Need Advice - Photographer Scam

Original post by Sharron70

Apr 02, 2008 10:38 PM

O.K., so I'm a bride on an extremely tight budget and just don't have the $$ to spend 3 to 6 thousand bucks on a photographer. I did a goolge search on 'affordable photography' and found a bunch of listings on Craigslist. Long story short I hooked up with a photographer whose work I liked, who I really clicked with and was willing to give me a nice package at a reduced price. I've been in regular contact with her, her last correspondence to me was last week to ask I we wanted to try and get some Epics in while she was on LI shooting another wedding (she's from way upstate).

This evening, when I went to look at her website again I found it was down. I did a google search and found a few disgruntled people from whom she supposedly took down payments from and never delivered (her claim is they did not follow through with their end of the bargain as far as the payment schedule). All this occurred in October - February in TN.

Now I don't know if it was just one person who was disgruntled and may have been partly to blame but are now posting bad stuff about her on various websites (found some other posts including one from her supposed ex-assistant who was also 'scammed').

I just mailed my deposit to her this past Monday! Do I (a) send her an email and explain what I found and how/why and wait for her explaination of the events or (b) send her an email explaining the above, adding that I will be cancelling the check and then go to the bank first thing tomorrow to cancel it?

*sigh* why me?

Edited for spelling

NapaValleyGirl Posted: Apr 03, 2008 10:30 AM

Re: Need Advice - Photographer Scam

I have an AMAZING photographer who has a package for 2k in 2008. Look at my ENGAGEMENT PARTY photos in my album.
Her name is Irina Mednick
www.creative i photography. com
(take out the spaces)

Sharron70 Posted: Apr 03, 2008 10:33 AM

Re: Need Advice - Photographer Scam

I just wanted to thank everybody for the great advice, support and FM's with your ideas and suggestions!

Yes, I'm definitely wary of Craigslist now. I was just so overwhelmed by the prices I was seeing I thought I would faint.

But, it's obvious you get what you pay for. I think I'm going to check out the photographers a few of you all suggested and contact a few others to see if they can put a special package together for me.

Thanks again ladies!

GiantsBride Posted: Apr 03, 2008 10:38 AM

Re: Need Advice - Photographer Scam

Posted by JulyBride728

I say cancel the check asap and get info on other photographers from brides on this website...at least you know it's coming from a good source.

I don't have confidence in Craigslist, and I dont think I will ever resort to using a vendor I found on craigslist...especially when it comes to my wedding planning. I'm sure there are some good apples out there, but there are wayyy too many bad ones that outweighs the good ones.

There are lots of great freelance photogs with great prices..ask around on this website, and cancel ur pmt. NOW.

I just realized that my old shady apartment I found on Craigslist... that was a disaster and a half - he used to go into my apartment when I wasn't there!

Future Mulligan Posted: Apr 03, 2008 10:39 AM

Re: Need Advice - Photographer Scam

check out my engagement pictures and my eparty album (most of my eparty shots are from her) - www.noellepwilson.com - im sure she has really really great rates - we took pictures with her b/c she was just starting out and needed some shots for her website/portfolio....she is a sweetheart and def has reasonable prices - cant hurt contacting her

joshisgirl Posted: Apr 03, 2008 01:26 PM

Re: Need Advice - Photographer Scam

also check out vintagegirl's review, she used people off of craigslist and posted reveiws about them. (plus, she is a photographer herself).

sorry about what u had to go through!

GiantsBride Posted: Apr 03, 2008 02:27 PM

Re: Need Advice - Photographer Scam

If you are really on a tight budget you might want to contact so art schools and see if any students would be willing to do it as part of their upstart... also, if you want some album options for less, my friend Pete does some on the side work with putting together albums...

Sharron70 Posted: Apr 03, 2008 02:43 PM

Re: Need Advice - Photographer Scam

Posted by Soon-to-be-Moore

If you are really on a tight budget you might want to contact so art schools and see if any students would be willing to do it as part of their upstart... also, if you want some album options for less, my friend Pete does some on the side work with putting together albums...

Yes! I saw your original post about that and saved it to my notebook! Thanks!

DGoldfarb0776 Posted: Apr 03, 2008 03:14 PM

Re: Need Advice - Photographer Scam

I'm glad that you cancelled you check- that was a disaster waiting to happen imo.

