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Original poster

Photographer not giving us newborn pics?

178 replies

Summerfriday · 16/10/2021 10:51

My daughter is now nearly 5 months old,
When i was pregnant i saw someone on FB recommend a photographer for a maternity shoot - i enquired, no problems at all getting my images back.

When we had the baby the photographer reached out to me and asked if we'd like to have a newborn shoot and we took on the offer as we were happy with the maternity images.

Not long after the shoot she got pregnant and i could see that she was in and out of hospital so didn't want to bother her but then a few more months down the line she was advertising photoshoots and posting photos she's recently taken so i asked her if i could have mine.

6 times now shes said shell get them back to me on certain date and there's always a excuse

  1. her files had a virus so they wasn't sending.
  2. her child was poorly (fair enough)
  3. located the images but needed time to edit them 4)social media had been hacked 5&6) send the images but they were someone elses baby!!!

I've messaged her how unprofessional she's being as shes got a baby on the way and how would she feel in our position. Precious memories we can't get back and then she agrees and then swears she'll send them over then.... we never get them.

My partner said to leave it now and its obvious she's lost them but i cant let it go until i know for sure.

Where do i stand with this? Probably no Where as i didnt sign anything second time around but i wondered if you helpful people could give me some advice please

OP posts:
HappyDays101010 · 16/10/2021 12:27

I get the impression that you think you’re strengthening your case with phrases such as ‘special memories’ that you can’t get back, but they make you look a bit daft really. Just ask for a refund.

IveGotASongThatllGetOnYNerves · 16/10/2021 12:30

She's either lost them or they are so shit that no amount of editing can save them.

You need to say either give me the photos or refund my money in full.

PomegranateQueen · 16/10/2021 12:34

I thought most parents are quite sentimental about baby pictures, especially newborn ones as newborns change so quickly. I dont understand why the OP is daft to refer to the pictures as special because to her, they are.

At this stage OP, I would be threatening her with small claims. She has had enough time to give you the images or refund you and apologise. Definately give her poor reviews wherever you can so that other parents dont make the same mistake. If she can't take decent photos or look after them properly then she shouldn't be a photographer.

Alfxn · 16/10/2021 12:35

OP, firstly make 100% sure the emails are not in your spam folder!

If not, then she is being extremely unprofessional and obviously has been lying to you.

In this situation i would phone rather than email and tell her that you would like the truth about the images, and if not received by x date, you will need a refund by that date instead.
If still no satisfaction by that time, you will regrettably be taking the matter to the small claims court.

I would then follow up by emailing her the same statement, so you have a record of your request and of telling her the action you will take.

It would be better to be very calm and clear when speaking to her about this, so if you feel that's not possible, maybe ask someone else to phone on your behalf, e.g. your partner.

fumfspos · 16/10/2021 12:35

Just say you want either the photos or the refund by X date and if neither are forthcoming you will go to the small claims court to get the money back (I'm in another country so I don't know if small claims court is correct but I am sure someone else can advise). She can't just take your money and not produce the photos.

readingismycardio · 16/10/2021 12:35

It's not the fact that she lost them (which is terrible, of course) but the constant lying, the false hope you'll get the photos, the not being able to admit like an adult that she fucked up and offer you a refund and a new photo session. She sounds horrible

andyoldlabour · 16/10/2021 12:38

Touch wood, I have never done it, but she may have formatted the memory card by mistake.

DeireadhFomhair · 16/10/2021 12:38

Tell her if you don't receive them by 5pm tomorrow you want your money back. But I can't understand what has taken so long, so can only imagine that she lost them.

skybluee · 16/10/2021 12:42

Someone said she might not know how to handle this but the only prerequisite for knowing how to handle this is being a human being. You don't repeatedly lie and fob people off. I'd send an email being very clear and direct asking for the photos one last time. If that doesn't work, I'd send an email with a timeline of all of the interactions and ask what is going on.

