a little upset about pics..

I picked up my proofs last night. I hired 2 photographers from the same company - one was a photojournalist and one was a standard photographer.

I hired the PJ for 8 hours. She met us at the salon at 1 - and stayed until 9pm. She was $900.

THe thing is, there are a few things that upset me.

#1. There are NO cocktail hour pictures (is this normal) I thought she would be taking candids of people then - PLUS cocktail hour was from 8-9, so if she didnt take any pics, then she only worked 7 hours!!!

#2. The other 'candids' she took were of us getting our pics taken by the other photographer. I dont understand this - I thought the PJ would be taking candids of us and others - not staged pics.

#3. The table pictures came out HORRIBLE!

#4. They only took one picture each of everyone walking down the isle - so if that person blinked...picture ruined.

#5. I felt there were some really important moments that they didnt really capture. The Motzi, cake cutting, our entrance, etc...


There are plenty of really beautiful pics of my family and my Dh and me, but they were all pretty much 'staged' nothing candid or artistic (which I made very clear to them I want)


Now what??? How do I handle this?
Did you guys get cocktail hour pics?

Hey Jen.. I would call and complain.. Let them know how upset you are and maybe they can give you some kid of concession.

Unfortunately you cannot get back that day.. but you should have to pay the total contract amount.

I think the cocktail hour pics should have been included, without a doubt. PJ pics are - to my understanding - pics captured of people who dont know someone is taking a pic of them - people laughing and talking and being candid. It sounds like the PJ you hired did not have the same 'vision' as you did - or maybe she is not that good? Talk to them and let them know you are very unhappy and maybe you can get a reduction in the price. I'm sorry they didn't come out the way you wanted!!

I just want to clarify one thing....

I did get a lot of pictures - and the ones I did get are really beautiful!! The company I used do know what they are doing and I will have plenty of photos to chose from for my album.

I guess I am dissapointed mostly in the table pics, and the PJ.

I am never one to shut my mouth - so I will call them today....but I wanted to share with you guys...

MAKE SURE you tell the photographers what you want!! (Even though I thought I did)

They did not get your cake cutting?!?!?!?!?!

I would definetly have something to say about that...that is plain wrong. And they should of gotten the cocktail hour too.......sorry to hear this

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Posted by Jmg11

I picked up my proofs last night. I hired 2 photographers from the same company - one was a photojournalist and one was a standard photographer.

I hired the PJ for 8 hours. She met us at the salon at 1 - and stayed until 9pm. She was $900.

THe thing is, there are a few things that upset me.

#1. There are NO cocktail hour pictures (is this normal) I thought she would be taking candids of people then - PLUS cocktail hour was from 8-9, so if she didnt take any pics, then she only worked 7 hours!!!

#2. The other 'candids' she took were of us getting our pics taken by the other photographer. I dont understand this - I thought the PJ would be taking candids of us and others - not staged pics.

#3. The table pictures came out HORRIBLE!

#4. They only took one picture each of everyone walking down the isle - so if that person blinked...picture ruined.

#5. I felt there were some really important moments that they didnt really capture. The Motzi, cake cutting, our entrance, etc...

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Some of the things you mentioned are standard - i.e., only one picture of people walking down the aisle - that's just the way it goes, they only have so much time to take a shot - my MOH walked down the aisle so fast her pic is off center because they didn't have enough time.

Our photographer was taking pics of us during part of the cocktail hour so we don't have too many, but we do have a few.

And as far as candids go, I think the style varies depending on photographer. What you received is common practice for some.

Aside from those issues, if you are unhappy with photographer's work product you discussed you should definitely say something, especially if they missed key moments of the day but also realize that some of those things are beyond their control.

Happy brides bring in more business, so I'm sure they'll work with you in some way to compensate.

about cocktail hour pics- I've heard photographers say that people don't like pictures taken of themselves then, since they've got food in their mouths and eating is not a flattering shot. They say that during CH they will often eat themselves and take a photo of the reception room before people start entering it.
Hope that helps.

Thanks for the feedback guys.

I just showed the pics to my dad - he agreed that some pics weren't that great, but there are plenty of good ones.

I feel a little better, but I will still call them about the hour the photographer seemed to disappear.