On this occasion, and according to only to the article so we only know one side of the story, the couple hired a photographer to cover their wedding for which they paid 500. But things appear to have turned sour when the photographer showed up late, took the bride away for photos without including the Groom, only took 15 photos of the evening reception and the final set of supplied images were of poor quality. Though the icing on the cake that the article seems to focus on is that the photographer then went on to spend time having her own photo taken in the photo booth!
Having taken the photographer to court, she was ordered to refund the couple in full.
Looking at the photos myself, which you can also see in the original article, I will agree that the photos really are terrible! I mean, they are so bad I am not sure how she managed it! I completely sympathize with the couple, if this is what I had to look back on and remind me of my wedding day I would be utterly disappointed. And the subsequent behavior of the photographer is indefensible.
However, no matter how much this photographer ruined the memory of this wedding (I’m not sure we can really say she ruined the wedding day itself) I am not sure it is fair to lay full responsibility at the feet of the photographer. Moreover, there are credible options such as Hazel Gap Barn. You can also check out the Hazel Gap Barn wedding photos by clicking here.
Some blame does lie with the couple.
That may sound a little shocking or unfair at first, but let’s consider that the photographer was not a professional but a student. In addition, 500 is very cheap for a wedding photographer, not unheard of, but considering that her basic package is just 125 this should really have set off alarm bells.
I understand different people have different budgets and different priorities. Not everyone wants or can afford the best of everything so compromises have to be made. But that doesn’t change the fact that as with most things in life, for wedding photography you get what you pay for. If you understand that by looking for cheap wedding photographers the quality and/or service may suffer but still go for it then great, no one can knock your decisions. But when expectations don’t remain aligned with budget, things like this happen and it all gets very messy.
In the words of the photographer herself
“If he wanted a professional photographer, wanted lighting, this and that, he should have paid for that but he didn’t he paid for a student.
That is a truly terrible attitude for someone to have who is supposedly learning a trade. But there is an element of truth to it so please keep it in mind when looking for your wedding photographer.
