Post # 1
Member
2035 posts
Buzzing bee
My Fiance is really laid back about our wedding plans, but when it came down to choosing a photographer he actually became really involved. I had disregarded a really good, very well known (and busy) photog because they were expensive, but FH said they were worth the money and we should hire them.
When I emailed them a month or 2 ago to get a quote and ask if they were available for our date they emailed back within 2 days and said were available. I emailed them again once we decided to go with them (about 2 or 3 weeks later) and they didn’t respond for almost a week. I re-emailed stating that I was unsure if they received my first email, but sorry if they were receiving this twice. They responded the next day stating that they did receive my email but that they were on a cruise shooting a wedding and they tried to reply but the WiFi was spotty and they would be in touch when they returned (in the next day or 2). By the end of the second day I hadn’t heard from them and I have a really tight schedule this month, so I emailed again something like “I hope you had a great cruise! Was wondering if you would be able to get together to discuss our wedding on such & such a date. Looking forward to hearing from you!” I haven’t heard anything from them in almost 2 weeks!
I want to give them the benefit of the doubt, because they are a male/female team, and she just had a baby a month ago. They also promise to have your photos back within 2 weeks, so I know they are probably really busy trying to get the cruise wedding wrapped up. I would love to sit back and wait for them to just get back to me when they can, but I’m worried that they will book another wedding for our date because we haven’t had a chance to meet and pay a deposit, OR they didn’t get my last email (but they DID say they’d be in touch with us).
What should I do bees? I don’t want to be a pushy or annoying but I don’t want to miss out on these photogs! What would YOU do if you were me?
Post # 3
Member
8696 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
Why would you want to give your money to someone that ALREADY cannot respond timely? I’m sorry but I would not (ever). There are plenty of photographers. I can see the story coming after the wedding when they would be unresponsive bc they already have your money. Maybe it is just me but when I was booking vendors I wouldnt chase anyone to give them money. It just seems…silly for lack of a better word.
ETA: even if they are working on the pics from the cruise wedding I would assume they will be working on pics all summer. They need to be able to do both. It is summer and wedding season so there are no excuses.
Post # 4
Member
2534 posts
Sugar bee
Find a differnet photographer!
Trust me, been there done that… much easier and less stressful for YOU in the long run!
They said they were checking emails WHILE they were shooting a wedding?
Warning sign RIGHT THERE.
Post # 5
Member
7652 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
This is the very reason I hate e-mail. I had the same issue with my DJ. Everything I did was via e-mail utnil they stopped contacting me becuase either my messages went to spam or they just glazed over my e-mail.
You have to call. That was the only way I could get through to my DJs. If you haven’t heard anything in 2 weeks it is time to call them and ask if they are serious about photographing your wedding. If so, then sign a contact and get it done in writing. Honestly, if they keep putting this thing off any longer I would find someone else.
Post # 6
Member
2035 posts
Buzzing bee
I honestly dont think they are not responding on purpose. They are really well regarded and I have been referred to them by 4 or 5 people (one is a wedding business who works with them regularly) stating they are awesome to work with and their work is amazing.
I would find a different photog, but theyre work is the best I’ve seen. I know I would be disappointed if we hired someone else and our photos werent as good as the ones in their portfolio.
Post # 7
Member
3766 posts
Honey bee
I understand they have lovely pictures, but I would begin the process of moving on and finding someone else. If a vendor couldn’t be bothered to respond to me as soon as possible (I understand the cruise, but it’s been two weeks after?!) then I can’t be bothered to give them my money.
What happens when it’s past two weeks, you have no wedding photos, and they won’t reply for another 2 weeks?
In the meantime, give them a call, see if that helps. Or show up to the studio!
Post # 8
Member
3766 posts
Honey bee
Also, if you do end up using them, have a conversation about communication with them. I would tell them you need assurance that it won’t happen again.
Post # 9
Member
135 posts
Blushing bee
@Charliejeorge: It’s wedding season. Their big priority right now is 2013 wedding couples. Next year, when it;s your time you’ll be happy that you are their priority. I seriously doubt they were trying to answer email DURING a wedding on a cruise. And they just had a baby? Just pick up the phone and give them a jingle. Your email could be in spam limbo.
