Photographer cancels six months before the wedding date!!!!!!!!!!

First of all, get your money back. If she has cancelled then she has no right to keep it.

She is probably cancelling you because she is making more money now.

Then, look for student photographers. Approach photography schools, etc. and try find someone new who is also just starting out. They may not have years of experience behind them but some people just have genuine talent.

I honestly wouldn't move the date again for her. She has deemed herself untrustworthy and if you move it again who knows what her excuse will be then.

Budget in other areas if cost is an issue, and get a new photographer. Since you've moved your date around so much, I'm assuming you haven't booked your venue yet, or sent out invites. So, it should be relatively easy to trim the guest list, find ways to do things yourself, etc...

Plus, you can always find another new wedding photographer who is looking to build a portfolio. Try finding some photography students at your local community college.

The problem is the deposit I gave her she is applying towards our engagement photos so...and I know that's exactly why she's cancelling that is so unethical. At this point I really don't want to move it any closer I already moved it up two months for he rbcasue this is the SHE said she was available, I orginally wanted a June date.

I just think she should provide a substitute at the very least.

I wouldn't want my photos hinging on someone so flaky. she is sure to cause more drama and stress.

please find someone new--there are so many professionals out there.

good luck and let us know how you proceed.

I have a few I'm interested in but I need opinions....

https://www.facebook.com/MichaelColePhotography

https://www.facebook.com/MemoriesOnTheWall.CA

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Angelyn-Photography/112659905421953

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Picture-Perfect-Momentz/263079693724722

one and three are my top contenders but two is probably giving me the best deal price wise but I really like one, I am leaning towards them as of now. I am cutting my desserts and just doing cake that save me a bit there and I cut sown the package at the venue too.

Which do you like the best just based on their work?

Sorry for the typos up late stressed!

Hey sweetie,

You still have time. What I would do, is check all of those photographers' websites, find the "Contact Us" link, and copy and paste a well written email to all of them. Let them reach out to you, that'll show determination on their parts, plus it'll indicate that they're probably available for your day. Don't stress! Let her go, she's irresponsible and at least you're seeing it now.

I don't think you should be moving your wedding based solely on a photographer...it's your day...have it when you want to. Everything will work out sweetie

What does your contract say? my photog contract says that if he isn't available he has to do everything he can to replace himself at no extra charge. my DJ contract says the same thing

I would not counting on having her there. I would NEVER reschedule my wedding day around one vendor. I would simply find someone else. I know you got a good deal but honestly there are a ton of great photographers out there, most of whom you can get with six months notice.

As a photog, I feel like she should have been up front when you first had to change the date and let you know that she would need her current rate to do the change. We charge based on experience and quality of product and she has 2 years more experience (and probably better equipment, that costs more to maintain) than when she was charging that amount. Since she didn't do this, it's her duty to be there or find a replacement of equal caliber who will accept the same rate for you.

As this will be very hard, since she was undercharging majorly to begin with, I would look for someone else myself for piece of mind and make sure to document my experience with her in reviews.

One possibility is to post the situation and rate on craigslist and see who submits. Maybe someone who is good has that day open and will take that rate just to fill the spot. Most likely you'll get a student, a hobbyist or someone else just starting out though for that amount.

I vote for #3.

I hadn't even booked my photographer at 6m. You have plenty of time to find another.

I think she's incredibly unethical though for bailing on you. That just isn't right.

Jennifer, #1 is definitely the best. Out of those, I would definitely go with him! 2 and 4 weren't very good. I wouldn't trust my wedding to them. I work for a photographer so if you need any more help, let me know. I would be happy to help a fellow bride to be. Good luck.

Well like I said she charges $1395 base price now but when I got her she was just starting out and I was on a budget (still am) lol...it is unethical she agreed when we re-booked at the same rate she could've told me then she'd have to charge more and I would've understood....anyways she is giving me my deposit back after a huge argument and I am going with Michael Cole Photography she gave me an awesome deal and is even doing a free mini session so we are totally comfortable on the day of, still had to make some cuts to afford her thought and she even discounted their rates for me.

$700 for 5 hours on the day of, one 4x6 parent album one 12x12 flush mount album and all imaged on a CD with print release and 250 edited images.

Optional add on which I think I ma going to add on after the wedding:

(5) 5x7 print, (5) 8X10 prints and one 16X20 canvas print for $75.00 more.

I'm glad you got someone else. I would have been PISSED. Not acceptable.

Belive me I was and then I had to argue with her to get my deposit back ridiculous she was saying well i did you a favor by not increasing the price when you rescheduled which i agree she did but if she agreed to it then IMOP she is bound to it and if she cancels it's on her and she owes me a refund after a lot of bickering she finally agreed to give it back so that I could afford to hire someone else.

Oh yeah and I am getting two photographers this time where as before it was only one.