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LOOONG VENT but please read!! - update on post from last month about aggravation with my photographer...

Original post by AlmostMrsKelly

so, perhaps some of you remember i posted about a month ago, saying i wasn't entirely happy with the proofs from my wedding.
i said then, and i will say it again, that the photos themselves are gorgeous, and this isn't a matter of me thinking another photographer would have done a better job. my proofs are more beautiful than i even thought they would be.
however, i posted because i felt some things were missing and i was upset about it, and i had wanted to see what other people would think or feel about it; if i was overreacting and what i should do.
so my photographer actually read what i wrote on here... i never put their name in the post, so i'm not sure how or why they read it, but that's besides the point. my photographer called me and left a message saying that he read my post and if i was unhappy, he'd like to talk to me about it. so i called him back and expressed my opinion... i was upset because there was not one picture of my grandfather the entire day; there were 30 pictures of the cakes from the vienesse hour (a picture of each individual dessert, and i'm not exaggerating) yet only one picture of DH seeing me for the first time; 5 pictures of the arbor from the vineyard - with no one standing under it, but i didn't even get married there - yet there were none of my church. i just felt that their priorities were out of balance and it really upset me. i paid for 2 photographers - a regular one as well as a photojournalist. when i originally went to book with this company, i knew nothing about photojournalism at all - they played it up to me and i was really excited. but i felt that even though the PJ's photos were gorgeous, the majority of them were the same pictures as the regular photographer took, just from a different angle. there were hardly any of DH and i interacting with guests or each other when no one was watching. DH and i spent time with each and every table... there was none of us interacting with any of those guests. to me, that'd be the perfect opportunity for the PJ to catch me hugging my grandfather or girlfriends or whomever.
so i posted all of this to get some opinions and apparantly my photographer read it, don't ask me how because i never posted the companies name, but that's besides the point. so my photographer calls me and says that he read my post and if i was unhappy with something, he would like to talk to me about it. so, i told him what i was thinking. he said that he'd look into the cd of all my proofs and my video to see if he could print anything else out for me, that i felt was missing. he said he'd call me back after thansgiving. 3 weeks later, i STILL hadn't heard from him, so i left a message for him. someone from the office calls me back and tells me that he will come in early to meet with me when i had my album appointment.
so that appt was yesterday. and guess who didn't show up?! if that were me and i had an unhappy customer, i would make damn sure to return their calls, or at the very least, show up for meetings i was supposed to. that's adding insult to injury and i am the MOST pissed off about that.
i spoke with the manager instead and expressed all of the problems that i had with the photos. she had an excuse for everything. her reasoning behind why they didn't take pictures of us interacting with guests at tables was because that would be considered a group table shot and they 'don't do that'. her reasoning as to why there was 30 pictures of cakes was because they were trying to paint a picture of my day. so i responded to her, that if they were so concerned with painting a picture of my day and getting all the important moments - why is there only one picture of my husband seeing me for the first time. don't you think that's important? her reasoning behind was there was 5 pictures of the arbor was because what if i wanted them as my background picture? i can see one, but 5??? still not sure what her excuse was about them not getting any of my church. i asked her why i had to drive 45 minutes to meet with my photographer prior to the wedding to go over who my family was, who was important etc etc and then they didn't bother to take even one picture of my only living grandparent the entire day. she asks me where he was the whole day and i tell her the table next to me with my immediate family. he uses a walker and an oxygen tank, he couldn't do much. and i told her that they should have at least gotten a picture of me talking with him, hugging him etc. isn't that what the PJ is for??? so she finds a picture where is in the corner in the background and tells me she'll blow that up for me. is she freakin kidding?
i told her i was upset because i felt that the photographers sat around at the house at the beginning of the day. i felt that even if i was finishing up getting ready, they could have been taking pictures of my family, bridal party mulling around, flowers getting delivered etc. she tells me that they don't think a picture is anything without the bride, so they would't do that. i said that my family and BP and those moments are important to ME and i didn't pay 7grand for them to sit around on their butts.
so for all my troubles, me being upset, the manager tells me that she'll give me 2 free 8x10's. she says she'll have them to me by christmas so i can give one to my grandpa as an i'm sorry for no pictures being taken of him. i had just spent 350 ordering extra prints so i ask if she can just reimburse me for 2 of the 8x10's that i just paid for. she says she can't do that and to pick 2 more. gee, so because i am so upset i get 2 more photos that i don't even need?
then she leafs through my proof books and says that my pictures are gorgeous (which i never disputed) and that i am lucky to have pictures that came out as nice as they did and as many. i said to her that i got 800 proofs from 2 photographers... most girls get that many from one photographer. she told me that wasn't true. i told her to check out the website. whatever.
basically, she had an excuse for everything... so at the end i told her that she was entitled to run her business however she wants, but i'm entitled to my opinion as well and that i had enough respect to tell them how i felt and they could take it or leave it... but i am entitled to express my opinion and NOT to call me all upset because i posted my opinion on LIW.
i'm sorry this vent was so long but i'm just really annoyed and i don't know what to think or do. DH is pizzzzzed and wants to call them himself and BBB but i am just like, drop it - i said my piece and that's enough.
Dee606 Posted:

Re: LOOONG VENT but please read!! - update on post from last month about aggravation with my photographer...

I am so sorry. That sounds like a horrible experience to go through.

April Liane Posted:

Re: LOOONG VENT but please read!! - update on post from last month about aggravation with my photographer...

wow .. that is just unbelievable. Can you Fm me the name of the company as well ... I will not be using them.

Valor06 Posted:

Re: LOOONG VENT but please read!! - update on post from last month about aggravation with my photographer...

I remember your story, what a nightmare. Did you expect this at all!!

Valor06 Posted:

Re: LOOONG VENT but please read!! - update on post from last month about aggravation with my photographer...

I'd also like to know who this is. Starting to look for photographers in January.

Kara and Todd Posted:

Re: LOOONG VENT but please read!! - update on post from last month about aggravation with my photographer...

I'd love to know who this is since we are looking at photographers now.

What an immature, irresponsible way to run a business.
soon2bmrsdunn Posted:

Re: LOOONG VENT but please read!! - update on post from last month about aggravation with my photographer...

As more girls posted above this is my WORST nightmare. I took so much time choosing a photographer and am spending a lot of money. Funny how I know the woman you are talking about. I had mentioned my concern about the PJ I was assigned and she's like oh his work is wonderful blah blah blah! No lady I told you I wanted to explore other PJ's not see his best work from numerous weddings. So aggravating. I hope I did not make a huge mistake!!!

ewickens Posted:

Re: LOOONG VENT but please read!! - update on post from last month about aggravation with my photographer...

WOW!!!!!!!!!! Krista - I'm so sorry this photographer are doing this to the two of you! You two deserve so much more, and for what you paid, your photographer should bend over backwards for you. I'm so glad that you gave your opinion of them both here on the boards and in person! They don't deserve continued business for the way they conduct themselves!!!

I know it won't affect me, but by posting the photog. name - it will help future brides plan accordingly and avoid what has happened to you!
Smiles111 Posted:

Re: LOOONG VENT but please read!! - update on post from last month about aggravation with my photographer...

I had a VERY similar situation where important photos were not taken but i have 5 plain pix of my cake and 5 pix of my empty church after the ceremony and virtually NO PICTURES of my guests.

They did not take table shots even though promised.

And yes, the PJ work is mostly different angles of the posed shots. Not at all what I was expecting.

And just a defensive, insulting response when I spoke to them about it.

I think you SHOULD file a complaint with BBB.
natseven Posted:

Re: LOOONG VENT but please read!! - update on post from last month about aggravation with my photographer...

you are not happy and have every right to say so. I hope no one uses them.

iamvocal72 Posted:

Re: LOOONG VENT but please read!! - update on post from last month about aggravation with my photographer...

First of all I am so sorry that you have to deal with this nonsense.

What is wrong with these vendors? Here we are, shelling out our life savings in some cases, going into all sorts of debt to have a beautiful day, and they scr ew us over like this? This company messed up and just continued to do so. Complaints are in order and every bride on this site should be alerted to this company and their poor business practices. Are they still considered a recommended vendor?

I can't believe you spent 7 grand!?!?!?!?!?! Excuse me while I but they should offer you everything and anything they can to make up for the mistakes they made.


