Hate my photos

@LaurenS I actually grew up in RI (my parents still live there). I’d love to see some of your work.

OP...my email is ****************@*****.***. Please feel free to email me and maybe I can help!

Aw Lauren so sweet. BTW you look gorgeous, and I don't think the photos look like you have your eyes closed or his. Give it a couple days, they may grow on you, (4500$ is A LOT on photography so, I am sorry!)

I'm sorry that happened to you, but the pictures you've posted so far are fine.

@ALC for over $4,000 I don’t know that they’re “fine.” Eyes half open isn’t what I expected for professional wedding photos...

I think you look like a freaking QUEEN. just sayin. I'm sorry you are dealing with this... 4K is an awful lot.

@ ALC yeah..they are not "fine". they aren't terrible photos for someone to snap on an iPhone...but they are not professional quality wedding photographs for that cost. MAYBE the third one could be included as a "pro" photo since the lighting can make things a little grainy depending on lighting BUT a pro photog should still be able to make it better than that...

Also--who wants to pay $4k for their wedding pics to be "fine"? there should at least be a few that she LOVES and a large handful that are acceptable at bare minimum--especially if she loved the sample work the photogs provided.

APZ, if you say so.

There are also some with mistakes that should have been avoided at the professional level. There were 2 shooters, and one photo has the other one’s camera in it- and not in an artsy way. Like, they put it down and whoever was shooting didn’t crop or edit it out.

If you don't want to ask for money back, why don't you ask for another service to be provided as compensation. For example, they could do an anniversary shoot of you and your DH, or a family portrait session of both your families, or even a bridal shoot of you in your dress again. Of course it won't be nearly the same, but I understand the hesitation to possibly ruin the career of people you like. Definitely voice your concerns and see what they can do for you to compensate

@RachelS I thought about that, but I think it might be too awkward to do another shoot with them after saying we didn’t like their work.

I'm so sorry you aren't happy with your pics; however, I do want to say how freaking gorgeous you look

OP I'm soooo sorry. This is really horrible. And at the end of the day, it's not really up to anyone else to say if they're good or not. It's a service YOU paid for and they're YOUR wedding photos, so the only opinion that matters is you. I would absolutely call them to discuss your concerns - you never know what they might tell you! Maybe they do have better shots they can give you or they might be super understanding and offer you some type of resolution. I would write down your concerns and thoughts beforehand so you can call and talk objectively without emotion.

And FWIW - my parents' wedding photos were HORRIBLE and they really only have 1 photo, maybe 2 that they treasure, and that's enough. I know right now it seems horrible and it really isn't okay, but at least you do have some sort of documentation of your wedding day. I would also go with what PPs have said and do a 1 year anniversary shoot. I did this for my 1st wedding and it turned out really well. https://www.stylemepretty.com/2012/07/18/savannah-first-anniversary-session-by-mackensey-alexander-photography/

I'm so sorry you are disappointed.

I would see if any photographers on this site respond. They usually have good advice on how to handle an email for poor work.

If you do get money back, I would plan a great 1 year anniversary shoot with it. With a new photographer. You can put your dress back on and have some family show up. They don't need to be in the exact outfit. Or it can just be you and your husband. And go back to the location and get more photos.

I'm trying to find the article, but I saw on Facebook a week or two ago a couple who didn't get as many photos as they wanted on their wedding day. So they hired the photographer (it was the same one because they did like the work) and they put the outfit on and had a great 1 year anniversary shoot. It was beautiful.

I'm so sorry! You looked beautiful on your wedding day. I would be crushed. We are in Boston and interviewed a husband and wife team, I wonder if it was the same couple.

I’m sorry it didn’t work out favorably for you. I see a couple key issues...based on what you’re telling us and your expectations seem to be, you wanted a different style of wedding photographer. As in one more hands on with directing, which is the opposite of what I do as well....but also perhaps they should have culled the ones that were less flattering for whatever reason, less is more. They aren’t well honed with wedding photojournalism if they don’t understand this either...but that doesn’t mean every photo meets lofty self expectations. How carefully did you review their complete weddings and sample albums /blogs of the same wedding?

If you have a complete online gallery of your wedding, I can give you more educated thoughts and opinions if you want me to look, ***@*********************.*** let me know.

@Jay yeah the lack of direction I can actually overlook as well as the lack of creativity due to different styles, but they actually told us there was no need to give them a list of must have shots (with different family members, etc.) because they would take care of it. What bothers me the most though is the quality of the photos. My expectations weren’t lofty in the least- but I definitely expected eyes open, people looking at the camera (when indicated). I reviewed their work A LOT before spending that much money. I kind of think they overbooked themselves for this wedding season and quality ended up suffering.

I'm sorry OP. I agree w/ others - those are not "fine". Not for $4k. Shit, I paid less than that. This photographer needs to go back to the drawing board, or quit. They are certainly overcharging at the very least.

ETA: FWIW, my photographer is pretty well seasoned, and even he sends out a link that I had to fill out with must have shots. This person sounds like an amateur.

I feel horrible for you! $4K is a lott of money for a photographer to mess up. Our photographer is around $3500 and I made sure I did an engagement shoot with her before we paid that money. I'm assuming you didn't do engagement photos with them?

I would email them and try to get some money back if not all of it.