Wedding photographer

kellymadgwick

We got married in September 2021 and in august we paid the full monies for a photographer to capture our special day. Since out wedding it has become increasingly hard to get a response from this person and we have only received 60 photos to date. They explained there would be delays and provided a road map for completion but this remained untouched and nothing has been forthcoming. 

I sent a letter to the photographers address via post and still nothing. We are 6 months since our wedding and still no photos. I have sent emails, texts, WhatsApps and Facebook messages and still nothing.
I really don’t know what to do next I just want my photos that I paid a lot of money for? Can I report to the police for fraud or is there an ombudsman that can help or do I need to go to small claims court? 

Thanks 
Kelly 

[Deleted User]

Try calling.

All your other methods are far more easily ignored or put to one side. 

DB1904

As it stands there is no clear evidence that a fraud has taken place so it's not a matter for the police rather a civil dispute.

There could be a number of reasons for the delay. Try sending a letter before action to the photographer or visit them in person, see if that prompts them 

Aylesbury_Duck

How did you pay this person and do you have their address?  Give up on the electronic communications and send a physical letter before action, giving them 14 days to send the agreed photos and if they don't, taking them to court for for the sum you paid, minus the value of the 60 photos you've received.  If they promised 120 photos, for example, you sue for half of the sum.

Police won't get involved because it's a civil matter, and there is no ombudsman for wedding photographers.  

kellymadgwick

I have sent a recorded delivery letter but I think the next action will be calling and then attending the address on line in perso. 

kellymadgwick

I had to pay debit card through their portal they created for this so it was a bank transfer. I did give her until today to get back to me

Aylesbury_Duck

kellymadgwick said:

I had to pay debit card through their portal they created for this so it was a bank transfer. I did give her until today to get back to me

Was that in your letter?  How long did you give her?  The norm is 14 days.  If that's elapsed, then start the small claims process now.

kellymadgwick

It was saying if she is unable to edit the photos then just give the unedited photos and we will sort them out. Even offered to get a USB and give her. I didn’t put a date to reply by so I’ll wait 14 days since receipt and if I have no luck with phone or attendance in person I will approach the court 

TELLIT01

Next step should be a 'letter before action' giving them a set date to provide either the edited or unedited photos.  Failure to respond to that helps your case if you need to take it to court.

Sandtree

kellymadgwick said:

I had to pay debit card through their portal they created for this so it was a bank transfer. I did give her until today to get back to me

A debit card payment and bank transfers are different things... the former opens the option of a chargeback the later has no mechanism of recall. 

What does you agreement actually state you will get? What was the original timescales? Is this an experienced wedding photographer or someone new to the industry? Did you get your own references or rely on the ones supplied by them?

born_again

Chargeback could be fun, if there was a timescale. But would be worth a word with your bank on the matter.

Seems odd that a photographer is having trouble editing the pictures. That should be a basic part of the process.