Photographer Concerns

As a photographer, we never accept a booking without a signed contract and a deposit. We do this so that everyone knows where they stand and what to expect (for example in the event of cancellation, and a written agreement as to what is included in the package).

From the point of view of being a bride, I would be really concerned to have nothing in writing and would be trying to contact him immediately to get confirmation. I find it odd that someone would run a business without asking you for details and taking a deposit or even putting it in writing, but I guess everyone is different. 5 months to go isn't very long if you need to find someone else.

All of this would worry me, but if you are questioning your choice you probably need to do something about it now as August is a busy month for photographers. There are plenty of Hitched photographers who would try and help, I know we did this a couple of times last year for people who were let down.

TG

We also would not book anyone without a retainer and a contract. This is not only to protect us from any mishaps, but it also is to assure the client that they are booked for the day, and we will not consider taking any other wedding on that day.

You are right to feel concerned,, did you get a phone number for this guy? Sometimes emails get stuck in the spam folder, so I would follow up with a phone call if you emailed first.

August is a very busy month, so in the meantime, I would also check to see what alternatives you have. To be fair, no contract, no retainer, you may not have a photographer, so I'd be proactive at this point.

Best of luck,

Teri

Hi MrsMartin2b,

Like the two previous replies I would also not book a wedding without having an agreed contract or a written agreement in place - for the reasons already given.

Try not to worry too much though. If you haven't got a written agreement, haven't paid any money (no booking fee) and can't get hold of him I would question how wrong it would be for you to start contacting other photographers just to be on the safe side. Of course you should continue to try and get hold of the photographer but at the end of the day if you are having trouble contacting him I would press on and start contacting others - at least so you will then have a back up plan if you still can't get hold your photographer in the next couple of weeks. If you can't get hold of him by email or phone perhaps send a letter by recorded delivery (assuming you have a postal address).

To be fair though, he may be on holiday and may not work with written contracts (it is possible) so there could of course be an innocent explanation.

If you do go ahead and look at others though I would always advise meeting up with them in person so you can see if you "click" with them on a personal level. A wedding photographer will be around for a large part of your day so it is important that you get on well with them.

Hope this helps, good luck ?

There are two seperate issues here. One is the lack of contact, the other is the question about coverage style.

You obviously liked the style he/she showed when you booked, so I wouldn't necessarily be put off by a website. If they have demonstrated the ability to cover a wedding "your way" then all should be fine. It is one of the things I have against showing a client a "whole wedding"....each wedding is very different and the coverage dynamic for one may not be the taste to that of another client. The photographer needs to be able to show what they can achieve and then back this up with more than one wedding coverage to show their diversity. For example, I recently had a couple who wanted a very traditional coverage. Showing them my more relaxed coverage was irrelevent, likewise if I showed their wedding to a prospective client, it wouldn't reflect what I normally do...

The bigger issue in my mind is lack of contact. Although in the photographers mindset, your wedding is months/dozens of weddings away, to you it is the only wedding. Some photographers fail to grasp this and do let themselves down on this point.

I would email, phone and even register a letter asking for contact and then decide what you want to do.

Best wishes

Peter

I would look now for a "back up" tog, just incase you can't get hold of this guy, it is only a provisional booking and I'm sure he will get loads of those, if you aren't n a contract by now you should be looking to get one...if your original tog looses your business that's his problem, he should of been professional from the start.

Thanks i am going to sort out a back up plan this afternoon, and going to try again to track down my photographer. Fingers crossed iam worrying un neccessarily

x

Hi MrsMartin!

I do think you're right to be concerned, the fact that he didn't even ask for a deposit or signed contract is worrying me. I don't know of any professional who would let this pass. Also your original disc with lovely images that made you want to book - hmm... his website shows a different look altogether... I may be wrong but this rings alarm bells for me, I hazard a guess that your original disc contained someone elses work. This is increasingly common (just check out some previous posts from HIB's) and COULD be a possibility in your case. This is why it is SO important to meet up with your photographer and check out his albums of work or if you can't meet with them at least to go off a personal recommendation of someone you know and trust.

However, like the other togs say above, he could just be very busy and not have gotton round to returning your calls yet. If I was you i'd definately sort out another photographer in the meantime, at least you won't loose anything in the way of a deposit!

Nicola

Hi...we also take a deposit and send a letter of confirmation.

4 weeks before the wedding day we have a pre wedding shoot...

https://www.image-i-nation.co.uk/section114021.html

the balance is paid a month before the wedding date and we then send a letter confirming payment...times etc

i hope you get sorted.

kev x

If it does get to the stage where you feel that you want to look for another photographer, please post your location and I am sure that we can suggest some photographer options close to where you are who can meet up and discuss your day and put your worries "to bed".

Peter

I have tried again to get a hold of him but no joy. Iam getting married in Dumfries if anyone has any recommendations

Thanks

I'm not from Dumfries but ran a quick search and found these

http://www.creative-camera.co.uk/clients/newvisitor.php

This one has a list of togs in Dumfries and Galloway

https://www.dumfries-and-galloway.co.uk/business/photography.htm

HTH

Hi mrs martin 2 b...i know a photographer up in scotland ! ?

kev

Nikki McLeod, Martin Pettinger spring to mind as Scotland based photographers. Just over the border from the UK you have Simon Hudspeth and TexasGirl. All are members of this forum.

Thanks i will try and find them

x

Give me a shout if you are still looking, I am still available for your date

*****@**********************.***

As Peter says, we are just over the border.

Feel free to drop us a line through the website with your date and what type of coverage you want, we may be able to help.

www.marctoddphotography.com

www.marctoddphotography.com/blog