What Janet said is very interesting. Do you think this photog might have used a fraudulent portfolio? If you *really* think so, it is not out of the question to ask for your deposit back on the grounds that you don't sue or report them... it would be sad to come to threats, but if they are scamming you then that's even worse.

I'm sorry that you are disappointed, Marianna. I have no words of wisdom, but just wanted to say that you and B look KILLER in those outfits! Love B's specs!!! He looks superb in black, and you look as pretty as ever

We were just at a wedding this weekend where a groom's cousin was the photographer. The bride's mother asked us and several other people with good cameras to please take lots of photos because she was worried. Don't be afraid to ask others to take photos of the wedding. The amateurs will love to be helpful and show off their skills.
I'm sorry that you are going through this stress at what should be a joyful time.

Oh Marianna, what a stressful thing! I won't go into the gory details, but let's just say that I can relate :). No additional advice beyond the wonderful wisdom here, just wanted to commiserate and say you look gorgeous!

I don't know much about wedding photography (like Suz, I don't have even one picture from my wedding) but I send you hugs and vibes since you are stressed and disappointed.

Along the lines of Una's post....small claims court? I know you don't want to threaten the guy but really if his work is so vastly superior on his public website then you may have something. It is subjective there though so may be hard to prove.

You do look so beautiful and you both look so very happy - this is an exciting time so please try not to be too stressed.

Marianna, sending a few more hugs your way.

I had similar budget issues and 'compromised' on my photographer. Bad, awful photos. What really saved the day was the amateur shots from friends and family. Don't be afraid to go that route. Candid shots at least LOOK candid, not amateur-ish. It's a different aesthetic from the elegance of professional photos, but a joyous one nonetheless. And are, I find, often easier to process later (though Janet and Jen will know more about that doubtless).

Thanks again for the the advice from the pros and everyone's input and thoughts... it has helped ease my mind that things will work out.

Our photographer is Russian, and although I speak fluently, I don't think I can be very confrontational or really express how unhappy I am to the photographer in the language... so I think my mom is going to call him and calmly speak to him in our native tongue and see what can be worked out. He does speak English but Brian doesn't think he'll really understand what we want if we talk to him in English. I don't want my mom to fight our battles for us but I think this will be most effective.

I don't think he used any bait and switch tactics, but of course I can't be sure. He just doesn't seem like the type of person to do that. Who really knows.

Our deposit was $500 so in the grand scheme of things it's not a huge loss, but hopefully he will work with us and be decent about the situation. He only worked for us for one hour! That doesn't merit the $500 in my opinion.

ETA -- I love the idea of asking my guests to take lots of pictures. Whoever suggested placing disposable cameras on the tables -- that is genius! I love that idea and think I will do it. Sounds like a fun activity for the guests too.

Let me see, how to word this carefully... Like Una, I am a lawyer, and I had the same reaction as Una to this situation. I would try to get most if not all of your deposit back and go in a different direction for your wedding photography.

I am so sorry to hear about this frustration! * HUGS* We also did disposable cameras on the tables and it turned out great, some of my favorite pics came from them. Also, my sister and her hubby were on a super tight budget and had great luck with a photography student (they knew her personally though as they were fine arts majors). Perhaps if things dont work out after the conversation with your mom in Russian you might be able to find a talented student willing to work to build up the portfolio. Of course finding talent... easier said than done! Great tips to ask a few family members cameras to shoot away, in the digital age that is even easier than ever! hope everything goes smoothly

$500? And that's only the deposit???

I'm sorry, but if he is charging that much for this quiality of work, I would personally be scared to continue working with him at all and try like mad to get the deposit back...

We broke the contract. He is keeping 50% of the deposit and I am fine with that. I feel like a jerk and he said we hurt his feelings. I'm terrible at confrontation! I feel sorry for the poor guy.

Now I need to find a new photographer with only 1.5 month notice!

All the best for finding a new photographer!

The break was good for both parties and you are NOT responsible for his feelings! He is. Besides, he got away with $250 for 1+ hour work! Move on and focus on the next step.

A tip from a very good friend: allow yourself to feel sorry or worry at a certain time tomorrow, NOT today. You will probably not feel the need to worry, or be caught up in other stuff. If not, allow yourself "worry time" the next day again, and again. It will soon pass

All the best!

ASo glad you manged to get out of this Marianna! Lotd of luck with finding a new photographer.

I am glad you got out of the contract with this photographer and hope you find one that will give you the gorgeous pictures you deserve!

