So sad about my pictures

I've been working on scanning in my pictures, and the more I look at them, the more upset I get. I really feel like Glenmar failed me. I told them I wanted journalistic pics when we first booked months and months ago. We had requested a specific photographer and were only told the day before the wedding that he was on vacation. The photographer we got was really nice, but he picked a really bad place for most of the pics, mostly because my dress literally blends in to the background and all the pics were taken in front of chairs which are in the pics.

There was nothing special about my pictures at all. They are mostly plain, standard poses. They didn't get the one picture I was adamant about having. And because I was so busy trying to plan a wedding in less than 2 months, I never thought about pictures that I would really want. The photographer asked me before he left if there were any pics I wanted, but I couldn't think of them right off the top of my head.

In our original (more expensive) contract, they threw in 2 free rolls of B&W film. When I asked about it, the owner told me that any picture could be made B&W - for $5 per picture! What a ripoff!

We got less than 400 proofs back and I don't even know if there are 36 pictures that I like enough to put in an album. I can't look at other brides' pictures anymore because I cry. Mine are just so f*cking plain and simple and posed and I hate it! I'm so unhappy about this and I can't stop being sad and angry. We paid way too much money for standard pictures. This is not the quality that we know Glenmar to produce, which is what makes me even angrier. And there's really nothing I can do about it, because even if they give us some money back, it won't change the fact that I have ****** pictures.

Thanks for letting me vent.

Re: So sad about my pictures

did this happen because you bumped up your wedding date and downgraded your package???

Did you make changes to your original contract or did you keep it the same??


I am SO sorry hon....

Re: So sad about my pictures

Thats stinks! But maybe you are being too rough? Maybe stop looking at them for a while and relax about it a bit? Maybe when you feel less upset & critical, ones you were hating, you will see in a new light?

You can tell me to shut up now (but I would be offended ... )

Re: So sad about my pictures

I'm so sorry...There are times when I look at my pics and think I wish I would have had this or that...but, really, it's amazing what they can do with some pics. A lot of the stuff you see posted is done with computers--color treating, creative cropping, etc.

Here's a thought...when you complain to Glenmar--which you DEFINITELY should!!--maybe you can negotiate for them to do a formal portrait shoot with you and your hubby for free. You would have to get all dressed up again (twist your arm, I know! ) and I know it's not the same, but they can get some great shots, like some girls have engagement photos on location or in a studio. I would definitely tell them what you've written here; that what you've given them is not the quality you expected from them. Good luck and don't be sad!! You're breaking my heart!

BTW: I think that it was aliciahelene who wasn't very happy with her pics. I dont' know what she did about them, and haven't seen her on the boards for a while, but maybe you should FM her...

Re: So sad about my pictures

Thanks, ladies. I know the pictures aren't awful, but they are so bland and not in the least creative. There is not a single picture prompted by the photographer (read: not just a random candid shot) that has any imagination to it whatsoever.

Maybe I'm being hard on myself and the pics, but I'm just so disappointed.

The original contract was about $1500 more, but mostly because were planning on having video the whole time and only had it for the ceremony. There were more extras thrown in as far as prints and the B&W film, but nothing changed as far as the type of photography I wanted. I was upset that he didn't come with an assistant, which I think would have helped him to take more pics instead of having to set stuff up (which took time out of taking pics).

I just look at others' photos and their photographers were so much more creative, gave them so many more proofs (there was no minimum gaurantee), and were just generally better.

I do plan on complaining, but I'm not paying to get my hair and makeup done, my dress cleaned, a tux for DH, and taking the time to fake better pics. For crying out loud, the photographer didn't even fix the way my train was lying in half the posed pics, so there's a shitload of the same shot with my dress twisted. There are only about 6-8 pictures out in the gardens and the rest in the red and gold entryway to the hotel. None in any other part of the hotel. No pics of DH with his arms around me, no pics of our hands with our wedding rings, none of my mother helping me get ready, etc.

Don't get me wrong. There are some pics I love, but only because of the subject matter, not the way they were shot.

Thanks for listening to me complain again! I'll shut up now.

Re: So sad about my pictures

I am so sorry that you arent pleased. Photography is a big investment and you should have what you requested and paid for. Definitely complain!!!

Re: So sad about my pictures

Sorry to hear sweetie..I do think alot of this does come from looking at other brides pics...which I have stopped doing as much cause its natural to compare.

We didnt get enough candids either if it makes you feel better and I agree about getting dressed up and trying to redo them..just not the same as the actual wedding day.

Sometimes I look at other brides pics and I am like..whoa I wish I had gotten shots like that but others may think the same about your photos.

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A wedding is a success not because of the photographer, videographer or venue chosen, its a success because you married your true love

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Re: So sad about my pictures

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Posted by myasmom

Sometimes I look at other brides pics and I am like..whoa I wish I had gotten shots like that but others may think the same about your photos.

