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Sam
Curious December 2023 Essex

Photography regret

Sam, 26 of February of 2024 at 00:50 Posted on Just Married 0 1
I am recently married and have finally received our 550 image wedding photo gallery from our photographer. I'm ashamed to say that I have been in tears most of the day. I'm really here looking for opinions on whether I am completely over reacting and to give me some perspective before addressing my concerns.


It is important to know that of the album, despite my concerns below are some really stunning images we are lucky to have. I have asked immediate family for their opinions and they agree that the problem is more the 'what isn't there' than what is.

We chose a reputable competitive local photographer who knew our venue and had great reviews and online portfolio/ social media pictures/tags. She described her style as casual candidates but loads of examples of more classic posed shots too. We spoke on the phone once before the day (unable in person as she was unwell), sharing the tineline and discussing essential group shots we wanted. We advised on some key moments and VIPs to focus on.
On the day she was great however raised small flags when saying she wouldn't usually take detail shots of the rings when I'd prepared details and allowed a guest control of her 2nd camera and flash which ended up getting out of hand and I had to ask her to take back her camera as guests were complaining. She apologised immediately.
During our couples photos it was very evident that she was after a candid moment which we found quite difficult to produce, resulting in barely any shots looking at the camera and smiling. She also preferred a wide angle perspective which did mean taking in details like the car park in the background and not showcasing faces and details in our outfits. Once getting cold and unfortnately a bit miserable we decided to conclude our photos and she commented that many of the shots on her social media took 2 hours to achieve. Before the photos I had pressed that we don't need loads of different pics, just the 'money'/'mantlepiece' shot of the 2 of us. Group shots seemed rushed and little direction was given on things like spacing/arrangement of subjects. Not 20mins after concluding and going to enjoy our reception she offered another photo session for sunset despite being due for the wedding breakfast which we had to decline.
So today we receive our online gallery and I immediately had some concerns both as the bride and an amateur photographer.
1) There is no individual full body shot of me in my dress/veil/flowers etc. At all. I had assumed this was a basic shot I didn't have to request. I think this is the thing I find most upsetting bearing in mind how much time, money and effort went into my look.
2) I am looking at the floor in all pics of me walking down the aisle with my dad. I had to look down to ensure he didn't trip on my dress as he walks with a walking stick but made a conscious effort to look up knowing the photographer was there as well as to see my groom.
3) photos of me during the ceremony are very over exposed due to sunlight through a window, and the shadows (I believe due to editing) make my face look dirty on 1 side.
4) we had an owl deliver our rings which was a huge highlight. We posed for photos with my husband holding it on a glove afterwards. The trainer coaxed the owl to look at the camera for the shots but in the image shared it was looking away and we are out of focus (I don't think as a deliberate style choice). We assumed she got the shot and that's why we stopped taking the photos.
5) as previously mentioned, this 'candid' and wide angle approach didn't give us the desired 'money' shot for the mantlepiece we so wanted. We also did not feel comfortable and honestly just wanted it over with. This is where I started to worry we had chosen the wrong style photographer.
6) group shots are very wide with a lot of empty space around making them look flat. People are sometimes oddly spaced and the usual some eyes closed/unflattering faces (of course a risk of group shots but was upsetting in family portraits I would have hoped would have been checked before moving to the next shot).
7) very few shots from our first dance including any twirls or full body shots.
8) given the percieved shortfalls in some of the more 'essential' moments, the fact we were provided so many either candid or silly posed shots of guests over shots of immediate family and bridal party was disappointing. I have multiple photos of the best man's mum and dad and barely any of my own as well as multiple of a certain friend with his tongue out yet not a single bridal portrait.
Overall I think that despite the photographers portfolio and all our dudiligence, we were not suited to her candid preferences. On the day I felt understandably pretty overwhelmed for most of it and am generally quite shy and non confrontational. I was so over having my photo taken at one point I was starting to really not enjoy my day. It was also December, and although the weather was excellent, I was getting cold and just wanted to go inside and see my guests. Maybe I could have insisted on the shots I wanted looking at the camera smiling but was trying to trust her process and my mind was set on getting this over with. I still see this as the worst part of my day.
So, am I completely overreacting or rightfully upset? How should I move on from this? Currently I'm devastated I will never get this opportunity to capture my one in a lifetime moments again. I'm also feeling anger towards the photographer who I trusted and paid to capture our day.
Thanks if you got this far, I needed somewhere to ge this off my chest!
(I do not plan to post my photos out of fairness as I am yet to discuss with the photographer)

1 replies

Latest activity by Locna, 20 of July of 2024 at 15:48
  • Locna
    Beginner April 2024 Cheshire
    Locna ·
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