Uncommunicative Photographer?

[labbielove]

Looking for some advice, since we just started interviewing photographers.

Long story short, met with an amazing photographer last week. Amazing artist, we clicked personality-wise, all the boxes on my "list" were a big fat YES! We loved his style and he was well within budget. Perfect.


Said please call with any questions, and if we do choose someone else, please let him know either way (since he''s building his business up and really appreciated feedback) He agreed that we would be able to work well together (similar ideas on style,etc.)

Once home, I realized I had neglected to ask him to provide references. I emailed him immediately, heard nothing for 3 days, then figured email is not 100% reliable, so called Friday and left a voice mail. Now I realize he was probably working the weekend, and if he didn''t have references pulled together he may have had to call and ask permission,etc.

Is this normal? I don''t want to be a stalker, but I don''t want to ignore a huge red flag like this.
We are still interviewing photogs, but I would hate to go ahead and book another without knowing what happened.

I so wanted him to be the one!! drats. hopefully it''s a big misunderstanding.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Arg, I can totally relate! We got married on Aug 12th and I am STILL waiting for my proofs. They have a good book, great to work with, good referrals, nice website, everything! Who could of guessed they were lazy!

Well, maybe it is not laziness but it IS bad business. I have contacted them 3 times since my wedding and am waiting for 12 week mark to contact them again (since it will be double their 4-6 week timeline they gave me before the wedding) I am tired of hearing excuses. I know they stalk the knot to see their "reviews" so eventually I will grace it with mine. I just want my pics! How did you hear about this photographer to begin with?

 

[labbielove]

so sorry you are getting that treatment from your photog.

i saw his mention on a local bridal board and had already scoured the "usual" places for area photogs, hadn''t heard of him, checked out his site and bam! loved his work,
he was extremely responsive prior to the initial meeting and so great during the meeting so i have to think something may have happened.....

either way, we''re on our merry way meeting with other photogs but i still won''t feel comfortable booking someone else until we get back in touch. (i have this weird thought that maybe his cell phone is lost AND his email is down?? ....i''m sure it''s not the case but i reaaally liked this guy)

only other referral is a gal i ''met'' through another board who is getting her engagement photos done this weekend with him. she''s kindly offered to bring me up to him and also give me her feedback on her engagement session

 

[E B]

I had a very similar situation, but after being very responsive at first, the photographer wouldn''t answer for weeks. She ended up being a dud and I dumped her for a fabulous photographer who answers any questions I have in 1 day, 2 at most.

Since he might have been busy over the weekend, I''d give him a couple more days. If you don''t hear from him by, say, Wednesday, I''d walk. If you haven''t even booked him yet and he doesn''t get back to your for days, imagine what he''ll be like when he has your deposit in hand?

 

[MelissaSue]

hmm.. is its possible since he''s building his business he doesn''t have set up references and therefore has to track soem people down/ask their permission? I don''t know. Thats one thing I didn''t do with any of my vendors is references..

 

[MelissaSue]

labbie - just a thought.. but this photog isn''t in buffalo is he? because then he really COULD be down.. (maybe not his cellphone, but he might not have access to a computer to get references or what not..)

 

[labbielove]

melissa sue,
thanks, that is a good point
although he is not from buffalo, but who knows where his work may have taken him last week.
and as i said, i am not 100% trusting in cell phones (as in, he may not have it with him??) although i don''t think that would be the case for a business....but who knows.

yeah, most of our other photographers come recommended from friends or family, but since he was someone i found sort of on my own, i felt like i should ask. who knows, maybe my asking offended the artist in him! we shall see

 

[Rosebud8506]

Date: 10/16/2006 8:56:01 PM
Author: Tacori E-ring
Arg, I can totally relate! We got married on Aug 12th and I am STILL waiting for my proofs. They have a good book, great to work with, good referrals, nice website, everything! Who could of guessed they were lazy!

Well, maybe it is not laziness but it IS bad business. I have contacted them 3 times since my wedding and am waiting for 12 week mark to contact them again (since it will be double their 4-6 week timeline they gave me before the wedding) I am tired of hearing excuses. I know they stalk the knot to see their ''reviews'' so eventually I will grace it with mine. I just want my pics! How did you hear about this photographer to begin with?

We were married August, 5th and I am still waiting for mine as well - why does it take so long? It can''t really take that long, can it???

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Date: 10/17/2006 12:24:04 PM
Author: Rosebud8506

Date: 10/16/2006 8:56:01 PM

Author: Tacori E-ring

Arg, I can totally relate! We got married on Aug 12th and I am STILL waiting for my proofs. They have a good book, great to work with, good referrals, nice website, everything! Who could of guessed they were lazy!

Well, maybe it is not laziness but it IS bad business. I have contacted them 3 times since my wedding and am waiting for 12 week mark to contact them again (since it will be double their 4-6 week timeline they gave me before the wedding) I am tired of hearing excuses. I know they stalk the knot to see their ''reviews'' so eventually I will grace it with mine. I just want my pics! How did you hear about this photographer to begin with?

We were married August, 5th and I am still waiting for mine as well - why does it take so long? It can''t really take that long, can it???

I have no idea. They are DIGITAL! What really frusterates me is they said they would be done in 4-6 weeks. In my line of business I could never miss a deadline like that!

It is so unprofessional. I hope we BOTH get are pics soon!!!!

 

[labbielove]

the photographer search saga gets better-

1) photographer #1 (the one i started this thread about) still hasn''t responded after our initial meeting despite two emails and two phone calls (i was very friendly in all messages). and the girl on another board who threw his name out there just posted again saying what a fabulous e-pic session they had today with him and how fab he is.
mmmm.....i won''t take this personally - but.....

2) photographer #2 that we went to meet last night (a hubby/wife team) FORGOT OUR APPOINTMENT. wife was home with no clue we were coming and hubby, who had booked our appt., was out on a job, not even around. Hmmm...and this couple is very well known in this area and does amazing (and pricey) work. we awkwardly rescheduled for Wed. but I am going to call back and cancel.

3) please wish us luck as we are meeting with three more photographers next week- hopefully someone will want our business

 

[poptart]

That''s so frustrating... I hope you can find someone who will actually live up to their end of the bargain.

Marisa

 

[fatafelice]

How frustrating! I hope that the other photographers you meet with are better, but I would also say not to give up on #1 just yet. Somtimes artists are a little scatterbrained.

Not a great way to run a business, I agree, but he could have a valid excuse. I say, leave him another (polite) message stating that you really like his work and were very interested in working with him, but if he cannot return your phone call, you are going to have to find someone else. If that doesn''t get his b*tt in gear, then def. move on! If nothng else, that would give him some helpful feedback about how to operate his business.