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deactivatedajlfkjwiorwjaioklNJALFK
Just Said Yes January 2014

Wedding photo blues...

deactivatedajlfkjwiorwjaioklNJALFK, on December 29, 2019 at 12:27 AM Posted in Married Life 0 12

I got married on October 5th. My photography contract did not provide a specific turnaround time for wedding photos, but because the photographer got our engagement photos back to us within a week and I love their work, I wasn't too worried about it at the time. 4-6 weeks post-wedding rolled around and I started to get antsy. 8 weeks after the wedding, the photographer texted me, thanked me for being patient, and promised to email the photos by the next day. Fast forward to now; I've texted them twice and have not received an update since then. I understand that fall and winter are the busiest seasons of the year for photographers, but it's been exactly 12 weeks since my wedding and I am so upset that I have hardly anything to remember the most important day of my life by. On the other hand, the photographer and their spouse haven't posted on any of their business or personal social media accounts since the last time the photographer contacted me (are they okay?) My MIL is furious and doesn't understand why I didn't file a lawsuit immediately after the deadline passed, but I don't want to be the bad guy and sue anyone right after Christmas. What should I do?

12 Comments

Latest activity by Elizabeth, on January 2, 2020 at 9:15 AM
  • Rebecca
    Master August 2019
    Rebecca ·
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    Do they have a physical location you can visit? If so, I would go there ASAP. (I'd also be googling their names/business name just to check if anything happened.)


    I also think you need to get a little more formal. Email/call them (and document), and ask for an explanation. It's been 12 weeks, you were told 8 weeks ago that it would be delivered immediately, you are owed an explanation and your photos. It's a business and Christmas has nothing to do with it.

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  • Meghan
    Master October 2019
    Meghan ·
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    I agree with Rebecca. If you know where they are located, I would go see them in person! We had our photographers physical address for reasons like this. I would also send an email and keep copies documenting dates and times contacted. If you don’t receive a response within the next couple of days, sadly, a law suit is the next next.
    I also got married on October 5th and we have had our photos and our videos back for weeks. What your photographer is doing is a bad business practice and not right to you and your spouse. Good luck with this.
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  • V
    Champion July 2019
    Veronica ·
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    Honestly, you can't really sue them if your contract doesn't give a turnaround time. You might not like that you don't have your photos yet which is totally understandable, but they haven't breached your contract or anything because your contract simply doesn't give a definite time frame. I would do more than just text the photographer. If you know where they are located then I would go to their place of business to try to discuss the matter in person with them. I totally get your frustration. My wedding was over 5 months ago and I still don't have my wedding video. Like you, our contract didn't specify a time frame because our videographer said that it can vary depending on the length of the video and how busy he is.

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  • Alycia
    Expert September 2021
    Alycia ·
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    I would call them after the first of the year. I would explain the time since your wedding and you need the photos as soon possible. Christmas/New Years is really busy for photography but once the holiday season is over they should send out your photos.
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  • deactivatedajlfkjwiorwjaioklNJALFK
    Just Said Yes January 2014
    deactivatedajlfkjwiorwjaioklNJALFK ·
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    Update: I got in contact with the photographer this morning, who said they would send over the unedited photos today. Excuse me? I was under the assumption that they were going to be edited. What have they been doing with my photos this whole time? I am livid.

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  • Kari
    Master May 2020
    Kari ·
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    If a timeline isn't listed in your contract, I think you just need to be patient. Unfortunately there isn't any legally established "reasonable amount of time" to wait for wedding photos. Twelve weeks is long, but certainly not uncommon. Most photographers we inquired about had a 6-8 week turnaround, some a bit longer, more like 8-12 weeks. I've had friends wait 6 months for their wedding photos (which to me is just much too long).

    As for unedited photos, what does your contract say? Your contract is kind of the key here - anything not explicitly outlined in your contract isn't a guarantee. If the contract states edited photos then you could possibly sue them, but I'm sure legal fees would be expensive.

    If they are breaking their contract I would explicitly state how they are breaking their contract and ask for a full or partial refund. If they are going to send you photos (any photos) I would get those first, just so your photos can't be held hostage if things go south. With the unedited or RAW photos you can at least have another photographer edit them if needed. Once you have your photos, I would follow through with stating how they didn't meet their terms and you want a refund. You can then decide whether you want to follow up with legal action, file a report with the BBB, or leave negative reviews (or all three) as recourse.

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  • Dierdra
    Super August 2021
    Dierdra ·
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    I would ask when they will have time to send the edited version of your photos and thank them for sending what they have available now. If you can be polite a little longer you may get an answer from them and you may get your photos back sooner.

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  • deactivatedajlfkjwiorwjaioklNJALFK
    Just Said Yes January 2014
    deactivatedajlfkjwiorwjaioklNJALFK ·
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    I STILL have not received any photos. Every time I ask where they are, the photgrapher gives me some sorry excuse about their personal life says they'll send them over. I don't mean to be insensitive, but I am sick of the false promises and lies!

    tenor.gif


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  • Natalie
    Devoted January 2021
    Natalie ·
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    Yikes girl! Did you check your contract to see if it says anything about editing the photos?

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  • Emma
    Devoted March 2021
    Emma ·
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    At this point I would absolutely call and let them know that you need the photos asap. I would hold off on giving them too much negative feedback until you have the photos, edited or not. But absolutely look back through your contract! That will be your best defense and if you know exactly what you agreed to that will help, especially if you decide to take legal action.


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  • deactivatedajlfkjwiorwjaioklNJALFK
    Just Said Yes January 2014
    deactivatedajlfkjwiorwjaioklNJALFK ·
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    Thanks, everyone! The photos have been sent over. Smiley heart

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  • Elizabeth
    Super June 2021
    Elizabeth ·
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    Just out of curiosity, will you be getting any kind of refund for the unedited state of the photos? Or was it not specified in your contract that they would be edited?

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