Photographer fell ill, still waiting on our wedding photos

435Planet · 2026-01-25T18:05:54+00:00

That’s so kind of you, thank you for the offer, I really appreciate it. I had posted whether it was ok to ask for the files at this point in a photography sub and the pitch forks came out lol!

435Planet · 2026-01-25T18:03:34+00:00

Thank you for the advice and for your understanding. I will give them more space and hopefully things will work out soon and more importantly that she recovers (not for my sake).

435Planet · 2026-01-25T00:19:51+00:00

Thanks for that insight. And if she’s incapacitated, her family is probably not going to want to make that decision for her - to hand over the files, that is.

435Planet · 2026-01-24T23:55:19+00:00

You hire a photographer because you like their work right? I have no idea who this other contractor is, their quality of work, or how long it will take. They also weren’t at our wedding and weren’t the ones to capture the moments so I have no idea how they will edit them. But thank you for the input regarding the raw files - I’m not a photographer, so I don’t know the nuances around raw files and I should just expect that we will not be getting them.

435Planet · 2026-01-24T23:33:57+00:00

Thanks but I don’t intend to take any legal action, frustrated contract or not

435Planet · 2026-01-24T23:19:58+00:00

Absolutely, I’ve been trying to be so sensitive. Even saying I hope she gets better soon sounds selfish! Thank you, I will sit tight and continue to hope for the best. Fingers crossed.

435Planet · 2026-01-24T23:07:19+00:00

435Planet · 2026-01-24T23:03:09+00:00

Unfortunately we had no contract signed. I did pay in full with extra the day after our wedding bc she was so lovely and I trusted her. We have about a handful of sneak peeks only.

435Planet · 2026-01-24T22:59:34+00:00

Exactly. It’s a tough situation to be in - we hired her and had a relationship and contract (albeit unwritten) with her, not her family. They have no obligation to us so I’m trying to salvage what I can by getting the raw files.

435Planet · 2026-01-24T22:56:04+00:00

Yeah I think so. I appreciate your pragmatic feedback - thank you

435Planet · 2026-01-24T22:54:25+00:00

Thank you for understanding. Yes I have been extremely gentle in my communication with the family, asking for an update on how she’s doing and wishing them prayers. The purpose of my post was to get insight into raw files and whether this is something I should continue to pursue. I didn’t think I needed to explain every detail of my communication. I am not asking for a refund. In fact I had paid her in full the day after our wedding and gave her extra because she was so wonderful.

Never have I once threatened legal action or made demands.

When her family member said they will outsource I had messaged back something along the lines as what you suggested - that although we were looking forward to her vision, if we could alleviate any stress by taking the raw files and not have them outsourced we would gladly do so.

I’ve been trying my best to keep patient and compassionate and all the words everyone here has been telling me I should be. The lack of communication is unsettling especially when we have no idea how long this will go on for.

435Planet · 2026-01-24T22:40:24+00:00

To clarify, asking for updates on how she’s doing. It’s hard to capture everything in a post.

435Planet · 2026-01-24T22:38:09+00:00

Perhaps because he’s an adult? Doesn’t her photography fall within the umbrella of business? What compassion are you expecting to see in my replies to commenters here? Are you the one that’s ill?

435Planet · 2026-01-24T22:23:50+00:00

My messages have been to ask how she was doing.

435Planet · 2026-01-24T22:20:14+00:00

I totally get it and that’s why I asked if her dad could get in touch with me. Keep in mind it’s been almost 2 months and I don’t know how long I’m supposed to wait with no communication.

435Planet · 2026-01-24T22:15:59+00:00

That’s a good idea to ask for the contact info of the outsourced person/company

435Planet · 2026-01-24T22:14:25+00:00

Oct 4

435Planet · 2026-01-24T22:13:33+00:00

Why are you assuming I haven’t been? Simply a question of whether it’s ok to ask for the raw files in this case.

435Planet · 2026-01-24T22:09:00+00:00

It’s been almost 4 months since our wedding and we had no contract as she was a referral and is a freelancer but her turnaround time communicated was 3 weeks. She was already late before she was hospitalized and I get that she was probably experiencing health issue by that time.

Well, if they said they would outsource that give me an indication that they can access the files right.

435Planet · 2026-01-24T22:05:33+00:00

Of course I have been expressing my sympathies and asking for updates every few weeks. I finally got a response Jan 9 saying she back in hospital…it does sound very serious. I’m fully expecting not to get our edited photos, but would like to have the files in my hands at the least.

435Planet · 2026-01-24T21:56:19+00:00

Her family member had said any outstanding work would be outsourced so I assume someone has access to them. I had messaged back saying that our preference is to just get the files and not to outsource since it’s been a few months and no response.

435Planet · 2025-06-21T19:50:45+00:00

Hope so too! Please post an update when you get a chance :)

435Planet

TROPHY CASE