Dodgy Wedding Photographer???

glisten · 03-11-2011 8:28pm #1

Hoping someone here might have some advice for me....

We got married in July and just like all newlyweds we couldn't wait to see the photographs. One problem - our photographer wont give them to us. He sent us a CD which he claimed had all the photos on it but it didn't. When my husband rang him he apologised and said he'd send it again...that was in September. He didn't send anything. Since then we have contacted him by email a few times and now his excuses are that his computers have "gone back to the shop" because there was a fault and the photos are on it.

I'm devastated!! I can get photos from friends and family but for all the bridal shots...we drove to a different location with only the photographer and his assistant.

What can I do? Can I take legal action of any kind?

Borderfox · 03-11-2011 9:00pm

he should have backups of all the shots in different locations, I back up to several different hard drives/internet and dvd archival media. The cd he sent, how many files were on it? when you look at the details of the files do the times run from start of the day to the end?

glisten · 03-11-2011 9:11pm

Borderfox wrote: »

he should have backups of all the shots in different locations, I back up to several different hard drives/internet and dvd archival media. The cd he sent, how many files were on it? when you look at the details of the files do the times run from start of the day to the end?

Hi Borderfox,

There were 67 files and they were all muddled up. A couple of the ceremony, 1 of my husbands family and the others were mainly shots of guests. He said everything was on the computer that's gone back so I'm guessing he has no back-up??

Always number 1 · 03-11-2011 9:32pm

Hi Glisten,
Can you please PM me the name of the photographer.
We've been waiting a bit longer than expected for ours and have gotten the "broken computer" story so just want to make sure...
Hope it works out ok for you

Borderfox · 03-11-2011 9:48pm

glisten wrote: »

Hi Borderfox,

There were 67 files and they were all muddled up. A couple of the ceremony, 1 of my husbands family and the others were mainly shots of guests. He said everything was on the computer that's gone back so I'm guessing he has no back-up??

67 files sounds way off, should be more around the 200-300 mark. Have a chat with him and mention that this behaviour is unacceptable and you will take it further if you dont get satisfaction.

Gatica · 04-11-2011 9:54am

pop into your local solicitor and ask his advice. You'd be surprised how quickly people pert-up when it becomes legal.
Also, if he refused to send the pictures in a reasonable amount of time, you can also pay a visit to the local paper on his scam.

Monife · 04-11-2011 3:35pm

Definitely threaten the legal route. That is not on at all! You can give him one more friendly but assertive call and inform that you will be seeking the advice of a solicitor if he cannot give you a definite answer on the phone. Best of luck, that is a total nightmare.

Gatica · 05-11-2011 7:04pm

A decent supplier would have got in touch with you and let you know of the situation if their unbacked-up PC was in trouble and you were awaiting pictures. There's no reason why you should be the one chasing them for products you've paid for.

glisten · 06-11-2011 9:47am

Gatica wrote: »

A decent supplier would have got in touch with you and let you know of the situation if their unbacked-up PC was in trouble and you were awaiting pictures. There's no reason why you should be the one chasing them for products you've paid for.

I know, and I thought they were a decent photographers! Its not as if I can do the day again!:(

I'm guessing I'm allowed PM people his name. So if anyone is booking a Leitrim based photographer...........

PCPhoto · 06-11-2011 10:20am

Glisten

chances are this person is not a full-time professional photographer - did you sign a contract before the wedding agreeing that you would get a CD with approx X amount of images, also agreeing what the photographer would cover (ie. getting ready, arrival at church, ceremony, reception formal portraits etc)

I'm sorry to say it but it may be a case of where you took the cheaper route and didn't do your research before choosing a wedding photographer - or it could be a case of the photographer just having a really bad day.

