Wedding Photographer Distress

There was an article online from kesq.com about wedding day horror stories. It talked about how several couples had chosen the services of Clawson photography only to have their wedding photos never materialize. No matter how the brides tearfully begged for their wedding photos, the photographers didn’t produce their promised wedding albums.

After NewsChannel3 ran the story, a few of the brides received CDs that are supposed to contain their wedding photographs. They arrived without CD cases or protectors. They were simply placed in a loose envelope. Worse, the images on the discs couldn’t be opened - even with the help of the news network’s professionals. In the end, the happy couples did not have any pictures of their once in a lifetime affair.

This can happen to anyone but there are some ways that you can minimize the risk that it will happen to you. After all, there is no way to repeat the event just so that you can have pictures.

First, before you hire anyone, make sure to ask people you know, especially tose who have already gotten married or work as wedding planners, about possible professionals. Compile a list of everyone they recommend. Take a look at the wedding albums and ask about what kind of experience they had while dealing with these photographers. It is best to select someone that your friends were happy with. The very fact that they can recommend the services of these professionals is reassurance that you should receive the same treatment and definitely receive the wedding album.

Second, ask a lot of questions. Ask them about how they work. Visit their shop. Even if they work from their home they should allow you to see their office or work area. Tell them you just want to see samples of their work so that you can have more options to choose from.

Third, read the contract carefully. Basic rule for any contract is to read everything including the fine print. Make sure that the details of the services are clearly stated on it. Check that there is a specified date of delivery from the time your wedding takes place so that you aren’t kept hanging for a year while they take their time handling other weddings.

Now, you may still get unlucky - we never can tell for sure. Your photographer might cancel at the last minute. They unfortunately damaged all the film or erased all the images taken of your wedding. It happens. So better have a contingency plan.

The best contingency plan is to ask some of your guests to please take some pictures then ask them for copies. Worst case scenario, you may have to make your own wedding album and the images won’t have been taken by professionals but at least you will have some images of your wedding day.

Another option is to have a video made of your wedding. It can be as easy as asking three or four friends to bring their handycams and setting them up in strategic places. Have at least one person following you around for the best footage. Then you can simply have pictures printed from the video, thanks to the magic of the digital evolution.