Getting wedding photos re-edited?

[INeedaDietcoke]

I got married 7 years ago. 6 months into planning I was diagnosed with cancer. I got married 10 days after finishing chemo. It was a rollercoaster year, and although we had the best day, I have never been happy with the photos.

Because of everything going on while planning my mum helped a lot with looking for suppliers. She recommended a photographer she had worked with previously. I looked at the website she sent me and liked the style of the photos, so we went ahead and booked him.

Turns out, she was thinking of a photographer with the same name, but a different website. She sent me e.g. Nathanphillips.net but the photographer we booked actually used nathanphilips.com. We didn't realise the mixup until it was too late to change, and the photographer we ended up with was a lovely person but with a completely different style of photography.

That, coupled with the fact I looked sooo unwell, has meant I've never loved any of our photos.

I was wondering if it would be acceptable to get the photos re-edited by someone else? Someone who could add a different style, maybe different lighting or touchups. For example, in one of the photos my wig has slipped, and it looks ridiculous, but a bit of photoshop could probably sort it.

I know it's frowned upon to get someone's photos edited by someone else so thought I'd ask opinions. Would a professional photographer edit photos by someone else to give them a different style?

im thinking of going to the Max Spiellman photograph shop (or whatever it’s called) in my local asda as they do things like that and i figure it might not cost much?

worth a look?!

If you own the RAW photo files and the rights to them, i don’t see why not? You don’t need to mention who is the original photographer, so it doesn’t seem like you are badmouthing them.

There are Facebook group that do things like this .

What I would do is leave the photos as they photos of the time.
And get a new photo shoot now .
Pick your photographer
Get some nice clothes
And get a glam squad
And get some lovely photos of the both of you

As a professional photographer I own the copyright to all my photographs taken. However if I were the photographer in this case I likely wouldn’t have the original RAW files after such a long time. My standard procedure is to keep RAW files for 6 months and the originals, well I’ve got them for over 15 years.
It’s definitely worth reaching out to your photographer and explaining the situation - but please don’t let MAXX Spielmann at them if they’ve been professionally edited using presets in Lightroom for example. High street reproductions aren’t going to be anywhere as good. Good luck!

I’d try using ai. Try something like EVOTO, if you use the trial it will be free. It keeps the same resolution and is easy to use. You can just ask Ai for what you want in exactly the same way you would ask a photographer.

Just a thought but wouldn’t you still look at edited pictures and know they weren’t real? Why not have new ones taken? Maybe tie it in with a renewal or celebration. Have the photographer you wanted and look a million dollars for real

Thank you everyone, some great advice and options to look at!

Regarding the changes I'd like to make, I wanted a more whimsical, atmospheric kind of vibe, and we got rather 'business formal' photos instead. I was thinking a change of lighting or some filters or whatever more professional tools could soften that and get more of the whimsy/atmosphere I was looking for.

I don't want huge alterations of how I looked to the point where things become unrecognisable. But I also don't want a photo of our sparkler sendoff anywhere in our house because my wig is wonky. I don't think touching that up makes it 'not real' or takes away from what the day was.

I always said we do a separate shoot once I felt better and had my own hair, eyebrows etc back. But life happens, and now I've got 2 kids, a 7 year old wedding dress I forgot to get cleaned and not a hope in hell of fitting back into it. We have had some lovely family shoots in the last couple of years, I'm not short on wonderful pics of my family as it is now. I would just like to look at my wedding photos without disappointment and them screaming 'Remember when you had cancer!!!' at me.

I will have a think and explore some of the things people have mentioned here!

Apart from copyright issues, I doubt the retouching route would resolve your concerns. As others have suggested, I would remember the day as it was, and how it was the start of a new chapter in your life, and embrace today, not the past.

You can get charity shop wedding dresses for new wedding shots if you want

I see no reason not to do this if you can afford it - you will still have the originals. Try with one or two first and see if you like them.

I wouldn't stage another wedding photo shoot but you could have a vow renewal ceremony and get pictures, or simply book a photo shoot with your DH with a theme of evening dress/ball dress and get yourself or hire a beautiful gown.