Our world is full of people with expectations. Those expectations can be mental, verbal, contractual, and others that describe how a bride may feel regarding her reasonable expectations of her images or her film. Having a expectation from an agreed upon contract is the most viable way a Bride and Groom can achieve their expectations. It holds the vendor responsible for producing what the contract stipulates, within reasonable expectations. Let’s define as it would appear in a contract “reasonable expectations”
Assuming you are a bride who knows the difference between fantasy and reality, ( and by that I mean thinking through and planning your wedding day) reasonable expectations are discussed with your service provider prior to the signing of your contract. Those discussions will be outlined, and agreed upon prior to signing your contract. This includes revisions on photos and film. If you do not inquire about revisions, then a photographer or videographer is not obligated to produce anything but lightly edited photos and video. Some photographers will agree to unlimited revisions or editing. This however is time consuming and could put your reveal dates behind in schedule due to so many revisions. It’s best to have examples of color tones you desire to achieve the maximum results of how your photos and film will look.
This however doesn’t give the Bride or Groom full disclosure to intentionally show dissatisfaction to attempt to gain some type of monetary refund. Nor does it open the door for litigation if the vendor performed what is stipulated on the contract. You may be expecting your photos to be edited in a moody vibe, and they arrive in an rustic vibe. If that preference was not agreed upon in the contract with your photographer, then you will receive the photos in a rustic vibe. This is why it’s crucial that you choose a photographer that will meet with you to discuss each aspect of your photo shoot, and then include that conversation in the contract so that both parties are understood completely. Taking the time to communicate your expectations, researching your photographer’s abilities and reviewing their work saves a ton of heartache and dissatisfaction.
Lastly, if you are displeased with the results of your photos, and or wedding film, and have not exhausted all attempts to resolve the issue with your photographer or videographer, and then decide to take your frustrations to a open forum like “Michigan Displeased Brides” on Facebook, you could potentially find yourself in a whirlwind of litigation. Michigan laws are listed as to what you can and cannot state in any digital platform. Showing private messages such as those with your vendor and you that do not have the permission of that vendor, can land you in court for an invasion of privacy. One of the top litigation law firms in the country, Bourassa Law Firm in New York, litigates these cases all over the country.
Your complaints could be interpreted as threatening, can cause harm to the reputation of the vendor in question, violates the reasonable right to privacy that you and your vendor established, and can cause a lot more problems than just not reaching an agreement on how your photo and video should have looked. If you feel that you have a viable case that justifies your anger and disappointment, adding financial responsibility on your behalf after not getting the satisfaction you feel you deserve will only make things mentally and emotionally worse for you. By all means, should you reach a point after discussing your options with a vendor and want to pursue legal action, then you certainly have the right to do so. In most cases regarding the dissatisfaction of how your photos or video looks, without specific explanations of how it should have looked in your contract, will be a costly and timely endeavor that will yield the results in favor of the vendor.
We hope this information has explained to you what doing your part can accomplish when signing a contract with a vendor. To recap..1) Research your vendors reviews and come to a conclusion if they are a good fit. 2) Contact your vendor and schedule meetings to discuss your desires 3) Review a contract and then sign it, returning a copy to a vendor. It’s crucial to have a copy for yourself too, and a signed copy at that. 4) Should the results turn out not the way you envisioned them, discuss any revisions with your vendor..don’t get mad and publish a lot of immature and emotional frustration in a public forum..it’s just not ethical, and may find you explaining your anger in a court of law that will favor your vendor because of your impulsive behavior. 5) The statements you make and the information you reveal in a public or private forum can and usually does have consequences. BE CAUTIOUS. 6) Follow the proper procedures to gaining satisfaction..most photographers want your photos to look fabulous. Having calm and sound, polite conversations with your vendor will yield the best results.
