Photographer has cancelled... Advice needed

You are entitled to all of your deposit back( what does it say in your contract) , hate to say it but a lot of photographers are doing this now, they go in cheap then get a much higher wedding some time later and drop the lower priced client, really am sorry about this, the only advice I can give you is get hunting for another photographer whose photos you like because as you say he has passed on to you a photographer that you know nothing about, you are going in blind and it will not end nicely.

Where are you getting married by the way.

Ah that's not very good news at all. What exactly was his reasons for cancelling? Have you read over the Contract again to see if there are any clauses about this situation? I would say you are definitely entitled to your deposit back, and he certainly shouldn't have arranged another Photographer for you - how do you know if you're even going to like this arranged photographer's work? I would write an email back politely stating that you are quite shocked at this late cancellation and that you and your partner took a decent amount of time researching a Photographer you really liked and you're pretty gutted that he has cancelled on you and especially as it's so last minute. I wouldn't go in guns blazing, but I'd take the calmer route first and hopefully he will honour some good customer service. Definitely put emphasis on the fact that you took the time to really research into him as a Photographer as this is a very important aspect of the day to you and it's quite upsetting that you've just been handed someone else whose work you don't know.

I personally would take the time to go back over your contract and read absolutely everything and see if there is anything written in there about cancellation policy. Did he send you any kind of "confirmation"? I usually send a PDF to my clients which states their names and details and just says that I am the sole and professional photographer for their wedding day on the date 1/1/14 for example and I always state that I will not take on any other work on this date. If he sent you anything like that, then hold onto that.

I'd start looking around for a new Photographer in the meantime. I hope you get your deposit back and everything gets sorted.

Hello and welcome. I'm really sorry to hear you are going through this so close to the wedding.

I'm not going to pass judgement on the Photographer who has cancelled as I don't know the circumstances on why he has had to cancel. It might be through ill health for all I know but this can happen to any of us! We just hope it never has to!

I do have it covered in my contract but if this Photographer hasn't then I would firstly be asking for the details of the photographer they recommend now, to assess whether you like them yourselves and then secondly, if you don't, be asking for your deposit back so you can arrange a Photographer who you do like!

If you need any further advice please let me know!

Hi,

Thanks for the replies so promptly. He stated that a change in timings of a return journey is the cause of him not being available now. We had booked this person nearly a year ago so he has had plenty of notice. The contract mentions '' In the unlikely event of photographic loss, curtailment or cancellation of services outside of the control of the photographer, liability will be restricted to all monies paid. The photographer will not be liable for any consequential loss however caused.'' We do not fully understand the meaning of this.

Thanks

We are getting married in South Staffordshire Bruce.

Thanks Gill? not too far then.

It sounds like it means he will only be liable for whatever money you have gave him and any money that you will lose after the fact, in other words you won't be able to charge him if you incur any extra expense i.e. getting another photographer at a higher price for example.

It sounds like that means that he is not liable to refund any moneys paid by you as the circumstance is 'out of his control'. However he has has sufficient time and still does to make alternative travel arrangements. I hope you get your money back if you cancel. Could you not ask to see a portfolio of replacement photographer? X

Bruce has summed up what it means nicely. As it also doesn't mention them sorting out another Photographer for you, then you are entitled to your deposit back.

No more advice than the lovely togs but hello & welcome, sorry this has happened!

Thanks for the clarification guys, we are both deciding what is the best cause of action. We have a pre wedding shoot with his suggested photographer this Sat so we shall see what happens. Thanks again for the advice, was worried about being heckled

Hope it goes well Gill.

You'll never be heckled, don't worry. Although you do now have to stick around and tell us about your plans ?

This ^^^^^^ good luck.

Daffodil waves- I think the word to describe our wedding is Simple. We are getting married in our local Methodist church followed by a hog roast reception in golf club with views looking over Cannock chase. We have a wedding band for the evening so we can dance the night away, then off on a mini moon to the Yorkshire dales. Just hoping no one else will drop out on us!

Sounds amazing!! I love a live band too. Really brings the evening reception to life!

You should be fine finding someone for April, it's still quiet compared to the world of crazy that is May and beyond.

May is just scary busy.

Do check out the "new" tog option very closely.....A wedding pre shoot may not show what they are like under the time pressures of a wedding. Check them out as fully as you did the original tog(I am sure that you will)

Changing togs is a practise some togs do far too often........☹️

Peter

Exactly, please be very careful and look at lots of photos from the new photographer, if you need any advice just ask.

Thanks guys, the information you have provided has been extremely valuable and we both appreciate the advice. Will keep you posted and may be asking for more advice later if the outcome isn't great.

Thank you all again

Gill

Be careful here, depending on your contract wording by taking the prephoto shoot you may be "accepting" the offer of another photographer, which then may make you ineligible for a refund the deposit.

The clause you mentioned means that you can get your deposit back. Timings are not out of his control in any case, especially months in advance.

You said that

We have already contacted our original photographer and stated that when we meet up with the replacement, if he isn't what we had hoped for, we have requested that our deposit is to be returned. We are awaiting a response. I appreciate the word of warning with 'agreeing to the pre shoot.' We have started to contact other Photographers too as back up.

Hmm as he cancelled you probably should be able to get your money back (that's terrible he didn't even give a reason or at least let you choose what you wanted to do!)

I don't know and I'm having a wild guess that they could of booked a holiday and the return flight has been moved,

There are several possibilities of which this is one......

I hope that some response is heard today to the couple from the tog......

Oh sorry, missed that, thank you Bill!

Hi Everyone,

We have been very fortunate and have found another photographer who is available on our day! Originally was a contender but our budget wouldn't stretch. However, due to having a few available dates for 2014 we were offered a discount which has brought it into our price range. We still haven't had a response from our original photographer, but we will be requesting our deposit back.

Thanks for all the advice and help

Gill

So glad you got it sorted, must be a huge relief!

Gill, that is fab news! Glad that worry is over and fingers crossed your other Photographer gets back to you soon.

Gill fantastic news, at least you won't have to worry anymore.