I suspect it is the first one - BUT ...it does look like you may not get wedding photographs, but you will be in a position to sue your wedding photographer.

its disgraceful that there are cowboys out there operating and claiming to be professional photographers when they do not know the first thing about taking photos at weddings, I do work as a photographer but only do weddings as a favour to friends.

my advice is to contact a solicitor - even if your photographer comes up with the rest of the images I suspect that he is not a proper professional and just a cheap cowboy....he should be punished for breach of contract and the quicker you get a solicitors letter and start proceedings the better.

he will argue that he fulfilled his contract (if you don't have a written contract remember an oral contract is also a binding agreement, even the fact that you paid him money shows there was an agreement in place)

Also he could argue that he fulfilled his part of the agreement ...turned up, took photos and gave you a CD of images - which is what you paid him for ...right ???

Don't take any excuses - if he has lost the images or if memory cards have corrupted....thats not your problem, you paid for a service for the one day in your life which means so much to you.... your special day.... you cannot ask guests to come back so they can be photographed again, some may have passed on or travelled long distances to get to see you(or your new hubby) on that day.... that opportunity is gone !

I think there has been enough mention of "goto a solicitor" ...at this point it is the correct thing to do.

is your photographer a member of any of these "Photo Societies" .... there are plenty of societies who claim all their members are professional - any chance you could PM a link to one of the images or the photographers name/website and I'll take a look.....if you want a solicitor in the Dublin Area I'll be happy to supply some names - most of my work is based in the courts....I would suggest that when you do contact a solicitor that you remember the highlighted parts above - these are very important to your claim of damages - A civil court action is what I would recommend - the limit you can be awarded in the Civil Court is approx €38K....from what you have said he does not have much of a case to answer so best of luck with it.

Always number 1 .... you have a similar situation.....a broken computer is not a reason or excuse - its the photographers responsibility to ensure that everything goes smoothly at their end - which is why photographers charge so much because they have to cover every possibly problem which could go wrong.

I would suggest you contact your photographer and ask him how much time does he need - if he does not know tell him you are on the edge of contacting a solicitor and if he is not able to give you a date at which you expect to get your images you will have no choice but to go the legal route.

agree a specific date and then follow through and get a solicitor (if you and glisten are in the same area and if its the same photographer it might be better for your solicitor to be the same) ... don't worry about solicitors costs as your photographer will be paying them.

Ps. I'm willing to goto court and testify as a professional witness if required (this would mean that I would give the court an explanation of what should have been agreed in advance of the wedding as well as what should have been delivered...it adds a bit of punch to your case in most Civil actions)

clint_silver · 07-11-2011 1:41pm

Always number 1 .... you have a similar situation.....a broken computer is not a reason or excuse - its the photographers responsibility to ensure that everything goes smoothly at their end - which is why photographers charge so much because they have to cover every possibly problem which could go wrong.

excellent post, and Id expand the point to all wedding services.

Sometimes things go wrong and break, sometimes due to no fault of the service provider. If they don't have a backup plan, you're not getting the service you paid a premium for.

It could be a spare suit in a tailors, a second oven in a bakery or a second chef for a kitchen in the hotel, it could be a second speaker for a band or a second guitar for the guitarist, a hairdresser with a spare hairdryer, or in this case what looks to be a computer hard disk for a photographer.

The premium professionals charge is for this very reason.

Borderfox · 07-11-2011 1:51pm

It does raise the point with Couples looking for a Photographer should have a checklist of what they are looking for.
Insurance: not just for the usual public liabilty but the insurance I have covers recovery of images/information from a broken hard drive.
Backup equipment: two camera minimum with enough lenses to cover every eventually, flashes also.

For the op check what is broken on the computer, the hard drive can be taken out and all the information transfered to another if its just the computer hardware is broken. If its the hard drive that is broken then it should be sent to a specialist data recovery company.

City boy turned country · 07-11-2011 2:17pm

Even if the hard drive is gone, it does not take that long to retrieve files. My laptop broke recently and it took 36 hours to retrieve approximately 800 files of which about 400 were photos.

If he says he can't do it, I priced mine with a electronic company (well known brand from the UK) who have a computer maintenance section and they said 5 working days to retrieve everything from it for €80.

