Wedding Really Disappointed--Our Pictures Turned out BAD

[Missy0483]

Wow FacetFire that one pic looks so much better already just by adding that fill thing you talked about. That''s pretty cool! Just a little touch-up and it looks perfect

Haven you looked beautiful and it looks like your pics are going to turn out just fine with a little work. But I can see where you''re coming from I''d still be a little upset about it!

 

[Maisie]

Haven you looked so beautiful on your wedding day. And your Grandma is so cute!! I hope you get this resolved so you are happy. Your wedding day sometimes goes by in a blur and all you have left to remember it is your photos.

 

[FacetFire]

Date: 7/30/2008 3:43:47 PM
Author: Missy0483
Wow FacetFire that one pic looks so much better already just by adding that fill thing you talked about. That''s pretty cool! Just a little touch-up and it looks perfect

Haven you looked beautiful and it looks like your pics are going to turn out just fine with a little work. But I can see where you''re coming from I''d still be a little upset about it!

Opps, sorry, I meant using fill flash at the time of taking the photo. Though you can use photoshop to help simulate it afterwards, he should have used some flash to fill in the shadows when he was taking the pics. But these programs are so great these days, they really do help! Glad you like my little quick edit!

 

[Stephanie]

Oh Haven, I''m so sorry for this. I am hoping that something good comes out of this for you... Perhaps everyone is right - he hasn''t touched them up yet. Have you called him?

 

[FrekeChild]

Haven, honey, I am just sick for you. I can take much better pics and I am a total amateur. I don't even have any advice because I'm so shocked. I'd get my hands on every single photo and figure out where to go from there...

The non pro pics really did turn out lovely, and I'd ask everyone for everything they got.

I did see her shoes-which are beautiful! And I knew Jessica Simpson "designed" shoes (I'm betting she has a very brief meeting and says "Really tall stilettos!" and that's her creative input.) and I actually own about...6 or so pairs? Believe it or not, they are pretty comfortable (some of them anyway) and very attractive. When I go to stores I actually seek them out along with Steve Madden, BCBGirls, Guess, Kenneth Cole, Carlos Santana among others.

Here-it's not much but I thought it looked nice.

 

[CDNinNYC]

Haven, I''m so sorry you''re dissapointed. You have every right to be upset. I don''t have any new words of advice but I hope you get it resolved soon.

 

[allycat0303]

Haven,

I am SO sorry that you are disappointed. With the amount of money and thought that goes into picking a photographer, you want to be wowed by your pictures. I definitely see what you mean about being cut in some of those pictures. A smiliar thing happened to FSIL. The pictures had similar problems. They worked with the photographer and with a lot of editing, she ended up *satisfied*

Good luck! And keep us updated.

 

[Shoopy]

Date: 7/30/2008 4:06:00 PM
Author: FrekeChild
Haven, honey, I am just sick for you. I can take much better pics and I am a total amateur. I don''t even have any advice because I''m so shocked. I''d get my hands on every single photo and figure out where to go from there...

The non pro pics really did turn out lovely, and I''d ask everyone for everything they got.

I did see her shoes-which are beautiful! And I knew Jessica Simpson ''designed'' shoes (I''m betting she has a very brief meeting and says ''Really tall stilettos!'' and that''s her creative input.) and I actually own about...6 or so pairs? Believe it or not, they are pretty comfortable (some of them anyway) and very attractive. When I go to stores I actually seek them out along with Steve Madden, BCBGirls, Guess, Kenneth Cole, Carlos Santana among others.

Here-it''s not much but I thought it looked nice.

Ditto.

 

[bee*]

Date: 7/30/2008 1:36:57 PM
Author: pjean

Date: 7/30/2008 1:19:46 PM

Author: Haven

it just doesn''t look like a pro picture to me.

That''s it exactly. I was looking at the pictures and thinking ''ok, those aren''t so bad''. They''re pretty snapshots. But they definitely look like shots a family member took while the pro was doing something else.


Don''t feel embarrassed about being whiny here - if you can''t post honestly about something that''s upsetting you, then what''s the point?

I agree. They''re nice photos but not pro photos. I''m really sorry to hear about that Haven. I would definitely talk to him and see what he has to say and offer. Hopefully the ones that he didn''t post are better.

 

[xapora]

I''m so, so sorry that this happened to you. You look so beautiful in the pictures and I think that some photoshopping could do wonders with the lighting, cropping, etc. I had a similar experience and I know how upsetting this can be. My photographer''s portfolio was breathtaking, yet when we actually got our photos we were so disappointed. She didn''t even get a formal, posed picture of us at the altar together, and there was literally ONE picture of ourselves we could frame and send out in thank yous! But to give you an idea of the wonders Photoshop can do, we ended up taking a formal picture of us with our minister at the altar and my husband completely Photoshopped the minister out.

