Wedding Photographer Advice (Prof photographer advice please)

Hi there,

I was looking for a bit of advice because I am not sure what to - we got married at the end of April and used a photogrpaher we had found at the wedding fayre at the SECC. He seemed professional and his photos look brilliant so after meeting with him we booked him. I won't go into the long story but we were unhappy with his service on the day (he was more interested in taking photos of my bridesmaids in non-wedding poses than taking photos of us etc) BUT that's not what I am concerned about (well not for now). We contacted him 2 weeks after the wedding to ask for a timescale on seeing our online gallery (I realise how annoying this probably was but we were just keen). He emailed back to say he had finished the selection process and was now processing the shots and they would be up in 7 - 10 days. Amazing we thought... so 4 weeks later and still nothing so we contacted him again. After trying to get in contact for a few days we finally got him and he said "oh 2 weeks time". Fine we thought - it was still pretty damn quick! Soooooooo 5 weeks later (now 11 weeks after the wedding) we still had nothing so we got in contact AGAIN. He said - "oh there were so many good shots I have been unable to choose the ones for your gallery so would like your help choosing them so I will send you them all tonight. Just so you know I have not processed them yet as we haven't chosen the ones for the gallery yet" (contradicting his first email). 3 days later we received the link to them all online. 2 week slater we sent our choices for the online gallery with a list of questions (timescale, how many for album etc) and heard nowt back. 1 week ago (after phoning the studio he works in and trying to get in contact with him on numerous occassions) we were sent the link to our gallery with the finished proofs only to find only half of a gallery. He advised he was uploading them as teh day went on but 2 days later we still only had hald a gallery. We contacted him AGAIN only for him to email back saying "sorry - work came up at the weekend. Will get back to them hopefully today".... Now I do not expect him to drop any new work for us but we have now been waiting 19 weeks and have half a gallery...

I am just wondering what we can do now? Can anyone advise? Is this normal?

Thanks

Laura.xx

Hi Laurajfive,

I am sorry to hear of your situation with your photographer.  Did you have a written contract and if so where there any conditons and timescales mentioned as to when the proofs/ online images will be available for you?

I do find this as unnecceptable delay, especialy it has been contradicted in his emails, as you say.

I would now write a firm, business-like letter, and send it by Special Delivery (forget Recorded mail as it's not guranteed) and it may cost you about £5.00.   In your letter you should be requiring that your choice of images be delivered (by whichever media you ordered)  in full within 14 days of signature of the recept of  your letter. If you ordered a storybook type of album or similar, request a realistict timescale from him. If this is not done so then you will seek necessary legal advice.

If he claimed to belong to a society or organisation on his literature or advertising, mention it that you will also contact them for advise. The decent societies or organisations usually, have a service for this kind of thing.

Hope this helps.

Hi Laura

I am not sure if you have got this sorted yet. I am a wedding photographer and unfortunatly its people like your photographer that give us a bad name. I have to agree with what Bob said in an earlier post. I know how fustrating it must be for you but keep persaviring. At the end of the day you have paid for his service so you have every right to get it. I think you have givin him plenty of chances so now its time to seek legal advice!

Good Luck and hope its all sorted soon

Julie

FWIW, I had exchanges with the original poster last year and supplied her with some relevant detail on this particular photographer. This should have helped her to move her problem along a little.

I naturally won't post this in open forum though.

Peter

now that time has passed.. tell us what happened!

I would have definately gone legal with him,, especially if you had a contract.. didnt you?

I made a special contract with my photographer to give me all the photos on a CD, and I asked for ALL the photos,, (not only his best ones).

I had him sign it, so I got it all... then again I am a thorough person!

let us know what happened!

les.