It is not that big a job to do, just needs patience and some computer know how.

Also the next time you talk to him tell to invest in an external hard drive to store all the photos he takes from now on that.

That way he won't be messing around newly wed couples that want to see the memories of the happiest day of their lives.

glisten · 08-11-2011 5:08pm

Thanks a mil for all your replies (I dont know how to thank people under specific posts).

All great advice. I'll let you know the outcome.....hopefully it'll be good

IPWS · 12-11-2011 2:27pm

Sorry to read your story. Most of the advice has already been given but if I can assist please do contact me.

It may unfortunately be too late for you but others looking to hire a photographer might read this before making their selection.

showit · 12-11-2011 6:51pm

op can you let us know what kind of price range this guy was charging you, what was the agreement CD plus Album or Just a CD with x amount of images.

Sounds to me that he has aload of images that are dreadful, for whatever reason, camera or human error and he wont part with them.

If it was a genuine IT problem well then he would eventually tell you and get it sorted, within days, as its his reputation on the line.

Go to your solicitor first before doing anything public, ie giving people his name or going to a paper - as it could effect any case you may bring.

Goodluck

newbridgemom · 16-11-2011 11:12pm

as Borderfox has said, professional photographers are able to charge at LEAST 1500eu for a full day's wedding (disc of images only and that doesn't include an album) because they have made an investment in their education, insurance, pay their taxes and accountant, advertise, and have sufficient back-up equipment including external hard-drives and more than one camera. I'm afraid that packages that are less money for weddings are from amateur photographers. I've seen photography by so-called irish professionals looking to make a quick buck that my husband could do better. Wedding photography is not a job that anyone who has a decent camera can do. It's a very stressful, intense, photography gig that you don't want to mess up; and involves around 30-40 hrs of work on the day, editing, and making albums, not to mention the time dedicated to running the business.

Bottom line is this definitely needs to be taken to a solicitor. It is not professional behavior and this person needs to be stopped from taking anyone else's money. Unfortunately, it sounds like a cowboy.

screamer · 16-11-2011 11:19pm

Unfortunately, as a wedding supplier I see it too, being honest. In my line, (not photography), people just pick the cheapest option, and then regret it, when what they thought they'd get and what they got were 2 different things, and of course, they can't repeat the day.......

Pandybelly · 17-11-2011 10:21pm

Hi,

I am a wedding photographer who has a full insurance package in place for Professional Indemnity and Public Liability. This costs me €600+ per annum before I make a cent. I never attend a wedding without 3 camera bodies >€2000 each and a selection of professional lenses €1200 - €2000 each and 3 flashguns €400 each. I edit all the photographs on a MacPro with 2 x 24" HD screens and run 4 backups of all files as well as copies to BluRay discs. I give hours editing and retouching photos to ensure that I present the best possible image to the client for framing or an album. I make all my own prints for portraits and traditional albums on a printer that cost €1500. My wedding packages including a reportage Graphistudio album begin at €1500. I provide a DVD of non printable proofs, webpage etc. and pay tax.
When I quote potential clients, I am told that I am expensive, could I throw in a few framed enlargements, could I print off all the proofs? I am told that they can get the job done for 1/2 the price or less with photos on a disc that they can print. I explain that I will provide a disc of 30 images of their choosing, fully edited, touched up, cropped and colour corrected that they can print. I show them examples of a proof and the final image for comparison. Again, it comes back to my price. I quoted a wedding client recently €50 for a framed A4 wedding portrait and was told "I was saucy." I try to provide the best possible service at a very reasonable cost and am more then willing to try and meet the budgets of prospective clients but I have to make a living too and its very hard against "photographers" who aren't insured and using basic amateur equipment. I have invested heavily in new equipment over the last 4 years and have not yet seen the full return on it and I am finding it more difficult every day.
I have taught photography classes for beginners for years and at a recent one I was asked by a student about breaking into wedding photography. He had a basic SLR camera with kit lens and flash. I was explaining to him how the camera worked and he wanted to photograph weddings???????
He showed me some of his photos from weddings he attended and they were all grossly overexposed. When I explained this to him I was told "Photoshop will fix it." Therein lies a lot of the problem with wedding photography today. People feel that they have a camera that looks like the pro's, have a copy of Photoshop and a laptop and once they put the 3 in the same room the magic will happen. In the old days of film, darkrooms and the nervous wait for negatives to be processed there were very few willing to chance their arms photographing weddings.
Sorry for the long rant but its good to vent now and again.
Best wishes to the OP and I hope that everything works out well for you.

