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Couple Pays for Wedding Photographer, Then Asked For Additional ‘Album Cover’ Fees

by 88 Comments

UPDATE: This story went under trial, which has now ended. Polito won and The court ordered the Moldovans to pay Polito $1.08 million. you can read the latest update here.

Imagine getting a coffee at Starbucks, paying at the cashier and then when coming to pick it up, being asked for an extra buck as cup fees. A similar situation is at the heart of a dispute between newlyweds: Andrew and Neely Moldovan and wedding photographer Andrea Polito.

The couple got married in October and apparently had a pleasant wedding. They told NBC 5 that they signed a $6,000 contract with Andrea Polito which included a “40 page 8.5×12 Storybook Album with up to 80 images“. Surprisingly when asking for their photos, the photographer requested an additional photo-album-cover-fee with the cheapest one costing $150.

 

An email exchange which was shared with NBC 5 the Moldovans share the following exchange:

“- Do we pay extra for a cover? Is there not a standard cover it comes with?”
– “Your package includes the 40 pages & 80 images portion of the album, but we leave the album cover to be decided on when you actually order (it)…”

The couple also says that Polito will not send them their CD unless they pay for the cover or forfeit the album altogether, and if not paid by mid February, Polito will incur an additional $250 archiving fees.

cover-fees

Polito responded to NBC 5 that: “We make the utmost effort to consistently provide the best customer service and highest quality of photography in the industry“.

It seems that Polito‘s facebook page is now offline.

Now, I am not a wedding photographer, but I find this situation extremely awkward. If I was to pay for an album I would definitely assume that it included a cover, very much like when ordering the 357 pages Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets I would expect it to come bound and all. Just saying.

UPDATE: see photographer’s response here.

[The full story along with some more emails can be found at NBC]

Related posts:

Album Cover Fee Story Followup – An Open Letter From The Photographer Photographer Accused Of Charging For Album Cover Now Goes To Defamation Trial With The Client photographer accused of charging for album cover closer to win defamation trial Couple who defamed photographer over album cover ordered to pay over $1,000,000

About Udi Tirosh

Udi Tirosh is the Founder and Editor in Chief of DIYPhotography, he is also a photographer, a relentless entrepreneur, a prolific inventor and a dad, not necessarily in that order

  • Mauricio

    The photographer should have clarified that in the contract. Something like: Standard album cover, other styles available (price may vary). Also, with a $6000 package, not including an album cover is really cheap, and creates a negative impression in the clients. “You charge $6000 and don’t include a lousy $150 album cover?” Wow, your profit margin must be really narrow.

  • This requires further reading of the contract between the parties involved in order to make a comment about it. However, if I were the photographer, I’d waive the $150 “cover” fee because it’ll stop the backlash they’ll most likely get from bad PR. On top of it, i’d include for them a family portrait session free of sitting fees.

    • Anonymous

      She offered to waive it even before the news became involved. Apparently, the bride still decided to create a stir. Presumably to increase her social media following. The photographer has all of the communication, and I hope this bride gets sued for defamation.

  • z

    Omg I need to up my prices!

    • Jim Johnson

      Yeah, I’ve been giving away the album cover for free when they buy the album! I should also charge for the ink and the paper. What a fool I’ve been!

  • Now that is pretty greedy and certainly NOT the kind of publicity you want as a photographer. I’ve never before heard of charging extra for a cover? Even worse, waiting until after the wedding to mention it? Even if it’s in the fine print, something as important as that should definitely be made very clear during the initial consultation. If you can’t cover your expenses then raise your prices, screwing over customers is a sure way to lose your business really quickly.

  • It would be reasonable to expect an album has a cover. Sure more fancy covers would incur a cost but by definition an album has a cover. This is just dodgy money grubbing.

    Will the CD have images in a format that is password protected? The contract doesn’t say you will be able to look at the images on the cd.

  • hope that $150 was worth destroying their brand!!! Wow.

    • Nessa

      You don’t even know the whole story.

