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AIBU?

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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:
mrrabbit · 16/10/2021 23:01

This reply has been deleted

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CtrlU · 16/10/2021 23:23

I don’t blame you for being mad. Tell her she has 7 days to issue a refund or you will be taking her to small claims court.

Luckytattie · 17/10/2021 08:33

So have you called her or messaged her again?

DDivaStar · 17/10/2021 08:55

I would just email her and ask for the photos by x date and add you are happy to take the pictures unedited if the time for that's the issue.

cherish123 · 17/10/2021 17:36

Ask for a refund. Cut your losses - presumably you have lots of photos of you DD as a newborn. She seems highly unprofessional.

MummyofTw0 · 17/10/2021 17:47

@Summerfriday is the photographer called Demmi at all?

purplebunny2012 · 17/10/2021 17:58

Even if she hasn't lost them I'd still be asking for a refund now as it's been 5 months! Non-delivery of service

Vynalbob · 17/10/2021 18:00

Just ask
Be honest have you lost them?
if the answer is yes then...
Do you edit on your computer?
if yes then...
They probably won't be completely lost so recommend she recovers them using someone like ___(Google search).

Good luck

Newmummytoakitten · 17/10/2021 18:01

Why are you not asking for a refund?

I would tell her that you want the photos by x date or a refund or you will be looking at small claims

Gonnagetgoing · 17/10/2021 18:02

Ask her for a refund and an apology and report her to any professional body she belongs to. If not forthcoming then small claims court.

My DB is a professional photographer (rarely does people as it’s such a PITA) but he’d never lie about losing photos and there’s almost always a way in which they can be recovered but if not he’d do a full refund and apology.

I can see why you’re upset, she’s given you countless excuses and they still aren’t an acceptable resolution. Despite being a rainbow baby I also agree that they’re memories as you booked to have these photos professionally taken of your newborn.

Hadjab · 17/10/2021 18:06

@Idony

Get a refund.

But no need to bang on about 'precious memories'. Your memories are in your head, or in your own photos, in your anecdotes and recollections. You don't need some Facebook scatterbrain to sell you 'precious memories'.

This!
WickedWitchOfTheTrent · 17/10/2021 18:07

Does she have a studio? Could you ask her to put them on a cd or memory stick and you'll collect them on a certain day, and specify the day, if she can't make that day ask her to specify a date and time. If she doesn't come back to you I'd be posting all over her fb account and my own about this. Its way out of order and as you've already said. Ui I can't recreate these images again

WickedWitchOfTheTrent · 17/10/2021 18:08

But no need to bang on about 'precious memories'. Your memories are in your head, or in your own photos, in your anecdotes and recollections. You don't need some Facebook scatterbrain to sell you 'precious memories

If this were true then most photographers would be out of business and there wouldn't be such a high demand for wedding, sports events photographers etc

Nocutenamesleft · 17/10/2021 18:57

Send her a letter before action

If you need any help writing it. PM me

Vinomummyinlockdown · 17/10/2021 19:08

Well get your money back ffs. Don’t just let her get away with it!!

Ritasdaughter1969 · 17/10/2021 19:12

We had a similar thing happen to us, in the end I sat outside her studio until she appeared and spoke to her face to face. Luckily for us her husband was with her and he was very embarrassed and made sure we eventually got them. Just a thought it's harder to lie straight to someone's face.

Geekynzmum · 17/10/2021 19:14

Op I can understand how you feel. Our DD is our rainbow baby as well, and I would have been livid if the photographer we used had done this.

If she's sending the files by email and you aren't getting them, it could be they're too big for email. Try getting her to send a few at a time to see if you get them, hopefully that will work but if not at least you know will know for sure that you've tried everything.
If she fobs you off, then say you want a cd/dvd of them or a full refund.

LexCake · 17/10/2021 19:16

Here’s a theory (and apologies if someone has already said this): what if she has the photos but can’t work out which ones are yours? Perhaps you could ask her if that is the case, saying you understand and that you just want the precious photos. You could offer to send her a photo of your baby from around the same date to help her find them.

Original poster
Summerfriday · 17/10/2021 19:23

@lexcake thank you but she does know which baby is mine as she posted a preview photo of my baby on her page after the shoot was done (one with her watermark all over it for copyright so its no good for me to use) which she also tagged me in Smile

OP posts:
Eralos · 17/10/2021 19:29

I’d stop asking for the photos and start hassling for a refund.

Once you get the money leave a bad review on facebook.

You’ve paid for something and not received it. Not good enough.

LexCake · 17/10/2021 19:30

Ah ok. FWIW I would be like you. I wouldn’t be able to just leave it knowing that some lovely photos of my baby were out there sitting on someone’s PC or whatever. I hope you get them back. x

BrilloPaddy · 17/10/2021 19:40

Just go via the small claims court and stop corresponding with her.

Sadbri · 17/10/2021 19:42

100% just state she has x amount of days to cough up the images or you’ll take it publicly. What happens if she’s does this to someone who is in a more vulnerable situation. If it’s been months and she has had plenty of opportunities to send the images and continues to lie about it she needs exposing. X

Pogue4Life · 17/10/2021 20:09

I know it must be draining for you having chased her for months but this is why so many people/companies think they can get away with mugging people off. Threaten her with legal action unless she gives you your refund or sends the photos, if even go as far as going round her house with my own pen drive to collect the images if she’s having that much trouble sending them

oakleydo · 17/10/2021 20:10

You have paid for goods that she is now deliberately with-holding

Post on her social media page or threaten to

Totally unacceptable OP