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Wedding Photographer Charges $3K, Delivers Shots That Leave The Internet In Disbelief
Bride in wedding dress embracing someone, holding phone and water bottle, illustrating wedding photographer disappointment.

Wedding Photographer Charges $3K, Delivers Shots That Leave The Internet In Disbelief

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Your wedding is meant to be unforgettable—a day you’ll look back on through photos for years to come. That’s why so many people don’t think twice about splurging on a photographer who can capture every bit of its magic.

This bride’s parents did exactly that, hiring a professional with a $3K price tag and high expectations. But when she finally saw the finished album, she was left speechless, and not in the way she’d hoped.

Frustrated and disappointed, she turned to Reddit to vent and reveal the photo fiasco. See it for yourself below.

RELATED:

    The bride’s parents hired a $3K photographer for her big day

    Man in beige suit taking photos at a wedding, highlighting critique of expensive wedding photographer service.

    Image credits: Getúlio Moraes / unsplash (not the actual photo)

    But when she saw the photos, she was floored for all the wrong reasons

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    Pair of worn sneakers with a Union Jack design placed on a vintage patterned chair, symbolizing unique wedding photography choices.

    Image credits: Sorry_Cheetah_3227

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    Text about bride disappointed with $3K wedding photographer for unwanted detail shots and missing ring photos.

    Wedding rings and ornate crowns with green gems on a surface, highlighting bride and wedding photographer themes.

    Image credits: Sorry_Cheetah_3227

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    Bride slams $3K wedding photographer, claiming her dog with a GoPro would have taken better wedding photos.

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    Text post complaining about poor wedding photos taken by an expensive $3K wedding photographer.

    Hat rack with various hats and bags hanging, related to wedding photographer and bride's critique.

    Image credits: Sorry_Cheetah_3227

    Text discussing a bride's critique of a $3K wedding photographer for taking unwanted shots during a short photo session.

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    Wedding dress on display with floral bouquet, illustrating a bride's critique of a $3K wedding photographer.

    Image credits: Sorry_Cheetah_3227

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    Bride slams $3K wedding photographer, says dog with GoPro would deliver better photos with clear posing direction.

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    Text excerpt from bride criticizing expensive wedding photographer for poor performance and missed photo moments.

    Bride in wedding dress hugging guest tightly, expressing frustration with $3K wedding photographer service.

    Image credits: Sorry_Cheetah_3227

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    Bride criticizes $3K wedding photographer for poor composition and angles, claiming her dog with a GoPro could do better photos.

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    Bride slams $3K wedding photographer for poor photos with random people instead of wedding focus.

    Hand holding a professional wedding camera capturing group of groomsmen in gray suits during outdoor wedding photoshoot.

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    Image credits: Natilyn Hicks Photography / unsplash (not the actual photo)

    Bride slams $3K wedding photographer, frustrated with photos and compares performance to dog with GoPro.

    Bride slams $3K wedding photographer, feels embarrassed about expensive photos, compares to dog with a GoPro.

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    Image credits: Sorry_Cheetah_3227

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    Is there anything you can do if you don’t like your wedding photos?

    Image credits: Anastase Maragos / unsplash (not the actual photo)

    A wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event. If the photos don’t turn out the way you envisioned, there’s no time machine to take you back to hire someone else or restage the day.

    The sting is real, especially if you end up with results like these. But experts say there are still ways to ease the disappointment and salvage what you can.

    First, wedding photographer and videographer Elle Alihos recommends taking a step back and figuring out exactly what’s wrong.

    It could be that you don’t like how you look, you feel the most important moments weren’t captured, or you’re unhappy with the editing and lighting. In a lot of cases, taking a step back and being as objectively as possible to try and figure out what the actual problem is helps.

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    In this case, though, we know the issues were plenty—strange shots, missed key moments, and overall unprofessional behavior. So how do you move forward?

    One option is to ask the photographer if they have any additional shots they didn’t send. Often, they’ll only share what they believe are the “best” images, but there could be hidden gems in the rest of the batch. Request to see them and check if anything stands out.