  • Burt Johnson

    $6000 and he tries to cheap out on the cover???

    • 123

      That really stupid

    • better than greywulf1064

      Andrea is probably a she. not that it invalidates your point.

    • Nessa

      Read the photographer’s side of the story. http://www.blogpolito.com/?p=5757

      • Burt Johnson

        Fascinating reply. Thx for posting that. I have often found that there are two sides to most stories. Glad she stepped up, as I am assuming she is telling the truth here (it rings true to me…).

  • Paul Menard

    Seems stupid to me :/

  • If there was an additional charge for the cover it should have been stipulated I the contract. Sorry but the photographer needs to eat that $150.

  • Eric Dye

    There must be more to this story. I’d like to hear about everything from the photographer’s side. I’m hesitant to believe a photographer of her caliber would do that.

  • And here I am presenting a regular client with a coupon for a free canvas print for her birthday. To each their own, I suppose.

  • Jon Clark

    Looking at this it seems to me that the issue is that the bride wants something for nothing.
    let me explain.
    Wedding photographers know that albums come with many different cover styles ans invariably these cost different amounts of money.
    The contract and price in this case seems to have included for a standard cover with the option when ordering to specify a different cover design but for an increased price.
    Hence the charge for the album cover.
    The bride here appears to be the con artist as she has ordered something but is refusing to pay for it. How many of us haven’t been on the receiving end of that in our time?

    • Skhag

      I guess you have a point, but really they paid over $6000 already, how is she trying to get an album cover for nothing? She is clearly out $6000.

      • Jon Clark

        But you don’t know what that $6000 was for do you.
        A quick look at the photographers website shows that she has a number of price bands for her wedding packages. An interested couple indicates their price band and probably a unique bespoke photography package is developed by both parties. The content of that content will be valued at $6000 which will have included an album cover no doubt from a range of covers available. The will have as with any wedding additional costs associated with ‘upgrading’ items following the wedding should the couple wish.
        It does concern me that everybody considers the photographer is a rip off merchant as she is charging $6000. What if her costs for this wedding are $5000 and she has put in 100hrs of work herself.
        Now should she be throwing another $150 away? Given that she has just done a wedding for £10 per hour.

        • Mark Berry

          No, the couple asked for a “standard” cover and have been refused. This is not an upgrade, they have to pay to have ANY cover, and can’t have the album without paying that extra.

          An album is defined as “a blank book for the insertion of photographs, stamps, or pictures.”. A book is defined as “a written or printed work consisting of pages glued or sewn together along one side and bound in covers.”. Clearly the package included an album, and that is what they should get without additional cost. Yes, they can then choose an upgrade if they want to, and no the package doesn’t define the spec for the album (so it can be cheap and nasty enough that they’ll WANT to upgrade), but an album isn’t an album unless it has covers.

          If the photographer meant what you suggest, then she should and could have said “album pages included, requiring your choice of cover at a varying additional cost.”.

          I don’t care what her hourly rate works out to be, she should be delivering what she offered (an album). If it turns out that he hourly rate she chose to do it for is too low, that’s her look out, not the couple’s.

          • Sean

            You obviously did not READ the photographers response:
            1) bride is a PROFESSIONAL social media blogger and is using here skills to perpetuate a lie
            2) reporter is an unethical hack who did not fully vet his story and did not present a fair counter story.
            3) Photographer offered (and has proof) that she tried to work out the issue including forgoing the $125 and deliver the book and images anyway
            4) And most of all..WHY WOULD A PROFESSIONAL WITH 10 YEARS AND 600 WEDDINGS UNDER HER BELT QUIBBLE OVER $125? What would be the point? She does not come across to me as some fly by night hack photographer at all.

            Again, the internet court of guilty regardless of the truth still goes on. I hope the photographer sues the living crap out of this bitch.

          • All of this.

          • She offered to waive the fee and give them EVERYTHING they wanted BEFORE they went to the news, but then they went to the news, anyway, and acted as if they didn’t get what they wanted. It’s a smear campaign.

