I don''t think our photographer likes us...

[Morgie44]

Sorry this is long and I haven''t posted here in awhile, bc I have been really busy with work, wedding, and studying for the CPA, but I am feeling worried/upset about our photographer.

We had our epics in April and I thought everything went well, we felt a little shy/awkward being photographed, but I think that is normal (?) Our photographer did comment a few times that we had a tendency to whisper to each other, but that is about it. She gave us very little direction, which I took to mean that she thought she was getting good shots from what we were doing on our own. That day, she told us she would have our pics ready in two to three weeks. Needless to say, I have been staking her blog since hoping to see a sneak peek of our pics. About a week ago, she mentioned something about using twitter so, I decided to check it out. I saw that she put little thoughts about her shoots after she is done, and looked to see what she had put for our day and she wrote "that was kind of a rough shoot. Cold too!" At first I was kind of offended, but then dismissed it as her shooting in unfamiliar territory, and not used to shooting in an urban area (we are bringing her in from a few hours away) and we were shooting on a college campus, and then downtown during rush hour and she had mentioned that the new surroundings and crowds were a fun challenge.

Also, during our shoot, she mentioned the shoots she had previous to ours, a wedding and an engagement shoot for an oot couple. Both of which were posted in her blog this past week, making me think ''ok we''re next'' Then today I checked her twitter again and she wrote "Mistake I made when starting my business: Booking with everyone who wanted to book with me. Not everyone is your client." Because I feel like we are up next for editing, I feel like what she is posting is about us. Am I over reacting? What would you do if you were in this situation?

Should I just pass it off? Confront her? Wait to see if we are happy with the pics? or am I just being overly sensitive (I do tend this way at times especially when it is something that I REALLY want to go well and our wedding pics would most definitely fall under that category. I spent a LONG time looking for a photographer that we could afford that had the style we were looking for, so I am feeling like, if she doesn''t think that she can get the same results that we have seen from her other work from us, we should start looking elsewhere)

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Date: 5/25/2009 10:13:51 PM
Author:Morgie44
Sorry this is long and I haven''t posted here in awhile, bc I have been really busy with work, wedding, and studying for the CPA, but I am feeling worried/upset about our photographer.

We had our epics in April and I thought everything went well, we felt a little shy/awkward being photographed, but I think that is normal (?) Our photographer did comment a few times that we had a tendency to whisper to each other, but that is about it. She gave us very little direction, which I took to mean that she thought she was getting good shots from what we were doing on our own. That day, she told us she would have our pics ready in two to three weeks. Needless to say, I have been staking her blog since hoping to see a sneak peek of our pics. About a week ago, she mentioned something about using twitter so, I decided to check it out. I saw that she put little thoughts about her shoots after she is done, and looked to see what she had put for our day and she wrote ''that was kind of a rough shoot. Cold too!'' At first I was kind of offended, but then dismissed it as her shooting in unfamiliar territory, and not used to shooting in an urban area (we are bringing her in from a few hours away) and we were shooting on a college campus, and then downtown during rush hour and she had mentioned that the new surroundings and crowds were a fun challenge.

Also, during our shoot, she mentioned the shoots she had previous to ours, a wedding and an engagement shoot for an oot couple. Both of which were posted in her blog this past week, making me think ''ok we''re next'' Then today I checked her twitter again and she wrote ''Mistake I made when starting my business: Booking with everyone who wanted to book with me. Not everyone is your client.'' Because I feel like we are up next for editing, I feel like what she is posting is about us. Am I over reacting? What would you do if you were in this situation?

Should I just pass it off? Confront her? Wait to see if we are happy with the pics? or am I just being overly sensitive (I do tend this way at times especially when it is something that I REALLY want to go well and our wedding pics would most definitely fall under that category. I spent a LONG time looking for a photographer that we could afford that had the style we were looking for, so I am feeling like, if she doesn''t think that she can get the same results that we have seen from her other work from us, we should start looking elsewhere)

Please say nothing! She could have photographed 20 couples since she did yours! It doesn''t in any way mean that she is speaking about you! Wait and see if the pictures are good. If they aren''t, then tell her you are unhappy with them. I wouldn''t create a problem before there is one!

 

[katamari]

Morgie, I am so sorry to hear about this. I think you would be jumping to conclusions to assume she is talking about you. You don''t want to cause yourself any extra stress or worry, especially if it is unwarranted. As you said, you have plenty real, known things you have to be worrying about right now.

I can say, though, that the fact she is making these comments about any couple suggests to me that she is terribly unprofessional and a bit cocky. I am not sure I would want to work with a photographer like this, especially given the delay in getting your photos back to you (just as a frame of reference, we had ours 5 days after they were taken). Also, she was not recognizing that being photographed is unnatural and uncomfortable to the majority of people, which also shows me she is not really being reflexive and thoughtful about her profession.

Ultimately, when you look at your photos, are you going to be thinking about this? Because, if so, she should not be your photographer. If you can look at the photos and not remember these emotions, judge by the quality of the e-pics.

