Problems with Photographer-looking for advice

laceymarie85

We are having problems with our photographer not responding to our emails or giving us our final products.  We had our engagement pics taken almost a year ago, met with her twice to go over the engagement album and still have not received a finished product.  I emailed her over a month ago, my fiance emailed her a couple weeks ago-and still no response.  We have already signed a contract and paid her a $1000 deposit.  We are really concerned about using her for the wedding, considering this poor service.  However, now our wedding is only 9 months away and I'm afraid we are not going to be able to find a good photographer.  Additional, we have already invested $1000 into her, although we've gotten no products really.  Has anyone had issues like this in the past?  If so what did you do?  Any ideas? Help!

mamie329

Yikes. Does she have a studio or office that you can visit in person? Not going to lie, I'd be uneasy to put your wedding pics in her care.  If I were you, I'd try to get my money back and then find a replacement. Good luck. 

mb2712

I would threaten to report them to the BBB, and look for a new photographer... and fast!!  I highly recommend Solas Photography.  They are fantastic, and very reasonably priced.  But with the company you're working with now, I would be very skeptical if they haven't done anything with E pics.  I would HATE to lose wedding pictures or never get them... you can never get those back!!

alwysabrdesmd

I'd give them the benefit of the doubt.  If you liked them enough to book with them, then I would stick with it.  It's probably just a miscommunication thing.  I know that some of the people that are more popular are also the busiest so sometimes it's difficult to get in touch with them.  Just be honest with your frustrations. 

mamie329

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_pennsylvania-central_problems-photographer-looking-advice?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:107Discussion:e3485868-b0b9-4d1e-9bfd-d07ef4eb60d4Post:9ff4e1ed-4b8e-44e8-a7d7-e9ccfe270aac">Re: Problems with Photographer-looking for advice</a>:
[QUOTE]I'd give them the benefit of the doubt.  If you liked them enough to book with them, then I would stick with it.  It's probably just a miscommunication thing.  I know that some of the people that are more popular are also the busiest so sometimes it's difficult to get in touch with them.  Just be honest with your frustrations. 
Posted by alwysabrdesmd[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>A year is way too long to get e-pics back. I'm sick of photogs overbooking themselves when they can't handle the work. It's unfair to the clients who pay good money for a product/service. What's the point in booking a good photog if you have to wait so long to see the images? </div><div>
</div><div>Hang in there, OP. 

</div>

shellbell026

A year is way to long to wait for epics!!!   What if the OP wanted to use them in wedding projects?  She wouldn't be able to because her photographer didn't get them to her.  I would be pissed!!  Like mamie suggested, is there a studio or office you can go to talk to her?  It is unprofessional to make you wait that long!  Sorry you are going through this. 

steeser03

there are many things that i would be concerned about here.

#1- the lack of communication. if they are this unwilling to respond to you during the e-pic process i would be concerned of what the company's communication will be like closer to the wedding. the last thing you need to worry about before the wedding is whether or not youre going to have good photos of it, if any at all.

#2- the time that they are taking to return your epics would not only be a concern to me because of the length, but also the fact that if it takes that long to touch up pictures, how great (and natural) will they really be? i got over 1000 photos from my wedding less than a week after the event, simply because she was truly an artist and took awesome photos that didnt need a ton of edits.

#3- the fact that you have had to meet several times to go over your album and still have nothing to show for it. this is a combination of poor planning on their part, poor delivery, and another indicator of lack of artistic ability.

im so sorry that you are having to deal with this. i would definitely attempt to stop by a studio if you can. if not, i would continue to call and email frequently. i would also start searching for a photographer, even if you dont book someone it may be good to have some "back ups" and be aware of who has your date available. while it stinks to lose $1000 with nothing to show for it, i think that it would be worth it to go with someone who will give you less headaches, communicate better, and ultimately provide you with something. i can honestly say that i was 100% satisfied with my photos from the wedding and i honestly think that was the most important thing (aside from the marriage) that came of the wedding, you deserve that too.

good luck!

GildedIcon

Have your attorney issue her a letter ASAP.  You have been MORE than patient.  You need to make a decision quickly, either start looking for a new photog. now or be prepared to wait a long time for your wedding photos.
We used Robin's Photo. in Harrisburg.  LOVE their work.  Photos were always deliveried promptly and beautifully.
Good luck, sorry you are having to go through this.

laceymarie85

Thank you everyone for your comments and opinions.  I'm glad to know that the majority of you do not think I am being unreasonable.  Like I said, we had our pics taken last Oct, so it is going on a year and we still have not received our album.  I think we have given them more than the benefit of the doubt...we met with them two times- Feb (didn't hear anything for 4 months) and then again in June.  Each time they were suppose to send us proofs of the album and didn't.  Then on top of all of this when we emailed (I emailed probably in July sometime and my fiance emailed probably sometime in august) we didn't hear anything back until just a few days ago.  This just seems unacceptable to us and very unprofessional.  I understand that this is busy time of year but it only takes a minute to send an email.  Not to mention, we are paying these "professionals" a large sum of money for their service.  If they are not going to run their business professionally then they are not getting my money.  I think I will give them two more weeks to come through with the service I am paying them for and if not then it's time to get a lawyer involved.  This just cannot keep going on like this... imagine if these were my wedding photos.  I just don't even want to think about that happening.  So thanks again everyone for your input.  Will keep you posted on results or lack there of.  

nabrighteyes

WOW!!!  This is certainly undue stress for you as the bride.  I would visit the photographer and if no response, then I would start consulting with other photograpers.  I used Kitty at CCE Photos in York, PA.  FABULOUS!!!! She arrived (45) minutes before we did to survey the venue and get ideas on what would make great pics and I had (2) photographers.  In addition, I have my first email pic in less than (24) hours after the event. However, my concern is that your current photographer is ill, hospitalized or maybe worst and I don't want this to ruin your day.