Really Bad wedding picture

<p>I just got my wedding album from a wedding that was almost a year ago! What a load of cr0p! We knew that the pictures were bad from the proofs, but were hoping that the photographer would at least make an attempt on retouching / organizing the pictures. After all she asked for thee month to assemble the albums. It seems that pre-canned photo books from a Snapfish would have been a better option.<br>

Is there anything we can do now? Can we get some of the money back to give it to someone else for post-processing?<br>

To add insult to injury, the images were shot in jpg format with high compression.</p>

<p>What's written in your contract?</p>

<p>Second, just because an image file were saved via high compression doesn't mean they're unusable, the question should be are they high res or low res? </p>

<p>Alex - </p>

<p>It's really going to depend on your contract with the photographer and the wording of it. Does your contract call for you to get RAW images? 99% of the photographers I know will not give out RAW images - EVER. The majority of those who do give out cd's of images do so in a JPG format. Some (including your photographer from the sound of it) give out small JPG's so the most you can do with them is a 4x6 print or facebook. </p>

<p>If there is a limitation on liability clause - then you are pretty much at the mercy of the photographer, in terms of compensation, since they can always claim the "act of God" out. </p>

<p>Best thing to do - get out your copy of the contract - look for satisfaction guarantees and damage clauses - Then call your photographer and calmly explain to her what the issues are with the photos - Follow that up with a certified letter stating your complaints and asking her to respond to each item. </p>

<p>The key is to remain calm and cool. Don't get emotional - even though this is a very emotional time and process. Keep things professional - she may not even be aware that you are upset. </p>

<p>Last resort is to take her to court - most likely a small claims matter - since most wedding photography falls into that category. Again - check your contract - and try to talk to her first. </p>

<p>Dave</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Time for the weekly wedding wipeout... Alex have you sat down and discussed all these concerns with the photog in person? If not, that would be my first step. And just for my own curiosity, was this a solid reference from another bride or some other type deal? Dave </p>

<p>"Can we get some of the money back to give it to someone else for post-processing?"</p>

<p>Yes and no. If you get into the "someone else is going to print" area, you would need the photographer to give you and the "someone else" a release to make copies of your wedding photographer's work.</p>

<p>If, <em>after seeing what the photographer can fix to your satisfaction</em> (or not,) you have the option of finding out if a local license board has any means of recording good and bad business practices in your town or county. That would not cost you anything. If you end up with a lawyer, you won't gain much money wise -- lawyers like to earn $$$$s, too.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>How much was her fee?</p>

Alex, I'm very sorry to hear that. As has been said, much will depend on what your contract said (assuming you had one) or whether, in absence of a contract, you had any written exchange detailing the deliverables and obligations.

<p>If you have the high res images (or can obtain them), then you can certainly find people willing to rework these for you. I am not sure that you are obliged to get the photographer's permission to have your own images retouched and indeed an album reprinted but then again I live in a different hemisphere ;-)

<p>I will warn, though, that for retouching, a lot will be dependent on the quality of initial capture. Thankfully, in the right hands, software nowadays has become very powerful for salvaging even sub-par images.

<p>Did the photographer give you a proof to look at before making the album? If not, I agree with the other posters here about speaking calmly with the photographer about your concerns. Be sure to have specific, not abstract, things to talk about. "I don't like them" isn't going to help her understand the issues. "I don't like that you left a picture of me and my wife standing next to a guy scratching his backside" is a little more helpful.</p>

<p>And not to make light of your situation, but I got a chuckle out of your Freudian typo - "a load of crop." Maybe cropping is exactly what some of the photos need! : )</p>

<p>Did you view a range the Photographer's work, prior to the Wedding? <br>

If yes, in what ways, specifically, why are your photos inferior and different, to those?<br>

If no, then I think your battle will be more difficult.</p>

<p > <br>

WW</p>