Disappointing wedding photos

Does your contract say anything about what happens if her equipment fails?

I am so sorry for you. IMO (and I know it won't give you your well deserved pictures), the photographer should give you at least a partial refund because the photos she sent probably aren't her best/regular quality. Again I'm so sorry

I know it wouldn't be the same but she should pay for him to get a tux and take some pics of the two of you.. that's such crap!! So sorry!

I would be pissed. Being a wedding photographer she should have gotten all of her equipment ready the day before. Including charging batteries, and possibly bringing an extra battery and the charger. These pictures are all that you will have left of this day. I would for sure bring it up that you are extremely disappointed with her work.

I would be angry, but I would try to compose myself while talking to her. Hopefully, if you explain how you feel, she will have some sort of solution. Unfortunately, nothing will get you your beautiful pictures back.

I would be honest with her. She was unprepared. A good photographer should have backups of EVERYTHING they use, for this very reason. You don't just jump into using a new, unfamiliar camera at a wedding, that's common sense.

She needs to do something to try to make this right.

I would also make an appointment with another photographer to at least get some bridal portraits of you and your DH in your wedding attire.

Maybe page Jay Farrell or another photography vendor on here to get a vendor's perspective on this

She didn't have backup cameras and batteries? That is an imposter, not a professional wedding photographer. Grainy is from too high ISO / film speed and underexposed if there is color noise...let me guess, she didn't have a flash either? Vetting / lack thereof on your part is part of the issue.....and her being completely unprepared is another. What was in the contract? Are there any other products being delivered besides the digital files? (I am guessing no, and she's been paid...and the contract is nonexistent or nondescript.)

I would definitely let her know (direct but emotion aside) how you feel....but how much of a leg you have to stand on largely depends on her either being forthcoming or on the contract you signed.....but I'm having my doubts about the contract being this is someone who doesn't carry extra batteries. 2 days before weddings, I start charging all of mine for the bodies and flashes. Just unfathomable. I'm sorry that happened. Not how it should be. I wish the standard would be raised.

Did you have a contract? Sounds like you have grounds for a refund. That doesn't get pictures back but maybe you could re-create some of them with a new photographer. At least the ones of you and your DH.

I am pretty good at staying calm and collected. I will not reach out for a few days to know exactly what I want to say and how to say it. She mentioned on our wedding day a refund for "loss time" - but I do not think that is truly appropriate for this situation.

We discussed the must have list just two weeks before the wedding. Regardless of error on her part, she should have been able to get the basic shots we wanted. They are not professional looking - just like any one could have taken them on their digital camera. We were able to gather pictures friends took on Facebook - which is great - but still those are all candid (laughing, double chins from laughing, bad lighting, etc). They are ok, but not what we want to look at forever

The contracts says "If the photographer cannot perform thsi agreement in whole or in part due to a fire or other casualty, acts of God of nature or terror, or other cause beyond the control of the parties or due to photographers illness or injury, then X Photography will return all fees to the clients but shall have no further liability with respect to this agreement. This limitation on liability shall also apply in the event photographic materials are damaged in processing, lost through camera malfunction, lost in the mail, or otherwise lost or damaged without fault on the part of the photographer."

So sorry about that Something definately has to be figured out. You should either have a partial refund or maybe another photo shoot for free

I would totally be honest with her and would refuse to pay full price for photos that were not even that fabulous. Another idea is you could always get dressed up again in your dress and have pictures taken elsewhere. DH and I also had pics done in downtown Chicago a few days after our wedding.

Jay Ferrel photography - thank you for the advice.

I spent plenty of time vetting this photographer - based on her portfolio, references, etc - and chose her over several others. Obviously this is the first time something like this happened to her.

Of course there was a contract - that our wedding planner approved along with a family member who is a professional photographer. This was a situation that no one imagined would happen, so when it did we are all at a loss.

Reading that, it sounds like she owes you a refund, but the contract is saying you can't go after her for anything beyond that.

Does it mention anything about you not editing the pictures at all? If not then I would have someone do some editing on the pictures that you do have. Also, having another shoot in your attire isn't a bad idea. Kind of a hassle, but you'll have some pictures.

That sounds awful! I hope she can make it right.

Ugh. Basically a copy and paste of a sample photography contract found online. I'm not a lawyer, but the technicalities could present a problem, but it WAS the fault of the photographer. Not a camera malfunction, as it works well with properly charged batteries. What I would do is calculate the down time when she was not able to work, and the percentage of the time you hired her for, and ask for that part back. Was the work you saw of hers consistent with what you received? (I would hope not if you hired her anyway) but that's a good starting point. Try it civil first....if she backpedals, I would go gloves off. Her unpreparedness and lack of skill ruined photos from your no do-over event, and you are considering small claims court for the unused portion of the wedding day, at least....and you will exercise your right as a client to provide honest reviews online of her services.

Hopefully she steps up and realizes she owes you that much at least....and gets out of this business, she has no business being in it. Let us know please!

Sorry if my insinuation wasn't what you were hoping for....I gave you solid advice. I have a difficult time believing that she's the caliber of photographer you hoped if the work is that bad, (melting under pressure) and not even carrying spare batteries. I'm bringing this up so perhaps others can detect red flags to prevent this experience.

Meghan, I think Jay Farrell was saying the vendor was unprepared, not you.

I'm really sorry about your photos. i don't normally like Trash the Dress sessions, but in this case if you want to hire a good photographer for something like that so that you have some nice wedding-related photos with your husband, I think you'd be totally justified.

@Meghan: He has a point though. One of the first questions I have asked photographers is what do they do if there is an equipment malfunction. Every one has had a backup plan in place and backup equipment. I would not consider a photographer who didn't.

She obviously had no backup plan OR equipment, which is a huge sign of an amateur.

Part of vetting isn't just asking questions, it's having done enough research to know WHICH questions to ask.