BEWARE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS!!!!!
WARNING TO WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS!!!!!
I signed a contract with a couple for a March 16, 2012 wedding, on October 21st, 2011. (Yes, roughly 120 days before their wedding.) I won't mention any names, but they INSISTED on Fall Engagement photos at Bernheim Forest. However, at my wedding the very next day, I fell out of a chair and broke my ankle.
When I called them and told them we would have to reschedule their engagement photos, they were VERY ugly to me and threatened me with an attorney. Not once....but twice.
WTH??? Seriously? You book me on October 21st - INSIST on Fall photos when we are almost done with Fall - and then threaten me with an attorney when I break my ankle and have to reschedule your engagement photos? Really???? It's not like I had a hangnail or something. It is a broken ankle for God's sake!
They also came to my home and displayed some VERY BIZARRE behavior in my home as well.
Short story long....I terminated their contract and cut them loose on November 1st. A mere eleven days after they signed their contract. Yes, they were THAT difficult to work with that I decided that no matter what, I was not going to be able to do their wedding and both of us feel good about it. I am NOT their slave and I will not allow them to treat me as the "hired help".
My point is this: BE CAREFUL IF THEY COME TO YOU! If a couple waits until the end of October, to book their photographer for a March wedding. Then threatens you twice with an attorney, in a matter of 10 days, they are going to be HELL ON WHEELS to work with and you will most likely never be able to make this couple happy no matter what you do.
They are now on the hunt for a new photographer. Be ware.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Ryan Armbrust on -
Ok, let me get this straight...
You fell out of a chair and broke your ankle?
WTF?!
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Permalink Reply by Sara Petty on -
Yep. Trying to get the shot of the groom seeing his bride for the first time. I was standing in a chair trying to get a better angle. Nailed the shot, but fell out of the chair as I was leaning over to get the shot. Heard three pops as my ankle rolled over. It swelled up like a Fred Flintstone foot. But I left my shoe on for support and hobbled around the rest of the wedding.
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Permalink Reply by Stacy Leigh Hutchens on -
Wow... that's hardcore!
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Permalink Reply by Amanda Arms on -
wow.. the poor photog who gets this couple! whew... hope you get back on your feet soon... pune intended :P
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Permalink Reply by Jason Holzworth on -
did they give you any greif when you when you terminated the contract or was that covered by the verbage in there?
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Permalink Reply by Sara Petty on
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They tried to. I won't go into details, but they displayed some REALLY BIZARRE behavior in my home as well as on the phone. I almost had to call the police. Not kidding! I was glad my 22 year old was home. He's 6'2" and weighs about 220. So he rode shotgun and stood in the room with me. But I cut them off and we showed them the door.
I sent them a certified letter with a full refund of their retainer. I'm too old to play games like that. I've paid my dues over 27 years.
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Permalink Reply by Nathan Mann on -
Just curious how this would have played out if you had said something like...
Yes, we can go to Bernheim. I broke an ankle, so I'll be advising and directing my very capable associate/assistant/second shooter, giving my ankle time to rest/recover before your wedding...
You can be sure to have some awesome (late fall) engagement photos, since I'm always prepared for the unexpected, not like those one camera one photographer weekend wedding photogs LOL
Season to taste, of course
© 2012 Created by Ryan Armbrust.
