Photographer is MIA!!!

[saturn]

Last summer, when we were in the early planning stages, we hired a photographer that came highly recommended by friends from our church. My mom met with him, saw his portfolio, liked him, and hired him on the spot. He never sent us a contract, even though my mom kept bugging him to send one.

Now, I''m going back to Michigan next week for a friend''s baby shower and to meet with some of my vendors. My mom tried to call the photographer, and his phone was DISCONNECTED!!!

The wedding is three months away, and now I have to find a photographer...

We have a couple of family friends who are trying to get into the wedding photography business, but they have very little experience. Now my mom is trying to convince me to go with one of them because it would be cheaper... but I have misgivings about hiring someone that''s not really a pro.

What do I do?!?!? Should I go with the non-pro friends, or try to find a pro that will be available. What are the odds that I will be able to find a *good* photographer with reasonable prices with such short notice?

Does anyone happen to know of a good photographer in the Detroit area? We''re looking to spend $2000 or less.

 

[sunkist]

Aw man! That stinks! Well at least you never gave him any money.

 

[AmantdeChat]

That sucks about your photographer!

Here''s a link that lists Michigan photographers. Not sure how many are near Detroit, but it is something to start with

Good luck!

http://www.wedj.com/wedjcom.nsf/usalinks!open&S=MI&M=Detroit&V=PHOTO

 

[E B]

This photographer looks good (and her rates are really reasonable, IMO!):

http://www.cpalasinski.com/

I have absolutely no idea where in Michigan she is, though.

 

[jaz464]

I would not work with the family friends unless you can not find anyone else. You don't want someone shooting your wedding that doesn't really have the expirience to be doing it. You only get one wedding day so I would look for a pro. If you absolutley cannot find anyone, then I would turn to your friends. Maybe you could hire more than one of the friends to get different perspectives and in case one is not very good.

 

[saturn]

So I spent several hours yesterday calling photographers to try and find someone.
I called my mom to give her the update on the options I had found, and she starts lecturing ME about how I need to make sure that I meet these people and make sure they are responsible and professional... Now, I know that this is true, but it really bugs me to have this lecture coming from her, of all people. She also tried to guilt me into hiring the non-pro family friend, because he''s been out of work for a while. I feel bad for the guy, but I just don''t want to take chances with the photography. Both my parents and my grandparents hired friends to photograph their weddings, and both times it was a disaster and they ended up with very few/no photos.

So anyways, one of the photographers I contacted said she was booked, but suggested I try calling this other guy. Turns out, he''s a friend of a friend, and his work looks pretty good. I emailed him and he is free on our date, so I''m hopefully going to meet with him next week.

Between this and trying to get my thesis signed off, I''m going to get an ulcer.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Saturn that is horrible! We JUST booked our DJ so I feel your stress. I just can''t wait until Aug 12th so this stress will be OVER!

 

[Skylah]

That''s horrible!

I definitely say only use the family friends if you have no other option. Like someone else said, you only get one wedding day so make sure it''s a pro.

Sorry you''re going through this! =(

 

[MissAva]

Oh that sucks, try calling the local university and asking to speak to the seniors or grad students with photography degrees. You can find great talent who will work for less that way.
I am so sorry.