 

[kama_s]

I have to fully agree with Katamari. I dont think I''ve ever known ANYONE who has gone into an e-shoot not feeling nervous and uncomfortable. Personally, I think it''s the PHOTOG''S JOB to make you feel comfortable during the shoot. If you felt you didn''t build that rapport with her, I think you need to find yourself another photog for the wedding.

But definitely don''t say anything just yet. Wait for your pics and make a decision by judging the tone she uses to describe your pics on her blog as well as the quality of the pics. If you still have doubt, give her a call and have a conversation with her and let her know you both are very shy and would love some pointers from her to loosen up for the wedding (i.e., you''re asking for her help, so building a relationship).

 

[mrscushion]

You know, I''d also be paranoid that she''d be talking about us, but the fact is, you really don''t know, particularly for the second comment, so I wouldn''t stress about it. She does sound like a diva, though -- and those loose-lipped Twitter comments will hurt her business, that''s for sure.

As other posters have advised, wait for the pictures and see whether you love them and whether she talks about them on her blog in a nice way. If you''re thrilled with the results, then it''s time for a sit-down conversation about her nervousness. Chances are, once she knows that it''s only nervousness on your part, she''ll deal with it appropriately and professionally.

If you''re not thrilled with the results, then given the tension that exists already, I''d say buh-bye and find a new photographer.

 

[Magenta]

Date: 5/25/2009 10:13:51 PM
Author:Morgie44
I have been really busy with work, wedding, and I saw that she put little thoughts about her shoots after she is done, and looked to see what she had put for our day and she wrote ''that was kind of a rough shoot. Cold too!'' At first I was kind of offended, but then dismissed it as her shooting in unfamiliar territory, and not used to shooting in an urban area (we are bringing her in from a few hours away) and we were shooting on a college campus, and then downtown during rush hour and she had mentioned that the new surroundings and crowds were a fun challenge.

By the time there''s a few hours'' drive there and back, and then presumably travel from one area to another with the actual photos, that''s a *lot* of travel, compared to what she normally likely does. I expect she''d be mentioning the amount of travel, rather than how you guys acted on the day. I wouldn''t worry!

Date: 5/25/2009 10:13:51 PM
Author:Morgie44
Then today I checked her twitter again and she wrote ''Mistake I made when starting my business: Booking with everyone who wanted to book with me. Not everyone is your client.'' Because I feel like we are up next for editing, I feel like what she is posting is about us. Am I over reacting? What would you do if you were in this situation?

What would be the point ranting about your clients a couple of weeks after you''d seen them in person? As someone who deals with lots of customers, some of which are rant-worthy, I can tell you that the people who had been photographed that day, or the day before, are probably the ones to be worried, as they''re the ones she''s likely to be complaining about!

 

[strmrdr]

"a rough shoot" in photog talk has more to do with lighting than the clients, which could be why it is taking so long to PP the images.

 

[bee*]

I really wouldn''t say anything to her as it is probably not you guys that she is talking about. I''d wait and see how the photos turn out.

 

[rhbgirl24]

Of course you were nervous and uncomfortable! Everyone is! I wouldn''t worry too much. I don''t like the fact that she write these comments on a public place though, whether it is about you or not. Completely unprofessional. And I wouldn''t worry about it being a "rough shoot" it could have nothing to do with the subjects.

Wait and see how your e-shoot comes out and go from there. You can send her an email that says "hey, just wondering when our pics will be up...." or something..........
Sorry you have to deal with this - is she new to the business, up and coming? B/c she sounds it!

Good luck! I hope they come out well!

 

[meresal]

Morgie, though I think you might be overreacting about this newest post... I do agree with you that the first one was VERY unprofessional. If I had seen it at the time, I would have called and asked her about it, but since you are two months past, I would let it go.

Here''s my idea... call her and ask her if she has any critiques that you and your FI can work on for the wedding. Just tell her, that you both felt like it was a bit of a hard time, and understanding that she will be in a new place, you would like to help by being as prepared as possible the next time, and would love any input.
It sounds like she may be overwhelmed with lots of clients right now, which is her own fault, but I''m sure she would appreciate any help from the couples as well. Maybe you can request that you sit down with her, and talk about some of the pictures after they are posted. Ask her what she thinks works best for you all, and things along that line. Does that make sense?

 

[Morgie44]

Thanks for the feedback!

Katamari- she gave us a timeline of 3 weeks based on a back log of work she said she had in the hopper already.
Kama - She did make us feel at ease, after a few minutes of shooting... her comments about our talking between each other maybe made her feel uncomfortable? I totally agree she shouldn''t be making comments about clients in a public venue.
MsCushion/Bee*/RHBGirl - we actually got the pics this morning... For the most part I like them but that makes me wonder MORE if she was talking about us??
Strmrdr - Thanks. We did shoot on a very dreary day, and she does talk A LOT on her blogs about loving shoots with great light...

As I said, she blogged about our pics this morning so I will create a seperate post with a few. I would love to know what you all think! Thanks again.