Watch Out For Wedding Scams: How To Spot A Bad Photographer

It's getting to be that time of year, where spring and summer give way to a ton of weddings, graduation parties, quinceañeras, baby showers, all that stuff.  And I'm sure a few big birthdays and anniversaries might be coming up, too!

If you're going to have a big party,  a photographer will surely be something you think about.  Especially if it's your kid graduating or getting married.  You can't worry about getting the pictures of the event - you're participating in it! But it can be very very disappointing, heartbreaking even, to find the person you  hired wasn't what all they were cracked up to be.

What Are Some Good Tips for Hiring A  Photographer?

She's right on - asking your friends and family for recommendations is important.  Remember to ask to see their portfolio, and if you can, interview them in person. Request references.  Make sure the details are all written down in the contract.  If you can, use a credit or debit card, so you have protection of you bank behind you if you need a refund.  Don't pay the entire thing upfront.  Most photographers won't complain if you work something out with them - either paying half or a deposit beforehand, with another payment coming when the event is over, and another when you get the pictures.

How Do You Spot a Scammer?

Luckily I've got some information from the Better Business Bureau about how to do that very thing.

• Do Your Research.
  Don't rely on one person or one site. You  might also check the BBB Scam Tracker. Make sure you check their online presence, their social media pages, stuff like that. Seeing a lot of angry or unhappy reviews is an obvious red flag - but so is a page with only a few clients that are actually happy.

• Don't Do Everything Online.
  If the photographer will only speak online, make sure you get those references. Ask for an in person meeting or a phone call at the very least. If they refuse that? Biiiiig red flag.

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And lastly, watch out for payment apps.

Businesses that only accept payments through peer-to-peer payment apps can be a red flag for a scam. If you’re being asked to send a large amount of money through one of these apps, ask if you can instead pay via a different method like a credit card, cash, or cashier’s check.

Again, that's to protect YOU.  A check can be cancelled, and you can tell your credit card company what's going on.  It's much harder to do that with CashApp or Venmo.  And it's much easier for someone to disappear without a trace if there's not an electronic or paper trail.

Good luck out there, and whatever your event is, I hope it goes well! And don't worry - every photographer worth their salt knows scammers are out there.  A true pro will NOT be offended that you're vetting them - they'll encourage it! 

Weddingly yours,
Behka