Hubby recreated the carpet, flowers, banister, lighting, etc., and you wouldn''t even know anybody was ever standing there. It took a few days but it''s just amazing how it turned out. So now we have our formal shot at the altar and we''re very happy. It''s a shame that you should even have to resort to Photoshopping wedding photos that you no doubt paid good money for, but I really think there is a lot of potential in those photos. I think it''s a great idea to enlist somebody who is a whiz at Photoshop and see what they can do for you. I think you''ll be much happier once they''re professionally edited a little more.

 

[icekid]

Haven, I am sooo disappointed for you. Pictures were so important to me too and I would have been just as devastated as you are had my pictures been far lower quality than I was expecting. So I will agree with everyone else that you are absolutely not being a brat. I bet with some creative photoshop you really will be able to salvage a lot of the shots, and I also bet you''ve got some talented friends/family out there who took some greats pics too. I''d definitely be complaining to the photog too- this was clearly not what you paid for!!


And I also wanted to say that you looked absolutely GORGEOUS. I hope you don''t let this cloud your enjoyment of your day too much...

 

[purrfectpear]

I''d stop payment, and I''m not kidding. They look like they were shot with a cardboard disposable camera by your 10 year nephew after he swiped 3 or 4 cocktails from the reception

I shot weddings and bar mitzvahs for a couple of years in the very early 70''s and I''m appalled. So sad for you.

In spite of that, YOU looked beautiful and thanks to photoshop they can and SHOULD be fixed.

 

[DMBFiredancer]

im so sorry this happened to you....on the bright side, i hope that you get a FEW at least that are nice...you really looked lovely! your dress, flowers, hair, etc all looked gorgeous!
hopefully a guest will have some nice shots for you.

congrats on your wedding even though you are dealing with this.

 

[pocahontas]

Haven - I'm so upset for you *hugs* I agree with everyone that you have every right to be upset and angry. What recourse do you have? I understand it's not the same, but I do like Freke's suggestion of asking all your guests for copies of their pictures. This situation really sucks. I'm sorry you're dealing with this BS. On a really positive note, you were absolutely stunning and totally rocked your dress

 

[CJ2008]

Oh, no, Haven! This isn''t right! I hope the way they look in person is way better...and that he has all the shots you asked him for.

And like everyone said, you did look absolutely beautiful.

 

[Gwyn]

Aw, im sorry hun! Hopefully people are right and he still has shots he hasnt released yet. Good luck!

 

[Allison D.]

Some things I've picked up in watching good photographers: in most cases, the photographer will shoot more rather than less (meaning not close up, but a bit further back to include more of surroundings). The thinking goes, it's easy to crop out what you don't want, but you can't replace what isn't there. So, it's not uncommon to see pictures that don't look breathtaking initially because they are pre-crop.

Lighting can be a challenge even under the best circumstances. Photographers follow the dictum that it's better to underexpose (which you can lighten and correct) than to overexpose (which blows out details that you can't recover).

Photography today is as much (if not more) about what happens *after* the photos are taken. I don't do it for a living, but I use a program that softens out harsh lines, reduces noise, etc. It's AMAZING the difference those editing tools can make in your photos.

Same goes for things in the picture that you wouldn't expect, either......like the rose petals on the floor. It takes less time to remove them during editing after the fact than it does to stop the entire wedding shoot and try to get eight people to stay FOCUSED on paying attention to photographer's instructions.

I'd agree that I'd have wished for a bit more attention to detail in the photo with your friend. That one seems a bit harder to correct since it would have been easier to move your veil (so it didn't distract from her face and cover half of her shoulder) pre-shot.

I'm glad to hear he took more photos, too.....that's a bugaboo for me. At John's wedding recently, I shot over 700 photos to end up with just over 200 I'm pleased with (not including black and white iterations, etc.). Things happen....people blink, look away, move suddenly, so more content is always better.

Please try not to worry; I'd just get in touch and explain your disappointment and see what he can do to make you happy.

 

[blinkydoll]

oh-- haven--- i''m so Sorry this happened to you. I agree with facetfire ab getting raws--- unfortunately---- he may have just shot jpgs only

which actually isn''t uncommon for wedding photographers to do.
I think Gyspy has a good idea---- ab getting another shoot--- but not to be a Debby downer-- but what if he does the same stuff?
You should ask him for money back and take that and hire a real photographer and have a new shoot-with the two of you in diff locations. I would not go make to this "photographer" for more


I''m soo curious as what images he showed you when you had your meeting!

