Received photos - need advice

Hi Ladies -

I could use your advice on this:

I loved, really loved, our photographers and all the photos when I looked at them online. We did not get proofs to choose from, rather, I picked them online and the photographer printed them. I just got them in the mail and am really disappointed. She did a bunch of photoshopping to the photos and did things like whiting out the background, or fuzzing the edges, or adding frames. In some cases, this clearly detracts from the photo - like people who are too close to the edge have been blurred or cut out. In others, it's just a matter of taste, and I think it looks really tacky. The photographer loves stuff like this and it's obvious on her website. But, she did not tell me she would be adding these "details" to my photos. I thought it was a "what you see is what you get" thing from the website. What should I do? Wait to get the files and just have them reprinted? Risk totally offending her and asking her to reprint them? Just let it go? As everyone knows, photography is not cheap, so it's really disappointing to think I have these great photos and then get the prints and be so unhappy. What would you do?

Oh, and by the way, I've been a bit lazy so haven't actually paid for the prints yet. I guess I could deduct the ones that are really bad?

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

I think you should definitely tell her how you feel. It is a lot of money to spend to not voice your opinions or concerns. The absolute worst thing that can happen is that you end up reprinting them yourself. But, it is an honest mistake to think that they would look as they do online. I would certainly explain what you thought they would look like and see what can be done.

I would tell her you prefer the pictures the way they were. I'm really surprised she would do stuff like add frames. can you show us some?

honestly bridget, i would tell your photographer that you prefer to have them without the things she did. could you show us some? you should not have to pay for a product you dont like, and your photog should be working with you on that to make you happy.

yep - I agree with pp - you should definitely give her a call and explain what you expected when you placed the order. I'm sure she'd rather know and be able to fix it as opposed to assume that you love them when you don't.

If you're worried about offending you can always start off the conversation by gushing about how you really love the photos that are in the online gallery and what a great job she did, etc. (and then follow it by saying that you expected the prints to look the same and that the photoshop effects that she applied just don't suit your style

have her reprint the photos the way you saw them when you "proofed" or ordered them online.

Frames?!? Frames?!? Are you serious? Wow. Why would a pro photographer add frames? I just think that's so tacky.

I'd definitely nicely tell her that you prefer the photos as you saw them in the proofs and ask her to re-print.

I think you all are right - I definitely need to say something, I just hate to have confrontations like this. Also, I really like her and loved our photos and just don't want to offend her taste.

Since they are actually photos, I'd have to scan them to show you, but a good example is in beckyandbrian's siggy - notice how the edges of the photo fade to black? (that's what I meant by "frames") She did this in black, white, and fuzziness in several photos. In others, she faded or whited out the background and I feel like we got married on the beach for a reason and I actually want to see the background - it was a big part of our day.

So I just don't like the look, but I don't know that that would entitle me to have her reprint the photos, ya know? Especially bc I think she thought she was doing me a favor.

Thanks for all your opinions and suggestions!

Let us know how it comes out!