I've gotten a response from Michael, Riu's Photographer

[bobbi-francis]

OMG!!! One more thing for us to panic about...just great!!

[Agape Gems]

I really just think he is freaking out about all the potential $$$ he is loosing b/c all of us keep contacting the resort about bringing outside photogs, but that's b/c his work isn't special and his prices are astronomical!

[jean-marcus]

EWWW holy nazi's... thats just lame. i hate when you are forced to work with a specific vendor just to get married at some place. its great when they have someone there to recommend to make it easy but when you are not allowed and even POLICED like that its just a turn off...

 

i think if all of you brides gretting married and THINKING of getting married there get together and all mail the resort and say you are thinking of going elsewhere simply because that is so strictly enforced and you dont care for that photographer they would most likely let you bring your own. from what they say the photographer is nothing special. and ya it sounds to me like he is threatening because he will loose out on money.

[DLyteful]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heidi Absolutely; I know I posted this somewhere but I have no idea where. This is teh email I have from her: Dear Heidi, Thank you for contacting RIU Sales Wedding Department What Michael stated in his e-mail is true, Should the photograher be a family member or friend travelling with them they are allowed to take pictures. A local photograher is allowed at fee of uS200 plus the cost for the day pass. This fee is payed to the Photoshop for the breach in contract. If you shall require further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me. Warm Regards, Carolina Miranda Sales Wedding Coordinator Ocho Rios & Negril, Jamaica Weddings By Riu America's Division Phone: + (52) 984 877 23 20 Email: weddings05@riu.com Wedding Packages by Destination. Honeymoon Holidays. Weddings by Riu And as far as they are concerned, my photographer is a friend traveling with us.

Thanks Heidi!!!!!

[DLyteful]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nic Dragomire Just from what I have read in this post... the guy is as shady as they come, preying on uneducated brides. Here is what I would do: 1~ write Carolina, and ask her specifically about the photography restrictions. 2~ print out her email back to you and take it with you, you may want to print out a couple of copies. 3~ ask Carolina if this Michael bothers you, your guests, or your photog, what should you do... ie. call her, call security when this Michael character come up to bother you... hand him her email response allowing the outside photog.

I think thats great idea. I've already email Carolina, when I get a response I'm going to ask #3. Once I have all that info for my records I will feel alot better.

[Birdie07]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dbld78 That's bologna man! She got 10 pictures....and from what I saw they weren't anything I would have spent money on....sorry, but I would totally tell him to shove it! I don't understand this whole exclusive contract thing, and having to pay him off to use another photographer....sorry but he sound shady.

Wow. OUCH! I didn't know my WEDDING pictures were so horrible when I paid for them. I know Michael is getting a bad rep. But he was great for us. I had 6 family members ALL taking pictures. I have over 1000 pictures OTHER than Michaels and I did not pay extra for them to photograph. If you're nice to him he'll be nice back. We only spent about 200 - 300 bucks on photos with Michael. I got so many compliments on the ones I framed. They are small on the computer b/c I had to shrink them to fit them. To me they are gorgeous and worth the money. I got TEN b/c I didn't want to upgrade AND then I had him print all the extras that I wanted to frame and those I can't put online seeing as they are in frames on the wall. I got TEN to a disk but not just ten. My DH is a student and I don't have buttloads of extra money for photos. Michael told me personally he keeps pictures indefinitely and I can come back later and get the same price I paid originally to get more pictures.

I am not taking his back b/c I know he has changed policy I see both sides to this. I just got a little tiffed at the above remark. I find it rude to put down someone elses wedding pictures. I wish all the brides the best. Personally I think people are getting fired up. I would personally do what Heidi did and contact the RIU sales.

