Very Upset with our photographer... (long)

The other night we went into the city to meet with our photographer. Our wedding is only a month away, but we never did our engagement pictures (which we already paid for) so we were supposed to have them that night.

But when we got there, he didn't seem to have any clue what we were talking about: he said that it couldn't possibly be, we woudl have had to come in before all of his appointments, i must have been mistaken, etc. But the girl I spoke to and I actually discussed locations for the shoot, and told me that they have a balcony with a very nice view! I don't get it!

So, we sat down to go over some wedding details with him, and he got up three times for about 10 minutes each time to go speak to other clients! It was very rude, and i was very surprised.

Then, he, the main photogrpaher of the studio, told us that he might not be able to shoot our wedding because he might have to drive his son upstate, event though it is he specifically who is in our contract. He said that he woudl make it so that we 'wouldn't even know the difference,' but didn't offer an upgrade or a discount. And, believe me this guy is NOT cheap.

And speaking of money, he had made a (post-it) note on our contract that if we desired, we could pay him the last $500 in cash and receive a $200 discount, which he is now sidestepping.

He tried to talk me out of doing the bouquet toss: 'you don't strike me as the bouquet toss type of girl.' I am Not, really, in point of fact, but at this point, I didn't trust his motivations.

And last, but definetly not least, he asked us whether we really thought we needed both photographers there for the entire duration of the wedding, because he didn't really think so.

What in the world is going on here? The photos are the single most important item to me for this whole wedding! I left feeling devestated: I was angry and resentful and embarassed - I really felt like was being taken advantage of.

I mean, I LOVE this guy's work, but... I am really nervous now! And only a month before the wedding - I have no time to find a new one!

Thanks for listening

that is totally unacceptable. if he is not shooting your wedding he should definitely compensate you. tell him you will report him to the BBB for violating the contract. sorry that you are going thru this right before your wedding.

You need to be agressive, or he is going to keep taking advantage of you in so many little ways throughout the wedding, and in the aftermath. I know it's hard (well, at least I have a hard time with confrontation) but you need to threaten a little (the BBB thing is perfect) and really put your foot down. It sounds like he continued to take advantage throughout the night becasue you were allowing him to...he is not going to stop until you stop him.

And who the hell is he to tell you what kind of girl you are? These are subltle manipulation techniques for power. DON'T BUY THEM!!!

Did you get the engagement pictures done?
Is your FI fired up enough to get a little feisty?

I'm so sorry this is happening to you! True, you only have a month, but you should do some calling around just in case there is a free photographer...you never know.

Please keep us posted on how you decide to handle this.

I agree, that's not right and you should let him know that! GL

Girl, you need to call him back and give him all hell. If not, give me his phone number and I'll call him and do it for you!! I mean not for nothing, but your paying good money for the photographer you want. Your entitled to that and I think he should stand by that LEGAL document. Im sorry but when I hear stories like this, it gets me soooo steamed!!

WOW!! I'm so sorry.. That is rude and unprofessional, and I'm shocked!! I have a meeting with him on July 6. His work is amazing. But I can't believe that. i'm so sorry you have to go through that so close to the wedding.. AND it is breach of contract if HE doesn't do the photos so either, he needs to arrange for someonelse to take his son upstate, or he needs to reimburse you some money. He should have to give you all of your money back. GOOD LUCK, I hope everything works out.. Did you get your engagement pictures done??

He is so wrong to treat you this way - I am so sorry you are going through this.

Maybe post on the vendor board to see if there are any other photographers available?

DO NOT let him talk you out of the bouquet toss if you want to do it, you do it - and really it's hard not to want to with that balcony!

I hope it all works out!

I'm very sorry to hear this.
I thought his online portfolio was great also, but after two phone calls (didn't even get to the point of meeting him in person), I absolutely could not stand that guy, and would go out of my way to recommend people not deal with him, especially after reading your note! But that doesn't help you now.... I know this sucks, but now you've got some extra work to do:

1. See if you can get a clear description of what it is he's offering you now, i.e. how many photographers, which photographers, times, engagement photos, etc.

2. Compare that info to your contract. If there is even one difference, then the contract is void and you can find someone else if you choose.

3. Assuming the contract is void, you can offer him with a different $$ amount for what he is now offering (and make a new contract, basically), or you can cancel the work with him entirely and find a new photographer. If you want to find a new one, and yeah - I know this sucks - there really are alot of good ones and chances are that someone will be available on your date.

Again, sorry.... I found him to be a lowlife with sneaky business practices and an attitude to match.

I met with him and agree that I did not like his personality or comments that he made about other vendors.

I think that you need to be very firm with him and tell him right out that he needs to seriously check his attitude at the door and do what he supposedley does best (better than anyone is what he told my fh and I) and be there for you on your wedding day to take the best pictures he's ever taken in his life... and that's it! He's not your bridal consultant and should not be telling you what you should and should not do.

And, if that doesn't work, have divabride call him! LOVED THAT COMMENT DIVABRIDE!!

Girl, you need to call him back and give him all hell. If not, give me his phone number and I'll call him and do it for you!! I mean not for nothing, but your paying good money for the photographer you want. Your entitled to that and I think he should stand by that LEGAL document. Im sorry but when I hear stories like this, it gets me soooo steamed!!

Good luck!

I met with this photographer also - was disgusted by his attitude. I actually scheduled the appt thru emails - so the day of the appt he emailed me mulitple times per day to say 'make sure you bring a check, you will book me right away'... umm yeah... so we went and were blown away by the prices. I mean, to pay per picture? 'Hey look, there's a picture of the photographer's shoe... $2.50 please! Oh, he's got his finger on the lense for this one... add another $2.50' Then he was trying to convince us that most people don't get albums in their packages and that I should spend my whole budget on the photos, then 3 years from now buy the albums. All the brides I see on here want their albums when they get back from the honeymoon!

I mean, dont get me wrong, the pictures were nice and all; but I dont think they are so special that another photographer couldn't give me for a reasonable price!

The last nail was dug into the coffin when I got an email the next day asking 'Are you sorry you didn't bring a check with you to book me??'

Jeeze. The lady called back a month later asked if we wanted another appt or if we booked with someone else. I told her we booked with someone else, and she asked why. Usually I would have made something up or declined to say why, but he disgusted me so much that I told her about the things he said and did. She said and I quote 'if someone said those things to me, I wouldnt have hired him either. I better talk to him about it. Thanks for letting me know what he's doing.'

I guess that's done a lot of good!

i am sorry to hear what you are going through but i can't say it surprises me...

i'm glad to hear other people have had similar reactions to his behavior and business practices, i thought i was the only one for a while...