Any Professional Photograher's here - help please!

Hello,

I was on WP back in 07, but wondered if there are any proffesional Photographers still on here willing to give me some advice?

TIA

Hi Trinityb,

I'll try to help, if I can.

Thank you!

Background.....Our wedding was July 07. We got the proofs for our wedding album within about a month, which I thought was pretty reasonable. The quality was good, but he missed a few key things (like our table plan, which was stunning!), a few family shots etc. I was so pleased with our DVD that I didn't mind too much, but I had told him that as we wanted a storybook album, would like things like table plan included.

Anyway, fast forward a year and choosing our shots for the album got put on the backburner due to house move, pregnancy, miscarriage, another pregnancy etc. In that time we had no communication from our photographer. I finallygot round to emailing him the sots we would like, and since then it has taken forever......he took over three months to get the first layout proof to us, and since then when I have requested small changes he takes ages to get back to me. He keeps saying that as our wedding was so long ago other people have priority. It's spring/summer/ Christmas it's abusy time for him!! He has now said our (hopefully final) proof will take another three weeks (have been emailing him for two months).

We paid in full upfront proir to our wedding. I realise that we were slow in getting back to him originally, but thought he may have at least emailed to give us some help to choose or say if we don't get back to him it may take a long time.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks in advance, Trinityb

He may possibly be having the design done for him by the album suppliers. That "may" cause some delays, specifically at this time of year as many (including you) want their albums in time for christmas. Any change requests in this case  would have to be referred back to the designer and can have financial costs.  That said, it is frustrating to wait for something that you want.

Feel free to email any details through my email adress on the website link below. If I know or can find out anything I will (and be discrete as well.)

Peter

Sorry for the delay in replying.

I agree with Peter as to the reasons why there are delays. It may be worth looking into the contract you agreed with your tog (if there was one and you still have it). It may have stated timescales by which you, as the customer, had to respond to with various tasks (example, choosing your images for the albums and providing any music for the DVD, etc) and therefore, any disclaimer for further delays, if you delayed in getting back to him.

However, if his contract did not state any timescales for you to choose your images, he should then, ensure he communicated with you regarding the possible time it will take to sort the album layout and stick with it.

Like Peter mentioned, your tog maybe getting his design done by a third party, and hence, toing and froing. This is the very reason, I had decided to do the designing of the layout myself and then I meet up with the couple and show them on the laptop. If they would like any small changes,  I could do it there and then, in front of them and get it finalised. It then takes approximately three  weeks to have the book album with the couple.

Hope this helps.

Thanks guys.

It is very frustrating waiting so long between each email. He has told me that the actual album will be done in Italy and will take 5-6 weeks. No idea if his is true or not! It seems like it was all my fault for leaving it so long in the first place, but he has hardly been pro-active. I just feel like it was a case of we paid in full upfront, he's not bothered now about the aftercare!

The DVD was done by another company, and we asked for some pictures to be supplied to the DVD guy to be used. He didn't get back to us/or him for ages and the DVD was done & dusted by the time he responded. Also asked for 100 mini pics (that we would pay for) to be used in the Thank You cards & after waiting two months thought I should just forget that idea! Should have chosen my tog more carefully I think.....

On another note, I have had some proffesional pics done of my baby and have the CD with them on from the tog. Where online would you suggest to get some printed. I assume there are better quality places that Snapfish/Photobox etc. As they are good high res images I want the best printing possible.

I appreciate you taking the time to respond.

Hi TrinityB

Sounds like you've had a difficult time with your photographer. Is it a Graphistudio album that you'll be getting? They are in Italy, and they offer a design service, so it may well be that your photographer has to wait for them to come back to him, and they'll be very busy this time of year as Peter mentioned. It does sound like you're getting bad service from the photographer though, they should at least be keeping you updated on timescales.

For your photos of your baby, I'd suggest Colorworld for good quality prints. Their website is: http://www.colorworldimaging.co.uk/

Ali x

Hi Tia,

Firstly, let me pay devils advocate a little.  I know that it may all seem very frustrating from your end, however, as things get ever closer to Christmas, well, everyone wants everything for christmas!!!!

All of sudden you end up with half a dozen clients who haven't spoken to you in a year, and they're all asking to get things done within a relatively short timescale.

However, you have paid for a service, and you deserve to get the items you've paid for.

In order to achieve this, stop emailing, and write a good old fashioned letter. Emails are easy to ignore and carry little or no weight.

Be polite in your letter, tell your photographer you understand the difficulty he is having, however, you would like the goods you have paid for. Detail what you have paid for and what you expect. Include the shots that you think should be included.

Give the photographer a reasonable time scale to get the work completed, but ask that the work is completed in that time. So 3 weeks for the next proof, then 6 weeks upon approval you expect to see your finished album.

Tell him you want a written confirmation that these 'reasonable' requests are met, within 7 working days. Tell him that if these reasonable requests are not met, you will have to take further action to ensure that you get the album you have paid for.

Send this letter by recorded post. Keep a copy for yourself. Do not get angry, be factual. Do not mention court.

If you haven't got a reply within 7 days (which I doubt) send another letter, saying that you have sought legal advice and that if your terms are not met within 7 days, then you will be taking the photographer in question to court for the full amount paid. (send this letter by recorded post, keep a copy for yourself)

If you still don't get an answer, then go to Citizens Advice and ask about Small Claims Court. I would be highly surprised if it gets this far.

Any questions, please feel free to email me at pete@pkphotovideo.co.uk

Pete x

P.S: At no time through the proceedings should you get angry/personal, just stick to the facts! It's important! Oh and keep a cpy of all your emails/letters and their responses...