Firing my Photographer

Also, I don't know if we should wait for the engagement pictures to do so; or just say "F-it" and not get the engagement pictures from him. I know that if we tell him that we aren't going to use him as our wedding photographer he won't send the rest of the pictures.

If you only have a verbal contract, I think you're fine. And he's not holding up HIS end of the verbal contract either, so...

If there is no contract/deposits made I would fire him. You can try to wait for your pictures before doing it nut he may want the contract before he gives them to you. You have plenty of time if your wedding date is correct.

Did you pay for the engagement pictures? If so, I would hound him until you get them, and then fire him. It's BS that you've paid for a product he hasn't delivered, contract or no. Resolve the issue with the engagement photos, and then let him know you'll be going in a different direction for the wedding. You have been more than understanding.

I would go ahead and find your new photographer and if you really think he won't get you the engagement photos if fired, don't tell him until you get them.

Did you guys pay him at all to do these photos?

Ya he is not holding his end up. I would say " Dude your fired" and go get E pics retaken with a reputable photographer. Start looking now though. IF he gives you any flack tell him, your still waiting for pictures due back 3 months ago, and and have tried several times to get them with no results. Your not chancing your wedding with him.

I can see it taking a month or two for 1,000s of wedding photos, but a couple of hours worth of engagement photos? Come on. I was promised I would have my engagement photos within 2 weeks after our session, and that he usually has them to us within a week.

Waiting a couple extra weeks for your photos is one thing, a couple months, however, is not ok. Even if his pictures are fantastic and he's doing them for free, I'd still be looking elsewhere. As for what to say, "We expect our photos by the end of the week. You are x number of weeks past your deadline. I would like a 25% refund for the delay. And your services will not be required in august." Think about this, if he wasn't your mother's boss's son, would you still hire him again for the wedding? And if you weren't his mother's employee's daughter, would he expect anything less than to deliver the photos and a refund?

@Sara it was a mutual barter agreement that we would be his portfolio models for a new product he was introducing (picture video STDs), so since we were his portfolio models (which he would have had to hire and pay for) he would do that shoot for free. We held up to our end of the deal.

No contact. You're good. If he sucks he sucks...any money you paid though you might lose it...

In that case cut your losses. Ask him one more time for the pictures, give him a deadline. If he misses that deadline again, let him know "thanks for your time, we've decided to look into other photographers."

No written contract then I think you're ok.....he should've delivered something by now!

I would start looking for another one. I wouldn't let him know you aren't going with him until you have another lined up *just in case*. But, once you do, I would then ask for the pictures AGAIN, but you can be a little more forward in it. At that point I would also let him know that because of the time it took to get the engagement photos and lack of communication you have decided to hire someone else for your wedding day. I like to think I'm a loyal person, but when it came to our wedding if I didn't like someone/something I had going/booked I got rid of that and found a better version.

Since they were free, you're especially in the clear. I would cut and run. You have a while until you have to have a photographer, but start looking now. I would tell him "I expect the pictures by [date], otherwise I will be forced to disallow you from using those pictures in your portfolio. Either way, we have decided to go a different direction with our wedding photography and will not require your services". Maybe that little bit of leverage will get him in gear.

Loyalty is a wonderful thing when it's warranted. If this is the crap you have to put up with now, can you even imagine what it'll be like with why wedding photos?

No. Hire someone else now, and don't look back.

I wouldn't tell him you're not using him for the wedding until AFTER you have the engagement pictures. I would pester and pester him until you get those darn photos from your shoot.

In the eyes of law, if there is no written contract, it didn't happen I would wait to tell him he is not doing your wedding until you get your pictures back, to be honest. Haha. But hire another photographer for your wedding now. His fault for not wanting your business, if he can't even send you a contract after almost 6 months (and probably more).

Honestly I feel much better about giving him da boot! Thanks ladies, always great advice.

If you're mad now, just imagine how heated you'll be when this happens with your wedding pictures!

Sounds simple to me-In the words of the great Trump, "YOUR FIRED!" If he can't even be counted on to get engagement photos to you within a MONTH or more or even a contract, it probably isn't going to end up well on the big day either. Fired.