Photgrapher problems

floss2

party_of_five wrote: »

.... I don't think it's a bad thing that we should be fairly paid for what we do.

I am totally with you on that, but would you ask a mate to attend for the 2 hours instead of you?

I think the OP has a point in that she is not going to get a professional photographer - and if I were cancelling that deal, it would be on those grounds. She wants memorable, good quality photographs, not the reasonable "snaps" that most of us non-professionals take.

Tigerlilley1980

missimaxo wrote: »

Hi Tigerlilly

I agree that the photographer himself sounds pretty poor. You have not seen (I presume) evidence of the friends photography, however well this guy edits them. £400 may sound steep for 2 hours work but I do know photographers who charge this, and also know (us included) photographers who charge less.

What is more important here is the terms and conditions of the (presumed) contract you have with him. You say you have never signed a contract, but how did you find the guy, is what he is advertising a standard package and does he have terms and conditions somewhere eg a website which you have agreed to by agreeing by email. If the 2 hours was not agreed to then he may be in breach of contract as well, but only if again this has not been pre-agreed.

I think we need more info about what was discussed, what terms and conditions were either discussed or were available for you to see elsewhere (website) and what those terms say about cancelling.

Good luck x

Hi there, no I haven't seen photos he has taken, although the actual photgrpahers pics seem very good, but he isn't taking them! I found him through a web search and his standard package is over £1000 which is why the deal he offered seemed very good! The reason he offered it is that he isn't available on our date. When i was booking him he asked what I wanted and because I didn't know anything about wedding photography I just said pics of the wedding, people arriving and some afterwards of everyone who is there at the ceremony! I assumed it would be more than two hours though and this amount of time has just been said in his last email, which is why I looked about for another photgrapher.

No terms and conditions were discussed at all. I asked him if he wanted a deposit and he said that he didn't need one and that he would just collect the full amount two weeks before the wedding. Just going to look now and see if there are any terms on his website.

Tiger xxx

funky_snow

Guys - I'm also a member on the talk photography site that is mentioned a few posts up. The Wedding Threads on there have got very heated and I even think that discussions about weddings there are banned at the moment till people calm down.
Please be cautious if you go on that site to request a cheap photographer and take a little time to read up on the background - as its a very emotive subject that has been covered many times so worth doing some reading of previous posts about requests for cheap photographers...

Tigerlilley1980

Just checked and there are no terms and conditions listed at all on hi website and he hasn't put any in any emails apart from to say about when he will collect the money

Tiger xx

Stephb1986_2

Just ring him up and say that your cancelling the wedding so you will no longer need him. Then go with the guy that is better.

Good luck

Steph xx

emlou2009

thats what i was going to say steph, it might make you feel a bit better if he thinks the wedding is off? go with the other one, you're getting more for your money! i wouldnt worry if you havent paid a deposit or anything tbh. good luck!

karen_newcastle

Private_and_Confidential wrote: »

£400 for 2 hrs coverage with images on a disk only is rediculous.

I'm a wedding photographer and for £400 you'd get full coverage of the ceremony (including arrival at the ceremony) through to speeches and first dance. No limit on time (although I would charge travel expenses).

I say find an alternative. Especially if you haven't signed any contract.

My contract requests £150 non-refundable deposit and the remainder 2 weeks before the wedding, but to be honest, I doubt very much that I'd chase any monies owed to me if the couple changed their minds. I think this is pretty standard practice.

Also, I'd expect him to be there in person and not a 'mate'.

If you need any advice I'd be happy to help with things to look out for.

I dont think £400 for 2 hours is ridiculous at all. It's a fair price esp with full printing rights. However you certainly dont want him to send his mate unless you have seen his work and you are happy with it.

I am photographer and would seriously struggle to get the shots you'd want in 2 hours so you should probably look elsewhere.

Good luck x

frannyann

You've got to feel comfortable with your photographer, what ever the cost and it sounds like you won't even know the person coming to take the pictures. Simply email to inform him his services are no longer required!!

Tigerlilley1980

I am going to send an email later on this evening just to say that we will sadly have to cancel him. I'm not going to give a reason, although I am toying with the idea of saying it's for financial reasons, which it is really because we will get a much better deal with the other photographer. Do you think that will be ok, Tiger xxx

frannyann

Tigerlilley1980 wrote: »

I am going to send an email later on this evening just to say that we will sadly have to cancel him. I'm not going to give a reason, although I am toying with the idea of saying it's for financial reasons, which it is really because we will get a much better deal with the other photographer. Do you think that will be ok, Tiger xxx

I'd be inclined to fudge the issue, ie:

Dear x
This is to inform you that I no longer require your services on xx/xx/xx. This is due to unforeseen circumstances. Please confirm this is now cancelled.
Yours
tigerlilley

Short, sweet and to the point, if you are able, enable the 'Send and Read' on your email message (just to prove he opens it and reads it )