Photography Freakout

butterflyjumper1

so, to start things out, I had a dream a few nights ago that our photographers forgot to come to the wedding. So my parents decided we should re-do the ENTIRE wedding the next day (sunday) so the photographers could re-capture everything. They forgot to come AGAIN!

We have had absolute 100% success with our photographers so far - they have been impeccable, professional, quick to respond, friendly, and gave us the most stunning engagement pics I have ever seen (obv I am biased since they are of us but we were very, very, very pleased). 

Well, I found a posting on my local board about my photographers that FREAKED ME OUT - which led me to wedding wire, where I found a review from the same poster, in addition to another review from a mom who didn't get the photos she wanted.  UGH! Apparently the knottie got her photos late, and the photographers didn't get all of the shots that the knottie requested.  Apparently the photographers wouldn't even sit down for a meeting with her, which is bizarre, since we have met with them twice already! THe mom was also mad about the two photographers taking a dinner break together, and apparently they left the reception early. All of this is confusing to me, since they are very specific about how many hours they are contracted to photograph!

Now I am nervous, even though until today, I was 100% certain we chose the perfect photographer for us. 

Anyone seen bad reviews for their photographer (or for another vendor they are using?)?? I am sure it isn't necessary for me to be freaking out, but since it is coming right after my nightmare, I can't help it!

ceglare4

I purposely have not looked for reviews of my vendors because it's too late to change them now and I don't want to deal with the stress that you're going through if I read something negative! Have you found any GOOD reviews? And really, one bad review out of all the weddings that your photog has shot is nothing. You definitely can't please everyone, even if you're impeccable at your job. Maybe that bride made the wrong choice to book your photog because their tastes don't mesh. But it sounds like you did your homework when you booked your photog so your styles must mesh. I really wouldn't worry about it at all. If you've had good experiences up until now, I would trust that, rather than one review from some random person. I think reviews can be really helpful but also really UNhelpful. You just gotta trust your gut when it comes down to it.

penny12986

I posted a recommendation for my venue on my local board and one girl responded saying that she had her wedding there and the staff was terrible.  She went on to list some other things that went wrong but I am dealing with the same people she was and all of my interactions have been great. 

-She said that they didn't have anything ready for their tasting, ours went very smoothly,
-she said that the coordinators were hard to get ahold of, for me they have written back within a week (which I know is still awhile but I realize they have other things going on)
and a few other things

I take reviews with a grain of salt because it's hard to know the whole situation.  Sometimes, people's personalities do not mesh well and they may not be on the same page so I rely more on my experiences.

BeachLover2885

I wouldn't worry too much if it's the only negative review. Some people complain about everything and are never satisfied. I think if you like the photographers and their work, you will be fine!

Nati05

I agree with PPs completely. First, no more reviews of booked vendors for you missy! And second, I'm sure everything will be fine. There could be so many explanations for these bad reviews and unless they are the majority.. I wouldn't worry about it. I'm a big review person myself but I also take into consideration the ratio of good to bad reviews. Everything will be fine! Like celgare said, trust your gut.

bridetobe71412

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_july-2012-weddings_photography-freakout?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding Club BoardsForum:066005ef-215f-48b1-8655-328b41e07c52Discussion:433c3f07-9239-473f-a3f6-2a8edf081c4aPost:add245f2-465d-4596-b21a-58bca9e918b9">Re: Photography Freakout</a>:
[QUOTE]I wouldn't worry too much if it's the only negative review.<strong> Some people complain about everything and are never satisfied.</strong> I think if you like the photographers and their work, you will be fine!
Posted by BeachLover2885[/QUOTE]

I tend to agree.

I also think that if you're REALLY nervous about it, bring it up to the photographers. Say, you know, I just happened upon this review. . . What happened with that bride? In fact, I did this with my hair stylist because she had one horrible review and a LOT of really, really fantastic ones and before I could even ask her about it, she told me what happened with that bride and I heard her side (which seemed reasonable).

