Wedding Photography and Videography Forum

Photographer will not return our calls/emails with 1 month to go!!!

For the past month, I have been trying to get in touch with our photographer to ask about a quote for an additional hour for our package. After a couple weeks of no response (I've called, sent emails, and submitted emails through her website), I've received absolutely no response (not even an "I'm busy, I'll talk to you later", nothing!!!

The remainder of our balance is due at the end of this week with one month until our wedding and no word from her. My fiancé and I are very concerned and are trying to decide when we need to give up on her a book a different photographer (if we're lucky enough to find one so late in the game)?

I've had our photographer booked since spring of 2009 and May 2009 is when she last contacted me. She was recommended by a friend who's wedding she did and last spring she was offering a special discounted package (due to the recession being in full-swing by that point) so we jumped at the opportunity. I've tried googling her name to see if there is any news, bad or good, about her but all I can find is business directories. I worry that A). Something has happend to her and no one has the sense to tell her customers or  B) She regrets giving us a cheap package and found someone who'll pay more for that day...

When do we give up on her and start asking around? What do we do if she finally catches up with us after we book another photographer?

Re: Photographer will not return our calls/emails with 1 month to go!!!

  • sdump1sdump1 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Why don't you email/call and ask that you lost their address and want to know where to send the money?  Most vendors will reply when you want to give them money.

    That way you'll see if they are ignoring you or if they give you a reason for all that lack of communication that is happening.


    But something in me tells me you better start looking for a backup plan and maybe a way to get your deposit back from those bozos.
  • sarahsteve06sarahsteve06 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    That's a good idea about "losing" her address! I'll give it a try tonight.

    If it ends up that I cancel on her, I lose my deposit like anyone one would when canceling a vendor (unless you have a nice vendor). But if I can't get ahold of her I probably wouldn't be able to get my deposit back either and I don't really have the time or funds to take legal action.

    Thank you again for your idea!
  • sdump1sdump1 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    You might not necessarily lose your deposit, because she is making it impossible for you to reach her.... I'm not a lawyer, but it seems to me that she is at afault here more than you.
  • sarahsteve06sarahsteve06 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Of course she would be at fault, I'm saying that I'm sure I'd have an even harder time getting through to her to reclaim it without dragging her to court. I made the phone call, left the voicemail so we'll see what happens!
  • edited December 2011
    I'd submit some form of complaint with the court PRIOR to the wedding, then he will be formally served and if he fails to perform, he of course would be liable...

    Good luck....
  • edited December 2011
    that's terrible! i hope you're able to get in touch or at least get your deposit back!

    if you're in a crunch, try elementphotographyma.com - affordable and reliable!! good luck!!

    that's just poor business etiquette to not respond! do you have a phone # to call her??
  • edited December 2011
    I'd also try calling from different numbers just in case she's specifically ignoring you. Hope you get this worked out!
  • sarahsteve06sarahsteve06 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I've given up and I've gone ahead and booked a photographer we like, within our budget too, through The Pros (we have our DJ through them). My rep there has been awesome at answering all questions and concerns AND they're favored by The Knot so we can have some peace of mind....if that's possible with less than a month to go! We're starting the dreaded seating chart soon...ugh!

    Thank you for all your tips/suggestions, much appreciated!Laughing
  • edited December 2011
    do your research love the pros have pages and pages of bad press with djs and photographers that didnt show up the day of the event
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