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daynie85

Hey All... So maybe you can help me out with this situation because I'm pretty annoyed right now with her...
So to start off, she's the same age as me (26) and I'm pretty sure she's only really gotten a good client base in like the last 4 years at most. Her husband helps her now as a second photographer and I really don't think they've had formal training for photography. Though I have really  liked her work and a lot of people I know have gone with her so I thought it would be good to go with her as well.

Well the other thing is I think they both think they're so high and mighty... they are pretty expensive, and I could have probably found someone A LOT cheaper, but I decided to stick with her because pictures are really important to me, and I already was familiar with her work and liked it a lot as I said before.

Now the thing is, my fiance and I are 3 hours away from "back home" where the wedding will be, and an engagement shoot is included in her photography package. Now obviously we can't just pack up and go back home whenever we want to visit because we both work full time, so we go home on the weekends at least once a month (though I'm sure it will be more as the wedding gets closer).

Anyways, we want to schedule the engagement shoot because I think it's an important part of seeing how the photographers work and how we are with the camera. We can't really do Fridays because we don't get back home till 8 or 9 pm or later. She can't do Sundays because they work with a foster kid all day apparently. And Saturdays they are going to get busy with weddings soon. So they like to book E-photos Monday - Friday. Well this isn't really working out obviously. And she won't give even a little bit. I asked about them coming up to where I am for the day and god forbid they take one day out of their busy schedule to help a client out since it's not really working the other way (we wanted to plan to do the photos in May).

So she suggests that we take a day off work or get off work earlier so that we can make it back earlier on a Friday to do the photos.... really so now I have to lose out on money because you can't be accomodating at all?? Or even both of us taking a whole day off???

So unless my fiance and I come up with a way we can be there during the week... we basically forfeit our engagement session (which as part of the package they print out the pictures as a guest book), because she says IT HOLDS NO MONETARY VALUE. SO if we didn't have a chance to do it, they wouldn't even give a little discount.

Sorry this is so long, but I'm so mad right now... like other photographers travel a little and do shoots other places with their clients, and it's not like 3 hours is THAT far....

Maybe someone will have a suggestion or 2 for me....

*Barbie*

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_wedding-woes_soooo-fricken-pissedgrr?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:47Discussion:fe400f2a-f1fa-48e8-8698-cc41dc030fc4Post:dab833ae-14ec-4125-8712-1adff77aadfc">Soooo fricken pissed....grr...</a>:
[QUOTE]Hey All... So maybe you can help me out with this situation because I'm pretty annoyed right now with her... So to start off, she's the same age as me (26) and I'm pretty sure she's only really gotten a good client base in like the last 4 years at most. Her husband helps her now as a second photographer and I really don't think they've had formal training for photography. Though I have really  liked her work and a lot of people I know have gone with her so I thought it would be good to go with her as well. Well the other thing is I think they both think they're so high and mighty... they are pretty expensive, and I could have probably found someone A LOT cheaper, but I decided to stick with her because pictures are really important to me, and I already was familiar with her work and liked it a lot as I said before. Now the thing is, my fiance and I are 3 hours away from "back home" where the wedding will be, and an engagement shoot is included in her photography package. Now obviously we can't just pack up and go back home whenever we want to visit because we both work full time, so we go home on the weekends at least once a month (though I'm sure it will be more as the wedding gets closer). Anyways, we want to schedule the engagement shoot because I think it's an important part of seeing how the photographers work and how we are with the camera. We can't really do Fridays because we don't get back home till 8 or 9 pm or later. She can't do Sundays because they work with a foster kid all day apparently. And Saturdays they are going to get busy with weddings soon. So they like to book E-photos Monday - Friday. Well this isn't really working out obviously. And she won't give even a little bit. I asked about them coming up to where I am for the day and god forbid they take one day out of their busy schedule to help a client out since it's not really working the other way (we wanted to plan to do the photos in May). So she suggests that we take a day off work or get off work earlier so that we can make it back earlier on a Friday to do the photos.... really so now I have to lose out on money because you can't be accomodating at all?? Or even both of us taking a whole day off??? So unless my fiance and I come up with a way we can be there during the week... we basically forfeit our engagement session (which as part of the package they print out the pictures as a guest book), because she says IT HOLDS NO MONETARY VALUE. SO if we didn't have a chance to do it, they wouldn't even give a little discount. Sorry this is so long, but I'm so mad right now...<strong> like other photographers travel a little and do shoots other places with their clients, and it's not like 3 hours is THAT far....</strong> Maybe someone will have a suggestion or 2 for me....
Posted by daynie85[/QUOTE]

<div>*what does your contract say?</div><div>
</div><div>*book another photographer</div><div>
</div><div>*offer to pay her travel expenses, time, and inconvenience to come to you. if 3 hours drive "isn't THAT far," then you and your FI shouldn't have any trouble making the trip for the days and times that appointments are available. mileage is typically paid out at about $.55/mile. </div><div>
</div><div>you are in the wrong here. you should have considered and discussed all of this prior to booking this woman. </div>

NeedWeddingFavors

First of all, you are going to have to take a deep breath.... if she feels forced in any way to do this photo shoot, it won't be a horrible experience and you won't get the photos you want. This isn't a situation where you buy a product and insist she drops it off because you paid for it and that's it, there is some personal interaction here.

You need to figure out what you can do to make her feel that it is worth it to accomadate you (without threats). I'd start by reading the contract, and find out whether you can cancel the entire package and how long you have to do so. If you can cancel, I'd start looking for plan b and then let her know that you have found someone else, but that you really like her work. It would be a shame to go with someone else but you can't take the day off from work, so you may have to (note the emphasis on flattering her work rather than the threat of leaving...)

Good luck!

daynie85

ya I know it's not that far because I do the drive all the time.... but I can only make it on the weekends because I work full time like I said. And the two days of the weekend I am available... she is not.

Amt2109

I'm with Barbie. If it was that important to me, I'd offer to compensate her to come out on a Saturday. Or Sunday if they're allowed to bring the munchkin (not you allowing. Its a foster kid).

Are there any more long weekends coming up before your wedding?

heatherrenee527

I have to agree with the PPs as well.  Going into the contract you knew that you were getting a photographer who was 3 hours away so you can't really expect her to bend over backwards or to ruin some other bride's day to make room for you.  I think that you are overreacting (which is easy for us brides to do) and may need to take a step back and look at the situation with fresh and calm eyes. 

I would take a good hard look at your schedules.  Is there really a day that the two of you can't leave work a little early?  Realistically, if these photos are important to you, then you can miss a few hours of work and pay.  In the long run, your free session and sacrificed time at work will probably be cheaper than hiring a local photographer to do your engagement photos.  I would check into what is the most cost effective for you.  Also, I'm not sure how soon you need your photos done but is there a day that you both have off, like an upcoming holiday where you could maybe negotiate to get in with them? 

 I would look at all of the options.  Remember that they are your wedding photographers so while you want to be firm on your wants and needs, I would try to keep the relationship civil for the sake of your wedding day.  Best of luck to you and try not to let it stress you out too much.

flower_diva

did you take time off to go and look for your wedding dress?   what about going to choose a cake,florist,reception site?  Sometimes when you book the great vendors they have full schedules too.   and really...taking a friday afternoon off or leaving a few hours early for one time is that big of deal?