Horrible Wedding Photos 😭

Someone posted not that long ago of a 1 year anniversary photo shoot where they got all dressed back up (her in her dress and all) and retook their wedding photos because (I believe) also had a terrible experience with the day of photos.... maybe this could be an option?

Hmph. I'm sorry!!!!

Our photographer went MIA before the wedding and I was so worried he wouldn't show or that his work would be terrible. He showed! And we received about a dozen preview photos that were pretty great! Only about two of me and my H, though.

A few weeks later we received allll the photos and I was not happy at all. The photos were soooo dark, and NOTHING like the work on his website or social media. My H is angry b/c we don't have any photos of us looking at the camera at the same time, and in every photo of his mom her mouth is open and it looks like she's mid-sentence. So I can sympathize. I actually had to ask the photographer if he had photos of the groomsmen, entire bridal party, a full picture of just me etc. He said they were in the original files, yet no one could find them, then he added a new section and there they were. We also went back and forth a handful of times about the editing. I had to ask him to remove shine from faces, fix blemishes, remove a neon exit sign (he did it in one photo and I had to ask him to do it in all of them). Like I said, the photos were dark and not light and airy like all of his work. He finally sent over edited photos that were light and airy, but had none of the other edits. I got so annoyed I just did everything myself in Lightroom.

That said, take a step back. Can you remember photos you think you took that you didn't see? And can you ask him about the four photos you wanted?

I would go back to the photographer and say, you know, we're a little underwhelmed with the photos, as they don't look like the work on your website.... Is there any chance you have some photos from more flattering angles? And perhaps you have photo a, b, c, d I asked you for - I must have missed them. See what he says. Maybe others will magically appear like ours did.

So sorry this happened to you. We have a few good photos, but by no means a ton of amazing one. I can totally sympathize, and I hope you get some good ones of your big day!

I second this! I would also speak him and ask what happened as well as leave reviews and take him to court for some of your money back.

Um..... this makes no sense. Did someone new buy the business off of the actually good photographer? I was wondering if maybe you got sent a second-shooter (which should NEVER happen for a wedding but sometimes it does), but even a second-shooter from an actual professional studio would have brought the proper equipment and an assistant.

I'd honestly be asking where tf his actual equipment was the day of your wedding, why you didn't get the engagement shoot but were still charged for it, and, most importantly, why the style of the photos you got were *completely* different than the ones other WW brides got!

ETA: Are we allowed to "out" vendors here? Because I totally want to creep on his portfolio now.

This is both sad and scary at the same time. I would suggest you (a) reach out and request.a full refund (b) write a review with the issue and state if the photographer granted a refund or not and (c) write Wedding Wire. I can only imagine the company sees their app/service to couples is only as good as the sources they have as part of their wedding planning tool. Garbage in - Garbage out.

That's horrible!! I'm so sorry :/ at least you have a handful that are decent? I agree with pp's definitely get a few with your friend. Also reach out to guests and see if anyone has photos from the day (they may not be professional but they might be cute candids).

I am SO SORRY this happened to you. I agree with getting another 1 year shoot or any of the suggestions above. I would take some action against this photographer because it sound very unprofessional and sketchy of him that he made the first photos you saw and the ones on his website look great and all of the others didn't turn out! Love and hugs to you!

Oh my, I'm so sorry to hear this. I'd call him up and ask for your money back. I know it won't fix your photos but there is no reason to have to pay for it. If he's a true professional he should know by looking at the photos that he did a bad job and should attempt to fix it.