Marianna, I just sent you a PM too, but I wanted to say here that I think you did the right thing! It's unfortunate, but sometimes we have to make sure we're looking out for our own best interests. We certainly never intend to hurt anyone's feelings, but sometimes it just happens that way. From the photographer's perspective, maybe this is a chance for him to learn and take steps for improvement. I know that every job I lost (or failed to win) caused me to reevaluate what I was doing.

I wish you luck in finding a new photographer who will get the photos you truly deserve! Let me know if I can help, as I indicated in my PM.

By the way,I think I got so caught up in all of that, I forgot to tell you how much I like the top you're wearing in the photos -- pretty print!

Yay! Congratulations for standing up for yourself!

We had disposable cameras on the tables at the reception and those photos turned out to be many of our favorites! We got double prints and sent everybody the photos they were in along with the thank-you notes, and they loved them!

Yay, you are free! Good luck finding a replacement, and I hope everything else goes smoothly. I can't believe he said his feelings were hurt <shaking my head in disbelief>.

You did the right thing! No sense in worrying about the photographer on your special day. I know you will find another, better photographer.

So happy that's behind you, Marianna. Hope everything goes smoothly and swiftly here on out.

Doing the RIGHT thing is always hard...however, the next time you have to make a tough call like this, it will be easier. Best of luck to you in finding the perfect photographer. We are all pulling for you!

Our disposable cameras were so much fun to develop!

As for hurt feelings, if this man is going to be a professional, he's going to have to get beyond that kind of utterly childish reaction. He's lucky he got anything out of this deal, IMHO, and you are now out from under that stress.

You will be the most beautiful bride!

Any artist has to deal with rejection, and IMO it was unprofessional of him to bring up his feelings. To me, this is a great compromise- don't feel bad! It is your and your hubby-to-be's special day, and you have to do what you have to do.

Best of luck finding a new photographer.

I wonder if it would help to bring your point and shoot camera and have photogs "audition" by taking a few test snaps on the spot? Kind of like when they take polaroids of models, but the other way around. I just say this because now I'm paranoid about fake portfolios!

I'm so glad you've sorted out this mess, Marianna. I am totally conflict averse too but it always feels better and a huge relief to have things like this over and done with so it's not hanging over you any more. Best of luck in finding a new photographer, and now you know what to look for and can ask really specific questions, so it's not a total loss.

Too bad his feelings are hurt (he should not have expressed that - even if he felt it - because that is very unprofessional), but hooray for you that it's over! Now you can get things back on track!

As for disposable cameras - remember it will be expensive to get them developed, and you may have to send them somewhere since mini labs are few and far between these days! also make sure if you do this that you get a CD of the photos, not just the prints and negatives. You'll want to email them around, post on FB, etc! And, last of all, these cameras don't take good pictures, really; the color is off at best, and at worst they can't function well in anything but bright sunlight outdoors (unless you get the type with a build in flash).

As an alternative or in addition to the camers you could ask people at the wedding to share their photos on dropbox for you?

I just went to a wedding and a bunch of the guests put their own photos on the couple's Facebook page.

I am glad you got some of your deposit back. Vibes for finding someone to take on the job - use all your resources to call in friends for help in finding a photographer.

I think you can set up a special wedding page on dropbox and use Jenava's idea to have guest post their photos there. That would be fun. You could print little cards with directions to dropbox site and title of page, etc. and put a few on each table. I went to a wedding where the couple did that and it was easy for everyone to see the shots. Of course, you have a bit less control of things possibly so have to set a trusted friend up as admin of page too help.

Marianna, you two look so happy and did what the photographer asked and he didn't deliver. You want a stress-free wedding day and you may keep thinking, in the back of your head, what the photos will eventually look like. I would ask around, yelp, call a local newspaper, news program, bridal companies/consultants or someone who may know decent and professional photographers. You deserve only the best and there are reasonable ones out there, I'm sure. Wishing you the best on this.

I thought of one more thing. Another friend of mine rented a photo booth - you know the ones with the curtain that used to be at malls. The couple asked that all of the guests take one set in the photo booth so they would have a record of all of the people who attended. It was cool and she loved the pictures they got. Most people did one serious one and a goofy one in their set.

SO glad you're done with him! It was a small price to pay for not having that worry hanging over you... best of luck!

Oh, the photo booth is a great idea! I am seriously considering having one at my wedding. At a recent wedding we went to, they had a photo booth that took duplicate photos, and we were instructed to keep one set for ourselves and put the other set into a box for the couple. I think they ended up making a cool collage out of all the photo booth photos.

Another wedding I went to had disposable polaroid-style cameras, with which you were supposed to take a photo and stick it into the guestbook when you signed. Unfortunately, I don't think there's a way to do duplicate polaroid photos!