GRRRR! I'm so angry for you! I'm SO GLAD that I am not using them.
mirume Posted:

Re: LOOONG VENT but please read!! - update on post from last month about aggravation with my photographer...

Wow, I'm so sorry. First off, who are they to say that it's not a picture unless the bride's in it? I would have been like, then why did you take so many dessert and arbor pictures if I wasn't in them?? After you made it CLEAR that guest photos were important to you.

Also, what a joke that they think 2 lousy 8x10s can solve everything. You should get a whole album for free..
N.Y.bride Posted:

Re: LOOONG VENT but please read!! - update on post from last month about aggravation with my photographer...

call the BBB. I recently did and they wereEXTREMELY helpful. They kept asking if I was satisfied yet. I said no and it kept getting better and better. By the way Id love to know who your photographer was so I can tell my sis to avoid them.

SusanAdam Posted:

Re: LOOONG VENT but please read!! - update on post from last month about aggravation with my photographer...

I am so sorry to hear about what happened to you. I feel terrible for you. I can't even imagine how angry and upset you must be. I figured out which company you used after seeing your engagement photos in your album. I almost booked that company too after hearing so many great things about them. It's scary how much money all of us have or will hand over to photographers to capture one of the most important days of our lives and then we trust them to do a good job by giving us back a complete, quality product where we can forever look back on that day. I'm sure all of us fear that they will miss important things. They acted unprofessional and you deserve so much more than two free pictures out of what you will always be missing from your pictures from that day. I can't believe that you only got that amount of proofs even after having two photographers that day and paying all that money for them. I definitely recommend contacting the BBB. FH and I were ripped off when we bought my engagement ring and the company wanted nothing to do with us. They offered us a small compensation, but we wanted our money back and wanted nothing to do with them again. They told us we were getting one thing in a stone and we ended up with another. After contacting the BBB we got a full refund. I know it's a completely different case, but you did not get what you asked for and you deserve a compensation. The BBB does not cost anything and acts as a mediator. It does not sound like this company is willing to help you out now that they have your money. I hope it works out for you. I know you can't get that day back, but I hope they do right by you. Good luck!!
Munchkn16 Posted:

Re: LOOONG VENT but please read!! - update on post from last month about aggravation with my photographer...

i'm sorry this happened to you! But you're getting the best revenge. I loved your proofs, but didn't book your photographer for my wedding b/c of what happened with you. Neither will other girls that read this. Post the name of your photographer and hit them where it hurts!

MattandTricia07 Posted:

Re: LOOONG VENT but please read!! - update on post from last month about aggravation with my photographer...

I am also sorry to hear about this and I completely understand your frustration and anger with this company. I just want to say that I think you handled yourself very well. The company seems very unprofessional. I hope something good comes out of it.
LBride Posted:

Re: LOOONG VENT but please read!! - update on post from last month about aggravation with my photographer...

my brother just told me that he was in the cocktail room talking with my 2 photographers and video person and they all missed my dads speech, so I understand what you mean!

LandsEnd06 Posted:

Re: LOOONG VENT but please read!! - update on post from last month about aggravation with my photographer...

Krista,
I am so sorry to hear that you are going through all of this. I can't believe that a manager of a company would make such excuses. They should be bending over backwards to please you right now. Hang in there! I am with Mike, call the BBB
FutureMrsBeck Posted:

Re: LOOONG VENT but please read!! - update on post from last month about aggravation with my photographer...

Can someone PLEASE tell me who the photographer is?!!! I've been trying to figure it out and I'm about to book one! I want to make sure it's not them! Please!!!!
vintagegirl Posted:

Re: LOOONG VENT but please read!! - update on post from last month about aggravation with my photographer...

Yes I would like to know also so I can tell my friends to avoid them..
thanks
SeptBride70 Posted:

Re: LOOONG VENT but please read!! - update on post from last month about aggravation with my photographer...

Wow, as others have stated- this is my WORST, absolute WORST nightmare with a photog. I LOVE my photog and think he is fabulous and I still get mini heart attacks when I read posts like this-- just b/c it's one day, one chance to get it right and photog's need to step up to the plate and DO IT... I mean, that day cannot be done over and those are all you will have as memories forever... I'm so sorry!!

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