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People Side With Wedding Photographer Who Canceled On Bride The Night Before Her Big Day
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People Side With Wedding Photographer Who Canceled On Bride The Night Before Her Big Day

People Side With Wedding Photographer Who Canceled On Bride The Night Before Her Big DayPhotographer Explains Why She Canceled On Bride At The Last Minute, Asks If She Was In The Wrong HereBride Calls Photographer Unprofessional For Canceling The Night Before The Wedding, But The Internet Is Backing Her UpPhotographer Shares Why She Had To Cancel The Night Before A Wedding Ceremony, And People Are Backing Up Her DecisionWedding Photographer Explains Why She Canceled On A Bride Right Before Her Ceremony, Goes ViralBride Accuses Wedding Photographer Of Doing 'The Most Unprofessional Thing She Ever Witnessed' After She Cancels On HerPeople Are Backing Up This Photographer Who Had To Cancel The Night Before A Wedding CeremonyPhotographer Doesn't Know Where And When The Wedding Is Happening Because Bride Isn’t Answering Her, Cancels The PhotoshootPhotographer Shares How She Had To Cancel A Wedding Shoot The Night Before The WeddingWedding Photographer Wonders If She's Wrong For Leaving Bride Without Photographer After Breaching Her Contract And Keeping The Deposit
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The customer is not always right. You can’t place the burden of responsibility just on the shoulders of the person who’s providing the service you’re paying for. Professionals—from every field—need information from their customers in order to do a good job; and they deserve at least a little bit of common courtesy and respect. Wedding photography is no different.

Wedding photographer Shayla Herrington explained in a viral video on TikTok how a few years ago she canceled on a bride-to-be the night before her ceremony. While that sounds like an awful thing to do on the surface right before their big day, in reality, there were very good reasons for Shayla to do this. And her TikTok followers completely agree with her.

Scroll down for the full story, Pandas. Let us know who you think is in the wrong here and what you would have done if you were in Shayla’s shoes. Meanwhile, if any of you are wedding photographers, we’d love to hear a bit about your job, the challenges you face, why you do it, and the toughest clients you’ve had to deal with.

More info: TikTok | Facebook | ShaylaHerringtonPhotography.com

Wedding photographer Shayla, from Arkansas, went viral after opening up about a weird situation that happened with a client some time ago

Image credits: shaylamherrington

She shared why she canceled on the bride-to-be right before the big day

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Here is the viral TikTok video in full

@shaylamherrington Was I in the wrong? Find the preset i used to edit in my bio! #weddingphotographer #weddings #weddingplanning #storytime #wedding #photographer #engaged #preset ♬ Monkeys Spinning Monkeys – Kevin MacLeod & Kevin The Monkey

Wedding photographer Shayla has 335.7k followers on TikTok, and her viral video netted her a jaw-dropping 307.4k likes, as well as 2.8 million views.

The photographer, from Northwest Arkansas, has a passion for capturing memories. However, that actually requires her clients to fill out her wedding questionnaire and at least try and pick up her calls and respond to her messages.

The challenging client paid the deposit without a problem, but after the initial phone call with Shayla, she completely ghosted the photographer. Shayla had no clue where the venue even was. And her best attempts to get in touch with the bride-to-be were completely fruitless.

Eventually, the pro realized that she’d have to cancel on the entire event. She did so the night before the ceremony and that was that. Only it wasn’t. The bride got in touch the day after the wedding, calling Shayla unprofessional and left a bad review on Facebook. The photographer then returned the deposit.

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However, after hearing the entire story and learning the whole context, TikTokers far and wide supported the wedding photographer’s decision. After all, the client broke the rules of the agreement. And it’s just plain rude to completely ghost the person whose services you desperately want. Yes, organizing weddings is stressful. But wedding industry professionals deserve at least the minimum amount of respect from their clients.

“I booked her and sent her the questionnaire right after our first—and only—phone conversation. She understood I needed it within that week so I could properly do my job and know where I needed to be and what time I needed to be there,” Shayla told Newsweek.

On her website, Shayla notes that she sees her interactions with her clients as very important. She attributes her professional success to her ability to ‘click’ with the people she’s photographing.

“I photograph people the way they are and the interactions that happen between them. I am constantly on the lookout for a hidden smile, a knowing look, a private joke, acrobatic moves on the dance floor—any interaction that creates energy while telling a story,” she writes.

According to Shayla, her fascination with photography started in her teenage years, when she was 15. “My mother had just purchased a cheap camera to take with us on family vacations, and asked for my help figuring it out. I messed with the dials and had my best friend pose in front of the camera for me. A few hours later, I had learned the most basic functions, and had quite a few pictures of my friend,” she reveals.

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“I remember when my friend went home that evening I got the camera back out and started taking pictures of anything and everything. It was like I couldn’t get photography out of my mind, and that’s still the case today. As my photography changed, so did I. Photography made me an adventurer, an entrepreneur, and an admirer of the world around me.”