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Thank you, but I highly doubt it. Posed pictures of a bride and groom standing next to one another, which is what the majority of the posed pics of us are (and I'm complaining mostly about the posed pictures, not the candids), are not really enviable.

Re: So sad about my pictures

I completely understand your being upset....

I was VERY disappointed with my pics as well and almost 2 yrs later, I sometimes still get sad when I see other people's pictures. I didnt do my homework so I am the only one to blame for this decision I made.

I paid almost 4500 dollars for my photo package alone and only had one photographer, no lighting asst. I got less proofs than you too - about 350 and I was able to come up with 60 pics in my album (gorgeous album - flush leather craftsmen) so hopefully with retouching and cropping you can get an album you like. As others have said, they can do a lot with the proofs.

Also like you - there are some photos of mine that I do like, but the majority had some problems, plus there werent that many WOW shots - but I think we are our own worst critics too....

What I have done is
A) stop comparing my pics to others and

B) Just be happy that I had a great day and have a good husband.

I know its hard not to be sad -- but hopefully you can correct some of the pics with cropping, tinting etc. good luck.

Re: So sad about my pictures

I hear you. But on a good note...some people have so many candids of other people but not enough of themselves.

That acquaintance I was telling you about..she had a so many photos of other people..her with this person and that person..the groom with this person and the next but very few of them together..posed or not.

We are here to let you vent it out. I think alot of people have issues with vendors and u are not alone so just let it all out.

Re: So sad about my pictures

I completely understand! I feel the same way about my photos - they are good but not jaw dropping. It's frustrating I know.

Re: So sad about my pictures

I love you ladies!! No one can understand the way a recent fellow bride can understand. My boss is always asking me what's so stressful about planning a wedding? So I obviously can't complain to anyone here.

I felt this way about my pictures before comparing them to other pictures, but that's why I'm having such a hard time looking at others'. Having bleh pictures doesn't change the fact that I love my husband and wouldn't want to be with anyone else.

I've been cropping pics as I'm scanning them, so when I post them, some of the stuff that I was upset with being in the backdrop won't seem as bad. I can't wait to get them all done though, and then I have to upload them! SHEESH!

Re: So sad about my pictures

I'm so sorry that you're sad about this....

Re: So sad about my pictures

I feel the same way about a lot of my wedding stuff especially how I looked in my dress.

I look at some other brides and wish I could have looked like them or had that photo but I know that whats done is done and they isn't much I can do about it now.

I hope as time passes I won't get so upset at looking at other bride's pictures. I'm sure with time you'll feel better too.

When all is said and done, I am so lucky to have married such an amazing man. Its not the video, pictures, or dress thats important. Its finding someone who is willing to stick it out with you even when times get bad and make a life together.

Hugs for you

Re: So sad about my pictures

Im so sorry you feel that way about your photos. Hopefully the photographers can do something to improve them.

Re: So sad about my pictures

Try not to be upset about your photos - you can't change what happened. Try to find the photos you like best, or portions of photos that you can crop. What's important is that you are married to a wonderful man, right? OH - and definitely go have a talk with them to express your disappointment. They should offer some sort of compensation.

Re: So sad about my pictures

i am so sorry you feel that way.i agree with the other girls though i would complain and possible get a break in the price or possible upgrades. i know how you feel i used my photographer because he did my cousins wedding and did an amazing job. she said he was a tyrant and kind of rude but he was an artist and does an amazing job her pics proved it. he works with his wife who is a former model and she set up all his shots and was a doll when we booked them. the day of my wedding she was very sick and couldnt come so there went my buffer. he was awful and obnoxious to everyone. you can see my distaste for him in my pics lol. i cant hide my emotions when im pissed lol. she here i am in all my pics with this nasty look on lol. its been almost 7 months and i still havent picked out my pics for the album i dread having to see him again. i prentended i was busy when he came and dropped off my proofs but i was really hiding upstairs.

Re: So sad about my pictures

My friends got married this past February. I won't name their photographer but it is a popular one. She absolutly HATED her pictures. They had us take every picture in the entrance way to her hall,all the bridal party pics, all the family pic and every pic of her and DH. Her photographer had no imagiation at all. Boring poses, no candid shots and not that many pictures to choose from. She complained enough that the photographer paid for her to get a new boquet and for him to re-rent his tux, she did her own hair and makeup and they retook pictures.

I hope you get some satisfaction when you complain. Good Luck!!!

Re: So sad about my pictures

I'm so sorry you are unhappy with your pictures, Glenmar is known for doing excellent work.

I'm sure in a few days, you will go through them again and start to see pictures you really like. I looked at my proofs (from my July '03) wedding and I see pictures now that I never liked before or didn't even consider for my album.

You had a beautiful day and your memories will last a lifetime!

Re: So sad about my pictures

I am sorry that you do not like your pics. Maybe you should put them down or a while & come back to them later.

For the record...there were a TON of pics that I forgot to tell my photographer to get, and he didn't do them. I am still sad about that