Texas-Austin

Photography vent

Sorry if this is long, I need to get it out of my system.

We had our photographers narrowed down to two.  #1 was more artistic and creative but honestly seemed a little disinterested in whether we booked him.  #2 was more classic and seemed really excitted about shooting our wedding.  They had some specific sunset/overlook shots that I loved and I told them I really wanted something like that for our engagment session.  They said no problem.  They gave us a long speech about how important it was to them to shoot our wedding our way and reflect us as a couple.  We bought it and after a lot of discussion we booked #2.

Before sending in our deposit, I talked with the photographers on the phone and asked them about how their engagement sessions went.  How long, how many locations etc...  They said that there were no restricitons we could do whatever we wanted.  Great, I sent in the deposit.

Now fast forward to setting up the engagement sessions, I told them I wanted some downtown Austin shots and some overlook/sunset shots.  I get an email back saying that we can do the downtown shots but not the overlook/sunset shots because it was to much.  I return the email saying that the overlook shots were more important to me than the downtown shots, can we work something out?  (I didn't care if we dropped the downtown shots).  They respond that we can do the overlook shots but only if I pay an additiona $200.  I wasn't really excitted about this but I agreed because those pictures were important to me.

Now, it's the weekend of our engagment session and suddenly the price is increased from $200 extra to $400 extra.  We we balked at the changes in price the photographers got upset.  We offered other suggestions like 1 photographer instead of 2 or 30 min instead of an hour, etc...  They said they would talk it over and call us back.  No phone call but I got an email saying they were no longer willing to photograph our wedding.

I am so frustrated that they canceled on us the day before our engagment pics.  I don't live here and had to travel here for my pictures.  Not to mention we spent money on hair cuts/highlights (for me), nails done etc...  I think it was really unprofessional to not only repeatedly change the price from our original agreement and then sent an email instead of calling us.  Ugh.

Sorry for the long vent, thank for letting me get it out.


Re: Photography vent

  • edited December 2011
    That really stinks. Sorry to hear that. I just did mine today and the photographer was so nice. We went to 4 areas between UT and downtown and he was super patient with us and our puppy. If you are needing another photographer his name is Glenn Wilburn
    Wedding Countdown Ticker
  • edited December 2011
    I don't talk about it much on here, but we had to ditch our first photographers as well. We actually went on the engagement shoot with them, and had specifics of what we wanted, and they were not pics that would be hard to shoot. When we got out pics back, we were devastated. They sent us 300 pics of complete crap. There were some with our eyes closed, unflattering poses, unnatural poses, and most of all, I had worked really hard to tan for the pics, and they made me look pale in all of the pics. We gave them a 600 dollar deposit, and I had to make the hard decision to let them go.

    Now, I have another photographer, and even though we ended up losing money to the other people, I am so glad we cut ties with them. I look through their blog, and all the poses are the same. I should have seen it before, but didn't. Also, they didn't spend ANY time getting the shots that meant the most to us. They spent all their time working on flash adjustments, and keeping us at some stupid bridge that we hated in the end.

    Even though it sucks, I can assure you that they saved you a great pain, by not continuing on with you. I would ask for your deposit back, and find someone who wants to really work with you. It is better to have 50 great pics of ones you want, as opposed to what I got... 300 shots that I hate. (only 10 I like, but not love) If you need suggestions, we can always provide that. The new photographers we are using is AL Collective.  http://alcollective.com/

    In the end-- pictures last.. so it is better to mesh with someone, then have them ruin your photos.
  • rerawaltrerawalt member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I know it could be worse, they could have done this the day before the wedding instead of the day before the e-pics.  I just feel like I was really swindled into believing that they were genuine. 
  • edited December 2011
    Ahhh Baby Blue, you're using AL Collective, too?? I had no idea! Thought I was the only one! The girls are so sweet, aren't they? We're taking our engagement shots next weekend... can't wait to share with you all!
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