and even said they weren't that big of a deal.

I would have hired your photog based on the photos and the reivew but now after this behavior i wouldn't hire or recommend her. She made this really personal and has completely over-reacted.

As a professional, she should be grateful for your honest critique so that she can improve her business and be better with every event.

I am sorry that you have to deal with this drama so soon after your wedding

AnnR · 04-22-2008, 12:54 PM

ok, i went back and read the whole thread - my curiosity got the best of me.

i'm glad tammy brought up the Juan Carlos example - I was racking my brain trying to think of anywhere in teh rules we say a vendor CAN'T respond to a review - and I couldn't come up with one. That's because we don't have that rule! This forum tries really hard to be open and honest, which is one reason we allow vendors on here. We do ask that they follow certain rules (mainly no spamming or advertising!), but they're allowed to speak their mind and voice opinions. We value that as well.

So, she is more than allowed, she's encouraged to come and post her response to your review, as long as she is respecful and follows the rules.

Ironically, it's not the review that I see hurting her business, it's her reaction to the review.

Morgan · 04-22-2008, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnnR

ok, i went back and read the whole thread - my curiosity got the best of me.

i'm glad tammy brought up the Juan Carlos example - I was racking my brain trying to think of anywhere in teh rules we say a vendor CAN'T respond to a review - and I couldn't come up with one. That's because we don't have that rule! This forum tries really hard to be open and honest, which is one reason we allow vendors on here. We do ask that they follow certain rules (mainly no spamming or advertising!), but they're allowed to speak their mind and voice opinions. We value that as well.

So, she is more than allowed, she's encouraged to come and post her response to your review, as long as she is respecful and follows the rules.

Ironically, it's not the review that I see hurting her business, it's her reaction to the review.

I think she was refering to the other two forums the review is posted on. Vendors are not allowed on there at all.

AnnR · 04-22-2008, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Morgan

I think she was refering to the other two forums the review is posted on. Vendors are not allowed on there at all.

Right - but I was just clarifying her question here ...

Quote:

Originally Posted by SunBride

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).

Morgan · 04-22-2008, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnnR

Right - but I was just clarifying her question here ...

oh, I see. sorry.

Morgan · 04-22-2008, 01:12 PM

I went to look up the story aobut the photographer attacked in Punta cana. It's so sad for both the photographer & the bride.

WEDDINGBELLS Message Board Community: We cannot proceed.

Here is the brides review. She sounds very sad in her wedding review about everything.

Photography By Stacey Wight - Ontario Canada Wedding Photographer: Back from Punta Cana - Round 2 - and NEVER going back

here is the photographers blog. Sounds terrible. I hope she is doing much better. I'm going to check more recent posts on her blog.