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Lauren
Beginner September 2019

Photographer sent our entire wedding album to all of our guests without permission

Lauren, on October 7, 2019 at 4:58 PM Posted in Etiquette and Advice 0 39

My husband and I were married a few weeks ago in a very intimate destination elopement ceremony with our families in attendance. It was 10 guests total. Our photographer is a friend of the family (specifically long time on again/off again girlfriend of my brother in law) and she is a professional wedding photographer. Immediately after she sent me the link to our wedding photos (500+ photos) via e-mail I start getting calls/texts at work from my family saying how great they were. I asked the photographer who she sent them to and she said she sent the link to our album to everyone that was on the group e-mail discussion about the wedding details (which was everyone we invited, some were not able to come). Her e-mail to them also told them "feel free to post at your leisure". I cant help but feel upset by this. My husband and I didn't even get a chance to look at them together before people who didn't even attend the wedding got to see them, and I feel like it was really inconsiderate to tell everyone that they could post anything from our wedding album on social media! Isn't it common courtesy to give the bride/groom their wedding photos and let them share as they see fit? I was really looking forward to looking through them in person with my cousins/grandparents and I was planning on making and surprising my Dad with a photobook as a "Thank You" for helping fund our wedding. When I asked the photographer why she sent them out to everyone she said that a few people asked her at the ceremony to send them the photos when she was done editing so she thought she was doing a nice thing by sending them to everyone. My husband is not big on photos, doesn't use social media very often and thinks this is "such a first world problem." I agree it is, but I can't shake my frustration they were sent out to everyone without our permission. Am I right to be upset over this, or am I overreacting?

39 Comments

Latest activity by Kari, on October 25, 2019 at 10:32 AM
  • Sarah
    Master September 2019
    Sarah ·
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    I don’t think you’re overreacting at all. Did you have a contract? What was the language like in the contract for delivery of the photos?
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  • Jennifer
    Super September 2020
    Jennifer ·
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    150% correct in being mad. I was livid just reading that. I would flip.
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  • L
    Lady ·
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    I think you're overreacting, personally. You can still make your dad a nice album.

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  • Chelsea
    Expert September 2021
    Chelsea ·
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    You’re not overreacting at all, I would be beyond pissed!!!
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  • Lauren
    Savvy October 2019
    Lauren ·
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    Everything is a first world problem when you live somewhere with clean water and electricity so that line needs to go away as it is almost a decade old. You have every right to be upset. Your feelings are valid.
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  • Sarah
    Devoted November 2021
    Sarah ·
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    Nope! Not overreacting at all! I'd be mad forever I'm so sorry that she did that to you!
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  • Dynesha
    Devoted June 2020
    Dynesha ·
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    That is extremely frustrating and I don’t think you’re overreacting in being upset. Especially since it was such an intimate ceremony and you may not have wanted to share it with other people (which your guests will share). A friend of mine had a similar situation where her guest, who is a professional photographer, offered to take some secondary photos and video in addition to the photographer she officially hired. She told everyone, wedding party/guests included, not to share any photos as her groom’s family have specific marital customs and they did not know of this particular ceremony. He posted the video and tagged everyone! They weren’t able to celebrate the moment with his family and certain relatives felt disrespected having found out via Facebook.
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  • Chrysta
    Master November 2022
    Chrysta ·
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    I think you are completely entitled to be upset! I would have been so disappointed!
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  • Sara
    Expert February 2020
    Sara ·
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    I don't think you're overreacting. I would be pissed. You should have say in who gets your photos. I hate photos and can't stand Facebook. This would be a huge issue for me.
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  • Yoice
    VIP March 2019
    Yoice ·
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    I’m with you on this 100%. Doesn’t matter what people ask her is your wedding and you should share them when you want and who you want with specially not the entire album. I’ll be very disappointed with her as well.
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  • Da Mom
    August 2022
    Da Mom ·
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    I think you have every right to be upset. Did you have a contract? If not, then you have no recourse and she may have been acting as a “friend” rather than a professional vendor. But still, she should have asked before sending them out to everyone.

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  • Megan
    Super October 2020
    Megan ·
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    That is so frustrating and completely unprofessional! I’m so sorry she did this. You have every right to be royally pissed.
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  • J
    Master 0000
    Judith ·
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    I would be furious.
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  • Lily
    Dedicated December 2019
    Lily ·
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    You have every right to be upset! I would definitely be unhappy too. What's done is done, though. The only thing you can do now is tell her how you feel and hope for an apology. Her being "family" makes that even harder. Hopefully you can reach out to the guest list or, even better, have her reach out and rescind the "feel free to post at your leisure" statement. Good luck!
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  • Cyndy
    Master May 2019
    Cyndy ·
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    Wow I was mad just reading that. You have every right to be upset. I would personally let her know how you feel.
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  • Cher Horowitz
    Master December 2019
    Cher Horowitz ·
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    I would be so upset too! I'm sorry this happened to you

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  • Jazmine
    Expert September 2019
    Jazmine ·
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    I think it’s a bit of an over exaggeration. With a small wedding people probably weren’t taking photos anyway and were looking just as forward to it. You can still purchase the album for your dad!!!
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  • Suzie
    Super October 2021
    Suzie ·
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    I would be pissed as well! This seems like a huge overstep on her behalf. You are the ones hiring her, your wishes are the only ones that matter. Can she remove their permission from the link or password protect it? I think she needs to at least do that, and let people know they need your permission to use them.
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  • Brandi
    Devoted July 2020
    Brandi ·
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    You can absolutely ask her to take the link down until you’re ready to share. People may have looked but not have started saving their photos yet. You may also ask that your guests refrain from posting until you and your spouse take the moment to review. I won’t say you’re overreacting because you are entitled to your feelings. However, it’s not something to harbor on because it is done and you’re still able to enjoy your photos and look back on your day. Additionally, you can still do the photo album for your father.
    • Reply
  • Tilar Fifield
    Devoted August 2019
    Tilar Fifield ·
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    Omg same it makes my blood boil for her! I would be calling her immediately and asking how the heck she thinks she is going to make up for that!
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