Unprofessional photographer! (vent)

She kept rescheduling for e-pics it took forever to schedule them 3 months after i paid her. she set a date then a few days before said she couldnt after me and my FI got the days off work for it. the 2nd time she called the day of and said she had a last min wedding as i was getting my make up done! i had my hair done and make up almost done spend money on clothes and all that and she wanted to cancel and reschedule again!! i was like no no no im already ready to go and she was like oh you are? oh well...ok then ill see you in a bit, she was 1hr and 30 min late my curled hair had fell completely as it was over 100 outside and my make up was melting! we were sitting at the park waiting for her she claims she was in traffic on a saturday we didnt hit any traffic at all? then i had a bunch of pics i loved that i showed her pics i wanted to take and she didnt take any of them she did her own thing so i have none of those shots. in the middle of our shoot...(continued)

She claims shes hungry and thirsty and will be right back that she needed to go get something to eat we sat there waiting for her she came back 30 min later the sun had gone down already all the pics i wanted by the lake couldnt be done it was completely dark i wanted to change into different clothing and couldnt now. i was so upset she said she would have our pics done in 2 weeks max i got them back a month later! we had to beg her we kept calling she would ignore our calls she hung up on my fiance we had my mother call she was super nice to her but still no pics until a month later!

She is so unprofessional my fiance said we wanted our money back she said no refunds so were stuck with her! im so scared she will be late to my wedding! and i want certain pics im worried i wont be able to get the shots i want what do i do??

You'll have to look at your contract. If it specifies her duties for your money, you might be able to get something. If you don't have a contract that clearly states exactly what she should be doing, you might be out of luck and better off swallowing the expense and trying to find another photographer.

WOW WOW WOW! Im so sorry you had to experience this. It kinda sounds to me that she isnt a real photographer. I would have asked for references or something. She shouldve been over-compensating you from the first time she was late. If you can afford it, you should fire her. The last thing you should be worrying about on your big day is your photographer not capturing your special moments.

I know :-( we dont have the money to find someone else and my wedding is in a month the thing is shes actually really good at what she does our pics came out really awesome i love them but she didnt want to do the shots i picked out. shes just unprofessional. and no i didnt get a contract stupid me! i was thinking maybe lying to her and telling her to come 2 hrs before i actually need her then she would probably be on time? because shes been alomost 2 hrs late both times. but i want to put together a bunch of pics i really want im worried she will be late and not do what i ask.

$650 is a lot, but I'd probably just cut my losses and find a new photographer. Then review the crap out of her everywhere you can >:-)

Can you afford to cut your losses & hire someone else? I'd hate to fire her though because then she basically gets your $650 for just your engagement session. Make her work for it ;] haha jk. Is there anyone else out there within your budget that you can hire just for the ceremony or something in case she is late? This whole situation really sucks. My photographer was 15 minutes late & I was FREAKING OUT, kid you not haha. But our venue was difficult find if you're not familiar the area & I was already a great big ball of nerves before so yeah ;]. Good luck & I really hope everything works out for you.

Did you pay with a credit card? You can dispute the charge on your credit card as you did not receive what was agreed to.

This is one reason that all wedding expenses should be done with a Credit Card (or having your debit card processed as a credit card)

I would see about finding someone else.

It's so awful that you are having to deal with this! Here's the thing - what if she shows up late and misses taking pics of the ceremony? You can't get that back again! If you really think she might not show up on time, then I agree with the others. Try to find a way to be able to afford a different photographer. I know you like her work, but again, if she flakes out on you the day of your wedding you may not get all the pics you want.

Good luck!

Oh wow...

You can't "redo" your wedding. This person is obviously VERY unreliable. If there is any way at all you can fire her and hire someone else, i think you should do it. she was HOURS late? left during the shoot to get food? outrageous.

if you have no contract with her, what is going to stop her from not showing up on your wedding day? SO not worth the risk!

tell her you want your deposit back, less the charge for the engagement shoot, or that you are going to go on every single wedding website that exists and let people know exactly what kind of "professional" she is.

Craigslist isn't the place to look for pros; pros don't need it, and those who use it aren't pros. You got some dramatic red flags already including not having a contract.

Do NOT let her shoot your wedding. Cut your losses now, contact her and come to a settlement and then look elsewhere.

I hope someone else learns from this; I'm sorry it had to be you.

Yeah, I must concur-- if you can afford (somehow, some way) a different photographer for you wedding, do it. 30 years from now all you'll have are the memories, your dress (in storage), your ring, your husband and your pictures-- you want them to be good!

As Celia mentioned, professionals do not advertise on Craig's List....ever. If someone gives you that line that they do, then run in the opposite direction. Not having a contract is a huge sign that someone isn't a professional. A pro photographer should have a contract, liability insurance, be on time, and not cancel for anything other than a true emergency...and even then a pro would find a replacement so as not to cancel. This girl is not a pro...her behavior is what gives the rest of us a black eye.

Please don't take any chances and hire a true professional photographer for your wedding. Your beautiful moments can't be recaptured...why take the chance. Best of luck to you.

This is a horror story. Everyone gave great advice. I hope you find the solution.

Me to we have nothing left to spend we owe her $450 still and we paid with a check she wouldn't take any other type of payment she did take credit card but said she would rather have a check you best believe i am going to bomb her every website i find when this is all over and i get my pictures. there is no way i can afford another photographer she was gonna do $1100 for e-pics and unlimited hours for the wedding shes suppose to be doing me and my girls getting ready and stuff like that so i think im gonna try to ask her to be there 2-3 hours before i actually need her and hope she will be on time that way there is no way someone is gonna shoot the full wedding for $450 which is what we still owe her

Wow! Ia m so sorry to hear about your situation. I will be the outcast of the group and already know I'm going to hear it from all of you on WW but I think it's unfair to say no professional post on Craigslist. I think everyone has to start out somewhere and everyone has to get their name out there what I do think is you have to be very careful check references, meet in person talk in depth about your expectations, ask lots of questions and always see their work in person not just off their website and never ever give anyone money without a signed contract explaining exactly what you are paying and for what services. I personally did get my photographer from Craigslst and I feel very comfortable with my choice but I really put her through the mill before hiring her. here's a few questions you should always ask:

Do they shoot in RAW (any professional should always shoot in RAW for the bst quality pictures)

Do they use digital or film or both (most will only use digital and this is fine)

I really hope this works out for you... I would still keep looking for a just in case...

Cont.

How long have they been in business (ask for references)and how many weddings have they done?

What is their plan B if they are sick or an emergency arises? (most will provide a substitute)

Read the contract very carefully and if you don't understand something or are uncomfortable with a portion revise it and e-mail it to them. I did that with her and she was fine most any professional will be understanding if you want the contract to be more clear.

As far as your current situation: If you can't afford to hire someone else and you like her work then I would let her know right here and now that you want a contract because of all the problems you have encountered and also you want her license number she should be licensed and able to show proof if she doesn't then let her know their are two ways this can go through the courts legally and could potentially damage her reputation and get her in a lot of trouble if she is not licensed or she can refund your money less the e-shoot.

Lastly, be firm but not rude just be assertive and let her know you mean business and that she has an obligation to make things right. No you don't have a contract but you do have the e-shoot which shows precedent and that shows of her intent to be your wedding photographer (I am not a lawyer) so you may want to check with one but as far as the law goes I am pretty sure you can show precedent in a court of law.