My photographer is seriously stressing me out - what should I do?!

arf3420

I posted on here a couple of months ago because I was concerned that my photographer had vanished.  Long story short - she gave us a complimentary engagement session in the middle of July and promised the pictures to us by the end of July.  By middle of Aug I still didn't have them, so I emailed her with no response.  Sent a few more emails, still no response.  Finally got a hold of her at the end of September.  She said she'd had pneumonia and was very far behind in editing, and my emails had gone to her spam folder.  Promised the photos to me by the end of that week.  Now, it's about 6 weeks later and I still have nothing.  I hadn't been too pushy with the pictures at first because the engagement shoot had not been part of our package originally, she added it on as a bonus for us.  So I can understand us being at the bottom of her list if she got sick and fell behind.  BUT I feel that now it's gone past the point of reasonable and has just become unprofessional. 
I am so stressed out that she's either not going to show up for the wedding, or she's going to show up but it will take us a year to get our pictures.  I've looked into other photographers, but most of the better, more affordable ones are booked now.   I found one that is still available, but she is about twice the cost of our current photographer.   Plus, I'm sure we won't get our deposit back.  But then again, the wedding pictures are really important to me... I don't want to be stuck without a photographer in the end.  Any advice??   I emailed our photographer today and told her if she doesn't get back to me asap and assure me that she will be caught up by the wedding date, then I'm going to book someone else.  I'm hoping that might spur her into action.  I'm also thinking about having her put a clause into our contract stating a guaranteed return time on the pictures.   Then I also thought about hiring an amateur photographer for about $500-700 to have on hand as a backup in case she doesn't show on the day of the wedding?   I hate to spend extra money though because our budget is really tight, and we've already gone over budget on the videographer and DJ.  And I don't really want to have only amateur photos if she doesn't show... it's better than nothing, but I still really want nice pictures!
Sorry this post is so long... I just needed to vent!!

lindsayloo1212

I don't think this sounds like a good situation, and it sounds worse since the last time you posted. She should have been in touch with you multiple times by now, pneumonia or not. It's been five months since your e-session. I got my pics in less than 2 weeks. And E-pics are meant to be a preview of the experience you will have with your wedding... mannerisms and personality while taking pictures, time it takes to get you the photos, quality of work, ease with which you get in contact, etc. I think if you predicted your wedding based on this it would be bad. I think you need a new plan.

I would look closely at your contract with her and see if there are any specifications about when you can get your deposit back. Her current unprofessional behavior I think should be enough to warrant getting it back. You may have to hound like a crazy woman but it should work eventually. (You may actually have to call from a different number, sad - but I've learned that.)

You said MOST affordable photogs are booked, not ALL. Shop, give us your budget and let us recommend, and then book. This is your wedding and you should feel good about pictures. I wouldn't hire an ammateur because then you pay for not so great photos AND definitely lose your deposit for current photog, plus most photogs require the remaining balance before the wedding. Unfortunately it may cost more and you may have to play aroudn with your budgets in other areas, but IMHO this is what I think you should do.

HTH.

cgyvhu

eek, make paragraphs.  I cant read walls of text.

If wedding pics are really important to you, book another photographer.  Yes, you will lose your deposit.  Yes, you might have to pay more.  But you will actually have a good photographer and wont spend the next 6 months stressing about if you actually get decent pictures.  Or th enext year wondering if you will ever see your pictures.

I'd book someone new.  Then after you get your e-pics from this person, tell them you won't be needing their services.

arf3420

You're probably right... I should just go ahead with a new photographer and save the stress.   It's sad because I really loved her.  I emailed back and forth with her dozens of times prior to the e-session, and in her emails and working with her in person she was really awesome.  But I hate all of this stress, and when it comes to the bottom line, I'm not willing to risk not getting pictures.
We were only paying $1200 for her (that included 2 photographers for the day), but I know I won't find anyone else for that price.  Catch-light was about the same, but they're booked now.  On a sad side note, I actually had an appt set up to meet CatchLight and pay them a deposit, but then that morning Ashley emailed me and I went with her instead.  Talk about a bad twist of fate.  Haha. 
I'd like to try to keep the price around $2000 if possible, maybe $2500.  We def want 2 photographers for the day, and all pictures on a CD.  I don't care as much about professional albums or anything like that.  I'm looking for a very artistic style.
Any suggestions would be great!   I've already tried Steph Strasburg, Matt Blassey, LimeLight, and Lizzy at Sewickly Photography, but they're all booked for our date.  

lindsayloo1212

I've seen great pictures from Caitlin Thomas that brides have posted on here and I'm almost positive she is within your budget.

Also a lot of individual photogs can add on a second photog for the day of as an a la carte item.

Britt0412

Try Kelley Smallman (http://kelleypsmallman.vpweb.com/default.html) and Amanda Wilson (http://www.photosbyaw.com/index.html). Both would fit in your price range.

pantherRN

I want to ditto Lindsay's rec for Caitlin Thomas. I think Joanna Fassinger's least expensive package comes in at $2500. There is also the girl that used to work with Jenni Grace. I can't remember her name or price though. Good luck!

williaam2

What date is your wedding?  I agree with MD - photography is too huge a part of your wedding to risk something so huge : /  

I looked at Josh Mariana when we were booking and he was really nice and professional; he was around $2000 if I remember correctly.   

arf3420

Amanda Wilson is booked already, still waiting to hear back from Caitlin Thomas.  