    Another step: reach out to your wedding guests. If they took photos, ask them to share their images.

    “You can still make a second album out of your favourite shots even though their quality isn’t quite as high as that of professional photographers. Moreover, you may think they are even more remarkable because they are genuine and were captured by your dearest friends,” said Alihos.

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    If some of the professional shots are almost there but not quite, see if they can be rescued with additional editing.

    You can also experiment yourself. Erin Celletti at Brides suggests adding filters, such as black and white, to disguise discoloration or flaws and give the photos a different feel.

    Next, review your contract carefully. Look at what was promised versus what was delivered, Alihos advises. Depending on the terms, you might be entitled to a partial refund or other compensation. Pay attention to the number of photos promised as well as the clarity and quality standards stated in the agreement.

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    Finally, while you can’t recreate the original wedding day, you can arrange another photo shoot to mark the occasion, Celletti notes.

    “While it may not have the same sentiment attached and there are of course added expenses involved, it would give you another chance to try out a new photographer, style, beauty look, etc.” she says. “Maybe you’d like to opt for a different setting or go back to the grounds where your wedding originally took place.”

    “If nothing else, it’s a second shot at having some images you can cherish forever.”

    Later, the bride answered everyone’s burning questions in an effort to explain how this even happened

    Woman in a brown sweater sitting on a couch, looking thoughtfully at a laptop, related to wedding photographer review.

    Image credits: Wesley Tingey / unsplash (not the actual photo)

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    Bride captured on smartphone in wedding dress, highlighting a $3K wedding photographer criticism in a home setting.

    Image credits: Jonathan Borba / unsplash (not the actual photo)

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    She also shared the few wedding dress photos she considered usable

    Bride in a flowing white wedding dress holding a colorful bouquet outdoors, highlighting wedding photographer costs debate.

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    Bride in a flowing wedding dress adorned with flowers outdoors, illustrating wedding photographer and dog with GoPro concept.

    Image credits: Sorry_Cheetah_3227

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    She followed up with more details in the comments

    Commenters discuss the challenges of hiring a skilled wedding photographer versus relying on family photos.

    Comments criticizing a wedding photographer missing key moments, discussing breach of contract and refunds.

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    Screenshot of a Reddit conversation discussing a bride slamming a $3K wedding photographer’s work compared to her dog’s GoPro.

    Bride slams $3K wedding photographer, claiming her dog with a GoPro would have captured better wedding photos.

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    Screenshot of online comments criticizing a $3K wedding photographer’s poor work compared to a dog with a GoPro.

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    Reddit users criticize $3K wedding photographer, discussing wedding photography quality and experiences with reviews.

    Reddit user criticizes $3K wedding photographer’s work, suggesting dog with GoPro could take better photos.

    Bride slams $3K wedding photographer, saying dog with GoPro would have taken better wedding photos

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    Comments discussing checking a wedding photographer’s Instagram portfolio before hiring to ensure quality work.

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    Bird sitting near a nest on wooden beams under a roof, relating to wedding photographer critique and GoPro use.

    Readers were just as shocked by how terrible the shots were

    Screenshot of a Reddit comment criticizing a $3K wedding photographer, suggesting a dog with a GoPro would do better.

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    Bride slams $3K wedding photographer, says dog with a GoPro would have taken better wedding photos.

    Screenshot of a Reddit comment criticizing a situation involving a $3K wedding photographer and mentioning a dog with a GoPro.

    Screenshot of a Reddit comment expressing frustration about a disappointing $3K wedding photographer’s quality.

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    Screenshot of a Reddit comment criticizing a $3K wedding photographer for poor focus and service.

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    Bride slams $3K wedding photographer, claims her dog with a GoPro could capture better wedding photos

    Comment on a wedding photography re-shoot idea suggesting dress-up and a picnic for better happy shots and memories.

    Screenshot of a social media comment criticizing a $3K wedding photographer, suggesting a dog with a GoPro would do better.