As I'm sure we can all imagine, some brides are just insane. :)

TChiumi

I would be pretty freaked out too!! It sounds to me like you have a great relationship with your photographer and haven't experienced any of the problems the bride in the review expressed.  

I would try not to focus so much on the review and focus more on the good experiences you have had with your photographer so far.  I agree that some people just have conflicting personalities.  Maybe the bride who gave the review started off on the wrong foot with the photographer and it just snowballed from there.  

Since you don't know both sides of the story I wouldn't put too much stock it what the bride who gave the review said.  It sound like so far you have had an amazing experience.  If you must know you could take bridetobe's advice and ask the photographer what exactly happened. 

I would just try to relax (I know it's easier said than done) and have faith you made the right decision. I'm sure your pictures will be amazing. 

littlemoments324

I heard a bad review about our venue from my MOH who heard it from her FMIL's niece...hahaha...see....

Obviously you've had good luck with them so far.  Has there ever been a time where you doubted their mad skills you rave about??  And you have to look at the situations differently as well...She & her mother could have bride/momzilla complaining about everything & thinking things are good enough...What if they had a death in the family or something to where they weren't able to get that particular bride her photos when they were supposed to be ready??  It's life..things come up...however, they own a business and know that they need to stick to their contracts...

So, just think of it that way...You're fine..don't read any reviews!

BmoreBride311

As bad as it sounds, it could even be another area photog posted fake crap just to scare ppl away from the competition. You never really know. There is a photog that posts on my local board pretending to be a Knottie all the time. We all have reported "her" many times, but she keeps doing it If all your interactions with your photog have been great, then don't worry about one bad review!

ETA: And it's definitely posible that the reviewer did have unrealistic exectations. You prob won't get every dream shot on your list, but that's normal. You want to be having a great time with your family and friends at your wedding, not trying to get every perfect shot.

MeaganR12

I'd try not to let it get to you. It sounds like some things that bothered them (ie meetings with photographers) you haven't had trouble with at all. Try to remember that when you consider the reviewer's credibility.

BeabullMom

I heard a few bad reviews about my photographer after I booked, but I try to let them not bother me.  The reviewers said that they didn't get their pictures for a while and a few other things. All I keep telling myself is that she takes amazing pictures, and no matter when I get them, I will love them...even if they aren't when I expected.

aynos77

I have read one really bad review, about our venue. BUT, I haven't had any negative experience at all, In fact the go to person for the venue has bent over backwards for us, even going as far as to give me recommendations and suggestions on details that won't even take place at the venue, (at the church,etc. ) I just really wasn't into planning a wedding, didn't know the things involved, and was overwhelmed... But she really put it into perspective for me and helped at ton.! Also just checks in randomly, to see if there are any questions, or if she can do anything to help.

That said, you really need to take this poor review with a grain of salt. Some people are just impossible to please, and when they don't get a miracle, they freak out and start blaming everyone everything and just say mean stuff to make their situation seems worse so they get more pitty. You don't personally know these people, so you really can't say if what they were after was even attainable. Maybe they wanted a shot outside with the sun shining down and it was pouring rain. Some people can't accept that not all things can be blamed on someone. Maybe they wanted 300 shots of xyz and didn't have time or communicate that well. Maybe they even didn't reallize that they wanted this or that until it was over and they are blaming their photog for not being mind readers.

You like them, and have been pleased with them, so I wouldn't worry a bit. And btw, I have had CRAZY dreams.. I know its just nerves about everything going as planned.

butterflyjumper1

thanks ladies I didn't dream about photography last night, so that is a good sign at least!!

My photographers have a very unique style and a vision that is different than most wedding photographers....I bet that you guys are right, and that these brides just didn't click with their style.  Their photos are like pieces or art, and are not traditional in any sense.  While they will be doing approximately 20-30 minutes of family portraits in the church for us, no other photos will be "posed" and will be photojournalistic and artsy.  This is what fiance and I wanted - but if other brides didn't realize this, this could cause some major issues.  I am glad some of you have seen negative reviews and had some freakouts too