Not sure if they would be in your price range but they worked with DH and I on our package- we used Tony Ferrari Studios in Howard Beach, Queens. I loved working with them- I just got my proofs and was looking through them and I'm amazed!

I have some of my e-pics which they did in my album.

FuTuRe MrS MaZz Posted: Apr 03, 2008 04:13 PM

Re: Need Advice - Photographer Scam

you have FM!

Wedding999 Posted: Apr 03, 2008 04:19 PM

Re: Need Advice - Photographer Scam

I would try East End Photo in BluePoint. He has very reasonable rates - packages under $1000

Just Cindy Posted: Apr 03, 2008 06:22 PM

Re: Need Advice - Photographer Scam

Try duet, 12th night or velvet studios.

MrsBtobe2009 Posted: Apr 03, 2008 06:28 PM

Re: Need Advice - Photographer Scam

I'm so sorry. I would definitely cancel the check.

BunnyBears Posted: Apr 03, 2008 07:02 PM

Re: Need Advice - Photographer Scam

see what Dan Wagner can do for you - not as inexpensive as your scam quote but i think he is reasonable and takes beautiful photos - my friend used him
also look into packages without an album- make it yourself and do the prints yourself with kodak gallery.com

Brat143 Posted: Apr 03, 2008 09:15 PM

Re: Need Advice - Photographer Scam

May I?... Cancel the check & also contact a local high school & see if they have any senoir photo students who are interested in doing your wedding, my cousin used to do sweet 16's for like $300 or $400 and for the cost you were paying you got a few really good shots. I also did my friends sisters 2nd wedding w/ a Disposable in her livingroom, very normal formal shots & they came out great. And at least she has a nice framed picture.

sophisticat13 Posted: Apr 03, 2008 11:58 PM

Re: Need Advice - Photographer Scam

I agree with your decision not to use that photogrrapher. The last thing you need to worry about is her not showing up on the most iportant day of your life!!!
One tip that I found very helpful to save money was to ask vendors if they would aceept cash. Some will, some won't. If they do you can save on tax. Also, you can save by not getting parent albums (unless your parents are definitely set on them). Mine and my FH's aren't so we are getting just a 5x7 or 8x10 for them, plus you always have the proofs to share too. Also, even though you are on a budget (who isn't?LOL), if you can, I would think about spending more on your photos and cutting corners somewhere else instead. The photos are a really inportant memento of your day., you will have them for the rest of your life and you want the best you can get!!!!
Good luck!!!

GiantsBride Posted: Apr 04, 2008 06:13 AM

Re: Need Advice - Photographer Scam

Posted by Brat143

May I?... Cancel the check & also contact a local high school & see if they have any senoir photo students who are interested in doing your wedding, my cousin used to do sweet 16's for like $300 or $400 and for the cost you were paying you got a few really good shots. I also did my friends sisters 2nd wedding w/ a Disposable in her livingroom, very normal formal shots & they came out great. And at least she has a nice framed picture.

If you wanted to go this route... I actually know a student in my school who is PHENOMENAL - I was thinking of asking her to take e pics - I actually still am contemplating it. She's a senior now, don't know where she is heading to next year... but let me know

Sharron70 Posted: Apr 04, 2008 06:15 AM

Re: Need Advice - Photographer Scam

Posted by Soon-to-be-Moore

Posted by Brat143

May I?... Cancel the check & also contact a local high school & see if they have any senoir photo students who are interested in doing your wedding, my cousin used to do sweet 16's for like $300 or $400 and for the cost you were paying you got a few really good shots. I also did my friends sisters 2nd wedding w/ a Disposable in her livingroom, very normal formal shots & they came out great. And at least she has a nice framed picture.

If you wanted to go this route... I actually know a student in my school who is PHENOMENAL - I was thinking of asking her to take e pics - I actually still am contemplating it. She's a senior now, don't know where she is heading to next year... but let me know

Thanks, I will!

You guys have just been so amazing with the posts here and the fms that I have tons of photographers I have to look into now

vintagegirl Posted: Apr 04, 2008 11:50 PM

Re: Need Advice - Photographer Scam

Posted by joshisgirl

also check out vintagegirl's review, she used people off of craigslist and posted reveiws about them. (plus, she is a photographer herself).

sorry about what u had to go through!

Hey just make sure you look at reviews before you hire..
That just stinks, it can happen..as far as having high school students photograph your wedding, I am going to have to say no to that. There is no way they would be prepared to deal with the responsibility of Wedding Photography. Look for college students..