If I pay $4000.00 for a wedding photog...

[Atiyeh]

is it really that hard to communicate? I've sent him a couple emails asking for a timeline on when to expect my pictures / album, and he hasn't gotten back to me. I really regret going with this guy as he just wasn't worth the money.

Ill refrain from using his name here, but he's rather popular in Orange County...

am I being too demanding? I communicate with everyone through email as I hate the phone... but really, should I have to call him? DUDE check your email!!!

[Pete]

How long has it been since you had communication? It might well be he's had something personal to take care of or is away at wedding fairs/whatever.

Sometimes wedding photogs don't get around to telling all of their clients about their travel plans.

[Atiyeh]

Originally Posted by Pete

How long has it been since you had communication? It might well be he's had something personal to take care of or is away at wedding fairs/whatever.

Sometimes wedding photogs don't get around to telling all of their clients about their travel plans.

hmm, it's been a couple weeks since I've talked to him directly. His assistant told me he was on vacation about 2 weeks ago, so she checks his email. I guess I just paid quite a bit of $$ and expect better service?

You have a very valid point, though.

[Pete]

A good idea would be to call. He may well have left a message on his answer machine indicating that he won't be in touch for x amount of days.

[Atiyeh]

Originally Posted by Pete

A good idea would be to call. He may well have left a message on his answer machine indicating that he won't be in touch for x amount of days.

Thanks Pete... you've actually put me at ease.

[Pete]

Wedding photographers with a high popularity don't usually gain their popularity through running off with client's money. The chances are that he's either away, or is extremely busy.

We got married back in October and it took a good month for the photos to be ready for viewing/collection - they delay was down to the guy taking a holiday before arranging a viewing.

[DennisW1]

You would think a businessman would inform clients who he/she knows would be waiting that they have vacation/holiday plans, wouldn't you? That sorta falls under the heading of good business practice and just plain common courtesy.

[Atiyeh]

Originally Posted by DennisW1

You would think a businessman would inform clients who he/she knows would be waiting that they have vacation/holiday plans, wouldn't you? That sorta falls under the heading of good business practice and just plain common courtesy.

Exactly. I am hoping to break into this field, and Ill always remember one thing... there's ALWAYS room for improvement in customer service.

[mezorn26]

Originally Posted by Atiyeh

is it really that hard to communicate? I've sent him a couple emails asking for a timeline on when to expect my pictures / album, and he hasn't gotten back to me. I really regret going with this guy as he just wasn't worth the money.

Ill refrain from using his name here, but he's rather popular in Orange County...

am I being too demanding? I communicate with everyone through email as I hate the phone... but really, should I have to call him? DUDE check your email!!!

No, you are NOT being too demanding. I respond to my clients within 24 hours, NO EXCEPTIONS! Regarding delivery of the images, that is a process in which I spell out not only during our initial consultation prior to me actually even being hired, but it's also discussed in the contract and I further reiterate that the when saying my goodbye's the night of the wedding. The client wants to know and loves to know that you are on top of things. It's part of the experience.

It sounds like you are dealing with someone who may very well be worthy of commanding 4k per wedding from a talent standpoint, however it sounds like their business skills are lacking. With that said, sometimes LIFE does happen, death in the family, you are having a bad few days mentally and just want to disconnect...So many things can happen.

Now, on to you. Assuming the images are not late (according to the terms discussed and agreed upon by you and the photog), you really have no beef, other than the lack of response to your redundandt question. However, if they ARE late, then you are in the right and have every right to be quite upset and displeased not with the fact that they are late, because as I said, life does happen, but because your photog is not communicating with you.

Keep us posted...

[Atiyeh]

Originally Posted by mezorn26

No, you are NOT being too demanding. I respond to my clients within 24 hours, NO EXCEPTIONS! Regarding delivery of the images, that is a process in which I spell out not only during our initial consultation prior to me actually even being hired, but it's also discussed in the contract and I further reiterate that the when saying my goodbye's the night of the wedding. The client wants to know and loves to know that you are on top of things. It's part of the experience.

It sounds like you are dealing with someone who may very well be worthy of commanding 4k per wedding from a talent standpoint, however it sounds like their business skills are lacking. With that said, sometimes LIFE does happen, death in the family, you are having a bad few days mentally and just want to disconnect...So many things can happen.

Now, on to you. Assuming the images are not late (according to the terms discussed and agreed upon by you and the photog), you really have no beef, other than the lack of response to your redundandt question. However, if they ARE late, then you are in the right and have every right to be quite upset and displeased not with the fact that they are late, because as I said, life does happen, but because your photog is not communicating with you.

Keep us posted...

I think you're right on the ball here. Yeah, our pics were loaded onto the proofing site and I didn't know about it until weeks later. He never emailed me / mentioned it, etc. It wasn't even in our contract for the timeline. Honestly, I know he's not absconding w/ the pics, so I am not worried, I just expect communication... especially since we've paid so much. You know what sucks? His shots of our wedding were consistent with a photographer at half his cost.

I wish I would have used www.jimmychengphotography.com instead... oh well, live and learn

[Jimconnerphoto]

I know me, I am very impatient. I even hate ordering over the internet because of shipping time. But in this case I am unsure of how to respond.
What kind of time line are we talking about here?
When was your wedding?
How long ago did you email him?
I would definitely recommend calling. Email is not a perfect way to contact someone, you or the person who gave it to you may have misspelled the address, your emails may be caught by his spam filter, there maybe something wrong with his/ your email server.
I too try to respond to my clients ASAP, and I attempt to have the web gallery created and up within a week of the event. But, I do not want to rush a job if I am busy and deliver poor results.

[mezorn26]

Originally Posted by zagiace

I know me, I am very impatient. I even hate ordering over the internet because of shipping time. But in this case I am unsure of how to respond.
What kind of time line are we talking about here?
When was your wedding?
How long ago did you email him?
I would definitely recommend calling. Email is not a perfect way to contact someone, you or the person who gave it to you may have misspelled the address, your emails may be caught by his spam filter, there maybe something wrong with his/ your email server.
I too try to respond to my clients ASAP, and I attempt to have the web gallery created and up within a week of the event. But, I do not want to rush a job if I am busy and deliver poor results.

a week? WOW! that's quick...I estimate 4-6 weeks for weddings...

[Jimconnerphoto]

thanks, but that's only for the web gallery.
I don't always get it done by then but that is my goal.

[mezorn26]

Originally Posted by zagiace

thanks, but that's only for the web gallery.
I don't always get it done by then but that is my goal.

Web gallery to me, means the images are DONE being edited. I do not show any images until they are all completely edited and ready for the public.

[Jimconnerphoto]

Yes, totally agree.