To be fair there is a bit more to it. According to the photographers story: He was friends with the couple and a dog groomer. He agreed to shoot the event for $250 because
1. He’s not a photographer and the couple wasn’t asking him to take amazing photos- just some photos.
2. The couple was on a tight budget for the wedding.
So after a whole day that began with following the bride and taking pictures pre wedding, and photographing the ceremony with no breaks and having ran out of water, dinner was being served and he was told he wouldn’t be served. He told the couple he needed a break to get food and water and the couple said he needed to take pictures and that if he left he wouldn’t be paid. Angry, the photographer deleted all the wedding pictures and told the groom ok. He wasn’t the photographer then, and left.
I don’t think the photographer was out of line to be upset. Such a reasonable and basic request should have been filled, and not only would it have been courteous in general at a wedding to offer the photographer a meal, but it would be much wiser to provide food and water on site so the photographer might have a “working lunch” and minimize the time they were unable to shoot.
I also understand that if the couple really was on such a tight budget, and from the sound of things, they likely didn’t have a wedding planner or staff. They may not have been able to bear the expense of another plate, and…
For both the photographer and likely the couple this was their first time experiencing a wedding from the respective POV’s they were in. The photographer didn’t likely know what they were actually agreeing to when they said yes and the bride and groom may not have known the etiquete or how these things generally work.
The photographer should maybe have brought more water for an all day event than two bottles, and a snack or lunch might have been prudent even if they were being fed. Being their first wedding as a photographer though they could be excused for not being prepared like a pro or knowing to talk through breaks or plan their shoot and work with the wedding party on places they might be able to take breaks or at least the critical shots and timing.
The couple likely didn’t think of these things either and perhaps were overwhelmed with details and other things and didn’t think it out. They may have thought the photographer took care of all that or it would work itself out- maybe not considering both that their photographer knew no more about the process than them. At the minimum even if they couldn’t afford another a plate for the photographer they could have provided access to water and maybe bought a less expensive meal for the photographer to have something to eat.
The couple was certainly thoughtless of the photographer regardless of the circumstances or stresses etc. and asked a lot without seeming to appreciate not only the importance he played but that he was doing them a very big courtesy.
The photographer for his part destroyed the records of such an important day in their lives, records they can’t get back, over discomfort and hurt feelings. Unless they had a medical condition going less than 24 hours without food and being slightly under hydrated is unlikely to prove fatal or even particularly damaging.
Nothing the photographer does could undo their actions even if they later changed their mind and felt bad or some sort of cortical information that might change the perception came to light later.
In one year, ten. Twenty, more than that- it is very unlikely the photographer will have any strong recollection of the feelings of hunger and fatigue. If not for the novelty and most friendship they may not even remember the day at all
or need reminding of “that time that…” the couple on the other,
Should they last together especially, might remember and think if that day for life. You tend to remember and place much more significance in your wedding than you do on missing a meal or two or a hard days labor.
And ultimately in my mind- it doesn’t matter if you knew what you were getting into.
If you say you’ll do something, especially if you take a job, you’ve committed to it. If you find out it’s more than you bargained for you have learned something. You might never do that again or you might know next time to ask for more etc. but you finish the job because you agreed to do it. Agreeing to something you don’t understand is your foolish mistake and if nothing else a lesson should be to not agree or commit to things of you don’t actually know what you are agreeing to.
I also believe that nothing changed. There is nothing in the photographers story that implies that it was ever insinuated or states that they’d receive food or breaks or anything but $250 after photographing the entire wedding.
It is best to comunícate clearly in general, but when you make a contract you need to be sure everything you want is in the contract. This is union 101, business 101. Never rely on the “common sense” or benevolence etc. of another in a contract as a contract only promises what is in the contact. Get what you want agreed upon when you make the contract, not after.
That is something I’d expect the photographer to know even if they aren’t a photographer because in their dog business they more than likely have dealings with the concept. I don’t know what the solution would be once the chain of events was in motion and it was too late to go back and set clear expectations etc. it may have been more appropriate for the photographer to storm out without deleting the pictures- just taking them with them, and if the couple refused to pay at that point, telling them no cash, no pics. Still harsh but it is a middle ground between giving the couple what they want and destroying those photos.
Realistically with the agreement made, the “right thing” in my mind would be to make clear that you found the actions and attitudes repugnant but delivered on the deal you made. We can say the couple was disrespectful or this or that but in the photographers own worlds the coupes didn’t deny the photographer anything that they were promised in the deal.
Depending on the state etc. the pay and hours, lack of breaks etc. could be justifiable legally based on the status of the photographers employment. Legal and right aren’t always the same, and in pretty much all jurisdictions, threatening that the photographer couldn’t take a break without being fired could be seen as unlawful even if the photographer is classed as a gig worker etc.
1. He’s not a photographer and the couple wasn’t asking him to take amazing photos- just some photos.
2. The couple was on a tight budget for the wedding.
So after a whole day that began with following the bride and taking pictures pre wedding, and photographing the ceremony with no breaks and having ran out of water, dinner was being served and he was told he wouldn’t be served. He told the couple he needed a break to get food and water and the couple said he needed to take pictures and that if he left he wouldn’t be paid. Angry, the photographer deleted all the wedding pictures and told the groom ok. He wasn’t the photographer then, and left.
I also understand that if the couple really was on such a tight budget, and from the sound of things, they likely didn’t have a wedding planner or staff. They may not have been able to bear the expense of another plate, and…
For both the photographer and likely the couple this was their first time experiencing a wedding from the respective POV’s they were in. The photographer didn’t likely know what they were actually agreeing to when they said yes and the bride and groom may not have known the etiquete or how these things generally work.
The couple likely didn’t think of these things either and perhaps were overwhelmed with details and other things and didn’t think it out. They may have thought the photographer took care of all that or it would work itself out- maybe not considering both that their photographer knew no more about the process than them. At the minimum even if they couldn’t afford another a plate for the photographer they could have provided access to water and maybe bought a less expensive meal for the photographer to have something to eat.
The photographer for his part destroyed the records of such an important day in their lives, records they can’t get back, over discomfort and hurt feelings. Unless they had a medical condition going less than 24 hours without food and being slightly under hydrated is unlikely to prove fatal or even particularly damaging.
Nothing the photographer does could undo their actions even if they later changed their mind and felt bad or some sort of cortical information that might change the perception came to light later.
In one year, ten. Twenty, more than that- it is very unlikely the photographer will have any strong recollection of the feelings of hunger and fatigue. If not for the novelty and most friendship they may not even remember the day at all
Should they last together especially, might remember and think if that day for life. You tend to remember and place much more significance in your wedding than you do on missing a meal or two or a hard days labor.
And ultimately in my mind- it doesn’t matter if you knew what you were getting into.
If you say you’ll do something, especially if you take a job, you’ve committed to it. If you find out it’s more than you bargained for you have learned something. You might never do that again or you might know next time to ask for more etc. but you finish the job because you agreed to do it. Agreeing to something you don’t understand is your foolish mistake and if nothing else a lesson should be to not agree or commit to things of you don’t actually know what you are agreeing to.
It is best to comunícate clearly in general, but when you make a contract you need to be sure everything you want is in the contract. This is union 101, business 101. Never rely on the “common sense” or benevolence etc. of another in a contract as a contract only promises what is in the contact. Get what you want agreed upon when you make the contract, not after.