Cancelling photography contract... Need advice!!! It's long but please read :-)

I am thinking of cancelling our photography contract, but I would like some insight and advice from other brides before moving forward. Here's a little back story:

Our photographer is one of the "recommended vendors" from our wedding venue. We have seen the company at showcases and looked at albums, and finally set up an appointment to meet with them. We booked a contract, left a $500.00 deposit (which is non-refundable) and were ready to start doing business.

We had our engagement pictures done, which came out nice. We had met the photographer to pick up the proofs (which was kind of out of the way - it was more near him that us) and had no problems up until this point.

We wanted to get "Save the Dates" printed, and I was going to use an online source myself. Our photographer mentioned he has a printing company that he works with, so me being the person I am (I have a hard time saying NO), said "sure let's go with that." He had TWO magnets to pick from, and we couldn't even use those because there was a calendar that would be printed on the magnet and the picture we chose wouldn't work with that format. So I ended up settling for a card-type style, which is beautiful, but still not what I wanted.

So, I met him at another showcase to order the STDs. I filled out all of the information CORRECTLY and he said he would order them and it takes about 5 days for them to come in. This was on a Thursday in the middle of March. I called him back almost a week later because there was a conflict with our date...we didn't realize it was on Good Friday so we had to move the wedding up a week. So I explain to him, and he says OK that it is not a problem and he is free for our new date. THEN he mentions he DIDN'T EVEN ORDER the STDs yet... a week later!!! This was OK with me because our date changed, so it worked out. But I should have known that this was a preview of what was to come. He tells me to call him back once we confirm the date change will all of the other vendors. So I called back an hour later and no answer. I left him a message and even shot him an email and no reply. I had also sent a subsequent email to verify EXACTLY how our names and info should appear. Both of our last names are spelled like "AbCdefg" and this has always been a problem for both of us and wanted to make sure they were punctuated correctly. So he responded to THAT email saying "Ok, not a problem, talk with you soon."

FINALLY I hear back a week later (the next Wednesday), and he tells me he is ordering them THAT DAY. Wellllll another week passes, still NOTHING. I sent him an email AGAIN trying to find out what's going on, no response. So a month later, this past Monday, he calls me to tell me the STDs are FINALLY here. He asks where I want to meet to pick them up, so I said somewhere convenient for us both. So he basically makes me travel 7 exits on the LIE when he only has to travel 1. This kind of pissed me off, but I was happy to finally have the things, so I didn't really care. So I get there, open up the box, and they are WRONG!!! They spelled my fiance's last name "Abcdefg" instead of "AbCdefg". I SPECIFICALLY STRESSED THIS TO HIM! So he tells me it's too late to do anything that day, that he will call the printing company first thing Wednesday morning.

I thought it would have been nice for him to call me after he spoke with them, just to put my mind at ease and reassure me it's going to be fixed. I heard nothing, so I emailed him to see what the outcome was. No repsonse. So Thursday (yesterday) I tried calling him three separate times from morning until afternoon, and his phone was OFF.

I am so upset and bothered by this. I am feeling like photographers should have an eye for detail AND should be reachable. Am I overreacting and being too harsh??? I understand people make mistakes, things happen. But don't you check your work before presenting it to a client? And when he showed them to me I even said "This is why I even emailed you the info again to make sure it came out correct because I KNEW this was going to be a problem!" His response was "I didn't look at the email, I went by what you wrote." EVEN STILL... my handwriting is EXTREMELY NEAT and I WOULD NOT misspell my fiance's name. And besides, our names are all over the contract, checks we have given, etc. Even if it was the printing company's fault, it would have been nice for him to call and say "Just wanted to let you know I spoke with them, they are reprinting them and they should be in next week."

I REFUSE to pay for the second batch because this wasn't OUR mistake. I honestly just want to be done with this whole thing and find another photography company we can TRUST.

Any advice, input, or ways of wording a cancellation letter to this company would be GREATLY appreciated!!! I would rather lose some money and have peace of mind then to deal with this! Pictures are forever!

