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Jmz
Expert July 2022

Is this too much to ask of a vendor?

Jmz, on August 16, 2020 at 4:20 AM Posted in Planning 0 20
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To be clear, I never would've thought to ask this myself. My DJ suggested that we ask our photographer to go visit the venue as she has no experience photographing there and the property is 9 acres. I had originally wanted to visit myself and get some ideas of where we could take photos post-ceremony (even though I'm not a professional) since it is such a large property and it's a shame to not use it, but I also don't want to get overwhelmed and lose lots of time with guests.
I'm an overseas bride and due to covid, I wasn't able to visit PA for long this summer and therefore never made it to the venue.
Actually, last summer (long engagement) I suggested meeting the photographer in person there (since I hired her over Skype) but she sort of blew it off. And now I emailed her with this question since I know she's actually in the area, but just as a question and certainly not as a demand. She just hasn't even replied... Again, not my idea to ask her to go alone, but I'm wondering if this is a reasonable ask or not? My DJ said yes of course she should go! But I don't know if he's just used to vendors going above and beyond or what. Thanks!

20 Comments

Latest activity by Eri, on August 16, 2020 at 3:03 PM
  • Rebecca
    Master August 2019
    Rebecca ·
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    If she's local to the venue, and it's safe for her to go out and about, I don't think that's too much... but a good photographer would be able to see the good spots as you go along, as well.

    The bigger concern is that she's not responding at all.

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  • Jmz
    Expert July 2022
    Jmz ·
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    I should also probably clarify it's an outdoor venue so she doesn't need to do something unsafe! I did mention transport because I don't want to assume a city person has a car (I don't) because obviously if she's uncomfortable using public transport to get there and pay for it I totally get that, which is why it was a question.
    Yeah... I've found a lot of vendors can be hot and cold with communication due to our long engagement. So I try not to hold it against them as they're dealing with postponements and trying to make money somehow right now.
    But I hope you're right and we'll just go with the flow! I'm only concerned with staying away from guests excessively long.
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  • Mrs.a
    Master October 2021
    Mrs.a ·
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    It’s not too much to ask. Either she can and probably should visit it prior to the day of your wedding or arrive early on the day of to get the lay of the land so-to-speak.
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  • Jmz
    Expert July 2022
    Jmz ·
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    OK thanks 🙏
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  • Rebelle Fleur
    Master July 2021
    Rebelle Fleur ·
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    Definitely not. We took our engagement photos at our venue and he arrived earlier than our scheduled time so that he could get a feel for the place and ideas for a couple shots.
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  • FirstTimeMOB
    October 2018
    FirstTimeMOB ·
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    Is it too much to ask? Depends...

    If this type of a visit isn't included in your contracted time, have you offered to pay for the time? Technically this would be 'work' for your photographer, and if it isn't something they normally do then you should not expect to get it for free.

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  • Jmz
    Expert July 2022
    Jmz ·
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    Understandable, definitely.

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  • Jmz
    Expert July 2022
    Jmz ·
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    Yeah I think showing up early would be an easy solution, but since on our wedding day we've scheduled getting ready shots, I don't know if she'd be able.

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  • Katie
    Dedicated October 2021
    Katie ·
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    I think you could ask the question “what is your plan for finding the best spots for photos and optimizing our photo time” instead of asking her to go to the venue straight out. A plan for photos should definitely be included in any service you’ve already paid for so I wouldn’t this is “free” since it would be very unprofessional to show up unprepared. Once you know her plan then you can decide if it suits your needs and if not then maybe you can negotiate a time for her to scope out the property. All of the photographers we interviewed said they help with planning/timeline/photo list etc but they’d also shot at our venue before. Also Lighting is very important for photography location too so you can’t really just wing it. I don’t think it’s unreasonable to ask what the plan is.
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  • Pirate & 60s Bride
    Legend March 2017
    Pirate & 60s Bride ·
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    It’s too bad she’s unwilling to go ahead of time (especially since she might be very busy right now). But her lack of communication is concerning. My photographer arrived at our venue 60 minutes early to scout out spots & take some extra landscape photos for us. Maybe ask her what her plans are to get acquainted with your venue? Perhaps she’ll do that.
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  • Lisa
    Rockstar July 2022
    Lisa ·
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    I don't think it's outrageous to ask (or at least ask what her plan is), though like previous comments have mentioned, her lack of response is especially concerning. I suggest calling her to get an immediate response (assuming she answers the phone).
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  • Delandra
    Just Said Yes October 2020
    Delandra ·
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    I asked all of my vendors if they would like a walk through and they all said yes, my photographer was very excited to go see it and get some ideas ahead of time. I think it’s a good idea for the photographer to see it and start planning ahead, it will save time the day of and it’ll be easier for them to get the best spots.
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  • Jmz
    Expert July 2022
    Jmz ·
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    Yeah I agree that's a good idea. I should've probably set that expectation from the beginning if it's what I wanted. 😕 But I wasn't sure until I was further into planning.
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  • Jmz
    Expert July 2022
    Jmz ·
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    I can't call because it's international, but I'm not in a rush! I'll email again next week and ask what the plan is otherwise.
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  • Jmz
    Expert July 2022
    Jmz ·
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    I'll try it from that approach! Thanks
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  • Jmz
    Expert July 2022
    Jmz ·
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    Yeah I like that approach. I'll try! Thank you... I just didn't want to be coming across as some bossy, demanding bride. I'm really not into that. 😳
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  • M
    Legend June 2019
    Melle ·
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    I don’t think there’s any harm in asking
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  • T
    Dedicated February 2022
    Tiante ·
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    Definitely a reasonable ask, you’d think she’d want to
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  • Cassandra
    Dedicated October 2021
    Cassandra ·
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    It is not outrageous to ask. My photographer was planning on doing it herself with our first venue as she hasn't shot there before and wanted to know how the lighting was like around the time of our event. We changed venues due to the first closing it's doors to future events, but luckily the new one she has worked before. She still is going to check it out a a week or so before just to know how we are planning to set everything up and plan a place for the first look.
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  • Eri
    Super October 2020
    Eri ·
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    Agree with PPs that this is a perfectly reasonable request. Since you have some time, maybe she hasn't responded yet because of everything going on, but I certainly hopes she gives you an answer soon either way.

    We're 10/10 this year and just had a venue tour with my photographer on Friday. She had never been to my venue before, so I dropped her a note asking if she'd like to do a tour and left it totally up to her. I'm so happy I asked, because she immediately took us up on it and we had a great time seeing the grounds.

    Our venue is a country club/golf course, and I hadn't even seen the course yet myself (just pictures), so it was nice to get acquainted with that part of it.

    My wedding coordinator led the tour and told her about popular spots and shots, but we also found some hidden gems. This also gave her a better vision for the day - so much so that she told me we're not even going to need a second shooter for much of time, and adjusted our package accordingly.

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