Skip to main content
ARE YOU A VENDOR?

Post content has been hidden

To unblock this content, please click here

M
Beginner October 2020

Feeling lied to by photographer

Morgan, on December 1, 2019 at 9:22 AM Posted in Planning 0 11
Saved
Reply
Hi all! I was between 2 photographers and ultimately went with the one more affordable, because of price, and because he was very friendly and personable. I did like the other one’s photos better, but took a gamble based on the above factors. Both packages offered engagement photos. The one I chose asked me to send deposit ($550) then he would send the agreement and I would sent the 2nd payment. I questioned sending $$ without seeing the contract, but he said this is what he does to secure the date, so I did it. I now received the contract and see that the “included” engagement session does not include ANY of the images. They are for an additional cost. Also, they MUST be at a park by his house, or there is an additional fee. I asked for the fees, and they are $500-700. He did not mention this at all when I had met with him. The other photographer includes the photographs from the session with no extra charge. With these extra fees, he is now more expensive. I am very unhappy and mad at myself for sending the money without getting the contracts in the first place. If I had known this, I would have (and should have) gone with the photographer with better pictures, who turns out to not be any more expensive. Do you think I can get my deposit back from the first guy? I have not signed anything.

11 Comments

Latest activity by Morgan, on December 2, 2019 at 8:31 AM
  • Amber
    Super September 2020
    Amber ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    If you got emails or texts between the both of you and a receipt of your payment you made you should be able to dispute but without a signed contract on your part you may not be able to get your deposit back. You might just have to take it for a loss and a learned lesson.


    Did he send you a contract at all before you paid your deposit?
    • Reply
  • M
    Beginner October 2020
    Morgan ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    View Quoted Comment
    No, when I asked for it, he said he gets the first payment to secure the date then sends the agreement. By the way, I reread the emails, and he did not call it a “deposit”, but a “first payment”. If I’m cancelling the service, there is nothing to be paid for, he should hopefully give it back....
    • Reply
  • Chrysta
    Master November 2022
    Chrysta ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    Oh yikes, I’m so sorry! This sounds like very intentional deceit on the photographers part. Under the circumstances (falsely representing and omitting information) he should refund your money. But he doesn’t sound like an incredibly virtuous person, so I’d be prepared for him to not do the right thing. And, unfortunately, if he refuses to refund you there’s not much you can do about it unless you want to take him to small claims court. It stinks there are so many opportunists out there that will weasel money out of innocent people under false pretenses!
    • Reply
  • Kaysey
    Super February 2020
    Kaysey ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    I would 100% ask for your deposit back and go with the other photographer. Make sure you have either the email or text message that he said the engagement photos were included and that you had to pay the $550 up front and then pay the rest after signing the contract. I do not blame you for questioning paying before getting the contract. My FH and I had one caterer who requested full payment before sending us a contract and we flat our refused to do so and went with another caterer because it did not feel right to me.


    As long as you have everything in email or text, you have all of the proof you need to get your deposit back.

    • Reply
  • Sarah
    Master September 2019
    Sarah ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    I don’t know that the terminology matters much here with regards to your other post. He said that he usually takes the first payment to secure the date, which is also usually the point of a deposit. Did you read over the contract? Does it mention this payment?
    • Reply
  • M
    Beginner October 2020
    Morgan ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    View Quoted Comment
    Thanks for the reply. I just looked and it says payments are non refundable. However, I did not have access to the contract prior to making that payment. And I haven’t signed it. Idk I’m trying to be hopeful. I am upset with myself for agreeing to make this payment before the contract was shared.
    • Reply
  • Sarah
    Master September 2019
    Sarah ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    View Quoted Comment
    I think it’s possible you could get it back, but it’s also possible you’ll have to go through small claims court in order to do that.
    • Reply
  • Kristen
    Master November 2020
    Kristen ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    Ask for your deposit back but even if he does not give it back then I would cancel and future photography with him. I know you would be out $500 but why give him more money and allow him to use you for his portfolio? I would get in touch with the other photographer ASAP and ask these questions. More money but in my opinion photography is a wedding option to splurge on for memories and have good quality.

    • Reply
  • N
    Dedicated July 2020
    N ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    I 100% agree with the PPs, don’t sign the contract and go with the other photographer. I got to see all my contracts before I sent a deposit (my deposit for photographer was half the fee but was due WHEN I returned the signed contract). If I was putting a deposit to hold a date w/o a contract (like my hair and makeup) the fee was small—like $50.


    Since you haven’t signed you’re not obligated to pay anymore. If its me, I’d rather be out $500 then have the photographer try to pull other bs after your wedding (like charge you for pictures like it sounds like he’s doing) because he doesn’t seem to be forthright here. I will say though, if the $500 was half of the cost I’d doubt any pictures would be included as well as an engagement sitting. So you have to know what you’re paying for. My photographer was $3400 including all digital photo rights and an engagement session.

    • Reply
  • M
    Beginner October 2020
    Morgan ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    Hi everyone. Thanks for all the replies. Just want to update: he is in agreement with sending the deposit back. I do think not sharing this information was an oversight on his part, but I am comfortable with my decision to reverse our decision. I appreciate all the input.
    • Reply
  • M
    Beginner October 2020
    Morgan ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    View Quoted Comment
    $500 wasn’t half .. just one payment to secure the date. But he’s giving it back!
    • Reply

You voted for . Add a comment 👇

×

Related articles

9 Quirky Tricks Wedding Photographers Use to Capture Amazing Photos
Photography & Video 9 Quirky Tricks Wedding Photographers Use to Capture Amazing... Some of these photographer-approved secrets may surprise you.
7 Steps to Hiring a Destination Wedding Photographer
Photography & Video 7 Steps to Hiring a Destination Wedding Photographer Find the right pro to capture your wedding day.
5 Reasons You Need to Hire a Proposal Photographer
Marriage Proposals 5 Reasons You Need to Hire a Proposal Photographer There’s one detail that’s become a proposal essential—hiring a professional...
Read more articles
WeddingWire celebrates love ...and so does everyone on our site! Learn more

Groups

Show more

WeddingWire article topics