Has anyone ever heard of Palermo Photography or FineLine Weddings?  Both are available for our date (June 23) and have 5 star reviews on WeddingWire, but I don't think I've ever seen their names posted on here.

map624

I ALMOST went with Palermo....I thought she was great!!!  We met in person and she seemed like she would be awesome to work with.  We ended up picking Matt Blassey because I liked his album alot.  I would definitely look into Palermo.   

arf3420

Palermo did sound really nice and professional.  Matt Blassey's wife is due to have a baby right around the time of our wedding so he's not taking any bookings then.  The only thing with Palermo is that I don't think she includes a second photographer in her package, but it might be an additional option so I'll still meet with her and check it out!   I'm also still crossing my fingers for Cailtlin Thomas... her pictures look awesome!

lindsayloo1212

GL - And you definitely made a lot of progress today! I would still revisit the orignal contract and at least try to negotiate getting the deposit back. Nicole098 had a similar problem with her photog and was able to get 1/2 the deposit back.

InkedMegs

I think you're definitely on the right track for booking a new photographer.  Caitlin did our wedding photos last month and they are great.  The rain kind of limited our outdoor photos -- but at least we got some!

I know Caitlin is very booked for 2012 and has already started booking into 2013.  Do not be discouraged if she is booked... I still think it is in your best interest to keep looking for a new photographer.  You really will be so happy that you did!

I hope you at least hear back from the original photographer to get your deposit back.

pantherRN

Ah! Figured out her name, it's Carson Grey. http://www.carsongreyphotography.com/

cgyvhu

sounds like you are making progress!! An older knottie used Caroline Moore photography, and I liked her photos.  Irene Smith photography is also in your range, and she does good work.  GL!

sarilynnep

Oh wow... that does not sound like a good situation at all. I would really think about finding someone else as well.

Can we possibly add this photographer to the 'vendor beware' list?

My photographer is Matthew Blassey, and so far he has been wonderful. Our e pics took out great, he had them back to us in a week, and his digital package is only $1300. I would consider checking him out as well as the photographers mentioned by prior posters.

Sorry you have to deal with all of this, but hopefully you will find a better photographer soon. Let us know what happens!

arf3420

Thanks for all of the suggestions!   I sent my second email this week to my photog and still haven't gotten a response, so I'm definitely going to call her tonight and ask about getting our deposit back.  I was really hoping I'd at least get the e-pics from her first, but it doesn't seem like that's going to happen :-(   I did pay my deposit through PayPal, so I might even be able to open a dispute through them if she won't refund it.

So far most people have been booked, but I'm still waiting to hear from Cailtin Thomas, Caroline Moore, Amber Marie, Carson Grey and R Fritz.  

I did find one that's available, and her work looks really good, but I've never heard of her before so I'm a little leary.  Does anyone know of anyone who used Lauren Zurchin?  Her prices seem really reasonable, but now I'm afraid of going with another lower cost photographer after what happened last time. 

Tara5384

My friend used Fineline Weddings as her photographer and was very pleased with them.  I'm using them for our photobooth only and they've been very responsive and helpful.

cgyvhu

Pirata, an older knottie, was good friends with Lauren and recommended her.  But that's all I know about her.

pantherRN

There is an older Knottie who didn't have a good experience with Amber Marie. I will PM you. Otherwise, she gets good reviews.

arf3420

Just found out that Stephanie Strasburg still has our date open!  I think I might go with her :-)

Beth0413

I'm a little late replying to this but my friend used FineLine Weddings for her July wedding & her photos were beautiful.
 
Good luck!

pantherRN

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_pennsylvania-pittsburgh_photographer-seriously-stressing-out-should?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:116Discussion:7f6d0f23-0fdc-46ab-bc73-3fe1851bdf30Post:f405eee7-df75-4db5-96a6-66e720dd299d">Re: My photographer is seriously stressing me out - what should I do?!</a>:
[QUOTE]Just found out that Stephanie Strasburg still has our date open!  I think I might go with her :-)
Posted by arf3420[/QUOTE]

Flowerstar1023 is using her as well :) I'm glad you found someone!

asimms12

We had contacted Lauren and were all set to go with her. But then she found out she wasn't sure if she would be in the state at that time. We went with Jamie Winters but I was definitely interested in Lauren.

Britt0412

I'm using Stephanie Strasburg and love her! I think she's a true hidden gem in Pittsburgh. Her work is gorgeous and Stephanie herself is just a wonderful person to work with. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend her based on my experiences so far.

heb557

You could probably check out Rob Larson. I don't know how much wedding photography he does, but we were recently both guests at a close friends wedding and the photos he took were amazing! He kind of kept in the background
since they did have a paid photog there. Extremely nice and the photo quality was aamzing! I don't know his pricing or availibility but it's worth a shot!

Nikitess84

Yosphoto by Yos Wisnu. He is amazingggg and very reasonable, easy to work with, professional. I could not have got more complements on our engagement photos. He has them ready and on a disc two weeks after having got them done. He gets great reviews and is on other vendors recommendation lists.