I waited 2 years to write this in hopes I would calm down but anytime someone asks me about my wedding photographer or I see how well another one works my blood boils.
Let me preface by saying that the videography is 5/5 but the photography experience outweighed the good. We're in love with the video.
I could go on for hours about all the things they did wrong but will stick with the major ones. I hired two shooters to help with the timeline because we weren't doing a first look (which they tried to pressure me to do, which I didn't appreciate) and to get both of our reactions to me walking down the aisle. We discussed the timeline in detail prior to the wedding. I specifically told them that if they got no other shot, for the love of all that is holy, get that one. They got a single photo from a distance of my husband and it was pretty poor quality. There were multiple times we were waiting around pre ceremony fully ready to go, with them no where to be found and had to go find them. Because of them not following the timeline all family photos (that were supposed to be taken pre ceremony) were taken right before the reception and therefore were in the dark and horrific quality. I had to ask for photos of just me (the bride) because I had realized they weren't going to take any without me asking. These were also taken in the dark and were grainy photos. Again, photos that were supposed to be taken pre-ceremony. They don't know what first looks are for father of the bride or bridesmaids. They had all the bridesmaids line up facing me while I was naked trying to get in my dress which was beyond uncomfortable. I had to kick them out. Then they just had everyone file into the room without a proper set up to get a good shot. No surprise factor really. Photos of my mom helping with the dress were taken at awkward angles and the opposite of flattering. A lot of photos had elements cut off, part of the dress, elbow, that short of thing.
One of the reasons I chose them was because they were a preferred vendor for my venue (Tercero by Aldea) and pride themselves on knowing the best ways to take photos on the property. I would not have known that working with them; for the reasons stated above as well as the fact I wanted the wedding party photos taken in a certain area. It was previously discussed when we were going over the timeline and then last minute they said no because of the lighting and ended up taking them with a random background that had a shack and fans in the background. I chose the venue because of all the photo opp locations and they didn't use any others to work with the lighting even though they knew the timing when originally discussed.
Every groomsmen (who are very laid back guys) said they were incredibly rude, which they are the type of people to let those things go. They also snapped at my mother in law for taking a photo of us during the reception to send to her daughter who wasn't able to make it.
I didn't say anything until I received the photos in hopes that I would forget about all the misgivings once I had all the photos. When I received them I was hysterically crying. I almost got fully dressed up again to retake them that's how unhappy I was but you can't re-enact the day. I sent an email with details of everything I wanted edited which they were accommodating to do what they could, and sent multiple versions to give multiple editing styles, which I appreciated. The revisions were much better but again, you can't go back in time and fix the fact very important photos were taken in the dark which editing can only do so much.
For how many weddings they've shot, it was shocking that things turned out as poorly as they did. They were included in our venue package, but my biggest regret of the whole wedding is not paying the extra to bring in an outside vendor.
I would not wish this experience on my worst enemy. You only get one wedding day and photos are arguably the most valuable vendor you hire. read more