shaye

Thanks everyone for your input � it is good to hear from photographer�s perspectives. Of all the different vendors that went into my wedding day, photography is the area I put more of my heart and soul into because I understand the value of it in years to come when memories fades and the one thing we have to hold on is a photograph. Maybe I didn�t ask the right question, but after all it�s a good thing that I don�t have experience in this since we are suppose to only do this once in a life time. However I really think I did everything I could in ensuring I get what I want and I was willing to pay good money for it and after the researches I felt confident with my selection. Since it was a destination wedding I didn�t have the luxury of asking friends and family for referrals or references. I checked out more then 2 dozens websites, and got referrals from the resort, and other vendors. I flew to the location to interview with four photographers � not wanting to leave it up to chances, I picked the more well known photographer in the area, paid good money for it and clearly communicated that I was looking for and it was agreed to � photojournalistic, candid and some traditional. I cut out lots of samples from magazines to show the photographers when interviewing with them on the style I was looking for. Five days before the wedding, I sent a list of 7 items must take (pictures with certain family members) to the photographer I selected and his response was not a problem. Knowing that this is very important to me, I asked the other vendors I worked with on my selection and all responses were overwhelmingly positive. He had taken photos of local football celebrities (if that means anything at all). During the interview I looked at his work and it was a collection of pictures from all the different weddings and it was great. I asked for proof of one complete wedding and when he pulled it out of the drawer there were ants all over the book so I didn�t get to see that.

 

In the end, I was very heart broken and upset when I saw my wedding photos. There were 308 photos, few good artsy ones but I didn�t pay 5 grand to have a few good pictures. None really made me go wow, none. I didn�t feel it was a good representation of the wedding day � many many scenes were not captured (if it was supposed to be photojournalistics). Not one good one of the bride and groom that I can frame.

 

Anyway, I made a special trip to meet with him again this past weekend and expressed my disappointment. He was sincerely surprised and taken by it. Understanding it is subjective so the only thing I can pin him to was the 7 must take photos that was agreed to and not done. His response was he does not work by lists. He said, I commissioned him to do my wedding day because obviously I liked his work and therefore he does not work by lists. At the end he showed me the additional 300 photos that some were and some were not included in the proof book and I found a few that we want to keep. After meeting with him, I get a sense that he didn�t �con� me purposely but the problem is arrogant so much he didn�t take his client�s needs into consideration � - the result of his work shows that �his main concern was to have artsy photos for the �art book� while my need is to have beautiful pictures and to have my wedding day documented. It was an amazing wedding day and I want timeless photos to treasure. The one advice I like to give photographers out there is to really guide your clients, even if they didn�t ask the right question, make sure they get all the information they need to know and be honest about your ability and style because it is such a major event that can not be recreated. Looking back I truly believe I did everything I am supposed to and beyond in my research. It was just an unfortunate situation.

 

Another question, I was trying to find places to let perspective customers in the area know (just so that they are informed to make their decision) but I couldn't find any location on the web. Pictage.com's client comments goes directly to the photographers and he/she decides whether to post or not so it is not helpful.

Few of the staged candid shots looks like it could be one of the ones on the photographer's website. However, what I was expecting besides those were more pictures that would capture the entire day. We got barely any of the ceremony, everthing from walking down the ailse to cake cutting was from a far lower angle. Also, I gave him a list of a few things I want him to take like photos with my mom, both families, some extended families - none were taken. I am not sure how to approach it. Can anything be done?

I am extremely disappointed with our wedding proofs. We paid $5,000

for 8 hour photo sessions and a 20 page flush album. This is the one

area we didn't cut corners and we did extensive research before

contacting. The photographer seems to be well known in the area.

The photos didn't seem to represent the wedding day no group

pictures, only one pictures with the bridesmaids. I gently mentioned

to the photographer how come we didn't have pictures of the things we

expected to see (like bridesmaids walking down the ailse) the

photographer's response was I don't do those type of pictures. Is it

normal that the photographer can pick what to take and not take? I

don't even have a good picture of my husband and I that I can frame