Photographer Issue - What would you do in this situation?

Question

Bear with me please.. I know it's long..

I signed a contract with my photographers company back in early May for two photographers on the day of my wedding. I was given options as to who I wanted, and gave the person I was speaking with two choices for each of my photographers. She told me it would take a few weeks to "confirm" my photographers. I never heard anything one way or another, and assumed I was good to go. For reference's sake, I had asked for Rosemary or Gary AND Courtney or Kate.

Fast forward to the end of July. I was at our ceremony location and looking for good places to shoot.. and wasn't having too much luck. So I call my photographer (the company) and ask if they have anywhere to suggest. She says she'll have my photographer call me. I get a call the next day from Joe.. and I'm a little confused. I talk to the girl I've been working with and she tells me Gary is unavailable, Rosemary is not taking pictures anymore, and Kate moved to Oregon. So she gave me a bunch of other (not as good) portfolios to look at, and we chose the best of the bunch (in our opinion, of course). Met with him, and think he'll do a decent job.

In the meantime, I feel the company owes us for the lack of communication and for causing us more stress. Yesterday, I was e-mailing back and forth with the customer service supervisor. She apologized and said that unfortunately, they won't give us anything to compensate for their mistake. They'll take the blame, but that's about it. I asked her for an extra hour with our photojournalist, and a few of the hand touched images. She e-mailed me back, telling me what was on my contract and that I got a great deal (I did), and then said she was willing to talk about "the option of allowing you to find happiness elsewhere."

What would you do? We're happy with the photographers we have, but are unhappy with the company. I've received warnings from a friend of my who got their pictures done with the same company, after I signed the contract. Her complaint was a bit different, it had to do with the time it took to get her album, but it's still a concern of mine.

Do you think I'm asking too much? or should I see what else is out there?

Answer 1

There was no way to guarantee the people you wanted.  That would have required you contracting with them directly.  I do understand your frustration, but the company did not breach their contract. Although they did not follow up with who your actual photographers would be, neither did you.  I don't see that as a change to the terms.  You're happy with the photographer - that is a big plus.  Stay in closer contact with them about the day of, etc and your album.  Make sure you get a firm time line of when you will get proofs, etc and exactly what you will be getting (all the negatives, a disc with all the pictures, etc)

Answer 2

That's a really unfortunate situation and I feel your frustration, but you can look at it this way:

1. You did not hire a specific photographer, you hired a company. Really if you wanted to ensure that you were getting the photographer and the quality that you wanted then it would have been better to hire an independent photographer. Of course that would be more expensive, which leads me to:

2. You get what you pay for. You said yourself that you "got a great" deal. The fact that the company would be more likely to let you find someone else than work to keep you tells me that your business isn't worth much extra cost or work.

3. What "extas" your asking for are actually rather expensive. Extra prints and an extra hour of the photojournalists time is quite a bit of money.

That all said, maybe start looking around and see how your package compares to others out there. It will either enforce the fact that you're getting a good deal and it might be worth it or it will let you know that you need to hire someone else.  

Answer 3

It sounds like this company isn't the greatest at following up on phone calls and there was some miscommunication.  It's a pet peeve of mine as well when you hire someone and they are not very forthcoming.  They should have at least let you know the people you chose were no longer available.  On the flip side, it also sounds like they expect people to make calls and ask questions.  At least you've learned you have to do more of that.

It never hurts to ask a company for some compensation when something like this happens.  Sometimes they can do something, sometimes not.  From what you said here, it seems like they've done all they can without losing money themselves.  

When she said you had the "option of allowing you to find happiness elsewhere" she meant talk of terminating your contract and going with someone else.  You could always do some research to find other options before you decide.  That, of course, would be up to you.

If you're happy with the photographers and got a good deal, then I would stay with them.  You have the name and number of the representative you dealt with, so hold on to that.  If there are any issues (and I hope there aren't), then you already have a contact there.

Good luck!

Answer 4

they seem kinda hit and miss, check out these reviews on them ...

http://www.weddingwire.com/vendor/Vendor...

http://community.livejournal.com/alterna...

http://www.yelp.com/biz/timothy-whaley-a...

Answer 5

I think if you are happy with the photographer then let it go. Companies are big, things get lost in the mess. You need to stay on top of the companies you are working with...as stressful as it is. The other photographers already being booked, or leaving, isn't anything they could control. And if you already got such a great deal, I think asking for more is a bit much. Don't stress about something you can't control. As I said, as long as you feel that the photographer will do a good job on your day...then let it be.  

Answer 6

If it wasn't in writing then it's not technically a aprt of the contract. They have more than one wedding to deal with so really you should have followed up and not "assumed it was good to go". As for one lady moving, it's not thier issue and the other not taking wedding pics anymore..again ot their issue and since you didn't get it in writing they were under no obligation to call you and inform you of these changes.

Sorry to say but it looks like you'll have to go with "Joe" or go with a different company. If you did get  great deal consider yourself lucky and carry on.

Expensive lession to learn.

Answer 7

I think you should just let it go.  Timothy Whaley is a great photographer studio and does phenomenal work around the Chicago area.  If you got a great deal then just move past it.

It stinks that they didn't communicate the way you would've hoped, but with studios, you don't always get the personal attention you are hoping for.

And, as a sidenote, if those photographers were not the ones specifically mentioned in your contract, then you have no ground to stand on.  The contract is usually with the studio, not their photographer.

Answer 8

Well first of all, you shouldnt have signed anything unless it stated on the contract those were the photographers you were going to get.  Never sign something until its finalized the way you wanted it.  So basically, they dont owe you anything.  Also, you went with a company you knew there were complaints about.  Once again, this is your mistake.  Sure, its sucks that you got screwed over a bit, but, that oftem happens when people sign contracts without finalizing details first.  

Answer 9

It sounds like the company is between a rock and a hard place.  If a photographer moved, if one is unavailable and one isn't taking pics anymore, its not really in their control.   They have offered you a solution for your wedding and they have a photographer available who does a great job.  

They are doing their job and don't really need to compensate you for anything.  As long as you are getting a good photographer, what is the problem?  

If you are that unhappy, then find happiness elsewhere, even if it means taking a loss.  

Answer 10

it's your fault for assuming everything was in order instead of calling them to confirm.  they don't owe you anything.  just learn from this- no one will ever do things the way you want, when you want, where you want, or how you want.  the best you can do is cover your own ***, confirm with them, but for god's sake don't wait around figuring everything is all set just because you haven't heard anything to the contrary.  you have to be on the ball, watching out for yourself at every turn, or you'll continually get screwed on things like this.

Answer 11

The problems they had were, 1 out of their control and 2 not that big a deal.

You are being overly demanding.  One good sign that you're being unreasonable is when the supplier asks you to take your business elsewhere.  No one wants to lose business.  Step back and look at the other aspects of your wedding and be sure you are treating them with the respect and professionalism they deserve.  Remember this is just a big party that only lasts 1 day.  If you over plan everything there's no way it will live up to your expectations and you'll end up having a miserable time.

Don't be bridezilla!

Answer 12

IMO, you are trying to get something for free for a circumstance beyond the company's control. Check your contract, they all have clauses in which is X photographer is not available because of suddden death, illness, natural disaster, lay off etc. they will replace it with another photographer to get you the service.

They cannot get you Gary or Rosmary because they are not in their bussiness anymore.... they offer another photoapher and you are satisfied with them; so you have no legal ground to break the contract or to ask for more.

If you really want Gary or Paul or whatever, loose yoru deposit and hire some one else. Or, accept the fact that they will not give you anything for free and that they are on the verge of kicking you to the curb.

Good luck