      • Nessa

        You don’t even know the whole story!

      • Yesenia Martinez

        Who cares what they paid?! They chose to hire her… just like many couples pay 5-10K for wedding photography… which probably includes about the same. They are paying for the name and talent of the photographer. It doesn’t mean you get the moon because you are paying more!

        • Marco Tedaldi

          The question for me is: did the couple know upfront, that there would be an additional fee?
          And did they know that the photographer would not fulfill the whole contract, if the additional fee was not paid?

          • As a matter of fact, they did know that the rest of the contract would not be fulfilled. It’s clearly states in the photographer’s terms that the client signed up front.

            On top of that, the photographer agreed to waive her own terms to acquiesce to the client, but the client ignored the concessions (of basically getting EVERYTHING she wanted) and took the story to the news, anyway.

          • chris

            Sounds like misunderstanding and then very big over reaction by the bride. Photographer should learn from this and include std album cover cost in package and then only charge additional fee for upgraded cover. If couple has already paid the 6000 dont know why photographer would withhold the CDs for the cover charge. If they still owe part of the 6000, then yes to withholding the final images until fully paid for.

      • Rotton fish

        This bride is a self professed expert on Social media. She is “clearly” NOT out 6k. Read the photographers response and see her documented emails trying to give in to to Social media hostage taker. The bride was thrilled with the images and everything was offered in full to the Bride but she she chose to sensationalize it anyway. Looks like the photographer just might have a nice lawsuit agains the newlyweds. Hope she takes them to the legal dry cleaners to stop these kinds of customers trying to destroy a business on a whim when it obviously could have been worked out.

  • Sad at the mob mentality
    • Mark Berry

      This does put a different complexion on it, but I’d like to know what the “confusion” the studio refers to is. From what we’ve seen, they were still wrong to even attempt an additional charge in the first place, though this does suggest that they DID try to sort it out amicably.

      • Anonymous

        The photographer has communications with the bride that show she offered the album cover for free even before the bride went to the news. So, clearly, the bride was just trying to gain some extra social media exposure. Seems she is a social media expert….

  • Sean

    Ahh…there is MORE to this story then this article lets on. First, the bride is lying, the photo of the contract is manipulated, and not ONE news source interviewed the photographer. Don’t go jumping down some photographers throat based on a one-side article and hearsay.

    • Mark Berry

      Do you have a source for the claim that the contract photo was manipulated please?

      • Sean

        I got it from a reliable trusted source who is personally familiar with both parties…nuff said. The truth WILL out itself and everyone will have egg on their faces for jumping on the lynch mob mentality over a third-rate reporters hack job and bitch trying to boost her blog hits.

        • Sean, have you seen the update on the post referring to Polito’s open letter?

  • Professional Photographer
  • Brittany

    Maybe some of you should read the real story, from the photographer herself. Anyone signing up to 6k for their wedding photography and disputing over $150 is obviously looking to seek attention. This bride is a social media blogger, and clearly seeking attention as she has many new “followers” because she was “so wronged.” Follow the link to get the other side of the story.

    http://www.blogpolito.com/?p=5757

  • Julie

    Inefficient local media and mean mean people at their finest. The other side of the story is here: http://www.blogpolito.com/?p=5757

  • Jessica

    http://www.blogpolito.com/?p=5757. Please read the photographer’s response. Even though I don’t agree with the way the photographer pricing, there was obviously a miscommunication and the bride took advantage of the situation to boost her internet fame.

  • Nessa

    This is not the whole story and you should be ashamed of yourself, as a photography page, for not talking to the photographer!

    • Rotton fish

      This is a soccer mom page. For real forums you need to look elsewhere.

  • Sohail A. Chouhan

    In my professional opinion the bride is looking for more blog traffic. Her blog traffic and following increased due to this slander and act of defaming a legitimate business. In the words of the bride, it is not about $150.

