We booked a photographer months ago and payed for a maternity shoot and newborn session. Getting ahold of them has been so hard since and the first session is supposed to be this weekend. They said we were still on but did not tell me where or what time. I have tried 4 times since then to get ahold of them not sure what else to do. They came highly recommended and I really wanted them to do our photos and we already payed so I don't know what's going on. I know they are very busy but I don't understand why we aren't getting responses when it's so close and we need to plan.
Nope sorry we payed half but it was still a chunk of change. I hope they respond soon, it's gonna be impossible to try to find someone else this late in the game. : (
My photographer was a little like this. I also paid in advance. He got in touch with us the day before with all the details. A little stressful bc I like to plan but it all worked out.
Did u pay with a credit card? If so, u can stop/ dispute the charges if they don't show up.
As a professional photographer myself, just keep a few things in mind... Most of us are just one person running an entire business and when we are out and about on shoots its hard to keep up with calls, emails, messages, etc. The fall in many places can be a very busy shooting time as well which just compounds the problem by keeping us out a lot!
Nothing that your photographer has done sounds that out of the ordinary to me. When my clients book, we discuss time, location, etc and they pay their session fee in full. I usually do not follow up with then again until 1-2 days before their session since things like the weather can affect the time or location plans we originally had.
If you have only used one form of trying to contact them, try another one. Usually e-mail is easiest for us as we can read and respond day or night. If by chance you have only been communicating by e-mail, definitely try calling as email can be unreliable sometimes with messages getting lost in the shuffle or sent to the spam/junk folder accidentally.
As a professional photographer myself, just keep a few things in mind... Most of us are just one person running an entire business and when we are out and about on shoots its hard to keep up with calls, emails, messages, etc. The fall in many places can be a very busy shooting time as well which just compounds the problem by keeping us out a lot!
Nothing that your photographer has done sounds that out of the ordinary to me. When my clients book, we discuss time, location, etc and they pay their session fee in full. I usually do not follow up with then again until 1-2 days before their session since things like the weather can affect the time or location plans we originally had.
If you have only used one form of trying to contact them, try another one. Usually e-mail is easiest for us as we can read and respond day or night. If by chance you have only been communicating by e-mail, definitely try calling as email can be unreliable sometimes with messages getting lost in the shuffle or sent to the spam/junk folder accidentally.
The session was supposed to be today. The only way I can get ahold of this photographer is email. They do not list a phone number etc.
And no time or exact location was ever confirmed by the photographer even though I started asking weeks ago. Not sure what to do.
First, can you ask the people that recommended them if they have a number? If not, I would write them and let them know that this is their last chance to call You before you assume they have simply taken your money and run - and that they will be left poor feedback. If you make it through today and no word I would write again and warn them they are going to be reported to the bbb.
I disagree with the pp that this is normal photographer behavior. I too run my own business and have worked with more photographers than I can remember and consider this very poor behavior. Being one person does not dismiss etiquette with paying customers. I generally give my photographers up to three days before they get the warning email/message.
Does the photographer have a studio? Maybe it was assumed you would come to the studio...
Nope no studio either. They work out of their home and on location so they never shared the home address with me even when I asked since we would be meeting on site outside somewhere I assumed. They came highly recommended and a friend used them so I hope they contact me soon. This is a bummer.
Well that's just bad business. It is a crazy bust time of year for us but not having secured a time/place isn't ok. That's part if my contract. I need that information rather quickly so that I know how to deal with other bookings that day. I can't imagine not knowing. Sometimes location we'll leave tbd if they're uncertain but not the time.
I'm sorry I hope they step up or that you get your money back.
So far no response. I started emailing other photographers as backup but they are all booked. This sucks for sure. So I might not be getting any maternity or newborn pics boo!
I'm also a photographer and in no way is this behavior justified because it's busy season. IMO, that's even more reason to be organized and on top of things. Do they have a FB page? Seeing as how they aren't responding to email, I'd take it there next and make it very clear how unhappy you are.
What part of the country are you in? I have a pretty good sized network of photographer friends and may be able to put you in touch with someone that would be available and would hopefully be more professional. Feel free to PM me.
Re: Issue
Did u pay with a credit card? If so, u can stop/ dispute the charges if they don't show up.
Nothing that your photographer has done sounds that out of the ordinary to me. When my clients book, we discuss time, location, etc and they pay their session fee in full. I usually do not follow up with then again until 1-2 days before their session since things like the weather can affect the time or location plans we originally had.
If you have only used one form of trying to contact them, try another one. Usually e-mail is easiest for us as we can read and respond day or night. If by chance you have only been communicating by e-mail, definitely try calling as email can be unreliable sometimes with messages getting lost in the shuffle or sent to the spam/junk folder accidentally.
I disagree with the pp that this is normal photographer behavior. I too run my own business and have worked with more photographers than I can remember and consider this very poor behavior. Being one person does not dismiss etiquette with paying customers. I generally give my photographers up to three days before they get the warning email/message.
I'm sorry I hope they step up or that you get your money back.
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