We "WON" a photog package, then it was taken away!

vw924

Kristen Steele Photography held an online contest for a free photography package. The winner would only need to pay for transportation and lodging, but the services were free.  I WON! And then it got harry.  Before I could even SEE a contract, she booked another bride for the night before our wedding, causing her to have to fly out the next day -- please read:

See, this photographer waited until something else panned out, as in another bride with a wedding the day before ours.  Obviously that conflicts right? You can't shoot a wedding the night before and fly to DC the next morning to take my getting ready shots.  That's quick turn around.  This photographer told me she didn't think that the bride would sign the contract. Then why even give her the contract?
But she did. And she signed it. And it conflicts with this photographer coming to our rehearsal dinner.
In further email correspondence she said would take the first flight out the morning of our wedding.
She seemed to think this would work out fine.

So I asked it to be put in writing.
I wanted to see that she would take the first flight out the next morning and fly into DCA.
Because whoever offers something free and then goes and schedules something conflicting is out to make a buck.  I didn't want to get screwed over.

And then I got this email:

 

So the bridezilla in me lashes out with a "WHAT THE FRICK?!" Except it wasn't "Frick."  Followed by some more characters I can't repeat on this respectable site.  

Wasn't SHE the one who first suggested flying in the morning of?

Didn't SHE meet with this other bride, schedule the other wedding all while KNOWING she offered me the prize for service on  June 19?

And what's this "avid blogger" crap that promotes me saying "The prize is no longer available"?

Let's say it like it is, Kristen Steele: YOU SCREWED ME OVER.  You offered me a prize and then decided not to follow through.  You devised a contest, picked a winner, and then went and scheduled something else.

Ok, yes, I had yet to sign a contract and had no real rights to her yet, but let's remember I didn't even receive a contract to look over, until after the other (paying) bride had her contract.

I can clearly see where the priorities are.

I was offered no consolation prize, nor means to reconcile her mistake.

So we need to let the people of Nashville and the world know, that this photographer they have in their midst need not be trusted.  Sure she can take pretty pictures, but at what price? If she offers you something, sign your contract before she can change her mind, especially if she offers a discount.

Because professionalism is not part of her services.

You'll pay a pretty penny for that.

If you even get it.

We're out a photographer.

lana2007

That really sucks. Even if you stayed fixed on her making the wedding, it probably wouldn't have turned out well because of her lack of interest and desire to actually do a wedding for free.
You should write a blog post about the truth.
I just PMed you also

andyseiler

Vicki, I'm not a photographer, rather a videographer, and It definitely sounds like she screwed up with this contest.  And the fact that she told you what you could say because you are an avid blogger... not too classy.  However, I'm sure when she first thought about just flying out there on Sunday, it seemed like a fine idea.  Especially since it was a prize.  I don't know, I mean.  I'm not trying to make any excuses for her, because I read through everything, and she clearly didn't think this through, but I know what it's like to meet with a potential bride that really wants your services.  I mean, just speaking from personal experience, it's very difficult to turn people down.  And so I believe she really thought she could do both at first.  But then realizing the full complexity of the situation, got cold feet.  She at least took blame for having poorly orchestrated the event. 

When I first started up, I double booked a day, because I thought by then I could hire in extra help, or something.  Honestly, I didn't really know.  I was just eager to get weddings under my belt.  Anyways, I doubple booked, then realized that there was no way on earth I could do it.  One bride didn't have a contract signed, and that's the one I had to call and give the bad news.  It was embarrasing for me.  Very embarrasing.  Firstly, I hate breaking my word.  I said I'd shoot their wedding, but the reality was that I couldn't.  I believe this photographer wanted things to work out, but then got herself into a sticky situation and had to make a decision.  I am sorry you're out a photographer.  That sucks.  But sometimes we make mistakes in this business, and then have to make crappy decisions. I'm sure she at least learned from this experience to better orgainze and plan future contests. 

Best of Luck for your wedding and Marriage. 

kwynn

The way I read it, you are declining to book her because you don't like the travel arrangements/accommodations she is able to make. And that's okay, but it is your choice not to book her because of that.

I just went to her contest link and nowhere does it say you will get rehearsal dinner coverage. It says you will get day-of coverage, which she is still willing to provide. So I don't know why you think you would be losing that rehearsal dinner coverage.

Any time I have ever seen a photographer run a contest like this, it is always subject to availability. If you enter and have a date that she does not have available, then you can't win. I'm sure she received some entries for dates already booked.  If you have a contract, and it is signed, then you get the date. It is first come, first served on signed contracts.

The other couple (paying or not, it doesn't matter) got their contract in first. She is still willing to work with you, but if you are not comfortable with that, there's nothing she can do. Should she have refused to take a meeting with a couple weeks ago before she even knew who would win the contest or what that winner's date would be?

Her emails seem quite professional and you were being provided a free service. You aren't out a photographer; you never had a contract to begin with. I'm sure if you change your date, she would accommodate you.

It's unfortunate, but photogs take meetings with many, many brides up to 2 years out. She couldn't have possibly known someone would book the day before your day. It was a contest, so there are a lot of different dates involved.

vw924

Hmm I see what you are saying, excpet that she told me we were good to go and never got me a contract before giving out another contract.  She made it impossible to book her without a contract!

kwynn

I don't think she purposely didn't give you a contract despite you asking for it. Her emails seem to indicate that you won, you guys were working on getting a contract together/getting the flight deposits worked out, and then someone else booked her, someone she already met with previously.

She probably met with that other person before you ever even won...maybe before you ever even entered. Here's the sticky situation: months ago, she told the other person she was available for their date. Now, that person sent in their contract.

She can't now say "Sorry, not available" to them. Because it is first come, first serve. She IS still available, because she doesn't have a contract or deposit from you.

That's why first come, first served with signed contract and deposit is the standard. If she had told the other bride "No, I want to do this destination wedding instead, but they don't have a contract," the other bride would be on here complaning that she was first and the photographer is dishonest and wants a free trip instead of a local wedding.

So the photographer had to make someone unhappy. The person that is not the client is the obvious choice. You aren't a client, you have no contract, and you were receiving something free. 

And she's still willing to do your wedding (well, was, until you posted this here). You were the one that was uncomfortable with the flying in arrangement.

I don't think she purposely waited on giving you the contract  to try to book the day in order to get out of giving you the free wedding. That doesn't make sense, why would she offer it if she didn't want it? Why would she offer to fly in the day of? Why would she still be trying to work with you on it?

It seems you BOTH had medical issues that led to a delay in communication. That happens, and someone else booked her. Contracts and deposits are the fairest way to decide who gets popular dates, in my opinion.

who2hire

that stinks
how have your responses been?
we had a rip off also
it was a shotty wedding planner or i should say a SO CALLED planner
she is a young girl trying to act like a woman
she is out for a fast buck only..

i too would like to say if she does not return the deposit she will probably not be a wedding planner much longer.

goes by the name of

Exquisite Weddings of Central Florida

not good
not good at all