Post content has been hidden

To unblock this content, please click here

Master July 2021 Ontario

Photography Advice!

Kelsie, on April 30, 2019 at 12:01 Posted in Before the wedding 0 17

Saved

Dispute
Hide content

Hello wonderful ladies of wedding wire!

I hope your wedding planning is all going well!

I have an issue with our photographer and I’m not sure which route to take - my FH and I are split on what to do.

ive been having issues with our upcoming engagement photos mainly because I’ve gained some weight and the outfits I have just don’t fit my body anymore.

Ive been searching helplessly for something to wear and I’ve come up with a big goose egg.

i thought I’d reach out to my photographer for some inspiration because google images and Pinterest weren’t helping. So I kindly asked if he could send me previous work to get some ideas on what might work with the venue we chose.

He legitimately forwarded me the same google images I had found myself. I felt like an absolute idiot..considering I’d asked for previous work. At this point, I didn’t find him helpful at all and to be honest, I was pretty insulted.

our photographer is part of a larger company and basically we just got him assigned to us. My mom and my FH thinks I should email the company and request a different photographer and cite “personality differences” as the reason for the switch. I’m worried about switching before the engagement photos - id rather see how they turn out and then change.

i also just found out yesterday he is brand new to the company and has never shot our venue before...which is annoying because the company is our venue’s preferred photographer. I’m nervous with how new he is ...and not knowing the venue at all ...could this be a disaster?!

What do you guys think? Should I dump him now, not knowing who else I’ll get paired with, or wait and see how the engagement photos turn out?

Thanks in advance!

Dispute
Hide content

17 Comments

Latest activity by Lisa, on May 2, 2019 at 13:05

Expert August 2019 Alberta
Lisa · On May 2, 2019 at 13:05
Dispute

Hide content
View quoted message

I'm so very happy to see this!!! I hope your meeting with the new photographer goes well!
- Reply
Master July 2021 Ontario
Kelsie · On May 2, 2019 at 12:16
Dispute

Hide content
View quoted message
They ended up switching out my photographer like I had asked. So yay!

There was no way I was sticking with him after they had told him everything I had said (not that I care about that because it was all true) but both of us would be uncomfortable with the other - so I did not understand what the big deal was in switching the photographer.

we are having a FaceTime call with the new guy hopefully tonight! Fingers crossed he’s great because I don’t need the stress of switching again 😑

all’s well that ends well. my first “bridezilla” moment is over 😂
- Reply
Expert August 2019 Alberta
Lisa · On May 1, 2019 at 17:30
Dispute

Hide content
View quoted message

Wow, there's really terrible service - I'd be pissed too. Photography is a personal, artistic thing, and you should be allowed to have some say in who is photographing your wedding day. I'd also let your venue know, as they were the ones that said they are the preferred vendor - they might want to know how this was handled as well. Good luck - I hope you are able to get some resolution out of this - and at the very least, make sure you let others know the company name and your experience.
- Reply
Master July 2021 Ontario
Kelsie · On May 1, 2019 at 16:33
Dispute

Hide content
Update everyone...

it couldnt have gone worse! Not only have they gone and told the photographer what I’ve said (I don’t care about this because it’s all true) but they sent me an email back justifying his actions.

she finished by saying they don’t allow clients to choose their photographer. I wasn’t asking to choose my photographer, I was simply asking to be reassigned to another.

quite frankly, I’m pissed. I’m paying SO MUCH money and this to me is terrible service. I wrote back I’m saying how disappointed in their service I am. Ultimately, if they don’t change my photographer - I’m going to go elsewhere but I don’t doubt it’ll cost me.
- Reply
Master July 2021 Ontario
Kelsie · On May 1, 2019 at 10:40
Dispute

Hide content
View quoted message
I emailed them this morning, so hopefully I will get a positive response.

I just said I don’t think we are a good match due to a mismatch in personality. I’m paying a lot of money for photography and if I’m not getting along with my photographer it’ll show in the photos.

I brought up the fact that I constantly need to follow up with him, he never reaches out to me with any details. My engagement photos are less than a month away and he hadn’t given us a time yet...I need to book appointments for hair/make up, get time off, my FH needs to figure out how to get out of work early and drive down for the photos.