I''m sorry but this makes me soo mad-- bec you hired this person... thinking you were getting a certain quality-- but instead got another.
I used (and still do spiraticly) to work with wedding photographers working weddings... and if they has worked weddings before--- they should know the basic needed shots that they need to get done--- it just comes with experience---..the room is a big one! and all the details pics.. cards.. favors...etc..

on a positive note tho--- you looked gorgeous on your day--- and your dress was beautiful!Loved your unique bustle. I loved your bridesmaid dresses and the diff color choices! what a great idea!
Did you get any photos from your friends or family?
I Really hope things work out

-----

It''s soo exciting you are getting a puppy!!!

WHat kind of dooggy is it?? do you hav a name for him/her? Congrats on your new furBaby!

 

[Gypsy]

Hi Haven, I just looked at you pics. Get your photos, negatives, high resolution files-- all of them-- from this guy. Take your post production elsewhere. You can call around to some other photographers in your area, and photography schools and see who in your area is really well known for magic with photos. Negotiate a refund (at least a large partial one: he came late, left early, and now isn''t doing to post production at all) on top of it. I think that with some good editing your going to be much happier. It''s amazing what they can do to the pics afterward.

((HUGSS honey)). There is hidden potential in there, you just need someone with some major software and skills to bring it to life.

 

[Guilty Pleasure]

hehe, Gypsy comment about hidden potential made me think of an uncut diamond. Maybe your photos now are a hunk of rock (in your eyes), but someone with a little expertise can turn them into a perfectly proportioned round brilliant!

Okay, it''s official: I''ve spent too much time on this web site.

 

[surfgirl]

Okay, from what you''ve shown, I have to agree that they are very posed and not of a pro quality. The lighting isn''t the greatest and it appears that no -retouching or post effects were done on these examples you showed us. Would you be able to show us some examples from his site that made you think he was the one for you? Just so we can see what he presents vs. what you got?

You''ve already mentioned that there are hundreds more photos so that''s a good sign! I think he needs to take your call tomorrow and talk to you about your feelings on what you''ve seen so far. And I totally agree with facetfire, get the RAW data files if at all possible because that''s where you can do more to enhance the photos afterwards. My photographer is excellent at re-touching and effects so if you want her contact, I can give it to you. I have a feeling she''d be willing to fix your photos if possible. No idea on cost but if your guy doesn''t come through, you could pull your fav shots and have her or someone else re-touch and enhance them so they''re gorgeous...

You still have options. All is not lost!

 

[Harleigh]

Hi Haven,

First of all, congratulations on your wedding...you were a gorgeous bride!!! I am still in Maui and didn''t have time to read all the responses here, so please forgive me if I am repeating others. I''m so sorry you weren''t happy with the pictures...I think many of the pix you posted look nice, but not professional. They look very amateurish to me, and not professional quality at all. She never moved position during the ceremony and just did not get many flattering pictures at all! (The Maui wind doesn''t help much, either, I must say!)

We also are dealing with the same thing with the backup photographer here...many of the pictures look okay, but there are shadows on many of the faces, or she didn''t wait for everyone to be ready, etc... I nearly broke down in tears when I got the pictures online a few days ago...I did wait a few days to hopefully have a better perspective on them, but I just don''t to be honest with you. My wedding planner told me it was up to me to let her know which pictures I wanted, and the photographer didn''t listen to me...like your photographer she wanted to stay put because she said the light was better where we were...what in the samhill hell is the damn flash for, I ask you???

She only wanted to do shots in the garden where we were married and then on the beach...I literally had to BEG her to take pictures on the stairs coming down (though she never let us stop, so all of us are trying NOT to kill ourselves in our dresses and the pix reflect that!!!) and then I literally STOPPED when I saw the rainbow and again BEGGED for her to take pictures by the waterfall with the rainbow behind us. She kept telling us that the light wasn''t good enough and I''m like, "Look here, lady, there''s a rainbow and I''m not missing out on it, you hear me???"

She nearly threw a fit about stopping for the rainbow, then had us stand by the beach for 25 minutes while we waited for the sun to set and for her to regroup. It was a disaster. I know the ladies here on PS thought the pro pix I posted turned out great, but they just seemed lacking to me. We were supposed to have the bridal party on the stairs, under a bridge and near the koi ponds, none of which we got, of course. When I asked if we could go somewhere else while we waited for the sun to set, she told me she had already taken over 250 pictures and flat out that she knew what she was doing, etc., etc...

I nearly lost it at that point, but anticipated some fantastic shots because she is, after all, a professional, or so we thought. She seemed irritated most of the time, but then super sweet at others...split personality, maybe? I dunno. Needless to say, we only received 226 pictures to choose from, and she told our wedding planner she never said she had taken over 250 pix, yet half my wedding party heard her say so almost a 1/2 hour before we started the sunset shots.