Some time ago, photographer Dominic Sberna explained to Bored Panda why contracts are so important when working events. “A signed contract in this day and age is important, but it’s even more important to have everything upfront if either individual has any doubts. “Something a lot of people forget is that a verbal contract is also legally binding. So, it’s more about making everything transparent between each party involved,” he told us.

“Stay hydrated, bring snacks if needed, and wear a comfy pair of shoes. The brain and body need sustenance and you’ll be more focused if you keep yourself sustained. If you cannot wear a comfy pair of shoes, get a good pair of inserts,” pro photographer Dominic shared some great advice for photographers who have to spend hours and hours on their feet at events.

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Meanwhile, Alexander Kjerulf, from Positive Sharing, told Bored Panda that the customer really isn’t always right. He shared some tips and tricks on what to do if you ever encounter someone rude while on the job, whatever industry you might be working in.

“Keep your cool and remember that whatever abuse they’re giving you is no reflection on you as a person. That customer doesn’t even know you, so there’s no way it could be. But on the other hand, don’t be subservient. Don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself and tell customers that abuse is not tolerated. And if it persists, hand them over to a manager as soon as you can and let them deal with it,” he explained.

“You have to remember that in many cases a customer who behaves badly is not necessarily a bad person—it can be a good person having a bad day and that’s why they’re acting out. But the sad truth is that some customers act this way because they’ve learned that it works and will get them discounts or preferential treatment.”

He added: “Whenever I’m a customer anywhere, I always try to be kind and positive to the staff—even when occasionally I have to complain about something. It’s literally the least I can do.”

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TikTok showed the photographer a lot of love and support. Here’s what some users had to say about the whole situation

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Jonas Grinevičius

Jonas Grinevičius

Writer, BoredPanda staff

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Storytelling, journalism, and art are a core part of who I am. I've been writing and drawing ever since I could walk—there is nothing else I'd rather do. My formal education, however, is focused on politics, philosophy, and economics because I've always been curious about the gap between the ideal and the real. At work, I'm a Senior Writer and I cover a broad range of topics that I'm passionate about: from psychology and changes in work culture to healthy living, relationships, and design. In my spare time, I'm an avid hiker and reader, enjoy writing short stories, and love to doodle. I thrive when I'm outdoors, going on small adventures in nature. However, you can also find me enjoying a big mug of coffee with a good book (or ten) and entertaining friends with fantasy tabletop games and sci-fi movies.

Read less »
Jonas Grinevičius

Jonas Grinevičius

Writer, BoredPanda staff

Storytelling, journalism, and art are a core part of who I am. I've been writing and drawing ever since I could walk—there is nothing else I'd rather do. My formal education, however, is focused on politics, philosophy, and economics because I've always been curious about the gap between the ideal and the real. At work, I'm a Senior Writer and I cover a broad range of topics that I'm passionate about: from psychology and changes in work culture to healthy living, relationships, and design. In my spare time, I'm an avid hiker and reader, enjoy writing short stories, and love to doodle. I thrive when I'm outdoors, going on small adventures in nature. However, you can also find me enjoying a big mug of coffee with a good book (or ten) and entertaining friends with fantasy tabletop games and sci-fi movies.

Kotryna Br

Kotryna Br

Author, BoredPanda staff

Read more »

Kotryna is a Photo Editor at Bored Panda with a BA in Graphic Design. Before Bored Panda, she worked as a freelance graphic designer and illiustrator. When not editing, she enjoys working with clay, drawing, playing board games and drinking good tea.

Read less »

Kotryna Br

Kotryna Br

Author, BoredPanda staff

Kotryna is a Photo Editor at Bored Panda with a BA in Graphic Design. Before Bored Panda, she worked as a freelance graphic designer and illiustrator. When not editing, she enjoys working with clay, drawing, playing board games and drinking good tea.

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CatWoman312
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think you should have kept your deposit. If she had sued you, you would have won. You did your due diligence to do the right thing and she ignored you.

Cassie
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is exactly the kind of thing a deposit is for, as well. The photographers time and effort trying to chase down the bride isn't free.

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Rahul Pawa
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The only thing OP could have done better is set a clear boundary. "If I don't receive this information by (date), the contract will be void."

CG
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's just about what I was going to say. OP did try to get it on multiple occasions, but I think that should be added (assuming it hasn't been) for any future bookings.

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CatWoman312
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think you should have kept your deposit. If she had sued you, you would have won. You did your due diligence to do the right thing and she ignored you.

Cassie
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is exactly the kind of thing a deposit is for, as well. The photographers time and effort trying to chase down the bride isn't free.

Load More Replies...
Rahul Pawa
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The only thing OP could have done better is set a clear boundary. "If I don't receive this information by (date), the contract will be void."

CG
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's just about what I was going to say. OP did try to get it on multiple occasions, but I think that should be added (assuming it hasn't been) for any future bookings.

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