I pushed it towards more of a professional/personality issue rather than his lack of experience - I don’t think it’s fair for me to judge him on a lack of experience - I haven’t seen his work. I can only judge what I’ve seen and how I’ve been treated.

fingers crossed.
- Reply
Top October 2019 Manitoba
Tori · On May 1, 2019 at 10:35
Dispute

Hide content
View quoted message

Unfortunately sometimes asserting your concerns and letting them know that you want a different photographer can be seen as picky - but by no means are you out of line for wanting somebody that isn't new.
If you are to go with somebody new at very least there should be a lower price because you are paying for what you get and it shouldn't be the same price for a newb compared to somebody with years of experience.
Make sure to let us know the outcome!!
- Reply
Master July 2021 Ontario
Kelsie · On April 30, 2019 at 21:05
Dispute

Hide content
Thanks ladies! I’m going to email the photographer manager with my concerns.

im worried she’ll just try to reassure and convince me to stick with what I have. I’m concerned it’ll get around to the other photographers and my photos will turn out crap....

fingers crossed they understand!
- Reply
Master October 2019 Ontario
Casey · On April 30, 2019 at 14:52
Dispute

Hide content
I think I would go to the company itself and see what they can do. I would be a little skeptical if they haven't shot your venue before.
Better to speak up now before engagement pictures !
- Reply
Expert August 2019 Alberta
Lisa · On April 30, 2019 at 13:14
Dispute

Hide content
View quoted message

You shouldn't be stressed about your photographer - as suggested, reaching out to the company is probably best so you can put your mind at ease and get the best photos you can whatever the outcome ends up being. Keep us posted!
- Reply
VIP September 2019 Ontario
Becky · On April 30, 2019 at 12:50
Dispute

Hide content
I would talk to the company itself regarding your concerns and the fact he didn't say anything and replied the way he did I would be upset as well. I would just ask the company if any of their photographers have shot there before and if so, could you see their work? If they are preferred someone should have and I would ask to see their work, I would rather go with that person then this person who is brand new to company and you haven't seen any of his work either.
- Reply
Master July 2021 Ontario
Kelsie · On April 30, 2019 at 12:40
Dispute

Hide content
View quoted message
I appreciate it girl! I actually have a fairly decent relationship with the manager there. So maybe I should reach out to her, even to just let her know about what transpired.
- Reply
Master July 2021 Ontario
Kelsie · On April 30, 2019 at 12:39
Dispute

Hide content
View quoted message
Honestly, I have never felt so stupid in my life receiving those photos.

Everyone makes mistakes so I gave him the benefit of the doubt. He could tell I wasn’t impressed.

Now im all stressed out.
- Reply
Super June 2019 Ontario
Amanda · On April 30, 2019 at 12:39
Dispute

Hide content
View quoted message

I hear you.. it's a bit of a risk either way. What if you reach out to the company and just have a chat with them first? Don't ask for someone new just kind of explain your concerns and see if they can offer anything...
I would be feeling the exact same.. To me, the photographer has the most important role in your wedding day.... Everything else is what it is, but if nothing else, I want great pictures to document the most important day of my life... this is the last thing you need to stress about.
I am still honestly at a complete loss for words that he sent you random images. I would reach out again and say "sorry, maybe you misunderstood.. I was hoping to see some of your personal work if you can send me some pictures or perhaps a link to your photography". That is just unprofessional and like I said, lazy. You shouldn't have to use this much effort just to get a little inspiration and wardrobe ideas. Sad. I hope it all works out for you
- Reply
Expert August 2019 Alberta
Lisa · On April 30, 2019 at 12:30
Dispute

Hide content
I'd be inclined to ask for a different photographer too - you want to be comfortable with this person and if going into it with this negative feeling to start won't make you feel as though you are at your best. Very disappointing that he just sent google images...
- Reply
Master July 2021 Ontario
Kelsie · On April 30, 2019 at 12:28
Dispute

Hide content
View quoted message
Nope! They weren’t his shots at all. He googled the same stuff I did lol and just sent me random google images.

super disappointing considering the money I’m paying.

I checked his instagram...he’s been a photographer for some time...he’s just new to this company. just a worry all around if I dump him now ...they get pissed off and give me someone else whose even worse to deal with. Ahhhh!!
- Reply
Super June 2019 Ontario
Amanda · On April 30, 2019 at 12:23
Dispute

Hide content
Also.. I can't believe he sent you google images??? were they even his own shots or the same inspiration type photos you were browsing? That is so lazy and inconsiderate.. When you ask someone for previous work you should be shown nothing less than a portfolio.. As a photographer you are an artist.. now is your time to brag. I would be worried that he doesn't have much to show and in turn has no experience.
- Reply

Super June 2019 Ontario
Amanda · On April 30, 2019 at 12:21
Dispute

Hide content
I would probably dump him now to be honest. a big part of the point a lot of photographers offer engagement photos with their session is to get used to you and vice versa so everyone is comfortable on the wedding day... so if you want until after the shoot and still decide you don't like him and ask for someone new then your wedding day photographer will be someone new to you. There will have been no previous oppurtunity to get comfortable with each other.
- Reply