Post # 10
Member
51 posts
Worker bee
I would find a different photographer. I am in a similar situation… I have been an emailing a prospective photographer that I LOVED who had excellent photo quality for a very reasonable rate. Similar style photographers were a few thousand more… Well yesterday we were supposed to talk over the phone since I’m having a destination wedding and he never called… When I emailed him later that night asking if I had the dates mixed up to talk he responded that he forgot since his iPhone never reminded him. If my booking him over a phone call was such a low priority to him that he never remembered our meeting until I asked way later that night, I can’t trust him to make my wedding day a priority. So now I’m scrambling to find someone else that iaffordable. It sucks, but I would like to think the photographer should be somewhat interested in having me book them.
Post # 11
Member
8696 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
@Charliejeorge: Even though I (and many others) would move on it seems you really want them to be your photographers so the only thing you can do is continue to chase them…start with an actual phone call like a PP said. I still cannot imagine there are no other amazing photographers unless you are in a rural area?
Post # 12
Member
790 posts
Busy bee
Im sorry, Im a photographer and they are giving excuses. Move on. I dont care if its peak season, had a baby, or the like. If you are too busy then you hire someone to respond to emails, you’re a business. This two weeks stuff is crap.
Set up an auto respond. “We are working on a cruise so we will reply to emails when we get back to the states” Or “We are in a heavy few weeks of wedding and events. There may be some delays in responding to emails. Please bare with us.”
If they are that recommended they should be on top of inquires and responding in a timely manner. Amazing pictures does not give them the right to slack in customer service. Its a business, its not just pictures. Get an assistant to field emails!
A good pro knows how to balance current And future clients. Current should not make you neglect future. If so I’ll say it a again, get an assistant!
Bet they’ve been posting on social media… Id check. If so, what does that tell you?
Post # 13
Member
1936 posts
Buzzing bee
@Charliejeorge: e-mail sucks. Calling them is a much better way of handling it. Also – you decided to go with them before even meeting them in person? I’d call and say you’d love to chat face-to-face. Plenty of photographers take good pictures, but don’t have a personality that vibes with yours.
If they don’t return a phone call, move on. They aren’t responsive, and you dont want this pattern to continue, causing you stress.
Post # 14
Member
1000 posts
Bumble bee
@Charliejeorge: Two possibilities in my eyes:
1.) You sent one too many follow up emails and they red-flagged you as someone who might be difficult to work with. I think the first two emails were fine, but the one you sent EXACTLY 2 days after their email saying they were busy photographing a cruise wedding was probably a bit too soon. They may have just walked in the door and not even unpacked their bags yet when they saw that, thought it was inconsiderate and written you off.
2.) Were you booking a bottom package? It’s a sleezy practice, but they may have had another higher-paying inquiry for your date and were stalling hoping to book the other couple. Then they booked them and of course there would be nothing they could tell you at this point that would have been a believable story as to why they were no longer available (except the truth, which is bad).
My advice? Move on and find a photographer who is excited about working with you and values your business enough to send a response to your emails. Good luck!
Post # 15
Member
360 posts
Helper bee
If you can, I would go with another photographer. I am dealing with this with vendors now and it is such a headache! The vendors that get back to me promptly are a godsend. Trust me, finding someone who communicates with you will save many headaches!
Post # 16
Member
2035 posts
Buzzing bee
@PassionatePhotoLady: Posibility 1 is what im concerned about. I mean I know I kind of jumped the gun when I emailed them that night, and I’m a really laid-back bride, but they dont know that so I probably came across as difficult.
@Styles: They actaully havent made any excuses. I only know that she just had a baby because the bridal business owner sent her a “congratulations” note on facebook.
@gelaine22: I guess becuase the FH is really into them, and really hasnt expressed interest in deciding on much else, he’s just letting me choose whatever I want. So I’d really like to work with them if we can. He’s NOT interested in having his picture taken EVER, so I guess I feel like if we go with the photographer he likes maybe he’ll be more into it.
@Atlanticbride: My thoughts eaxctly! I know theyre great to work with and normally get back to people within a really reasonable time because of the referrals I’ve received from other clients.
FH asked last night what’s going on with the photographers, and his response was “just phone them, enough with the email crap, they probably didnt even get it!” I guess im just so paranoid. Im a small business owner and I HATE when people constantly email me to see whats going on with their order and things like that, so I just dont want to be that person. But is guess I’ll have to call them and see whats going on. I may have to look for another photographer… 🙁
