What do you do when your wedding photographer doesn't take the pictures you wanted most?

Question

My husband and I both have children from previous marriages so we made all 5 of them a huge part of our wedding ceremony. We gave the photographer a list when we first met with him with very specific photos we wanted taken. He assured us it wouldn't be a problem. There wasn't anything out of the ordinary with our request. Well when we viewed our proofs I noticed that NONE of the photos we had asked for were there! When I confronted him, he said that because of the wedding day schedule he didn't have time to get the ones we wanted. He got all of the traditional pictures, but none with just us and the children. I guess with the day being so crazy and so much to do & remember, I didn't think of it while he was taking the pictures. We can't go back and do it all over again, and the photographer keeps telling me that it's my fault he didn't get to take them. What can I do?

Answer 1

I was a wedding photographer's assistant for 10 years...it is his fault. His assistant is to have that list, and no matter when it happens...those pictures are to be taken, before the ceremony, after the ceremony, in a quiet room at the reception...the assistant is to make SURE the bride's request is met.

Since you can't recreate the day, your best compromise now...get him to do some studio family photos. The upside to that is...it will be in clothes you usually wear.

Answer 2

Yes, you will probably have trouble getting back the money, especially if you paid cash. I doubt this photographer will have a change of policy for you. You need to find someone else and will probably have to go to small claims court to get back your money. The logo on the pictures is to try to prevent you or whoever you want to have pictures, from copying them without going through that photographer. If they didn't do that, you could easily scan whatever you want and print it up anywhere. With the mark or logo, if you took the pictures to a business anywhere to be copied by the staff, they wouldn't do it.

Answer 3

I would call the company and explain you are NOT happy by any means. If it is a sole photographer you should tell him that you are extremely unhappy and that you will not be paying for pictures. This is what scares me as well. We have a lot of pictures that need to be taken and if he doesn't take them like I want him too, then I will not purchase anything and I will tell people not to book them as well. Hopefully you can get something from this since, no you cannot go back and do it again. I am so sorry this has happened to you.

Answer 4

If you have a copy of the list (preferably a traceable email), you have a decent shot at a lawsuit. It is not your fault, you are not responsible. The photographer's responsibility was to at LEAST ask you if a little more time could be squeezed in somewhere between the ceremony and reception for the photos he assured you he would take and therefore knew you wanted.

Answer 5

You and your new hubby should sit down and talk with him, or the owner. Express your eager to come to terms with them, but that you are not happy and they need to meet you in negotiating how they plan to fix the mess.

Photos are expensive and they are for your very special day and should have been done how you wanted them. Unless, they have a signed contract from you stating that they didn't have to take the pics you want, then they should be open to making you happy. If not, try picketing the store....leave comments on their website about what they did, something to let others not be taken for the loop in the future..only do that if they do not come to terms with you..such as money back,, money off, or more pictures (for free) such as after the honey moon photos, you and your new home, or 1 yr anniversary pics..

Good luck and congrats on your wedding!

Answer 6

If the requested list of photos was part of your contract, he had a legal obligation to take those photos, and by not doing so he broke the contract. In this case you can request a partial refund/discount (if you haven't already paid him). If he refuses, then you can take him to court.

There is no way this is your fault, considering that you have no way of knowing what the photographer is doing at all times. He was obligated to take the photos you wanted, which is the reason you hired him.

Answer 7

Yes, you can go back and take them again! It will be a bit difficult due to the wedding gown and tux however. If you gave the photographer a 'to-do list' then he should've done that before anything else. Ask him if he will compensate you by taking a few pictures in his studio or on location if he doesn't have a studio and incorporate them in your proofs so you don't have to pay additional for them.

Answer 8

There is nothing you at this time. It is unfortunate that you chose a photographer with such a bad attitude and no interest in doing what you were paying him for. You might ask him to do a studio portrait of you both with all of your kids as a consolation for his missing what he was paid for.

If it all doesn't work out you should consider stopping the credit card payment (if you paid by credit card). You should also report him to the local better business bureau. And of course if any one of your friends or family asks for the name of a good photographer they should hire, you should tell them you know a really bad one they should avoid.

Answer 9

If you signed a contract with these photos listed as specifics, I would seek an attorney. If you could dress everyone back up and request that he shoot them for free would be another option. I would not recommend him to anyone. I had a great photographer who took what I asked for, he asked for a list.

Answer 10

No you can't go back and do a do over but you can move on and make pictures of your new family and make them to have good memories of, the next time you get pictures just make sure you go by a list of what and how you want it done.