Disgusting wedding photos

[inthelight44]

Just received my wedding photos and I’m so upset. The composition of the pictures is lovely - the backgrounds are beautiful and the colours are nice, but all the photographs have been taken from low down, giving me an awful double chin. There are two photos I like - both taken from a normal angle, but for the rest, the photographer crouched down and I have about 5 chins and my hair looked so flat.

I know it’s silly and there’s nothing I can do now, but why didn’t the photographer think of this? So upset.

That’s really upsetting. Did you view their previous work? If so and this is a new angle for them then I’d politely ask the reason for the low down shots. It’s okay to tell them you are disappointed with some of the images.

I’m sure you look lovely in the photos, if you wanted you could ask them to be photoshopped. We’re all harsher about our appearance than we need to be.

I was a wreck on my wedding day and essentially couldn’t stop crying, so every photo of me has my red, swollen and often wet face. Some of them, well most, are so awful that they’re actually amazing.

Do they have other, not at that angle? Shooting from below is particular unflattering, adds weight and shots up nose, it's really basic.

If you paid a professional for the photos, and these are clearly a different style from their previous work then complain and ask for different photos, taken from a normal angle. A professional should take photos from various angles, so there may well be plenty of photos taken that they didn't bother to edit and show you. Or demand a refund.

If it was a friend of a friend taking wedding photos with their big camera, then sorry, that's the risk.

I was a photographer. He will have made choices to show to you - there will be lots of others - ask to look at them.

They wont only have those shots. Mail the photographer. Ask to see other shots.

I'm sorry for you. I hate mine too. But I generally hate pictures of myself... totally unphotogenic. I bet you looked lovely in real life. See if your friends have got any pics you like. Sometimes the spontaneous, casual ones are better. Hope you had a wonderful day. Congratulations 🎊

I agree with others Op ask to see the other photos they took. We’re our biggest critics I bet you look lovely. ☺️

This.

but, if they took all photos from crouching down, looking up at you, then how did you not notice this on the day ? Even more so if you are self conscious about a double chin

We created a Dropbox account and asked guests to upload their photos there. We got some really good ones that way.

God why are mumsnetters like this? Do you not think maybe the bride had other things to worry about rather than micromanaging a professional she hired?

@NewName24

but, if they took all photos from crouching down, looking up at you, then how did you not notice this on the day ? Even more so if you are self conscious about a double chin
A lot of people don't know about angles. It's quite possible the OP only realises how they look from that angle now fat she has the pictures.

I'm sorry you are disappointed. What examples were shown beforehand? Were there lots taken from down low? I too would ask what other pics were taken. I know it feels like the biggest thing now, but you will likely only have a few pics on the wall on years to come.

I'm not trying to downplay how upsetting it can be at the time. I ended up with absolutely no family photos at all! None with my mum, brother, nan etc. In hindsight, yes, I should have said something, but assumed they'd be taken later on- but that never happened.
I agree with asking guests if they took any. Some of my nicest pics came from guests!

The photographer was looking through the camera, so they should have realised you looked awful. It’s their job to position you in a flattering way and shoot from a flattering angle.

When I got married the photos were dreadful, and the photographer hadn’t positioned me properly so I looked awful. My tummy was sticking out and he didn’t tell me. He could have repositioned my dress and spread it out so it wasn’t clinging to my tummy. But no, he just photographed me with the dress clinging and making me look fat. He also hadn’t photoshopped out stray bits of hair or blemishes. Thats apart from the poor lighting and framing of shots etc. I’ve never had a wedding album or a photo on display because they’re so bad. I wanted to sue him but DH wouldn’t let me.

That wouldn't have occurred to me on my wedding day. That's not something you think of or understand that's the professionals job. How would op have guessed this is how the pics would look? 🙄

Sorry to feel so let down but there is a solution.

Whilst not 'let down' we actually had a 'post wedding shoot' where we put our outfits back on and had photos.

It was fun , relaxed, waaaaaay less pressure. Naturally, it was just us (no guests!) but please consider it

You pay the photographer to be the professional. You shouldn't have to do it yourself.

Do you also tell your dog how to bark?

Im a wedding photographer

Did the photographer have lots of this alternative angle in their portfolio?

Did they shoot your main parts of the day 'normally', or was it all done from a crouched position?

How long have they been a photographer and how much did yoh pay?

Happy to take a quick look to see if the images are of a professional standard and in line with their portfolio - if they arent, then you may be able to ask for a refund

I certainly do my best to make my brides look as lovely as they possibly can, so I always shoot portraits/couples/groups from flattering angles!!

@whitebreadjamsandwich that's lovely of you and great advice
Is seriously expect a photographer in any arena to portray all clients inns faltering light

Definitely ask to see more photos and explain why.

You need to speak to them as there’s probably more photos and may be some you like. If not I think a post wedding shoot is a good idea although it does seem unfair if you are having to pay for a shoot, hair and make up etc.
Maybe you can get some money back.

"I wanted to sue him but DH wouldn’t let me"

@Miriad you didn't need your new husband's permission to do so. If he thinks you did, then you need to take stock of your marriage.

Crouching down is a weird way to take photos. Some photographers seem addicted to it and don't seem to think about how this looks on the average normal person as opposed to a 19yo model.

I would get in touch with the photographer and suggest they do some free photoshopping at the very least. Get your guests to upload their photos to a cloud or something - you will be amazed at how some of your nicest pics will be ones that someone just randomly snapped with their phone!

This is true. The nicest wedding photo we have was taken by DH's brother.

Just to add, while it may well be that these photographs are taken from an odd angle and aren't good, have you slept on them or asked what others think? When I first got my wedding photographs, I was so critical of myself, drawn to every imperfection in myself. But, as time goes on, I look at them and see that I look beautiful. Everyone else thought the photographs were lovely. But, at first, I just couldn't see it.