photographer is freaking out about my review

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 ( 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 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.

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

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 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.