Thank you guys!

Re: Cancelling photography contract... Need advice!!! It's long but please read :-)

To be honest, this whole situation makes me nervous for you. You don't want to be dealing with these kind of issues with your wedding photos. If I was in your shoes, I would just write up a simple letter stating that you are canceling. You will lose the $500 but it will be worth it in the long run. Start contacting other photographers now to make sure one that you want is available for your date. So sorry you are dealing with this...hang in there. Good luck!

Re: Cancelling photography contract... Need advice!!! It's long but please read :-)

Thank you, that makes me feel better! I most certainly DON'T want to be dealing with this

Now, how should I go about this? Should I wait until after the new STDs come in, pick them up from him and send a letter afterwards?

Re: Cancelling photography contract... Need advice!!! It's long but please read :-)

Wow I think that is A LOT to deal with especially in the early stages of your relationship with him. There is no reason that any of your vendors should cause so much stress. It is one thing if he just got the names printed incorrectly, but not to apologize at all, to be so slow in ordering the STD in the first place, not making things convenient for you, not looking at your email and not even returning your calls, that is inexcusable and very unprofessional! Your vendors should be there whenever you have a question and make every attempt to do things the way that you want them to be done.

Just out of curiosity had you read any negative reviews on this vendor?

In all honesty if i were you i would look around with other photographers first to make sure that they are available and if you find a good and reputable one then cancel your contract with the current one.

Re: Cancelling photography contract... Need advice!!! It's long but please read :-)

I think you should cancel too. Especially if you're this frustrated already. Keep in mind you'll have to work with him for your entire wedding day, and afterwards. It sounds like arranging albums and getting proofs will be a hassle.

Would you mind FMing me the name of your photographer? Just curious.

Good luck!

Re: Cancelling photography contract... Need advice!!! It's long but please read :-)

I agree, it's better to be strong and cancel now. I know people who went two years without seeing their photos - that's horrible!! You should trust your instincts.

Re: Cancelling photography contract... Need advice!!! It's long but please read :-)

Ladies, you guys are the BEST! Thank you for reassuring me my feelings are well-founded and I am not being a bridezilla or too demanding.

I was thinking the same thing with the wedding proofs. Is it going to take forever to get them, and even longer for our album? I know albums take a while, but it seems like we'll never get it if we stick with this!

I was only able to find one review online, and it was a good one. I do not think it is such a well-known company like Thomas Paul, Marco, Patken, Duet, etc. are. I should have known!

Message edited 4/20/2012 10:11:32 AM.

Re: Cancelling photography contract... Need advice!!! It's long but please read :-)

Just my opinion, I think today you should start reaching out to other photogs to see who is available. Get your STD's from him since it was his error - that should definitely be fixed free of charge. Once you're ready to book another photographer send your cancellation letter to him.

BTW, you have no reason to feel like a bridezilla AT ALL. Like the other girls said, a vendor should never cause you this much stress. Cut your losses and move on..

Re: Cancelling photography contract... Need advice!!! It's long but please read :-)

I am most definitely going to start looking. I have a few companies in mind that I want to start with who are more geared towards what I want anyway.

Thank you, 2012_Bride!

Re: Cancelling photography contract... Need advice!!! It's long but please read :-)

You're welcome. Hang in there! It will all work out!

Re: Cancelling photography contract... Need advice!!! It's long but please read :-)

I agree with the other girls. Start contacting other photographers while you wait for your photographer gets you the STDs. When you get them and everything looks good, then you can send out your cancellation letter.

Trust me, if he's stressing you out this much now, it will only get worse. It's not worth the $500.

Let us know if you want any photographer recommendations :)

Re: Cancelling photography contract... Need advice!!! It's long but please read :-)

If this is how they are acting now then when it gets closer to your wedding it will only stress you out more. You need a photographer that will respond to your calls and emails especially if you are giving them a ton of money. Good Luck!

Re: Cancelling photography contract... Need advice!!! It's long but please read :-)

Just out of curiousity, which company is this?

