Navigating Weddings Gone Awry: When Your Photographer Falls Short
Weddings are one of the most significant events in a person's life, filled with memories that last a lifetime. Oftentimes, the quality of these memories is heavily influenced by the photographer assigned to capture the day. Hence, it's disheartening when the photos don’t live up to expectations. So, what should one do in such a situation?
Leave It a Few Days/Weeks
After receiving your wedding photos, take a few days or weeks to cool off. Sometimes, people can get so distraught that they only focus on the negatives. If you were given 400 photographs and you don’t like 100 of them, that still leaves 75 good photographs. It’s important to give yourself time to settle and reassess, especially as you may overlook the good images in the initial stages of disappointment.
Avoid Sharing Them Around for an Opinion
While it may be tempting to share your disappointment with friends and family, remember that they are not impartial experts. Their opinions may be more about making you feel better rather than providing helpful feedback. Instead, revisit the photographer's portfolio and compare the images against the samples you were shown during the initial consultation. Chances are, the images are within the expected quality range. Moreover, people often expect photographers to capture the entire event, forgetting that they might not be able to match all styles and expectations.
Request a Professional Review
Consider having a professional review the images. Many photographers, like myself, offer a professional review service for a small fee (about ￡25). This evaluation can provide a more unbiased perspective. If the review confirms that the photos are in line with the sample portfolio, it might be time to take a second look at your initial expectations.
Reflect on Your Expectations and Day
Remember that a photographer can only capture what happens. If your family was fighting or it rained all day, it would be unrealistic to expect bright, happy images. Evaluate your expectations in line with reality. Sometimes, you might have set unrealistic standards.
Communicate with Your Photographer
Speak with your photographer ideally in person or on a video call. Calmly express your concerns without getting emotionally charged. A photographer wants to help you and may be more willing to assist if you approach the issue constructively. Try to return to the positive place you held for them during the planning phase.
Decide in Advance on a Path Forward
Think about what you want from the photographer to improve the situation. Do you need further retouching, or different processing and cropping? Are you considering a refund? Unless 100% of the photos are bad, a full refund might not be the most reasonable request. Think in terms of percentages: If 25% of the images are good, ask for a 75% refund. Less negotiation can often lead to a more satisfactory outcome for all parties involved.
Get Some Perspective
Your photographer did not “ruin” your wedding. Your wedding is a memory that is precious and irreplaceable. Allowing disappointment with the photos to overshadow your experience can be detrimental. It’s crucial to accept the situation and find peace. Curate a folder with the images you like and add in memories from friends and family. This may help you find happiness in the record of the day, even if some aspects are less than perfect.
Weddings are about looking back and celebrating with your loved ones. Make sure to focus on the joy and love that fills the day, rather than letting a few disappointing photos overshadow the beauty of the moment.