Seeking compensation for total failure wedding photog


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yafoo82

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Mar 28, 2007
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Hi guys,

I need to seek opinion on seeking compensation for total fail (not just poor) actual day photography.

Case:
Signed $3k +++wedding package from one of bridal studio along Tanjong Pagar. Actual day wedding photography is included in the package. After 2 weeks from wedding, was told the memory card corrupted, tried their best but no photos can be salvaged. This is defintely different from the recent case of the $800 photographer getting complained for poor skills. For this case, there is no pictures at all. :(

I shall not give names of the shop and photographer as I prefer to take it privately.

Can I ask opinion on what kind of compensation should I ask for? Amount in cash? Appreciate if wedding photographers can contribute.

I know of a case last time the wedding phtographer went drinking after a shoot and ended up losing all the photos. Any idea how it was settled?

Appreciate all comments/experiences shared.
 

Sorry to hear about the unfortunate incident. What has the store offered u?
 

the photographer offered $500 ..... but i think i will liaise directly with the studio. They will be calling me tmr
 

U should get ur hand on that 'faulty' memory card and get it fix by some data recovery company by YOURSELF. No amount of compensation will be able to help.

Usually its expensive to fix the card .. so i am not sure if the bridal studio have done their best in salvage the situation, or they may find it cheaper to 'settle' u ??

I think they should refund u the package price totally, as they cant deliver the product. Any other extra compensation will be base on their sincerity.
 

Sorry to hear about that.

check the contract that you sign with them... I think, the minimum, they should refund you the photography portion of payment. But it is all depends on the contract.

Good luck.

Hart
 

ouch.

no amount of money can compensate that.
 

sorry to hear this.

if the whole bridal package is $3k ++,
that usually includes one wedding gown, one evening gown, one man suit, pre wedding photo shoot, one pre wedding album, makeup for per-wedding, makeup for AD and dinner, hand bouquet, wedding car,

other items mostly is when sign the package at the wedding show, or you make full payment in advance or upgrade your package then they will give it to you as complimentary.
not sure the AD wedding photography you had is under what term?
does it consider part of the package or is just a complimentary item?
or is it not part of the package but you have to pay for it separately?
 

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Thanks guys!

the actual day photography is part of the total package. i was only given an invoice with the price and all the items included .Do not remember signing any other terms and conditions.

To be fair the whole service is ok until the very last part ... no pictures to look back at.... and no videography that day too :( I guess the photographer suay then memory card spoil.

Really dunno what kind of compensation to ask for then consider fair.
 

in korea/japan, the photogrpaher wld have to pay for the whole wedding to be done again.
again, it all depends on the contract. maybe have a talk to the company. if really really in doubt, i suggest visiting a lawyer. not asking u to sue them.

juz my opinion. btw, it is nice of u to not release the phoographer's name. a corrupted card is smthg no photog will ever wan to encounter.
i hope u can get ur images recovered:) all the best:)
 

Did the photog shoot the whole wedding on only one memory card?

Definitely contact the studio/photographer fast again and get that card in for your own recovery. BEFORE they format that card and use again or throw away. You do not know how well versed they are in card recovery. Their idea of card recovery could be a simple 'plug in and see can read or not, try another computer, also cannot, OH CANNOT LIAO'.

If can recover those images at a recovery specialist at SLS, whatever the price, recover first. Get receipts and documentary proof. Then take it up with the BS to compensate you on the recovery cost and the stress.

The whole bridal studio got a way bigger name and higher stakes than an unknown photographer working for their house at $250 per wedding. Although he personally offered you probably double of his earnings, your contract is with the BS not with the sub contractor (the ad photog) they hired.
 

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What I did when I had a corrupted card was to format it and use a data recovery software to recover the entire contents. There's also recovery tools specifically meant for RAW images from memory cards. I doubt the studio tried those methods.

Those better softwares usually costs ~$100. It's not expensive at all to recover such important memories.
 

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I once had a card corrupted too. It only allow me to format in my camera. Then I search around the net and download those recovery software. Quite nos of different freeware or trial.
Just that may not 100% recover everything, but better then none
 

Hi there. Sorry to here of your loss.

I am not familiar with your arrangement, but most bridal outfits simply outsource the actual day photography, although some operate with in-house photographers.

As your contract is with the bridal outfit, you will only need to deal with them, regardless of the subsequent arrangement with the photographer.

Problem is, they are likely to stall and delay, offering you peanuts, requiring you to push the price higher.

I suggest obtaining legal advice on this matter first. That way, you can be properly advised on your rights and the appropriate action.

Utilizing social media is also the "in" thing now. I won't recommend using this approach at the start, but it has proven to be quite successful in recent times to resolve any grievances.
 

if you can get a hold of the memory card


I don't mind using my recovery software on it. Have rescued videos/photos from formatted cards a few times already
 

I am sorry for your bad experience.

This goes to show that even if you go with a bridal studio, behind the nice store and presentation, **** can still happen.

Let us know the updates.
 

If there were no clear T&C/contract about scenarios like these, then it's really negotiation between both parties.
For example, some will have a clause limiting maximum damages/compensation to the value of the contract.

SCT is one option if you can't reach an agreement (max $10K claims, between $10-$20K you'll need to get the other party to agree to be present):
The Subordinate Courts of Singapore - Lodging a Claim

It seems like you may have a case in court if you wish to pursue further.

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yafoo82, when was the wedding? All the recovery suggestions are great, but if it was ages ago, odds of recovery are really really low. Assuming their story about the corrupted card is true, they might have tossed the card, reused it, etc. Of course, no harm asking. If they actually set aside the card to pass to you, I'll give them some points for effort.

It's a good move to 'take it privately' for now. At least you're giving them the option of resolving this quietly.
 

I've had a CF card with very important photos in it corrupted. And there is no knowing till putting it into the card reader and get the rude shock. It is very unfortunate and no amount of monetary compensation will cover the loss. Anyway, i used a software to recover the images. It is possible. Read around for such softwares, some has pretty good user reviews. Definitely worth a try. Legal advices may be good to obtain, but legal actions should always be the last resort as it will add even more stress and unhappiness. All the best, hope u can recover the photos.
 

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nitewalk said:
Legal advices may be good to obtain, but legal actions should always be the last resort as it will add even more stress and unhappiness. All the best, hope u can recover the photos.

People often misunderstand seeking legal advice, likening it to immediate and aggressive legal action against the other party.

A lawyer is a professional who can properly analyze the situation and provide advice on the possible steps to take. Many people will be in a much better predicament if legal advice was sought.
 

Blur Shadow said:
People often misunderstand seeking legal advice, likening it to immediate and aggressive legal action against the other party.

A lawyer is a professional who can properly analyze the situation and provide advice on the possible steps to take. Many people will be in a much better predicament if legal advice was sought.

I know it doesn't mean immediate, but some people may be rash, so just a friendly reminder to keep calm ;)
 

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