[PrecisePlans]

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaliaA07 Wow. OUCH! I didn't know my WEDDING pictures were so horrible when I paid for them. I know Michael is getting a bad rep. But he was great for us. I had 6 family members ALL taking pictures. I have over 1000 pictures OTHER than Michaels and I did not pay extra for them to photograph. If you're nice to him he'll be nice back. We only spent about 200 - 300 bucks on photos with Michael. I got so many compliments on the ones I framed. They are small on the computer b/c I had to shrink them to fit them. To me they are gorgeous and worth the money. I got TEN b/c I didn't want to upgrade AND then I had him print all the extras that I wanted to frame and those I can't put online seeing as they are in frames on the wall. I got TEN to a disk but not just ten. My DH is a student and I don't have buttloads of extra money for photos. Michael told me personally he keeps pictures indefinitely and I can come back later and get the same price I paid originally to get more pictures. I am not taking his back b/c I know he has changed policy I see both sides to this. I just got a little tiffed at the above remark. I find it rude to put down someone elses wedding pictures. I wish all the brides the best. Personally I think people are getting fired up. I would personally do what Heidi did and contact the RIU sales.

Oh Calia, I don't think she meant anything bad. I think we are all just frustrated with not being able to choose the photographer we want and instead being forced to go with one person. I'm glad that you had a good experience with Michael. Your wedding looked great.......and of course, you were glowing and radiant throughout the day.

[rodent]

Like Calia said, those are just the ones she got on a disk to make copies for her family. The family shots are usually not the most creative of the shots. She was able to get pictures that she loves & has already framed & hung up. The best part is she kept it in her budget. We'd all love the best wedding photographer ever, but it's more important not to rack up a bunch of debt trying to get it. I understand photos are really important, but so are budgets.

 

I think the policy at the Riu about not allowing outside phtographers is terrible. But, Michael is not likely to blame. I feel bad for the guy. He's probably just trying to make & living & has to take a certain number of weddings to do so. I doubt he sees all of that $200. You know the Rui gets their cut. They are the ones that set up the stupid policy in the first place. I'd be complaining to corporate.

[Spazz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaliaA07 Wow. OUCH! I didn't know my WEDDING pictures were so horrible when I paid for them. I know Michael is getting a bad rep. But he was great for us. I had 6 family members ALL taking pictures. I have over 1000 pictures OTHER than Michaels and I did not pay extra for them to photograph. If you're nice to him he'll be nice back. We only spent about 200 - 300 bucks on photos with Michael. I got so many compliments on the ones I framed. They are small on the computer b/c I had to shrink them to fit them. To me they are gorgeous and worth the money. I got TEN b/c I didn't want to upgrade AND then I had him print all the extras that I wanted to frame and those I can't put online seeing as they are in frames on the wall. I got TEN to a disk but not just ten. My DH is a student and I don't have buttloads of extra money for photos. Michael told me personally he keeps pictures indefinitely and I can come back later and get the same price I paid originally to get more pictures. I am not taking his back b/c I know he has changed policy I see both sides to this. I just got a little tiffed at the above remark. I find it rude to put down someone elses wedding pictures. I wish all the brides the best. Personally I think people are getting fired up. I would personally do what Heidi did and contact the RIU sales.

For the record, I think your pictures are wonderful Calia!
I am also using Michael, but that is because photography honestly is not important to me at all. I'd rather spend my budget on other things that are more important to me. That being said, I can see why everyone is fired up. It is a ridiculous policy and I definitely think RIU Corporate needs to get involved. Good luck girls!

[AlmostMrsForbes]

I don't think anyone is saying that Michael shouldn't want to make money or that he is horrible.

 

It all comes down to choice. None of us have a contract with either the Riu or Michael to use Michael's services. Therefore, the breach in contract fee makes no sense.

 

Additionally, like everyone else, I am bringing a lot of money into the hotel. I, personally, don't like to be extorted ... which is pretty much what is going on here.

 

I understand he wants to make money - but extortion is not the way to go. If that is the case, he needs to up his game so that he can compete with other photographers - start offering more services, etc.