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Asia
Devoted December 2021

Update: scared of my photographer

Asia, on October 27, 2020 at 12:46 AM

Posted in Etiquette and Advice 64

Let’s talk Wedding Day Photographers, Soooo you know if I’m in the forum I am here to discuss vendors... or something has went terribly wrong or exceptionally well... What do you do when you finally have a shoot with your BOOKED wedding photographer and the photos are horrible!? I call it practice...
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Let’s talk Wedding Day Photographers, Soooo you know if I’m in the forum I am here to discuss vendors... or something has went terribly wrong or exceptionally well...


What do you do when you finally have a shoot with your BOOKED wedding photographer and the photos are horrible!? I call it practice but not practice... he did our engagement Photos...
They are horrible!!! Luckily but not luckily we have time to book another one. We have already paid 50% of the $3200... and want to cancel so badly. We can’t redo the wedding and I feel like I would lose my mind if those pics were anything like the engagement photos.
So we had tried to talk to him about it and explain that we are darker than his normal clientele so you can’t do the same things with us. He was offended that I am not letting him be an artist.
He was so rude and unprofessional and I’m so afraid at this point. I think we should take that loss and cancel. But geeesh $1600 in the toilet and only One decent photo. My hair was out of place. Engagement pics but my ring was hidden or turned. I had my forgetter my tag on my dress. He didn’t notice until halfway through the shoot. A whole mess.cfb_1436497.jpgcfb_1436499.jpg


Check out the messages. I’m blue he is gray for non- iphone users lol. 1.5 hrs shoot including wardrobe changes with only 2 half decent photos. None edited he just put a light filter on top.
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64 Comments

  • Sharonda
    Super January 2021
    Sharonda ·
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    I agree with the other posters — take the loss. Your iPhone pic is waayy better than his professional ones. When selecting the next photographer, don’t be shy to ask photographers for galleries of African American couples or weddings in your preferred or similar setting. That way, you can make sure they know how to treat and edit our skin tones, etc. in pictures. My goal was to find a photographer who wouldn’t make me and my fiancé look washed out or ashy (wise advice from my married sister). I am having a beach wedding and am adamant about having sunset pictures. I chose a photographer who sent me galleries of African American couples they had photographed during the golden hour on the beach. It’s so important to get the photos you want — they last a lifetime and you don’t want to look back on your wedding pictures with regret. Paying $1600 (the lost deposit) for your peace of mind is worth it. I’m sure you’ll be able to find another photographer who can deliver and is reasonably priced.
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  • Asia
    Devoted December 2021
    Asia ·
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    Exactly you have said a mouth full honey., we have time but we are definitely paying more attention rather than what we can get for the amount of money. .... I was so disappointed and even on his responses. Like sir you do understand I am a bride.... I need to know you will deliver and I don’t trust you now. My just so stuck on his attitude and I know me It will show going forward in interactions.... but piece of mind you are correct!!!! I’m like we pay Photographers to do their thing.., I had no idea about styles or anything like that. That’s not profession. But I do know what looks good and these do not.


    Sharonda it was soooo quiet while me and my FH were reviewing the photos together. We were so excited and when we opened the album ... COMPLETE SILENCE!
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  • Sharonda
    Super January 2021
    Sharonda ·
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    You sound a lot like me! Lol!! I wouldn’t be pleased with his responses either, but you were much more diplomatic than me. I have to watch my mouth - it can be reckless sometimes. I can only imagine the looks on you and your fiancé’s faces when you saw the pictures. I’m sorry you were disappointed, but I’m glad you got a sneak peek through your engagement photos rather than through your wedding photos. I found that choosing photographers and videographers took a lot of research and asking questions, but it was worth it. Not only ask questions of the vendors, but also ask friends or family who recently got married for recommendations or what they looked for in a photographer. I also had my sisters look at galleries that were sent to me to point out things for me to consider or I didn’t see. I’d get caught up on the pretty colors in the pictures and miss the bird that looked like it was about to land on the couple’s head. My sisters saved me from booking with some photographers whose price was right, but styles were not. Lean on your network. They can be so helpful. Good luck moving forward!!
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  • Traci
    Just Said Yes June 2020
    Traci ·
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    Ugh the photos are awful, for sure. Your iPhone pic is nice! My advice is to also make sure you have a detailed contract with all your expectations written into contract. I was married 6/12/20 and I have not received any of my wedding day photos yet and the photographer doesn’t respond to my emails anymore.
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  • Asia
    Devoted December 2021
    Asia ·
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    FH said the same thing! But we are work into it... we need these memories. We literally are the only African Americans on his site now. And I definitely didn’t think it was a difference but honey it totally was.
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  • Asia
    Devoted December 2021
    Asia ·
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    Oh wow!!!! Yeah I just don’t understand the nerve of ppl. But it’s a money game. But I think we are going to bite the bullet and book a photographer that we know will do the job right.
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  • Yasmine
    Master October 2020
    Yasmine ·
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    First off you and your fiance look amazing, but I have to agree these photos aren't good. They blurry, off focus, and for that amount of money I get why you are upset. Unfortunately some photographers aren't used to shooting people of color and that can make a HUGE difference, idc what anyone says. I personally would ask him to do the engagement pictures over because you aren't satisfied and if he isn't willing to then I would book another photographer for the wedding. You don't want your pictures coming out looking like this..

