Photographer potential nightmare

We didn't have any issues with our amazing photographers and we worked with her on the timeline for first look, wedding party portraits, parent portraits, our portraits, and extended family. So essentially we ran through all the shots we needed and formed a timeline around that and it helped dictate getting ready, and all the mentioned shots before the wedding to make sure we were on schedule. She wrapped portraits in time for us to begin our wedding as we planned and were right on time. After the wedding began she sunk into the background and captured all the candids and just followed the rest of the timeline we set with our wedding coordinator. Without our photographer to keep us on time at the beginning of the day, we would have had a domino effect of things getting off schedule for the rest of the day.

She's worked as a second shooter as well but has done loads on her own. Our second shooter at times caught amazing details that our main photographer didn't capture.

If you've seen and love her work why do you expect the photographs to be blurry?

In any case she shouldn't have mislead you and I understand if you are having a difficult time trusting her. If you can, catch that quick and resolve it since you don't need any added stress or resentment that may get out of hand. Communication is key, if she's asking to be the point person hear what she has to say and what that entails.

You seem to be overreacting a bit. If you're organized and provide her a shot list and expectations throughout the day it should help. Communicate with her. If she's been a second shooter during weddings then she should be experienced enough to provide unblurry photos. My second photographer was amazing! So try not to belittle her work or experience.

You may want to invite her to the rehearsal so she has the chance to get an idea of the lighting, where people are going to be, set up shots, etc.

If she’s been a second shooter for a lot of weddings, she probably has extensive knowledge of how wedding timelines go, so although you’re allowed to have anyone be the point person for the timeline I wouldn’t belittle her ability to manage the day. Also not sure why you think her work would be blurry if none of her photos you’ve looked at have been. How did she mislead you? When you were booking her did you ask for examples of full galleries for weddings she’s photographed? Did you ask about her experience as a wedding photographer and she lied?

If photography is important to you, your photographer should absolutely get heavy influence on designing the timeline. I highly doubt she wants to run point on the timeline in terms of dismissing tables for dinner and cueing the toasts. There’s likely a misunderstanding here.

I understand you’re upset. But I think if her being first shooter on other prior weddings was important to you then you needed to verify that when hiring her. That said if you can’t let this go you may want to find another photographer. It’s important you get along with your photographer because he/she will be around you all day and any bad blood can come across in photos in terms of you being upset or the photographer being uncomfortable.

That can be so frustrating. I agree with having your DOC & DJ be your main "point" people the day of, but I would let your photographer have some say in the timeline. After all, she knows how long she needs to take photographs and will need to provide that information to you in order to finalize your timeline, IMO.

Hello I'm a photographer as well and I think you might just be worrying a bit unnecessarily. If beautiful photos are important to you, you should definitely allow your photographer to have some input on your timeline for your day... the light throughout the day will change how photos look, and your photographer can let you know when the "best" (most flattering" light of the day is, so your photos turn out beautifully!

I think it would have been best if she had informed you beforehand that she had only been a second shooter and had limited "real" wedding experience; however, if you talk with her about your concerns, if she has LOTS of beautiful work you love, and if she has a solid contract, you should be in good hands. Try not too worry too much

My amazing photographer sent me her idea for my timeline, and I appreciated her telling me how much time she needed to get me the results I want. But, she also had loads of experience with weddings, so I felt like I could trust her input about things like how long it really takes for hair and makeup. I would say photographer-day of coordinator- DJ in terms of timing input.

I understand your concern about getting the photos you want from someone who isn't as experienced. Is there a way for you to supplement, just in case? It won't solve the whole problem, but maybe you have friends with nice cameras who, if you explained your concern, could do their best to take lots of photos for you?