Cliff Marler was contracted to provide photography services for my daughter's wedding. He was paid per his request, prior to the event. My daughter and her fiance met with him and then I met with him with my daughter to go over the 'shot list', a list of photographs that were considered absolutes and must haves. The shot list was fully explained and left with Mr. Marler prior to the wedding.
It was further discussed, and agreed upon and written into the contract that he was to make 4 CD's of all of the photographs taken. One CD was to be high resolution for my daughter, and 3 CD's were to be low resolution (to allow only 8x10 photographs to be printed) for the families. The high resolution CD and one (1) of the low resolution CD's were to be mailed to my daughter, who lives out of town. I was to pick up the remaining 2 low resolution CD's from him, as I live in the same town as Mr. Marler. Mr. Marler promised to have these CDs to us within 1-2 weeks after the wedding.
The wedding came and was of course beautiful. After 4.5 weeks, my daughter received a 17.5 lb box from Mr. Marler.in this box were prints of each and every shot he took, including many, many blury ones. This was not asked for. Also in the box were 8 CD's. None of the CD's were labeled. Two were found to be duplicates, some were such low resolution that they were thumbnails and could not be printed at all. Many had high and low resolution digtals photos on them. This was not how we had requested it, nor how it was written into the contract.
It was further determined that the 'shot list' that he had my daughter fill out, was not followed — not at all. There were many, many requested, must have photographs that were not taken. It was further part of the contract that there were to be no pictures taken during the ceremony, as it is against our beliefs.
Low and behold, there were several pictures taken by Mr. Marler during the ceremony, even after he asked me about it no less then 6 times during the rehearsal and wedding day preparations. It seems the only pictures Mr. Marler captured of the bride and groom together were during the ceremony.
To make matters worse, I have attempted to contact Mr. Marler 4 times now by phone, leaving polite messages to please return my call to get the two CD's that I am supposed to pick up from him. None of the messages have been returned by Mr. Marler and it's been over 5 weeks since the wedding. At this time, I don't believe the CDs exist and my daughter is busy making family CDs from the CD's she did get — none of which are in order or itemized. What a mess! Plus many of the pictures are blurry and totally not print quality (and yet, Mr. Marler had them printed, which was not asked nor required of him). Seems perhaps Mr. Marler tried to make up for his lacking organizational skills and lacking photography skills by providing things that were not asked for — perhaps a way to keep us quiet?
It has further come to our attention that Mr. Marler was rude to several of our wedding guests. About 2 dozen guests have now complained to me of his rudeness and lack of professionalism.
I would recommend using caution if anyone is thinking about using Cliff Marler Photography for their event photos. The kids and I will be deciding whether to take further action in the coming days.
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