Best regards,

Anthony.....

parkaboy · 20-11-2011 3:31am

To Pandybelly: well said. I'm getting married next summer and accept the fact that if I want professional photos, the price I pay needs to reflect the costs involved for professional photographers. I guess that as DSLR's become cheaper folk think that more megapixels = better shots. Every time I hear £1500+ quotes for photos I immediately think they are having a laugh for a few hours work because I forget about all the work and cost involved in becoming a photographer - I think the whole cost of weddings make folks a bit nuts anyway. To the OP: it's little consolation for you but things go wrong from time to time. I suggest recovering your money through small courts and spending it on a good camera and a holiday with your wife - have some fun and make some new photos that remind you of why you got married in the first place.

22-11-2011 9:53pm

I hate when threads go this way

"No Insurance" does not equal "photographer will rob you blind and you'll never see a photo!"

OP, you said you got a disc of 60+ images. Is it possible the photographer just felt those were the best ones?

I'm no wedding photographer (and probably never will be) but when I think of some weddings, especially when the photographer isn't there all day, I'd struggle to pull 60+ photos out for it.

Maybe your photographer kept the 60+ photos instead of keeping loads of very similar or samey photos, because he's a "quality over quantity" type of person?

Maybe when you rang him asking for the rest of the images, he got embarrassed and didn't want to tell you that 60 photos is all that he thought was worth keeping from your day?

I know pros and I know amateurs. They all keep copies of their photos. It sounds to me like your photographer was heavy on the 'delete' button, decided it best to wittle it down to what he thought were the very best photos, got rang up, told you a lie and hoped to recover some photos, couldn't do it, and is now after getting caught in over his head with an excuse that backfired on him.

That'd be my theory anyway.

glisten · 22-11-2011 10:47pm

Deleted User wrote: »

I hate when threads go this way

"No Insurance" does not equal "photographer will rob you blind and you'll never see a photo!"

OP, you said you got a disc of 60+ images. Is it possible the photographer just felt those were the best ones?

I'm no wedding photographer (and probably never will be) but when I think of some weddings, especially when the photographer isn't there all day, I'd struggle to pull 60+ photos out for it.

Maybe your photographer kept the 60+ photos instead of keeping loads of
very similar or samey photos, because he's a "quality over quantity" type of person?

Maybe when you rang him asking for the rest of the images, he got embarrassed and didn't want to tell you that 60 photos is all that he thought was worth keeping from your day?

That'd be my theory anyway.

Thanks KKV, but I really don't think that's the case.....unless he felt my bridesmaids AND groomsmen were too ugly to be in any photos. There were several photos that were doubled up, but then changed to sepia/B+W.

Thanks Panda belly for all that. I appreciate good photography and understand all the 'behind the scenes' work that goes on. I hope your beginner student wasn't my photographer!!! Actually I use an SLR camera too, maybe I should
start offering my wedding photography services

Balgrath · 26-01-2012 6:18pm

Old thread I know but could pandybelly PM me your details\ Website address and Do you travel??

Thanks
Bal

Jasper22 · 08-02-2012 6:36pm

I hope you eventually get your photos. At least your photographer seems to still be in the country! Mine took the photographs and my money and left the country so there's nothing I can do!!!!

Pandybelly · 09-02-2012 11:20pm

Hi Balgrath,

I sent you a PM a few weeks ago.
Thanks,

Anthony.....

Dodgy Wedding Photographer???

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