Unhappy with Engagement Photos

[Dana2]

 

So I think I may have made a huge mistake. I booked my photographer for e-pics and the wedding without an interview or even a phone call. Her albums online looked good, the price was right, and I just wanted to get it over with.

 

We had our e-shoot last weekend and it didn't really go like I had expected. Within minutes of us getting there we started shooting with little discussion of what we wanted or expected. I was very surprised when she said it would take less than an hour because I had expected it to take 2-3 hours. Unfortunately, we are not the kind to "speak up" when we should and that is our own fault. She only posted 40 pictures online and of those 10 are ones where we are kissing. It's just not our style. We're not a lovey-dovey couple. I only like about 10 of them.

 

Now granted, I typically do not like how I look in photos, but I thought a good photog was supposed to make you look good? She was obviously at the end of a long day during our shoot and it just seemed like she wanted to get it over with. She was nice enough but I just thought she would want to take more time to get to know us and find out what we wanted before the shoot. I can admit that this is at least half our fault. We should have been more assertive. At this point I know I have to say something. I can't let this happen on my wedding day. I'm just not sure how to break the news to her? What would you do?

[clgriffi7]

This is a tough situation, but you are right that you have to get this worked out now...before you are unhappy with your wedding day photos.  First, I would call and tell her that you are not happy with the photos and ask to book another engagment session.  As most sessions last about 2 hours, you did not get the full amount of time that you should have been allowed.  In order to make this non-confrontational (I am not the kind to really speak up either), you could possibly offer to pay say $100 for this second session since she will have to travel to a location again.  Tell her you would like to meet her ahead of time (at a place & time of her convenience) to show her some examples of her work and the work of other photographers that you like.  I would recommend printing out both engagement and wedding pictures from her website and other photogs so she knows what you like.  But I would emphasize multiple times that you really liked her work on her website (compliment while criticizing).  Good luck - let us know how it goes!

[MissSimone]

If there was ever a time to be the "speak up type" your wedding would be it. You don't want to have your engagement photos looking a hot mess because you never said anything to the photographer. This is important. You won't be able to replace the memories or the photos that she might mess up. Just tell her how you feel. If she's a professional she'll understand and do all she can to rectify this situation.

[Dana2]

Thanks for the replies, ladies. I forgot to mention there is no chance for a redo because I'm going to be out of state until December. By then it'll be too late to use the pics for what we wanted them for. 

 

I've been putting this off because I was hoping the pictures would grow on me but it just hasn't happened yet.... 

[Raazzy5711]

I definitely think if you decide to keep her for your wedding you need to tell her what you are expecting.  Since you don't have time to re-do your e-pics just pick the ten you like and run with them.  Sorry this happened to you.

[want2gosouth]

Your situation sucks but let me let you in on a little secret from a married womans perspective. Before I got married I did the engagement shoot...there were really about 10 photos of the lot that i LOVED (rest were garbage) and only ended up blowing 1 picture up that we still have up on our wall today...BUT I have not opened that album since...I look at my wedding photos..not the engagement photos. So trust me dear...in about 3 years you will forget about this! In the meantime...I would make sure you have a planning meeting with this photographer before your big day and go through step by step what you are expecting from her on your big day...if you are still not comfortable with her...fire her and hire someone else!

Good Luck!

[JanineA]

I totally agree with the other ladies. Now is not the time to sit quietly on the side lines. Speak up before it is your wedding day so that you can hire someone else in time for your big day if you need to. 

Originally Posted by want2gosouth 

Your situation sucks but let me let you in on a little secret from a married womans perspective. Before I got married I did the engagement shoot...there were really about 10 photos of the lot that i LOVED (rest were garbage) and only ended up blowing 1 picture up that we still have up on our wall today...BUT I have not opened that album since...I look at my wedding photos..not the engagement photos. So trust me dear...in about 3 years you will forget about this! In the meantime...I would make sure you have a planning meeting with this photographer before your big day and go through step by step what you are expecting from her on your big day...if you are still not comfortable with her...fire her and hire someone else!

Good Luck!

[AishaB]

That is a tough one but I do agree with the others, you have to say something and tell her what you want and what you wish to see in your pics. The engagement pics can be put away but you don't want to be forced to do so with your wedding pictures.  You need to address it.  Good luck!

[Simistar]

If you're not happy with the work the she did, or even the effort she put it into, I would look for another photographer RIGHT NOW!

Seriously.

I am saying this as someone who had a terrible wedding photographer and consequently, terrible pictures.

If we had had the chance to do an e-shoot with him first, to see his personality and his quality of shots, there's NO WAY we would have booked him!

Our photos are my biggest regret of the whole wedding planning process. There's no "do-over", so make sure you get a person you trust and whose work you love, even if it means losing out on a deposit to do it.

Good luck:-)

[TerraDawn]

I have TOTALLY  run into a similar situation before (from the photographer's stand point...).  I had a SUPER sweet couple book me for their e-session a few months ago.  The session took about 3 hours (your less than an hour session was definitely waaaay under what it should have been) and I thought it went superbly!  The next week, the bride contacted me and said that although the pictures were lovely, they just weren't their style.  They were also not a lovey-dovey type couple.

 

Although I hated to lose their wedding, I knew at that point that no matter what they loved I just wasn't going to be the perfect photographer for them.  (For their e-session I gave them exactly what they saw online with my other couples...so there were no surprises.)  I think recommending another, more suitable, photographer was probably the best thing I could have done.  We parted on great terms and they still email me with questions about vendors and whatnot!  Win-win!

 

I guess what I am trying to say is, if your photographer is a professional...they will understand that the most important thing an engagement session does is to make sure the photographer and client are a perfect match.  I would recommend NOT even trying to get your photographer to shoot the way you want her to.  A photographer will always see with their artists eye, no matter how many photos you show them of your preferred method.  I guarantee you, this photographer (although super talented) will most likely not give you what you want on your big day. 

 

I would start talking about getting a refund (except the e-session portion, of course).

 

Whew!!  I hope that helps!!  And good luck with everything!!

 

Terra Dawn