Am I Wrong?

faerylvr27

FI & I had our E-shoot last Sunday and it went great. Beforehand I was on the fence about the photographer we chose, but I felt a little better after everything was said and done. I wrote him an email thanking him and telling him what a great time we had and also hinted that I'd love to see some teasers. He hasn't acknowledged my email at all, when before he would reply right away before the shoot. Not even a "you guys were a lot of fun, I'll get those pics to you in a couple of weeks... etc etc" NOTHING. Am I wrong to feel a little slighted? (This is just another check in the CON box for me to hire the other photographer we met with and I LOVED, but she was a little pricey.) Or... am I just fishing for excuses to fire him? LOL Bridezilla moment?

photogbride12

Hmm. It sounds a little strange to not hear from him at all, but there WAS a hurricane this weekend, and he could have been busy shooting this past week. He may also have missed your email (believe me, it happens). I think the more important thing here is that you have a photographer you LOVE but haven't hired her. You will think about this forever and if something goes wrong you'll regret it forever. Caterers and florists and DJs are one thing, but with photographers you need to feel comfortable and love their work. It sounds like you are already holding things against him before the wedding, and whether they're founded or not, it will ultimately effect your experience. Wait and see how the images come out, but my advice is always to go with your gut and go with the photographer you love.

gabyfuentes

The busiest days for a photographer are Friday - Sunday. This is when we are actually taking photos, and if your photographer is working chances are he will not reply to you. Imagine him on your wedding texting and responding to other brides.

Plus, we just went through a hurricane and many areas in LI and NJ lost power, and some areas are still without power. Other areas are flooded and experience some damages. 

So be patient  and if you already hired him, and you liked his photos and had a great time, I'm sure you will have a good time with him.

"I'm a wedding photographer - not looking for jobs, just stopped by to post and advice and got caught up reading the post and couldn't resist not helping brides - a former bride who now photographs weddings"

faerylvr27

Thank you ladies. I know there was a hurricane (I just got my power back 4:30 this morning myself) but I emailed him on a Monday and an entire week before the storm. The fact that he didn't acknowledge me in anyway just didn't sit well with me at all. So I called the other photographer and she's still free! She's more expensive than the one we hired, but I know she will do a great job, because I am constantly seeing her updated blog. His facebook shows no pictures, his website is pathetic (it was better when I first hired him) and there's no updates. All of these things are red flags to me. So, even though we're going to lose the deposit, we'll still have the e-photos (assuming he even sends them)  Now, the next step, after we DO get them, is letting him go. I feel so guilty, but I just don't feel right using him. Any advice on how to let him down gently? He'll probably be happy! He got half of his contract in the deposit! ugh