photographer didnt do as promised

We hired a photographer to do both the video and the photography for our

wedding. According to our sparse contract he was to provide a lapel mic for the

groom, provide 2 8x10 photos and 150 4x6 photos of our choosing a disc of all

engagment session photos and all wedding photos (on a dvd/cd). The photographer

was also given a list of prefered photos to be taken, was supposed to attend

our rehersal dinner (on contract). and his team was supposed to not only take

pics of the bride getting dressed, but was also supposed to take some pics of

the guys getting dressed. The photographer was provided all addresses, and time

frames. We received verbal confirmation of all the above, as well as what was

in the contract (that the bride wrote up to somewhat procect ourselves). We did

look at photos of his work and at a video of his work. The video was clearly

audible during the ceremony (heard bride and groom doing vows etc) and was

edited and looked ok.

 

 

The day of the wedding the photographer arrived, and then left because he

forgot something at home (a 30 minute drive one way) so he missed most of the

bridal party getting dressed, and never made it over tothe grooms and guys

dressing. The lapel mic was never provided during the ceremony and when queried

about the missing mic we were assured that it would be just fine, the sound

would be ok and not to worry...

 

We went to the photographers house, looked at his thumbnail photo's, provided a

list of the photos we wanted him to print, and included the 2 8x10 shots we

wanted printed. and was told the video would be available at the same time.

 

we were told they would be ready in 1 week and made an appointment for him to

bring them and the video to our house at the 1 week time frame. The

photographer didnt show up. we called and called and finally he shows up with a

bundle of 4x6's, a disc and a envelope with the 8x10's and appeared very

anxious to leave. While my husband was writing the check I popped the disc into

my laptop and noticed the engagement photos were missing.. Oh?? they arent on

there?? hmmmm I will have to put them onto a disc and will drop them into your

mailbox tomorrow....We wrote him a check for the remaining 1/2 (didnt want to

pay all until we had product in hand) and the photographer ran out. We popped

the video in and the sound was inaudible, can't make out any words, it appears

the video camera was stationary and no zoom, panning, etc ever took place.

Basically it is an awful video. To make matters worse the prints were not the

ones we chose, in fact, some of the prints were of wives and husbands of people

we barely knew or recongized (guess he thought they were the grandparents or

something). The 8x10's were not the choices we made.

 

We immediately put a stop payment on the check, called the photographer (had to

leave a msg) and informed the photographer of the stopped payment on the check,

and asked him to please contact us as soon as possible as we had serious issues

with the final product.

 

The photographer called back the next day and made arrangements to come to our

house that evening. Asked him to bring the list we provided of pictures we

wanted printed to prove us wrong. The expected time of arrival, came and

went....

 

we called the photographer...no answer

 

Finally after we went to bed, the photographer calls, leaves a msg...gee he is

looking at the list we provided and at the computer images and gosh these are

the pictures we requested...no reason for not arriving to meet face to face.

 

Called the photographer this morning. basically we are getting a run around,

gee he will meet with us on Saturday, but the pictures and the numbers assigned

will be different. when challenged on this (doesnt the camera or the computer

assign a number to each photo) he then states the orginal shots were on his

large computer...no we remind him we chose the pictures from his lap top,

therefore he must have a disc or they are on the laptop...oh??? they are on the

laptop???

 

This begs me to ask.... how can he print the photos we requested if he doesnt

even know where they are....

 

 

DO we have to give this guy any money??? He has been compenstated for his time,

(got half the monies up front. I think he is a stinking liar, who continues to

perpetuate lies to suit the situation. we have poor quality work, missing items

and services that were in the signed contract that werent performed... we

figure we are going to have to transfer the tapes to disc ourselves, and pay to

have them editted, we are going to have to print up the photos we requested on

our dime.. so should we have to pay this guy any more??

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

opps forgot to mention the photgrapher never did show up for the rehersal dinner...as contracted

I don't know what to answer you but I'm sorry you've had to go through so much trouble.

Whemn he didn't show up for the rehearsal dinner I'd have fired him. No you don't have to

give him more money until he provides what he was contracted for --less a discount for the

missed reheasal dinner, etc.

 

Did you get any references before hiring him? How did you find out about him?

Ruth,

 

I'm really sorry about that, I'd be curious to know why you hired him, was he recommended to you ? did you hire him primarily as the photographer or as the videographer ?

 

I've seen a few people advertising that they do both the photography and the videography, more power to them, I know personally being on top of solely the photography is a challenge in itself, there's no way that I could do an adequate job of video'ing at the same time, as it is I'm lucky if I get a bathroom break ;-)

 

No, you shouldn't pay him, not until he delivers what he promised, good luck with that and I hope it all works out well for you.

 

Tony.

did you check for references? I do wedding videos as well and I can't imagine doing both photo and video at the same time.

For those that ask, he had another guy running one camera at the ceremony and the reception, he was running the 2nd video at the church. we live in a fairly small cmmunity, we found him at a bridal show, interviewed him and others, his prices were in line with others, but he offered the video service too, which is why we chose him. we knew he would have an assistant running the video...we were also assured (but it didnt happen) that there would be an additional photographer since he would be running the other video.

I didn't bother reading the whole original post, but I'd recommend reviewing your contract and thinking about contacting a lawyer if you feel there's a problem.