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    Bride criticizes $3K wedding photographer, claiming her dog with a GoPro would capture better wedding photos.

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    Reddit post criticizing $3K wedding photographer, claiming even a dog with a GoPro would capture better wedding photos.

    Bride slams $3K wedding photographer, saying her dog with a GoPro would have taken better photos.

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    Comment criticizing a $3K wedding photographer’s work, suggesting a dog with a GoPro could have done better photos.

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    Oleksandra Kyryliuk

    Oleksandra Kyryliuk

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

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    Oleksandra is an experienced copywriter from Ukraine with a master’s degree in International Communication. Having covered everything from education, finance, and marketing to art, pop culture, and memes, she now brings her storytelling skills to Bored Panda. For the past six years, she’s been living and working in Vilnius, Lithuania.

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    Oleksandra Kyryliuk

    Oleksandra Kyryliuk

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Oleksandra is an experienced copywriter from Ukraine with a master’s degree in International Communication. Having covered everything from education, finance, and marketing to art, pop culture, and memes, she now brings her storytelling skills to Bored Panda. For the past six years, she’s been living and working in Vilnius, Lithuania.

    Gabija Saveiskyte

    Gabija Saveiskyte

    Author, BoredPanda staff

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    Hi there! I am a Visual Editor at Bored Panda. My job is to ensure that all the articles are aesthetically pleasing. I get to work with a variety of topics ranging from all the relationship drama to lots and lots of memes and, my personal favorites, funny cute cats. When I am not perfecting the images, you can find me reading with a cup of matcha latte and a cat in my lap, taking photos (of my cat), getting lost in the forest, or simply cuddling with my cat... Did I mention that I love cats?

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    Gabija Saveiskyte

    Gabija Saveiskyte

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    Hi there! I am a Visual Editor at Bored Panda. My job is to ensure that all the articles are aesthetically pleasing. I get to work with a variety of topics ranging from all the relationship drama to lots and lots of memes and, my personal favorites, funny cute cats. When I am not perfecting the images, you can find me reading with a cup of matcha latte and a cat in my lap, taking photos (of my cat), getting lost in the forest, or simply cuddling with my cat... Did I mention that I love cats?

    What do you think ?
    Remi (He/Him)
    Community Member
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Putting a gopro on a dog and giving some audience volunteers including a kid or two some cameras might make for a great wedding album. Unlike this cr*p. Was the photographer drunk or something?

    Jcusack
    Community Member
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Right!? terrible job! but I watch enough Judge Judy to know she has to pay him something, but I would definitely be holding back some due to the absolute poor quality Give 'em $2K and walk away

    Load More Replies...
    StarCrossedFriday
    Community Member
    5 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Looks like we were lucky - I hate having my photo taken with a passion, so when we found someone for our wedding who was not only amazing at photos but also practically a psychologist when it came to making you feel at ease, we were blessed. I’d be beyond upset with photos like the above. 3k? Bonkers.

    JayWantsACat
    Community Member
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I appreciate that OP lampshaded that some people might find this a Bridezilla or Karen situation, but her anger is obviously justified.

    Load More Comments
    Remi (He/Him)
    Community Member
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Putting a gopro on a dog and giving some audience volunteers including a kid or two some cameras might make for a great wedding album. Unlike this cr*p. Was the photographer drunk or something?

    Jcusack
    Community Member
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Right!? terrible job! but I watch enough Judge Judy to know she has to pay him something, but I would definitely be holding back some due to the absolute poor quality Give 'em $2K and walk away

    Load More Replies...
    StarCrossedFriday
    Community Member
    5 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Looks like we were lucky - I hate having my photo taken with a passion, so when we found someone for our wedding who was not only amazing at photos but also practically a psychologist when it came to making you feel at ease, we were blessed. I’d be beyond upset with photos like the above. 3k? Bonkers.

    JayWantsACat
    Community Member
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I appreciate that OP lampshaded that some people might find this a Bridezilla or Karen situation, but her anger is obviously justified.

    Load More Comments
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