Hi everyone,
Looking for some advice for my “rock and a hard place” decision regarding my photographer. In the beginning communication was timely (emails and messages responded to within 24 hours), our face-to-face meeting she was there 10 minutes early. She has nothing but rave reviews, and several people I had spoken to recommended her. Things started to go downhill after the deposit exchanged hands.
When trying to arrange the engagement session messages would go weeks without being acknowledged, finally a date and time was set... but no location. I sent several emails in the week leading up to the engagement session asking where the location was, and I finally had to call the day of to find where we were meeting for the session.... you would think she would have realized she had an appointment but no location, wouldn’t you? I also had to print the contract and bring it with me so we would have a copy signed.
I messaged my photographer back in February asking for confirmation on some information not included on the contract, and a week later received a response saying she would send me an official document with this information.... I have yet to receive this.
Last Monday I emailed her to ask how much time she would like between ceremony and reception, and yesterday I had a bit of a stress meltdown about the lack of communication and because now I’ve lost so much confidence in this photographer. My FH immediately emailed her and basically said what’s the deal, and I did receive an email back today letting me know her time preference, and assuring me she will send me the document soon. I think as a show of good faith she asked if I would like to meet for coffee to discuss the details of the day, but my wedding isn’t until sept, and I haven’t made the schedule yet since I was waiting on this reply from her. So I asked to set up a meeting in July.
I have now asked about her preferred method of communication as I am finding it a bit of a struggle, and felt she brushed me off.
So I guess after this VERY long (I’m sorry!!) post, am I overreacting in being concerned about her in terms of dealing with her the day of? I’m terrified she isn’t going to show, and yes, we can take legal action if she doesn’t show up, but that won’t get photos taken on the wedding day. I am honestly at the point of wanting to lose the $500 dollar deposit and try and find someone else, but I’m on such a limited budget I don’t know if I can find someone else I can afford after losing that $500, or even if anyone would be available. What would you do?