photographer leaving early

We met a wonderful photographer whose pics are fabulous and who gives the most for the money, yet he says he leaves a 1/2 hour to 45 min before the reception is over. He would leave after cake cutting and father daughter/son mother dances. Has anyone ever heard of this before? He's telling us it is typical, but somehow I find that hard to believe. Fh and I love everything else about him but this is really turning us off.

Re: photographer leaving early

that is weird...i never heard of that before if i am paying i want someone there the WHOLE time. did he give you a reason why he leaves?

Re: photographer leaving early

That's odd. I'd also want someone there the entire time...

ETA - Did you ask him if it would be possible for him to stay the entire time - probably for an increased fee?

Re: photographer leaving early

Our photographer is leaving 30 minutes early. I asked some of my already married friends and their photographers left after the cake was cut as well.

Re: photographer leaving early

i know it CAN happen--but i wouldn't want that. my photographer is there for UNLIMITED time that day. (probably about 10 hrs.) but it can be common from some photogs to leave after cake-cutting...but i feel like they might miss out on some great pics!

if you are not comfortable with it--look into other photogs....wont' hurt!

Re: photographer leaving early

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Posted by Soon2BeMrs

that is weird...i never heard of that before if i am paying i want someone there the WHOLE time. did he give you a reason why he leaves?

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not really. he just said that it is the norm He said everything is about over then and everyone is eating cake and getting ready to leave.

Re: photographer leaving early

I never heard of that. Mine left when we were packing to get out of the RH.

Re: photographer leaving early

I've never heard of a photographer *staying* for the entire reception. And I've been a photographer for weddings. The photographer usually gets there early, getting shots of you getting ready, dressed, to the church, etc. IMO, there is no reason for a photog to stay past the cake cutting. By that point they've gotten all the shots necessary, except your drunk Aunt in the fountain. Only videographers stay past the cake cutting.

Re: photographer leaving early

Mine stayed till the end.

Re: photographer leaving early

Yeah I'm not sure about 'the norm' but it's not unheard of...ours left after cake cutting (but had been with me since 7:30 so that was 10 Hrs) and the one who did my BM's wedding a month later also left a bit before the end...if it really bothers you, I'm sure they'll stay longer for a fee...

Re: photographer leaving early

I have heard of this, but I know it depends on the photographer. I would definitely ask if he could stay the whole time for an extra fee if you are worried about him missing some special moments after the cake cutting.

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Posted by utwo16

We met a wonderful photographer whose pics are fabulous and who gives the most for the money, yet he says he leaves a 1/2 hour to 45 min before the reception is over. He would leave after cake cutting and father daughter/son mother dances. Has anyone ever heard of this before? He's telling us it is typical, but somehow I find that hard to believe. Fh and I love everything else about him but this is really turning us off.

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Laurie, remember at my wedding, the photographer stayed AFTER to take that additional shot of all of us? It's NOT typical...though some do it. If you want someone there for the whole thing, you should find someone who does stay.

Re: photographer leaving early

mmmm...that seems odd to me.
Ours will be staying with us the whole time, but then again we aren't having any formal photos done..it's all photojournalistic.

Would you mind telling us who the photgrapher is?

Re: photographer leaving early

for 5k my guy better stay!

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Posted by utwo16

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Posted by Soon2BeMrs

that is weird...i never heard of that before if i am paying i want someone there the WHOLE time. did he give you a reason why he leaves?

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not really. he just said that it is the norm He said everything is about over then and everyone is eating cake and getting ready to leave.

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btw...it's not over then...some of the best 'action' shots are from the very end. one of my favorites of me and DH is right after the FINAL song.

Re: photographer leaving early

When I met with with my photography company, they told me that the photographer will leave after the cake cutting.

When I met with my actual photographer, I asked him if he will be leaving after the cake cutting and he said typically we do but if you want, I will stay till the end. I am there as long as you need me.

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Posted by MJDoc12

i know it CAN happen--but i wouldn't want that. my photographer is there for UNLIMITED time that day. (probably about 10 hrs.) but it can be common from some photogs to leave after cake-cutting...but i feel like they might miss out on some great pics!

if you are not comfortable with it--look into other photogs....wont' hurt!

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totally agree-- i have heard of it but i want him there for everything. i'm sorry but with the money i'm paying him-- he should be delighted to stay! at that point-- what is an extra half hour to an hour? i would want him to get shots of us dancing our last dance, shots of us saying goodbye to people, shots of the chocolate fountain which will be coming out towards the end-- right after the cake cutting and shots of us being whisked away in the limo... i know my photog, who is such a great guy, is definitely staying until the end. he really goes above and beyond.

if you are uncomfortable with him leaving like that and he is not willing to budge (which i find odd-- why won't he honor a request from you? if you really want him to stay-- he should bend, you are the client).... but since you seem uncomfortable maybe you should look elsewhere.

There are TONS of talented photogs out there.

Good luck

Re: photographer leaving early

What I think is 'typical' is the estimate of a 10-hour day. For my daughter's wedding, there is a large time gap between church and reception, so if he starts at the house an hour and 1/2 before the church (1:30), then the 'typical' 10 hours brings us to an hour b4 the end of the reception. Some photog's we interviewed said they will stay if we want them to, some said we would have to pay overtime.

Most said people are so done with pictures by the end, but I can see the point of brides who posted they got great shots at the end.

If you want them to stay, ask and see how they would arrange it.

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The contract states 10 hours but we have a long day. We paid for an extra hour, but leaving after cutting the cake is normal.

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Posted by LImama

What I think is 'typical' is the estimate of a 10-hour day. For my daughter's wedding, there is a large time gap between church and reception, so if he starts at the house an hour and 1/2 before the church (1:30), then the 'typical' 10 hours brings us to an hour b4 the end of the reception.


if he leaves when he wants to it he would be there for 8 hours.