HELP! Wedding photographs awful!

I'd suggest post this in the wedding planning forum as there are loads of lovely TOGs on there that can help you regarding your rights.

Does he have Professional Indemnity Insurance?

If he does (and he should) he will be covered to pay the costs of everyone to get back together to re-shoot some of the day. It wont be the same (it wont even nearly be the same) but at least you'll have something... I have no idea how you get to that stage, I guess you have to threaten legal action and be able to show he's not done what you'd told him in writing, which it sounds like you can do.

If he hasnt got PI insurance, you're pretty much left with what he's given you.... it might be worth asking another photographer to look through and see if any of it's saveable? Headshots can sometimes be created by cropping, and out of focus foregrounds can sometimes look OK if the rest of the framing is OK..

good luck - if you're anywhere near me and want to meet up for a coffee and a look through them, let me know!

Hi Lauren

I think it might be also be worth talking to a solicitor who might be able to help?

Where are you based? My OH could be able to help, and they offer free consultancy over the phone.

Let me know if you'd like to get in touch with him.

Good luck

x

My God! I am absolutely gutted for you!! And that too a professional photographer? I am a budding wedding photographer myself, but I wouldn't dream to charge my clients a ridiculous amount like that! In fact I and all other 'still developing their skills photographers' I know, do weddings for free as a second photographer. To have great pictures on your portfolio and delivering such results is damn right immoral!

There must be a procedure for getting your money back! In small claim courts or something. I am going to ask the professional photographers in my group to shed some light on these laws.

Hi Lauren

Really sorry to hear what happened with your photographer - sounds like he went overboard on the 'reportage' style of photography and neglected to get the basic (fundemental!) shots first.

Have you talked with him about setting up a second shoot, possibly at no charge, to get those photos done? You and your family could meet him at the venue or elsewhere, maybe in your wedding finery, and you can then mix those new photos into albums with the original pics from your big day. If he won't agree, or you don't want to use him again, I'm sure there's plenty of other photogs out there who'd help.

Just a thought - hope that helps!

Marc

Is there nothing that can be done to the photos you already have? Just asking because we had a documentary style album done and I know our photographer (who was a mate, rather than a professional) spent weeks afterwards tidying them up - even going as far as cutting and pasting things in and out (he mentioned heads, but I don't like to think about things like that!). Ours looks really good so maybe if they just spent a bit of time on the ones that they took on the day they could be salvaged? Sorry if this isn't any help! x

Hi Lauren - what a nightmare!

I have to say that the bit of my wedding day I was not looking forward to was the photos and our photographer knew this. He always recommends a pre-wedding shoot. We had one in September and unfortunately I felt the photos were dreadful ! It was very cold and windy and we looked really uncomfortable. I hated all the photos!! It was a difficult conversation to have but it had to be done and we told him that we didnt like the photos and why . we met with him and discussed what we wanted and how we wanted our day to be photographed - also the formal shots we wanted to have. I know this is a bit late for you but maybe this will help others. Was there anyone else there who might have taken photos you could use as part of your album even if they weren't posed? My brother in law took some beautiful shots perhaps you could use some of those? failing that what about some studio shots of the family or as someone else said another shoot at your venue for the posed shots. I hope you get it sorted. Ps our wedding shots were great a nice mix of formal and casual photos.

Good Luck Mary x

Ohmygod that's sooo terrible. I think I would never stop crying! I hope he managed to edit some in a better way AND you managed to get compensated at least.

I'm a bit worried now because I'm also going to employ someone who says they are a 'documentary style' wedding photographer...and he's not offering a pre-wedding shoot with our offer.

I don't suppose you can say who it was who photographed you? Or which area the person comes from?

Ask your photographer to bear the cost. If he has the quality negatives, ask him to print good photographs this time.

Edited due to realising the post was very old...

Hi Lauren,

i know now this was a little while ago but I was wondering how you got on? We are having the same experience currently and are heartbroken as you will understand! Did you manage to get your money back or did you have to take them to the small claims court? All help great fully revue bed!

Celia x