DeGroot Film Co.

Ryan & Mattie, I am so beyond sorry that you feel this way and that you are so disappointed. On the wedding day, you loved all of the photos you saw. At the end of the night, you sent us home with a gratuity, which was so appreciated. You loved the sneak peeks. I have always been available for phone calls, you never asked. I ask all our couples’ multiple times throughout the planning process and in person at sessions to let me know if you have any questions or need any help with planning the timeline, etc. It’s not hidden that Devin primarily does video. When we do photo only or photo/video, we have our 2nd shooters/associates with us. The personal comments regarding our move to California (a year ago) and me not being focused are completely unnecessary and not true. On our phone call you said you made these assumptions based on an Instagram story you saw about me missing my kids. We have been traveling for weddings for 13 years and in business for 15. Our travel and home life doesn't interfere with wedding days. This was a personal attack that doesn’t involve your wedding whatsoever. I was with/by you guys all day long ready and prepared to take any photos of moments that were happening as well as moments you requested. You provided a 3 page, extremely detailed shot list, that I put into a timeline and worked with you all day long to check off specific images. Again, to say I was confused or didn’t know what to do is false. I mentioned to you in an email in February that my 2nd shooter would be there with me checking off your images in your shot list (not Devin). I have documented times in my mileage app of when I arrived at your wedding, early. I directed you through getting ready, bridal party, couples’ photos and family photos, as I do at every wedding. I delivered even more photos than our contract states we will. You immediately downloaded the entire gallery and then Mattie downloaded over 340 images individually, and more since. Your timeline had us going from the girls to the guys and back so that’s what we followed. There was never a request to do sitting family photos (which you admitted to on the phone call), and we posed your family as we always do for our couples. There was also time after the family photos, pre ceremony, to continue taking photos if you wanted to, but you said you were happy with what we captured. Regarding your first dance photos, you are (quite literally) the only thing in focus. On our phone call it became clear that you only wanted close up photos with nothing else in the background. We provided both close up and wide shots, as we do for all of our couples. I am always able to provide full galleries for couples interested in booking to show a well-rounded look at what we provide. Again, I’m heartbroken that you feel this way and even more distraught that you never expressed any of this to me or tried to have any conversations. I pride myself in my communication and I’m available in the planning process and throughout their wedding day. For you to have such a drastically different experience is disappointing for me as well. I thought that things went amazing and that you were so happy, given the communication we had throughout. On our phone call, we discussed that the concerns you raised appeared to stem from a combination of your limited experience with weddings, not knowing which questions to ask throughout the process, and having very specific preferences and expectations regarding your photos.