5 Red Flags of Wedding Photographers You Can’t Ignore, According to Reviews
Choosing the right photographer is paramount to preserving the magic of your special day.
As part of Bridely’s commitment to help couples like you pick the best wedding vendors using reviews, we've compiled a guide for you. Here are the top 5 red flags to be wary of when booking a wedding photographer.
1. Losing photographs from the wedding
This is our biggest nightmare.
A photographer's responsibility is to capture every moment. Beware if there's a history of photographers losing precious images. Read reviews to ensure that your chosen photographer has a reliable system in place to safeguard your memories.
“For our actual day, our ENTIRE WEDDING BANQUET VIDEO RAW FILES WERE LOST. And this was only discovered after I had pointed out on the completeness of the deliverables when we had followed up with them on the photos/videos (Only the DAY VIDEO and BANQUET PHOTOS were sent, [essentially] missing out on DAY PHOTOS and BANQUET VIDEOS).
“The day photos were retrieved and sent to us with a compensation of all photos being edited. As for the video, the team did try sending it to all data recovery centers but to no avail. We settled on $2000 as the refund but what’s lost is a once in a lifetime experience for us. We just thought it was bad luck but the fact that we had encountered two counts of corrupted/missing data really made us at a loss for words.” - Chong Sian Nah (April 2022)
2. Late delivery of the photos after the wedding
Timely delivery is key. Red flags include photographers consistently missing deadlines. Communicate a clear timeline with your photographer prior to booking, in order to avoid disappointment and ensure you receive your cherished memories promptly.
“However, my photos were delayed more than 60 days, as stated in the contract required in delivery. I contacted [him] in 3 to 4 months before I could receive my photos in 4 months. He even exited the group chat and [didn't] follow up with me anymore after I asked him about the photos. when I received the pics, the photos were average quality as he expedited the editing” - Fit Comfy (August 2022)
3. Missing out on important moments of the wedding
Every wedding is filled with significant moments. If a photographer consistently overlooks crucial events, it could result in disappointment. Choose a professional who understands the flow of weddings and ensures no precious moments are missed.
“There were videos of us sent by our relatives and friends during the exchange of the ring. Many sweet laughters and those were organic.
NO PHOTOS OF THAT MOMENT. Why? BECAUSE [HE] WAS TAKING OUR RINGS ON OUR FINGERS :))))
And those photos came out unflattering and just ugly. This is because [he] used the wrong lens and has bad skills.” - Zee Phay (March 2023)
4. Bad Angle and Framing
Photography is an art, and composition matters. Be wary if your photographer consistently produces shots with poor framing or awkward angles. A skilled photographer should capture your moments from the best perspectives, showcasing the beauty of your day.
“Photos were 95% not centralised… Many awkward angles because photos taken slanted. Hence additional unnecessary people/objects in [the] background… Photos randomly cut off; some half bodies, some missing ankles or shoes. I DO NOT HAVE FULL BODY PHOTOS OF ME AND MY HUSBAND IN MY GOWN. Should have just wore jeans for bottoms right?” - Zee Phay (March 2023)
5. Unprofessional Attitude
Your photographer will be by your side for the whole day. If they are unprofessional or unpleasant to be around, it can create unnecessary stress for you. Opt for professionals who approach their work with a positive and respectful attitude.
“Completely unprofessional during event day, very inflexible, lack passion, questionable photography skills and not accommodating to my needs. Since the start of communication, many of my needs could not be incorporated. During the wedding, not only did i noticed that he was using his phone, he also lacked the initiative to take photos.” - Meiqi (March 2023)
There are hundreds of wedding photographers in Singapore. On Bridely, Singapore’s largest wedding vendor database, there are as many as 270+ wedding photographers listed.
It is critical that you read reviews of wedding photographers to pick the right one, and stay vigilant for these 5 red flags. Remember, anything less than 4.9 rating on Bridely is considered to be below average.
Bridely.sg is Singapore’s only wedding review site and the largest wedding venue and vendor directory. You can read reviews written by graduated couples and their guests!