That's horrible this happened to you, I would be so upset. I hope it all works out for the best for you.

Re: Cancelling photography contract... Need advice!!! It's long but please read :-)

I also agree that this is much more stress than it's worth. I am really lucky that I only need a photographer for the day of my wedding, and I do not envy the kind of stress he's putting you through :/

The only thing you might want to consider - he will probably not charge you extra for re-ordering the STDs, but there is a chance he may try to charge you more for the service he already gave you. I wonder if you can find out somehow what he normally charges just for the engagement shoot and STDs so that you can prove to him that you don't owe him anything.

Just make sure you cover that base before you terminate. :)

Good luck finding another photographer. There are some really amazing ones out there that will take time and effort to make sure that you are taken care of. I'm working with Tony from ADA Photography Studio (he's the owner) and he has been nothing but accommodating with me - both money-wise and getting back to me as soon as possible.

Re: Cancelling photography contract... Need advice!!! It's long but please read :-)

DEF cancel with them!! you need to trust your photographer the most out of any vendor you choose, bc they are the ones that are going to be leaving you with memories of your special day!!!!!!

I am using Patkin Photographers. They give you an engagement photoshoot for free and free Save the Dates as well!!!!!

Good Luck!

Re: Cancelling photography contract... Need advice!!! It's long but please read :-)

I would def. cancel. You don't want this to deal with this stress the rest of the wedding process and after. Hopefully you get the new batch of STDs soon so you can be done with them.

Re: Cancelling photography contract... Need advice!!! It's long but please read :-)

Thank you all again for your advice and support! I just sat down to type up a cancellation letter. I even called our venue and they are going to see what they can do also. I am now completely confident that we are making the right decision!

Wish me luck!

Re: Cancelling photography contract... Need advice!!! It's long but please read :-)

This guy sounds very unprofessional and sloppy. Everyone knows "the customer is always right". When you put down your deposit and signed a contract, he was supposed to live up to his end of the contract as well, which it doesn't sound like he has. I would print out all of the e-mail correspondence and take him to small claims court. $600 is a lot of money, you're canceling early and your reasons for doing so are totally valid (I'd even file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau).

Re: Cancelling photography contract... Need advice!!! It's long but please read :-)

I just sent an email cancelling our contract, which we will follow with a signed letter in the mail. I asked our deposit be rufunded since our wedding is so far away and our experience has been horrible. We might not get it back, but it doesn't hurt to ask.

I feel like a ton of bricks has been lifted off of my shoulders. I know it is not all over since he might repsond, put up a fight, etc. But even still I feel so much better.

Thank you guys!!!!!!!!

Re: Cancelling photography contract... Need advice!!! It's long but please read :-)

You are definitely not overreacting. This is so unprofessional!!! I would definitely cancel. You are better off learning now and cut your losts now than going through with him doing your wedding and dealing with this throughout the whole process. I think thats good you told your venue. Maybe they can help you get your deposit back and lose him as a house vendor!!! Good luck!!!

Re: Cancelling photography contract... Need advice!!! It's long but please read :-)

Bride2012... thank you! I honestly think the venue will try to help. They do not take this stuff lightly, especially when they are putting their stamp of approval on it! (Sunset Harbour is AMAZING, by the way!)

Now we just have to wait and see what comes of our cancellation letter. Hopefully this is the last of it and we can move on

Re: Cancelling photography contract... Need advice!!! It's long but please read :-)

This!

Re: Cancelling photography contract... Need advice!!! It's long but please read :-)

Definetely go with your gut. We recently canceled our first photographer as well. It is not worth the risk.

Message edited 4/20/2012 11:00:33 PM.

Re: Cancelling photography contract... Need advice!!! It's long but please read :-)

Really? What happened with your first one, if you don't mind my asking?

Re: Cancelling photography contract... Need advice!!! It's long but please read :-)

i don't even have to finish reading to tell you to RUN FOR THE HILLS. eat the $500 and move on. Trust me, it sux... but wedding pics are THE MOST IMPORTANT pics ever. This guy is gonna screw them up