TheChip · 16/10/2021 12:44

Instead of giving up, why not just ask for a do over?
If I had lost photographs, I would offer either a refund or another shoot.

notacooldad · 16/10/2021 12:47

I thought most parents are quite sentimental about baby pictures, especially newborn ones as newborns change so quickly. I dont understand why the OP is daft to refer to the pictures as special because to her, they are
Of course the Photography shoot pictures would be nice but presumably she will have if she is like everyone else I know with a baby, 100s of others she has taken herself as well as ones relatives have taken. The point is all is not lost. It is extremely unlikely in this day the Op has no new born pictures at all.

CustardySergeant · 16/10/2021 12:47

@TheChip

Instead of giving up, why not just ask for a do over? If I had lost photographs, I would offer either a refund or another shoot.
How can you "do over" photos of a newborn when the baby in question is now 5 months old? Confused
randomthings · 16/10/2021 12:49

Ask for you money back. She's lost them, she's probably really stressing about it, just ask for the money back. Please don't do the ' precious memories we will never get back' blacmail. I am sure you have plenty of photos of your own as well as your own memories. The ' we will never get this back and you should understand that'is way OTT. She probably feels shit enough already and is worried about the reputational consequences.

She's fucked up, we all do, get your money back and move on.

TheChip · 16/10/2021 12:51

@CustardySergeant Hmm all this time I thought time travel was possible

littlenickyy61 · 16/10/2021 12:53

If the issue is a problem with the files sending ( which I suspect is just an excuse) tell her to copy them onto a memory stick which you will collect from her house. Failing that demand a refund

tigerbreadandtea · 16/10/2021 12:53

This is awful I would be so upset. You can't go back in time and the photos you take on your phone don't compare! Are there any bad reviews about her on social media?

JaneDoe21 · 16/10/2021 12:54

She'll have insurance. Take her to small claims court if she doesn't refund.
She's clearly lost them or the photos came out bad.

SunshineCake1 · 16/10/2021 12:55

Go knock on her door ?

notacooldad · 16/10/2021 13:01

*Ask for you money back. She's lost them, she's probably really stressing about it, just ask for the money back. Please don't do the ' precious memories we will never get back' blacmail. I am sure you have plenty of photos of your own as well as your own memories. The ' we will never get this back and you should understand that'is way OTT. She probably feels shit enough already and is worried about the reputational consequences(.

She's fucked up, we all do, get your money back and move on

I totally agree with this and think it's great advice
Money back, move on!

CuteGirlsWatchMeEatEther · 16/10/2021 13:03

Ask for a refund. Never trust twats on FB ever again .

Lillibettina · 16/10/2021 13:15

I'd send something like this.

"After being so pleased with our maternity photos I’m really disappointed we still haven’t received our newborn photos.

I have contacted you six times (on date 1, date 2, date 3, date 4, date 5 and date 6) to request the photos. Each time you have promised to send me the photos but I still haven’t received them.

I don't know if the photos have been lost, damaged or simply not processed. I have now lost confidence in ever receiving them.

If I do not receive the photos by date 7, I expect a full refund of the newborn photoshoot costs.

I hope you understand my position and my disappointment. I was so looking forward to receiving the photos that captured such a precious time. "

FilledSoda · 16/10/2021 13:18

You aren't seriously not going to ask for your money back ?
It that because you are still hoping she has them?

CallmeHendricks · 16/10/2021 13:22

Re: lost precious memories. Well, presumably they were photos taken on one occasion a few months ago. Have you not got any other photos taken of your newborn? Surely, you're in the same position as every other new parents who didn't have a photographer on that one day?

SallyWebsterr · 16/10/2021 13:29

You could kindly offer to go to her house/studio with a USB stick to get them from her.

burnoutbabe · 16/10/2021 13:30

I would write the above email but amend the last bit to say

Either please send me the files by date x, or a refund to account xyz
ie give the details to allow a refund.
(I'd not accept unedited files without a discount so you may want to include this option)
Other option is to have another shoot with her (for free as already paid), but probably due to the lies, trust is now gone.