It is understandable you need to vent anger and that is why you have chosen this forum to ask advice. It is noted that you are located in a small community, but it seems, based upon your version, the only recourse you have is to run the situation and contract by a legal professional.

 

If what you say is 100% accurate, then it seems you are owed and the photographer`s practices should be exposed to the rest of the community.

WW

Okay, the question every one's wanting to ask? Was he a $500 budget photographer?

hahaa Dont I wish...no -- we are talking thousands....

I think you hired the wrong person.

 

:)

 

Eric

I understand your dissapointment and frustration on this. It is a pity to not have the pictures and video you want of your wedding, which is such an important event in your life.

 

I wouldn't pay the photographer a penny. He is untrustworthy and I would make sure as many people know about this as possible, so no one else experiences the same. As long as he can't give you the material you asked for, he shouldn't be payed any money. It doesn't sound like he's going to summon you, it sounds like he wants to get rid of the whole thing asap. And if he does, I don't see a reason why you'd lose, because if he hasn't got the pictures/video by now, he won't have it for the judge. Just my two cents.

The reliable answer to your question is summed up perfectly in the first paragraph of William W's response. It sounds like a very frustrating experience.

Sounds like the guy bit off far more than he could handle. Probably very new to the work, if

he allowed the bride to draw up the contract. You said the contract was sparce. Were all the

verbal promises also put in writing in the contract? Despite that, if the guy had a conscience

at all he would absolutely volunteer every cent of your money back, and quit that line of

work!

Unfortunately this industry is now over run with well meaning amateurs, that haven't any training or experience in either business or photography. And the funny/sad part is they are all in denial of needing these things ! The Latin's used to say caveat emptor ,"may the buyer beware".

 

 

Of course the "cost shopping public", and these folks are a match made in heaven. But only until the job can't be performed, and the goods aren't delivered. The fault here lies with the photographers that are willing to ruin someone's wedding in order to satisfy their egos and wallets. I would call an attorney.

Ruth,</p>You have had a bad experience that is becoming far too common. There has been

good advice given, and I hope the best for you and your new husband.

</p>Don

ruth, I'm really sorry to hear about this.

 

good for you for stopping payment on that check and not being intimidated.

 

I would say that the question of whether you should pay or not is up to the lawyers ultimately, BUT in the meantime, I think it would be wise to send him a written document outlining everything that you are upset with and show how that he did not perform according to his contract. If the photographer decided to sue you,this document might be helpful.

 

There are always two sides to every story, but it sounds like your photog messed up big time. I would hope that this photographer wants to get rid you you and make you happy as soon as possible without going to court of the $$.

 

Send him this document stating how he did not perform according to contract and stating how you wish to resolve everything - ie. pay XX% of the total amount you would normally - and see what he says.

 

Send this via USPS Certified Mail and KEEP THE RECEIPT FOR YOUR RECORDS.

 

If you are really serious, you could get a lawyer involved but I suspect that would be pretty expensive.

 

It's my guess that the photographer won't push it since he didn't deliver certain services - no mic, no dressing shots. If I were your photographer, I would do a LOT in the way of damage control b/c I know that ONE upset client can hurt your business.

 

And for the record, it sounds like you are a pretty reasonable person - I hope that you share this experience with everyone you know and tell them to stay away from that particular photographer (most photographers are great and have happy clients).

 

Keep us posted on what happens. Again, I'm sorry to hear about this.

 

FINALLY - if this were a $100 photographer, some of the above might be understandable. but it sounds like you paid a very nice chunk of change and you should be pleased with the results (all of my clients love my work, from what they tell me!).

 

Ruth, if you live close to Philadelphia, PA, contact me privately and I would be happy to help you out. I'm not sure if you ever got the engagements, but if not, call me and I'll do some work for you for N/C.

Wow, I'm so sorry to hear about all your trouble, Ruth. It surely hits home..

 

My (now pregnant) cousin-in-law just recently had to go to court against her wedding video/photographers. They were giving her the run around for about a year and a half.. making up excuses and ignoring calls/e-mails. She finally got her money back.. but lost out on the footage of her wedding day. But, life goes on and she and her husband are piecing the day back together from family footage.

 

Don't give this guy another dime. Forget him, he's a bum. I would go as far as to try to get all my money back if I was in your shoes. He certainly did not fulfill the contract.

 

Much sympathy and hope things get straightened out,

Gabe

Many good pieces of advice already given above, but I did want to touch on one question that I don't think has been answered.

 

I think you said something about the numbers not matching up. First of all I'm not a whiz on a PC and I just sort of use it for business purposes. I edit and burn all my images on a mac.

 

Here's what I found out this year ... that when inserting a disk with images into a PC ... Windows either DOES or CAN renumber your files. I never would have believed it, but it's true. I can't explain the reasons, but I'm sure their are many here that probably can.

 

For that reason I have now had to tell my couples that when making album or print choices they need to take the numbers directly from the CD and NOT numbers from files they've downloaded.

 

And as a photographer/videographer ... I can say the moment the guy told you he didn't need a wireless he was blowing smoke up your wedding dress.

 

What defines a professional is not always the end product, but when something goes wrong ... HOW you deal with it. This is not professional behavior.

 

Best of luck.