help! need advice from photographers about my photographer!

[mekanabr]

Ok so I need some advice from other brides that have dealt with this or from professional photographers... My photographer is giving us a great rate to do our destination wedding next July. Since she is giving us this discounted service I've been ok with the occasional lack if response and attention and I've disregarded the fact that we still haven't done the engagement pics she originally said we would do in September (no mention of that actually since our first meeting), but it's getting a little ridiculous now. She has over 20 years of experience and is very talented and well respected, so I did not expect all of this. We paid her a $1500 deposit in August and she told us she would send us our contract as a receipt for the money. (So yes, we sent her a check without having signed a contract.) I assumed that meant the following week we would have a contract. Well after 3 emails and her saying "yes, ill send it to you when I'm back in town, I've just been so busy" we still haven't received anything in writing that even says she will do our wedding besides a few emails. She got a little flakey on us for about a week when she seemed unsure of the price she said we could pay (ie- it seemed she might not want to do it bc she thought she wasn't getting enough). Its been 3 months since my last email to her (which she never responded to). I am trying to figure out what I need to do. I would be fine if she decided she didn't want to do it as long as we can get our money back. Anyone have any suggestions as to what we should do and what our options are if we were to cancel?? I love her photography but even with a discount, we are still paying a lot for her services and I want to be treated as every other client, not like someone she is doing a favor for. Thanks in advance for any advice or suggestions!!!

[bmadzia1]

I believe that is VERY unprofessional, discount or no discount. Since you do not have a contract, you can get your money back.  It does not say 'non-refundable' in the invisible contract.

 

Call her - forget emails. Clarify the situation, and say exactly what you said on here.  If you still feel that you are being 'blown off', request your deposit back and look for another photographer.

[marinemeuwec]

Did they already cash your check? If they already cashed your check then you have a verbal contract as you already have paid for services, and she needs to fulfill her end our you can take her to court for breach of contract. If she didnt cash it, but a stop payment and find someone else. I am having a photography fly down with us from the US and we are paying for her hotel but she is crediting/discounting the photography so it would be just as much. Her website is www.crystalrosephotography.com if you want to check her out. She is doing 2 weddings in Cancun in the next 2 months. good luck!!

[weddingdocphoto]

best way is to reach out and call her and see if she is active on social networking sites on her blog. If she is she cannot be that busy and she should keep communication with you!

[akotha]

I am a professional photographer - and I agree completely that the service you are receiving is very unprofessional and unacceptable.

Is your photographer local to you?  I would absolutely get her on the phone - but if she is local, I would make a visit to her studio. 

I know of a few brides who have used photographers who did not communicate with them - in some instances, the photographer did not follow through on the wedding date or did not deliver the final product.  Either option is very scary for you. 

 

If this photographer is located in the US, I would contact PPA (Professional Photographers of America) to find out if she is a member (I believe you can find this info on their website) and try to get some help from them.  Especially if you do not get any response via phone, etc. 

 

Follow up on this immediately!  No professional photographer should treat a client like this.  Be sure that it is not an email-related issue, however - call them or visit in-person.  If they continue to ignore you, do everything to get your money back (Better Business Bureau, PPA,  threaten legal action, etc) - and find a reputable photographer.

 

Best of luck to you!!

[lizmaryann]

I have to agree with everyone else...I can't imagine doing that to my clients.  It shouldn't take more than 24 hours to hear from them

 

Every couples deserves a photographer that truly cares about their big day.  Best of Luck...I hope everything works out!

[martin]

Just call her and explain that to her i am  sure that if she is a proffesional she will solve this problem as a professional, she dont want to have  bad comments for her bussines otherwise just ask for your moneyback if you dont feel comfortable,hope this work good for evreybody.

 

 

Martin & Astrid

 

http://www.cancunweddingphoto.com

 

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cancun-Wedding-Photo/405881376123?ref=search&sid=798284870.3412525174..1'>http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cancun-Wedding-Photo/405881376123?ref=search&sid=798284870.3412525174..1

 

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cancun-Wedding-Photo/405881376123?ref=search&sid=798284870.3412525174..1

[mekanabr]

Thanks for all of you input ladies.  I really appreciate all the advice and was much more confident about contacting her after I had heard from several of you.  Thankfully, everything has been worked out now.  I contacted her and she explained why she had been MIA and apologized for not being in contact.  We are finalizing our contract and getting our engagement pics taken in 2 weeks, so excited!!  Hopefully from now on we will recieve the client treatment we deserve, and since the emails and phone call, so far so good    Hopefully the info you all have added to the thread will help other brides if they are ever in the situation (although I hope no one is!!)  Thanks again!!!! 

 

[haring]

Well, this is not normal all I can say.

 

Otto Haring - www.haringphotography.com