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Quality of service
1.0 out of 5 rating
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Average response time
1.0 out of 5 rating
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Professionalism
1.0 out of 5 rating
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Value
1.0 out of 5 rating
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Flexibility
1.0 out of 5 rating
Be forewarned: Melody was a disappointment and left myself and family sorry we chose her for my wedding day.
Before listing more concrete complaints, I will state some things that Melody fell short on for what we expected for the discounted price (paid in full) of $3600. Myself and others felt strongly the entire day of our wedding that Melody was not “engaged” in the picture taking nor in command of what she needed to do to carry out her work. She lacked direction. It was family members and the bridal party that were often giving her leads. Here are some other points:
1) When I asked her (with enough time out) to take a look at our wedding venue, which was unfamiliar and brand new new to her, she refused. That was one possible reason for her unpreparedness.
2) As per contract, I filled out a lengthy questionnaire of hers as to what I would like photographed during the wedding. I requested certain photos. (ie: sunset photo where she could not be found during this time) Along with other photos, they did not get shot.
3) She was given the names of the wedding party girls (4) and their relationship to me. On the day of, she addressed them all as “you” repeatedly. There were other indications, as well, that showed she probably hadn't looked at her questionnaire.
4) “Sneak peeks” were promised and were over three weeks late. My mother had called Melody while I was on my honeymoon to inquire when they could be expected. Melody was defensive and unprofessional. My mother was shocked. She let her finish and told Melody everything would be fine and that we would expect to hear from her and ofcourse good things from her. My mother stayed positive during the conversation because she clearly sensed Melody’s defensiveness. When the “sneak peaks” finally came in, I texted her because she had not responded to phone calls and a voicemail. I told her I was not happy with them, that they looked substandard, and not at all like the quality pictures of her gallery. I asked if I could meet with her to look at the pictures individually. She refused and showed little understanding. I told her by looking at the pictures together that she would understand what could easily misinterpreted by text or phone. She reminded me then that I had agreed through contract to receiving what she “sees” and “interprets” through her lens and her artistic editing style. My thoughts then were that they looked like poor quality shots. And editing? I didn't see any editing! How did she expect me to tell her what I needed over the phone? I texted her back and told her I was worried and had expected more from the “artistic process” and asked her if those “sneak peeks” were really the best she had. She then texted me back and told me we could only deal over the phone. She said that she was offended and insulted and she NEVER (clearly emphasized) had had a reaction from any of her clients, EVER, like this! (This is exactly what she had told my mother when she spiraled from my mother's question). She mentioned here that she had been offended as well by my mother. I texted back saying I thought she was taking everything too personally and I was trying to be honest and understand how to make things better. I told her she was a professional photographer and I paid her $3600.
She texted then stating more about my mother.
As a side note, I believe she misinterpreted and probably felt guilty for being late with the “sneak peeks”. My mother asked the question: “How long does it usually take to send sneak peeks ?” Could this be a threatening statement? She then again stated she would be available only over the phone to discuss the pictures but would not listen to a critique about each photo as there will always be something to criticize. She said it was outrageous to expect her to listen to such. She asked me to review the contract and she would give me what she gives to all her clients, those who are appreciative of her work.
5) As previously stated, she didn't call when she said she would or return my voicemails.
-From that point on, we were “walking on eggshells” because she had our pictures and our money. We felt she was hardly approachable in her manner and highly reactive with us. We felt helpless and angry.
-Some pictures, after ceremony/dance pictures, were caught well. Her assistant seemed to be doing her job. Pictures came back at the three month mark. Overall, her lack of effort during the shoot and post shooting fell short of what one would expect from a professional. Perhaps Melody has put her energies and laid out her talents more for the eloquent words and the polished photos in her blog and photo gallery, but has forgotten to deliver what she truly is responsible for. This is what I believe to have happened here.
Before listing more concrete complaints, I will state some things that Melody fell short on for what we expected for the discounted price (paid in full) of $3600. Myself and others felt strongly the entire day of our wedding that Melody was not “engaged” in the picture taking nor in command of what she needed to do to carry out her work. She lacked direction. It was family members and the bridal party that were often giving her leads. Here are some other points:
1) When I asked her (with enough time out) to take a look at our wedding venue, which was unfamiliar and brand new new to her, she refused. That was one possible reason for her unpreparedness.
2) As per contract, I filled out a lengthy questionnaire of hers as to what I would like photographed during the wedding. I requested certain photos. (ie: sunset photo where she could not be found during this time) Along with other photos, they did not get shot.
3) She was given the names of the wedding party girls (4) and their relationship to me. On the day of, she addressed them all as “you” repeatedly. There were other indications, as well, that showed she probably hadn't looked at her questionnaire.
4) “Sneak peeks” were promised and were over three weeks late. My mother had called Melody while I was on my honeymoon to inquire when they could be expected. Melody was defensive and unprofessional. My mother was shocked. She let her finish and told Melody everything would be fine and that we would expect to hear from her and ofcourse good things from her. My mother stayed positive during the conversation because she clearly sensed Melody’s defensiveness. When the “sneak peaks” finally came in, I texted her because she had not responded to phone calls and a voicemail. I told her I was not happy with them, that they looked substandard, and not at all like the quality pictures of her gallery. I asked if I could meet with her to look at the pictures individually. She refused and showed little understanding. I told her by looking at the pictures together that she would understand what could easily misinterpreted by text or phone. She reminded me then that I had agreed through contract to receiving what she “sees” and “interprets” through her lens and her artistic editing style. My thoughts then were that they looked like poor quality shots. And editing? I didn't see any editing! How did she expect me to tell her what I needed over the phone? I texted her back and told her I was worried and had expected more from the “artistic process” and asked her if those “sneak peeks” were really the best she had. She then texted me back and told me we could only deal over the phone. She said that she was offended and insulted and she NEVER (clearly emphasized) had had a reaction from any of her clients, EVER, like this! (This is exactly what she had told my mother when she spiraled from my mother's question). She mentioned here that she had been offended as well by my mother. I texted back saying I thought she was taking everything too personally and I was trying to be honest and understand how to make things better. I told her she was a professional photographer and I paid her $3600.
She texted then stating more about my mother.
As a side note, I believe she misinterpreted and probably felt guilty for being late with the “sneak peeks”. My mother asked the question: “How long does it usually take to send sneak peeks ?” Could this be a threatening statement? She then again stated she would be available only over the phone to discuss the pictures but would not listen to a critique about each photo as there will always be something to criticize. She said it was outrageous to expect her to listen to such. She asked me to review the contract and she would give me what she gives to all her clients, those who are appreciative of her work.
5) As previously stated, she didn't call when she said she would or return my voicemails.
-From that point on, we were “walking on eggshells” because she had our pictures and our money. We felt she was hardly approachable in her manner and highly reactive with us. We felt helpless and angry.
-Some pictures, after ceremony/dance pictures, were caught well. Her assistant seemed to be doing her job. Pictures came back at the three month mark. Overall, her lack of effort during the shoot and post shooting fell short of what one would expect from a professional. Perhaps Melody has put her energies and laid out her talents more for the eloquent words and the polished photos in her blog and photo gallery, but has forgotten to deliver what she truly is responsible for. This is what I believe to have happened here.