  • Emma

    The whole story was not told on NBC. The bride has made false allegations against the photographer and I hope she sues the couple for defamation. http://www.blogpolito.com/

  • suzy

    She has a blog too, and noone has commented on hers or she MOD’d them:

    Its very sad you went after another professional like you did. I
    really hope you realize how hurtful you have been. I know you probably
    moderate your blog like any sane person would and delete this post
    before its been shown. And probably stop reading, but what if you didnt.

    She may have wronged you in some way and you think you deserve to
    enact revenge. But you are also a professional and this shows a side of
    you that your clients will see.

    If you had a real dispute, going to her and resolving it would be
    good and if that didnt work, then taking it to court. Not being quick to
    act in anger and rage to destroy her reputation. If it was a legit
    claim you would have filed a law suit at the same, if not before you
    rampaged on with a news staff.

    Imagine this happens to you. Imagine now that you have done this to
    someone, and in the future one of your clients are unhappy and reads
    about you and how you responded when you were met with dissatisfaction.
    Btw the internet is notorious for keeping information forever (one
    google search and you can see all about your story). Now your client
    could think they could pull a similar stunt with you as you have been
    there and they now can do the same as you or use it to get more from you
    like black mail. You know how easy it is to get on the news, and you
    shown that to others.

    I know you just got married but what happens if this happens to one of
    your future children. Would you allow someone to purposefully ruin your
    child’s reputation on school, work, life in general. You have set a tone
    and shown your character to your family, friends, and future children.

    There are two sides to every story. Once people know the whole story
    (not that yours is inaccurate, but it is one sided). People will see
    your character good and bad, brave and foolish but they and the world
    will see it and it will affect you for the rest of your life.

    One day you will see that wisdom is not given to the quick to anger, but to those that are merciful and patient.

  • Shyn Midili

    http://www.blogpolito.com/?p=5757

    the real story
    this bride is trying to make herself famous at a small business owners expense

  • lola851

    They are both ridiculously ugly. Who would WANT to keep photos of those faces? They are nothing but media-hungry, attention seeking liars.

  • MattRoberts

    I wish this reporter would have gotten both sides before publishing this story. After reading the photographer’s response, this article’s author appears to have really discredits the integrity of their publication. It’s clear to see now having heard the photographer’s side, this was written from only the bride’s perspective. It also appears she was making the entire thing up to get social media lift as the bride is a social media expert. Here’s the photographer’s response. http://www.blogpolito.com/?p=5757

  • Trust

    The real statement.

  • Kelly

    Honestly, the actions of the bride and her husband are disgusting.
    NBC, you should be ashamed of yourself. Here is the other side of the story:
    http://Www.blogpolito.com/?p=5757

  • Kelly

    And diyphotography.net, YOU should be ashamed of yourself for reposting and disparaging the name of this photographer. I hope she sues you for defamation and wins for continuing to abuse this photographer. Poor business, DIY, cruddy, poor business.

  • Pryor

    I have read both this story and the one from the photographer. Either way, what album doesn’t include a cover?

    • guest

      Its not about not including a cover. Wedding albums like this have so many options, that it boggles the mind. There are leather, photo, plexiglass, vinyl, etc., etc., covers. You can well imagine that a leather cover is going to cost more than a simple vinyl cover. So that, if for some reason the bride hasn’t picked a cover at the time of booking, she can do so after the wedding and know that the prices are ala carte as stated!

  • VV

    I can’t believe this is news, but just in case people are interested, here is a link to more information. I don’t know either party, but I do know the press, and I very much enjoyed this article… http://www.blogpolito.com/?p=5757

  • Laura

    The bride sounds like an attention-seeking little brat. I hope the photographer sues her for slander.

  • Sherrie Dennis

    Imagine spending a decade building a business with over 600 weddings and a 95% customer satisfaction rate, only to have someone try to single-handedly take it down by trolling and manipulating local media. http://www.blogpolito.com/?p=5757

  • Alan Krane

    This photographer should add album cover verbiage to her contract to protect her business in the future from Bridezilla’s like this. If this accuser took her profession seriously she would not use her Blogger/Social Media profession and official blog site to harm a fellow entrepreneur’s business — its simply unprofessional, immature and negligent behavior.