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  • Llcool_Kay
    Expert July 2021
    Llcool_Kay ·
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    Take the loss of the money already spent and book another photographer. Someone who you feel comfortable with and who can capture all types of people. Search Instagram and ask to see a portfolio
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  • Llcool_Kay
    Expert July 2021
    Llcool_Kay ·
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    Wow I’m just seeing the pictures. It’s almost like he white washed the photos (for lack of better words). I am so so sorry. Your iPhone selfie looks great
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  • Michelle
    Master April 2021
    Michelle ·
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    OMG- camel immediately! Take the hit & hire somebody else now! Your pic from your phone is so much better! In some it looks like he was trying to lighten you guys up! The photos are supposed to be vibrant. You’re supposed to feel l something, anything! All it reminds me of is the generic pic you see when looking at picture frames. BTW- your dress is gorgeous!
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  • A
    Super September 2020
    Alli ·
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    What is this photo even?! Oh my gosh..
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  • A
    Super September 2020
    Alli ·
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    What!!! Omg... 😖 Did he run off?
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  • A
    Expert September 2022
    Allie ·
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    I agree with prior posters!! $1,600 is a lot of money, but at the same time, you guys did not have a good experience with this photographer, and it would be weird to look forward to your wedding but dread your interaction with the photographer / how the photos will turn out. Photos are definitely an important part of a wedding! I'm shocked he wasn't more receptive to your feedback, and I'm shocked he didn't want to try to make it right via a re-shoot. He should have looked at this like a learning experience. I wish you guys luck in finding a photographer who can give you vibrant, gorgeous pictures that capture the moments and the emotions! The photos look a little "cold" or even old-timey, if that makes any sense.

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  • Chrysta
    Master November 2022
    Chrysta ·
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    Run, girl! If you had a 1.5 hour shoot with this photographer, and he was only able to capture one photo you like, I don’t foresee the wedding going any better. Our engagement shoot was 45 minutes long (and 15 minutes was us just waiting for the sun to set LOL), and we had over 100 photos, 90% of them we liked. I know wasting $1600 is a hard pill to swallow, but I’d much rather do that than pay $3,200 for irreplaceable wedding photos that I hate! It sounds like your aesthetic is very different from his. I would highly suggest looking for a photographer that specializes in the same aesthetic you are looking for, and re-do your engagement photos with them.
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  • Asia
    Devoted December 2021
    Asia ·
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    Yasmine yasmine!!! Hey hey!!! But yes girl they are horrible.... I honestly believe we got less service tho I try not to think like that. Ooooorrrr he stole pics lol. But yeah I’m happy we find this crap out now. Seriously! Nope we are redoing all the shoots and everything. I can see my double chin and sweat on my top lip. Hair flying and didn’t even attempt to exit off fox during the shoot.
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  • Asia
    Devoted December 2021
    Asia ·
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    Yea definitely is the plan for sure. I hate wasting money but I need that piece of mind
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  • Asia
    Devoted December 2021
    Asia ·
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    Hey Allie... yes it makes perfect sense. And I definitely agree... I’m like what is this even when we tried to make save the dates the sites would say poor quality! 🤦🏾‍♀️🙄
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  • Asia
    Devoted December 2021
    Asia ·
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    Girl they get worse 😂
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  • A
    Expert September 2022
    Allie ·
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    Whaaat! On top of the other issues, the file size is not on a professional level either?! My goodness!
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  • Asia
    Devoted December 2021
    Asia ·
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    Exactly giiiirl he was super mad when I said my selfies from my phone look better... lol I didn’t even think about that.... I’ma show you how me made us darker on some too lol...


    And thank you a bunch 🥰 wish it came out in photos. But we definitely were suppose to use these for our website and our engagement party that was this past Saturday 🙄🙄
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