My efforts to resolve some of this issue have been in vain and I have pretty much given up. I guess when you plan a destination wedding, you are left in the hands of those at the destination. We picked up the CD of 150 photos yesterday and I can''t stand half of them. Hopefully some of the photos my friends and family took will have a bit more variety.

Well, thanks for letting me vent...I know it won''t make you feel any better, but at least you''re not alone. Hang in there, and I hope you come across some photos that are more to your liking!

 

[mimzy]

Haven!!

i''m coming out of my PS hibernation to tell you how totally sorry i am for you

. i can only imagine how disappointed you feel, that must be really tough. you''re right to take a few steps back from it and let it settle before doing anything, but i sure do hope that you let the photographer know how disappointed you were with his work and that you take your post-production business elsewhere. i really really hope that you end up happy with them, you certainly deserve to. regardless though, you look so stunning in them, no photographer would be able to mess that up! i hope you''re feeling better <3

 

[bensbride]

Haven,

You looked amazing and even this disappointing photography can''t hide that. I''m so sorry your photographer did a less than wonderful job. I hope you can find a small grouping of ones that you either love now or can tweek so that you love them.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Haven, I am so sorry you are going through this. I can relate. Our video turned out HORRIBLE! First off I would not pay your remaining balance. They should give you a deal if you are unhappy. Secondly, I agree with photo shop you can salvage some of your pictures.

You were a beautiful bride!

 

[Krissie]

I''m really sorry, Haven. I have some fears that our photos will turn out a bit strange. I loved our photographer''s work when I booked him last July; however, looking at some of his recent blog entries, some have looked to have been poorly lit, and he''s experimenting with weird lenses.

BUT I wanted to say that what is amazing, is that even though these photos are kind of rubbish, you still look incredibly BEAUTIFUL and HAPPY in all of them!

 

[FacetFire]

Hi, Haven. I have been thinking about you because, as both a recent bride and photographer myself, I can totally feel your pain over your photos. Our photographer missed a couple key shots that I wish she had gotten and it has been stuck in the back of my head. I know that photos are very important and I just an keeping my fingers crossed that you will find a way to make the images closer to what you hoped for. Have you spoken to your photographer yet? I hope you don''t mind, but I played with another one of your images and I brought up the shadows around the eyes and got rid of the glare in the background from the flash (I realize now that your photographer did use fill flash, but not at the best angle and not strong enough to bring up the shadows to a good level). I also think that it helps some of these indoor photos to make them B&W or sepia because it minimizes the distractions. Anyway, I hope you like how it turned out. Let me know if you manage to get ahold of the files and I would be happy to help you doctor up some of your favorites if you''d like. Good luck!

 

[brandy_z28]

I''m so sorry Haven!

I can only imagine the disappointment you felt after anticipating them so greatly. Maybe he just hasn''t doctored them up yet? I have very little pro photo experience but it''s amazing what they can do with shots and editing them these days. My daughter had a shoot once and I was standing behind the guy as he pulled them up and he was telling me what he was going to do to them. He made her eyes and teeth whiter and things like that, cleaning them up a bit. I was amazed at that and so he brought up this picture of a girl he''d had a shoot with a day or so before and she wasn''t that big but I''d swear he gripped some lines in the editing software and took about 20 lbs off of her! When he was done it didn''t even look like the same girl! I hope your photographer just hasn''t cleaned them up yet, BUT my daughter''s photographer was very leary about showing any pictures that he hadn''t gone through and edited. I hope you get it all worked out with him! BTW: Your photographer by no means needs to do anything that drastic with your pictures though. You all looked fantastic but the quality is terrible! My whole point would be that if they can make a girl look 20 lbs lighter they should be able to clear up shadows and make them look crisper with no problem! *fingers crossed*

I love the picture of you and your grandma!

 

[lala2332]

First, you are a stunning bride...bad pictures or not.

2nd, I''m a so sorry that this happened. Maybe get your husband and get dressed up again and do a re-shoot with a different photographer, so you at least have some of the two of you. and that doesn''t even begin to fix it.

 

[clop]

Hi Haven,

So sorry about your pictures. The posing, composition etc may not be perfect, but you, your friends & family look great. Everyone looks so happy and beautiful. I have nothing new to add, but wanted to echo others'' great suggestions. Your pictures can be edited elsewhere, and you should get a partial/full refund. Also, when you take a look at his full collection of photos, maybe you can find even more to work with. You can also schedule another session with your relatives and family again, though maybe with another photographer? There are engagement sessions, this could be a fun ''post wedding celebration.''