Ok I am really not feeling my photographer. I booked them right after I got engaged and it wasnt until after I booked them that I saw the mixed reviews on them. The problem is I got a REALLY great deal on photo and video from them.
So anyways, I've had brides FM me that have said 'ok' to not so great things about them. Mainly that they take mostly traditional photos and not as much photojournalist pictures.
When I booked I told the owner I wanted a mix of both, so he included that in our contract and we also have 2 photographers.
I think I'm experiencing buyer's remores..cuz I see pictures of other photogs and like them..and think 'what if they screw up my pictures?'..The photog I booked has been in business for 25+ years but they have had a history of being inconsistent...I just dont want to chance it..
Also, when I booked I was told e-pics was part of my package but when I asked to schedule them, they added all these conditions to it {'must be at our studio..must be only certain days/months of the year..must give at least X amount of notice..'). I just felt like it was a hassle so I never did the e-pics.
Should I change photographers because of these doubts or stay w/ them? I already paid $300 toward photo and $ 300 toward Video.
I dont know what to do..and if I switch, the chances of the new photog being booked for my day is..pretty high, no?
What would you do? Should I stay or should I go?
halfbaked
Posted:
Member since
Re: Anyone Switch Photographers after booking them?
Well first, look over your contract and find out what penalties (if any) you'd incur for cancelling. Then call around to other photogs you're interested in and see if they are available on your date. Don't cancel your original photog until you book with a new one!
LauraluvsSean
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Re: Thinking of Switching Photographers ?? Doubts?
I would lose 100% of my deposits..Not sure if losing $600 just because I have doubts is enough...I feel like kicking myself for booking almost too soon..
I just found out I have an extra $2K for my weddiing budget (thanks, tax refund!)..so now I can actually afford a Photo package that is worth 5K.
halfbaked
Posted:
Member since
Re: Thinking of Switching Photographers ?? Doubts?
Posted by LauraluvsSean
I would lose 100% of my deposits..Not sure if losing $600 just because I have doubts is enough...I feel like kicking myself for booking almost too soon..
I just found out I have an extra $2K for my weddiing budget (thanks, tax refund!)..so now I can actually afford a Photo package that is worth 5K.
$600 for peace of mind, isn't so bad. I think the pictures are most important since that's all you really have leftover of the day.
If it were me, I'd probably look into a new photog, especially after getting that extra $2k! Good luck!
LauraluvsSean
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Member since
Re: Thinking of Switching Photographers ?? Doubts?
I called my photog to ask about cancellation policy and was told to come in to speak to the owner (per the contract, they claim I have to pay 100% of the entire contract if I cancel them regardless of time-frame!).
I would rather not do this. If I send in a faxed letter just saying I want to cancel, is this good enough? I know if I see the owners, all they will do is sweet-talk me into staying w/ them by reducing my price, throwing in freebies, etc..I just fell in love with another Photo company and thats why I am cancelling.
Should I be honest and tell them I just saw another photog co that I really love or feed them a line that my wedding is cancelled because of other issues, etc?
halfbaked
Posted:
Member since
Re: Thinking of Switching Photographers ?? Doubts?
Posted by LauraluvsSean
I called my photog to ask about cancellation policy and was told to come in to speak to the owner (per the contract, they claim I have to pay 100% of the entire contract if I cancel them regardless of time-frame!).
I would rather not do this. If I send in a faxed letter just saying I want to cancel, is this good enough? I know if I see the owners, all they will do is sweet-talk me into staying w/ them by reducing my price, throwing in freebies, etc..I just fell in love with another Photo company and thats why I am cancelling.
Should I be honest and tell them I just saw another photog co that I really love or feed them a line that my wedding is cancelled because of other issues, etc?
I'm so non-confrontational when it comes to wedding vendors. I'd probably decline to come in and send a fax cancelling and tell them it's because the wedding was cancelled. Are you okay with getting charged 100% of your contract though? You might have to go in if you want to fight it.
LauraluvsSean
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Member since
Re: Thinking of Switching Photographers ?? Doubts?
Posted by jilliibabii
Are you okay with getting charged 100% of your contract though? You might have to go in if you want to fight it.
Definitely not - the total contract price is several thousand dollars! We added all these extra albums, pics, etc..I def dont want to pay for all that and my wedding day is still more than 6 months away. I would be ok with forfeiting $ 600 of deposits. Its a small price for getting awesome photos from the company I have my eye on.
I just have massive doubts.
emmets371
Posted:
Member since
Re: Thinking of Switching Photographers ?? Doubts?
If you have a lawyer friend, I would speak with them. it just sounds iffy that they could make you pay the entire contract even if you cancel their services. If its not on the up and up, then when push comes to shove they may back down. I would look into from a legal stand point.
halfbaked
Posted:
Member since
Re: Thinking of Switching Photographers ?? Doubts?
Posted by LauraluvsSean
Posted by jilliibabii
Are you okay with getting charged 100% of your contract though? You might have to go in if you want to fight it.
Definitely not - the total contract price is several thousand dollars! We added all these extra albums, pics, etc..I def dont want to pay for all that and my wedding day is still more than 6 months away. I would be ok with forfeiting $ 600 of deposits. Its a small price for getting awesome photos from the company I have my eye on.
I just have massive doubts.
I don't remember seeing if you updated the post from yesterday. Does it state on your contract that if you cancel you'd be responsible for the full amount?
LauraluvsSean
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Member since
Re: Thinking of Switching Photographers ?? Doubts?
Posted by jilliibabii Does it state on your contract that if you cancel you'd be responsible for the full amount?
Yes, it does..in fine print..
But right above that paragraph, there is another Clause of the contract says 'should there be a cancellation or postponement of the wedding, the customer forfeits the deposit'...
So I know right off the bat about losing my deposit. But I was compltely flummoxxed at the section asking for the remaining balance on the contract. I can understand asking for the 100% contract price if I cancel my wedding 1 week or 1 month prior to the day, but we're talking 6-8 months here..and if they wont hold me to that, I want to get out of this contract ASAP so I can book the new photog before he gets snatched up by another 2010 bride.
MikesBride2B
Posted:
Member since
Re: Thinking of Switching Photographers ?? Doubts?
Well...I was pretty much in the same situation. We left a $480 deposit and I was really happy with them at first...but then I started hearing a lot of really bad things...and on top of that, we were not at all in love with our epics. We had a re-do session of our epics and I thought they were terrible...there were maybe 4-5 pics out of over 100 that I liked. I knew I couldn't go with them for my day...I didn't want to stress over it.
I forfeited my deposit and went with someone else @ more than twice the price...but I don't regret it for a second because I trust them totally to get the pictures I want for my wedding day.
