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NBR- Photographer Vent and Question

keeummkeeumm member
edited March 2014 in May 2014 Moms
We went very cheap for our wedding, and decided to hire my dad's friend to be our photographer. She did his wedding, the photos were great, and she got them to him within a month of his wedding. The photographer has a full-time job, and photography is her side hobby. 

Prior to our wedding, I sent her a general list of what pictures I wanted. Our wedding had less than 50 people, took place in my dad's house, and we had dinner (no reception) after. The photographer was there for 4 hours and took limited candid pictures. Most pictures were the posed pics that I had requested. 

Our wedding was November 30th. In the beginning of January, the photographer sent us a link to preview the photos online in order to decide which ones we liked best. She said that she would touch up the pictures that we like, then send us a disc with the touched up photos, and another disc with all of the unedited photos. We could also order prints from her for a fee, or take the disc to a place to get prints. We were told that we would receive this disc within 7-10 days. 

It is now March, and we have received nothing. We had planned on sending out wedding pictures for Christmas presents. I sent the photographer an email saying that my husband could touch up the photos, and please just send us a disc, and have not heard anything back. 

So, my question is: How much should we be expected to pay? We didn't sign a contract because it was a friend of the family, and she had just done my dad's pictures without incident (Lesson Learned). Luckily, we have plenty of pictures from friends and family, so I don't feel like my wedding album is incomplete. We really only want the disc because there are a couple of shots that only she was able to get, since everyone else present was in the picture. 

Edited because I pressed "Post" with a sausage finger. 


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Re: NBR- Photographer Vent and Question

  • JAM85JAM85 member
    Wait you you did not pay anything at all beforehand or sign a contract? My husband is a professional photographer so I know a lot about that business and those are two egregious errors on her part. But since she has done shoddy work (I've never even heard of giving the pictures and then only retouching ones you want but I guess if it is super limited service I could see that) and she hasn't even given them to you then not much. You didn't discuss price at all beforehand? This just seems so bizarre even for a family friend- maybe offer $200 if she gets the unedited pics to you ASAP? I mean in essence she hasn't done much of anything.
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  • keeummkeeumm member
    My husband does side photography as well, and will often do friend's events. He also retouches all of them, not just a limited number (we thought that was weird, too), and prides himself on getting the images to his clients within a very short time window. 

    Nope, we didn't pay anything before the event at all. Thank goodness! She quoted us an extremely low and reasonable price prior to the wedding, which was the same price that she charged my dad. All of the information that she sent to us was also the same as what she sent my dad, so she must have some sort of form email that she sends to people. 

    I agree with her not doing much of anything. I just wasn't sure if we were being too harsh with the whole thing. 
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  • MimalooMimaloo member
    I'd be on the phone if not showing up at her house looking for my pictures. 
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  • keeummkeeumm member
    Mimaloo said:
    I'd be on the phone if not showing up at her house looking for my pictures. 
    My husband agrees with you. I was trying to be understanding- she's got a full-time job, so we are not her first priority, but I've reached my limit. If you are selling your services, the least you can do is to contact your client to say that you are running behind...by 3 months. 
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  • kshampenykshampeny member
    My mother does her photography in addition to her full time job. She actually got her college degree in photography, but it's hard to make a living where we are in that business, so she does it on the side. She will offer to do touch ups or allow you to have the raw images for different prices, since so many people these days know how to use photoshop and other photo editing software. However, she always gets her images back to people ASAP. Like within 2 weeks. Way sooner if it's just the raw images. Especially in this age of digital photography, it should take no time to burn you a disc of raw images. I agree with @Mimaloo that I would be showing up at her door demanding my photos.
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  • lauralou3x3lauralou3x3 member
    I'm actually a photographer and this is unacceptable. Sure sometimes it takes longer than expected, but not that long! Whether you signed an agreement or not, she committed to you and needs to hold up her end. As far as prices, it's hard for me to say since she's not responding. I def don't think you should be paying full price tho. If she doesn't hold up her end of the deal no reason you need to.
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  • keeummkeeumm member
    Thanks for the feedback! I will keep bugging her, and may even see if my dad can contact her (he lives in the same city and state as she does, while I live 900 miles away). I hate to send my dad to do my job, but he may know more ways to be in touch. 
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  • lauralou3x3lauralou3x3 member
    keeumm said:

    Thanks for the feedback! I will keep bugging her, and may even see if my dad can contact her (he lives in the same city and state as she does, while I live 900 miles away). I hate to send my dad to do my job, but he may know more ways to be in touch. 

    I don't blame you! I would be embarrassed if I were here. It also looks bad for her business. Fx that you get your pictures!
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  • HARLEYSMOM2010HARLEYSMOM2010 member
    I had this same but different issue .. I had my uncles fiancé at my second daughters home water birth specifically to photograph it since she had a really good camera and was the only one I trusted in such an intimate time...well guess what my daughter just turned TWO and I've yet to see one damn picture... I've asked countless times and keep getting the run around and I'm kind of weirded out since those are VERY personal photos and I have no clue what's happened to/with them nor who's seen them.. As for your question I'd pay 100$ and call it a day once you get your photos and never deal with her again
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  • keeummkeeumm member
    @Harleysmom2010 - I'd be pissed! You're right, those are very intimate photos. What could they possibly be doing with them? Are they still together? Why do people think that they can take pictures for someone and then never show the pictures? DH always wants to clear his camera after any events he shoots. He has no need for the pics, so he takes care of them as quickly as possible. 
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  • HARLEYSMOM2010HARLEYSMOM2010 member
    Yes they are still together and actually she is due in 3 weeks with their second baby so she should know how important this is but seems to always find a way to sluff it off I'm going to ask after she has the baby AGAIN since she will be home and won't have excuses.. My uncle (her fiancé) did some Mat photos for me I'm waiting for those as well thank god we decided to go with someone else to get more professional photos done so at least we have some. I know it really sucks when you have no control over something so important I hope you get yours really soon!!

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  • keeummkeeumm member
    Update: 

    I just got an email from the photographer today saying that she's not going to charge us anything, and will send us the disc of pictures in the mail. She apologized profusely, which was nice, but still the whole situation is frustrating. 

    I'll be grateful when we can get the pictures, have DH edit them, and print them for us and for family. 

    Thanks for the feedback, everyone!
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