samantha_summers Posted November 16, 2015 Share Posted November 16, 2015 I am having an issue with my wedding photographer. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I got married in May of this year. I paid a family friend to take my photos This person has their own amature photography business, is going to photography school and works for a reputable local newspaper. I signed a contract with this person for the wedding photos. The contract clearly states the photos would be delivered in 90 days. It is now November and I have yet to receive my photos. I have been in contact with this person and they have promised at least 7 different deadlines. All have come and gone. They told me they sent me a USB drive of my photos at the beginning of the month after asking for my address. I texted them a week ago and said I never received them. They blamed the mail and said they would send them again. Now here I sit a week later and no photos. How do I handle this? One person said I should send a certified letter. If so, what should the letter say? Should I jump straight to legal action . if so, do I obtain a lawyer or go to small claims court. I really hate to do any of this but this photographer has been skirting around all my questions, has moved and changed their phone number (all without telling me) since I hired them for my wedding. I need some guidance. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reuven_k Posted November 17, 2015 Share Posted November 17, 2015 <p>Sorry, but you are asking legal questions and not photography questions. I recommend that you consult with a lawyer instead of taking advice from a photography forum.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianS1664879711 Posted November 17, 2015 Share Posted November 17, 2015 <p>A 90 day turnaround is fairly quick, so it is no surprise to me that it was not met. Ask again. Tell the person you did not receive them. Blame the mail and ask that they be sent with tracking so both you and the vendor can be assured that they were delivered. Hiring a family friend is often a complicating factor... and appears to be just that in your situation. Good luck.</p> ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member69643 Posted November 17, 2015 Share Posted November 17, 2015 <p>Sounds pretty obvious that the photos were lost. He's stalling for time, refusing to admit he can't give you them. The "USB Drive" lost in the mail is right up there with the check is in the mail, this won't hurt a bit, and I won't XXXX as the biggest lies of all time.</p> <p>I hope I'm wrong, as this is, after all, just my gut reaction / opinion, but my bet is that there are no pictures to be obtained. You should ask for an immediate and full refund.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nishnishant Posted November 17, 2015 Share Posted November 17, 2015 <p>5 months now, I guess consulting a lawyer would be a good thing to do now. </p> <p>Unlikely you'll see your photos, but at least you can get your money back. </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
William Michael Posted November 17, 2015 Share Posted November 17, 2015 <blockquote> <p>"They told me they sent me a USB drive of my photos at the beginning of the month after asking for my address. I texted them a week ago and said I never received them. They blamed the mail and said they would send them again"</p> </blockquote> <p>As a first step I would arrange to go to them and collect the USB drive.</p> <p>WW</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig_shearman1 Posted November 20, 2015 Share Posted November 20, 2015 <p>To start, don't even think about getting a lawyer. Unless you paid several thousand dollars -- and you probably didn't or you would not have been hiring a family friend who is a beginner -- there isn't enough money at stake for a lawyer to be interested.<br /><br />Most likely, your photographer is a beginner who is in over his head and gotten backlogged on delivery. If he is lucky enough to be shooting multiple weddings he has probably learned what Brian said -- 90 days is quick turnaround for a wedding, especially if you're juggling several and only doing weddings part time.<br /><br />Sugar always attracts more flies than honey. Offer to come pick up the USB. Ask if he can post the images to a website like SmugMug for delivery (that's why i do with my clients). Ask him whether there is a technical problem or just too much work on his plate.<br /><br />Do not communicate by text. That's not how serious business transactions take place. Call him on the phone or meet in person.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy_rundle Posted January 1, 2016 Share Posted January 1, 2016 <p>90 days, NINETY DAYS, I get my clients VIDEOS AND ALBUMS and everything back in 30 days !!!!!!!!!!!</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kieran_mann Posted April 4, 2016 Share Posted April 4, 2016 <p>I got my videos 35 days after my wedding. If you ask me don't think what to do... Just consult a lawyer. You paid and you have a contract with him... Come on 90 days are too long</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artnethouse Posted April 10, 2016 Share Posted April 10, 2016 <p>In every case i agree with a client when he have to expect a delivery. This depends from many things, and of course, from the options a client had selected (prints, gifts delivery, complexity of retouch, travel etc). In average 7-90 days. If delay, i always communicate and never had a problem. Just keep things clear</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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