    The photographer should engage counsel – the accuser’s online commentary is rather blatant in her intent to harm the photographer’s business. Her intent to do harm is perpetuated by engaging local “gotcha” type television journalists — no matter what the truth, these journalists are out to harm local businesses because this draws viewers — similar to the accuser leveraging this event to drive traffic to her blog and attention to herself.

    The accuser hired an A-list Dallas wedding vendor with a stellar reputation — a business does not earn a place at this level without hard work and excellent customer service. From what we has been presented online, this is business misunderstanding and the vendor was pro-actively engaged in communication with the client to find a resolution.

    If the accuser had hired a hack wedding vendor with negative reviews and a track record of ripping customers off — the decision to call local tv smear journalists may have been warranted, but would still show a complete lack of class on the customers part.

    Should the accuser truly does not care about the $150 fee and only cares about the principal of the matter, they would have hired an attorney — not unethical local tv smear journalists

    • Alicia

      She did include “album cover verbiage” but the bride chose to ignore it…that “contract” you saw was manipulated…the actual contract stated that the cover was a separate charge. This woman made it all up for more blog exposure. I just hope it is worth it when she ends up in court for libel.

  • Blah man

    Instead of adding a little comment at the bottom maybe make a better correction to the story.

    • anyone who reads the comment to the ens will see the comment. anyone who is subscribed to the blog saw the open letter we published today. we are not taking a side in this.

      • The headline says differently.

      • Kelly

        You clearly took a side by defaming this photographer’s name. Wait until it happens to you. I have a feeling you wouldn’t want someone to write what YOU WROTE about her without checking for yourself. You slandered her.

      • guest

        You ABSOLUTELY took a side! Are you kidding me with that statement?? And even if your heart didnt take a side, your writing sure as hell did. And you know it! Dude, you are full of &%$#*

  • Andie S

    I think this was a great publicity stunt by the bride since she is in social media afterall. Bride= attention whore.

  • Em

    Par usual the media grasps strictly to what one person says rather than collecting all the factual information about the entire story. Perhaps this bride should think twice before slandering a human being and business. Things have a way of coming back around in life.

  • “Now, I am not a wedding photographer, but I find this situation
    extremely awkward. If I was to pay for an album I would definitely
    assume that it included a cover, very much like when ordering the 357
    pages Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets I would expect it to come
    bound and all. Just saying.”

    The only thing that is awkward is that someone can publish something without doing any research whatsoever. This is a completely inaccurate account of what actually occurred.

  • Kirsten

    Very disappointed to find that articles maligning Andrea Polito are still doing the rounds, even now that the court case is under way. This situation is hardly comparable to “getting a coffee at Starbucks, paying at the cashier and then when
    coming to pick it up, being asked for an extra buck as cup fees” or “when ordering the 357 pages Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets I would expect it to come bound and all”. Tucking a link to an update under these malicious phrases doesn’t exactly constitute balanced reporting or the retraction that Ms Polito deserves. The bride chose to select a bespoke album after her photos were ready, but she didn’t want to pay for it. It’s bad enough that she should have earned a discount on her wedding album through a tantrum, but she went out and convinced people like you to destroy an excellent photographer’s business on such flimsy grounds.

  • GB in MA

    There are SO many options for an album. it is not a regular book. They would have had options to choose from. Fabric, leather, metal etc. The photographer would not just choose one. Depending on the type of books she sells is the options for the cover. it would be a poor business choice not to allow a client, esp a bride and groom, to choose from the cover and depending on the choices made is the cost of the album in total. I think if I am paying 1000+ for an album I would want the choice.

  • Sheri

    Time to post an apology Udi Tirosh

  • Idan Max Lauinger

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y52zRdGkcGg

    Neely Moldovan (along with her husband) has tried to ruin the life of photographer Andrea Polito

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