Photographer just canceled last minute!

That sucks, so sorry that happened to you!!

Maybe you could contact a local art school and see if there are any students available. They should be reasonably priced.

Sorry, thats a bummer! What is your budget for photography?

$100 per hour is incredibly inexpensive, and I really doubt you will find someone that will be anywhere close to that amount. Even if just for the ceremony - you will pay a ton more than $100/hr.

You could try thumbtack

This may not be possible, depending on your photog friend's situation, but does she have any friends that she went to school with that she might be able to recommend?

I would definitely ask her for recommendations. Also try Thumbtack and Gigmaster. There could be someone who has a date they want to fill for a good price. Thumbtack lets vendors bid against each other. $100 an hour is very cheap. We are paying $300 an hour. You will probably get charged for mileage. Good luck finding a new photographer!

Try craig list and photography schools. you take a rink of maybe not being as happy as you would be with a pro, but it's a start and just may work out for you.

I don't know what the family medical issue is, but I can tell you that last summer, my partner's son was in pediatric intensive care for over a week fighting a life threatening infection and she still showed up at a wedding to fulfill a contract (granted, she cried all the way to the wedding and couldn't get out of there fast enough, but she was there, did a great job, and never visited her issue on the couple). He was hospitalized two days before this wedding, but there was no way we were leaving that couple high and dry. Honestly, I wouldn't be happy. Your wedding is a month away and the family medical issue must be surgery (I'm confused as to the nature of a medical issue that's happening in September, which I why I assume it's surgery). In any event, can this photographer give you any suggestions -- perhaps a second shooter he sometimes works with? Is there any way you could go back to your friend and see if the $100/hour offer still stands?

You can certainly try CL, but you won't find the best of the best. If that's not important to you, look for talented upstarts in your area looking to build their portfolios and businesses. They'll have lots of open dates.

You could try Craigslist. Just make sure to look at the person's portfolio. And know that if someone hasn't done wedding photography before, it's a whole different thing than portraits, corporate events, etc. One moment of inattention, and the kiss can be missed, for example. Or the photo can end up being so bad you can't use it. But with your budget, you may have to take that risk.

We found our photographer on Craigslist, and had a very good experience. The guy now charges many times what we paid him. But it's always a risk.

We can't do more than $400 at this stage in the game. So we may just need to settle for ceremony only pics. I was thinking of getting a few selfie sticks and placing them at a "selfie station" for the reception. The only issue with selfie sticks is you have to connect then via bluetooth and I don't think my guests are going to want to fuss with that.

And yes it is surgery.

Is there anyone in your family who takes good photos? I'm not an advocate of family working the wedding, but guests will be shooting pics of your first dance, the cake cutting, and other traditional parts of the reception anyway, so why not give one of them a bird's eye view of those events and have them shoot away. You're bound to get a few good shots. You know, I've been surprised by some of the amateur shots that guests take at weddings. All is not lost. You'll get your reception photos.

Ali, have you done a vendor search here on WW? If no one is available, try Thumbtack before you try CL.

A Sat. in late Sept. in Fla. is likely to be popular (I've had 5 inquiries for your date). And most pros won't give up a full-day shoot for just a couple of hours.

If they are a pro, (and a friend), they wouldn't leave you in the lurch like this. If it's a family member, they can certainly leave the bedside for an afternoon. We catered three weddings the weekend after my partner's passing; we simply could not disappoint those couples.

I'd be mad as hell. We're talking six weeks away. Ask her for referrals.

And let me guess....you don't have a contract.

No I had a contract and she has refunded me my deposit. I am not frazzled about it. Maybe if I was having some huge ordeal I would be going crazy. I think if I made a huge stink to her she would figure out a way to make my wedding happen but I don't want to put her in that predicament. I posted in thumbtack. Thanks for that suggestion! I had never heard of it before.

Good!

Pros work through problems and honor their commitments. This person is anything but. 6 weeks out, really? I'm glad you got refunded. I hope you can find someone qualified, who will welcome your business

Did you have a contract?? I feel like there should be something in there that she will provide you with a replacement/substitute photographer in cases of emergency or "acts of God" that would prevent her from being there. Can she refer you to someone she knows who would honor her price?? Or, reach out on social media for some other amateaur photographers!

Look for photographers that specialize in elopements. They'd be able to do an hour or two (although not likely at your friend's price).

I have three photographers that work with me on small ceremonies and elopements. They are out there!!

Are you using any other vendors like a florist or DJ? Maybe they can help give some recommendations of people they have worked with that might be willing to help you out. I found that getting referrals from other vendors was incredibly useful. Sorry this happened!

Try looking on facebook for a local wedding group or wedding yard sale group. I have one in new england and theres always lots of locals who are building their portfolios posting for jobs. Maybe that would be a good way to find someone on short notice.