More photographer nightmares- ADVICE NEEDED!

Katie, I hate to hear you are going through this. As a pro-photog of almost 20 years, I make it a point of meeting every B&G in person because I believe our personalities need to mesh. Others have said it, but your comfort level may well affect how the pictures turn out. These red flags may indicate further issues.

Do you have a contract? If not, get one. Having the arrangement in writing will help protect you.

If you weren't already strapped for cash and able to afford to cut your losses and hire another photog, I'd offer to travel from Nashville to you and take care of you. I'd even bring my laptop to do a preview while there, though they wouldn't be edited yet.

If you'd like contact me offline and I'll take care of you as best I can.

Thanks,

James

I also don't understand the huge deal. I planned a DW so 99% of planning and discussions were all over email and phone besides the few times i could get there. When i woulf schedule to head over there my vendors werent always available. My photog was only available during the week but that didnt make her the photog from hell. She was super sweet but worked bights/weekends . It worked out just fine. Dobt over stress because you think you're "supposed" to meet in person.

I met our photogs in person the first time at our engagement shoot. Before that happened, I chose them to do our photos through a phone interview and seeing their work through their blog. i didn't have an in person meeting with them before the wedding, we did everything over the phone and through e-mail. i was SO happy with my photos.

Im with some others...I'm lost as to why this is the photographer from hell. The pics on the last post were good, except for the first bride because like others have said.....it didnt seem like she was.......photogenic?

I would try to just meet with him yourself and go into it with a positive attitude. Its unfortunate that you can't go together but sometimes that happens. If you dont feel comfortable going alone, maybe asking a friend to go with you will help!

Katie,

I am a little confused because at first I thought you met this photographer at a bridal show. He didn't mention anything about being part of a company? Regardless, Probably his evenings are booked with portraits and engagement sessions. It is very rare for people to schedule these over the daytime. But I am confused how, if he made the time to meet with you at 6PM in the past he can't make an exception. That being said, consultations over the phone to go over the details of your wedding day are not uncommon (although I personally prefer talking face to face). Hang in there and talk with him personally if you can, don't let the stress of this get the best out of you as you approach the wedding day. As others have mentioned, if you are stressed or unhappy it will show the day of the wedding and in the pictures so stay positive!

If after talking with him you have doubts let me know. I know several photographers up in NC. Not sure what type of deal they can offer but I can ask.

Based on just this post and your previous post about concern over his work, i'm also not seeing what the issue is.

we are booking our wedding in another country - it is less than 3 months away and i have not yet met our photographer, nor have we had any meetings other than the initial phone call to book him. we also chose not to do engagement photos. we found a photographer who had good referrals, had a solid contract that we were comfortable with, and whose work we liked.

to be honest i really don't know why so many meetings are needed? i would expect that the most concerning things would be schedule, list of pictures/poses you want etc, and i don't know why those things can't be done by phone or email?

it's one thing if he's dodging you - huge red flag. but if he's asking you to adhere to his publicly posted hours then what's the problem? clearly you are not his only bride, imagine if all of his brides expected him to work around their schedules??? when would he work?