A Warning to Potential Customers: My Experience with Vanessa

I contacted Vanessa in July 2024 to book a photoshoot after being impressed by the images on her Facebook page. Initially, she seemed accommodating and even advised me to wait for her "specials," which she promised to share the following day. I specifically requested a date that would work while my son was visiting from the UK, and she confirmed availability, saying she would provide the time and location details closer to the shoot date. Three days before the scheduled shoot, I reached out to confirm the time and location, only to be met with back-and-forth excuses. She suggested changing the date, despite knowing my son’s travel plans and that this was not an option. On the day of the shoot, she expressed concerns about the wind ruining the session and hesitated to proceed, making me feel like she was trying to cancel. Despite our reassurances to go ahead regardless of the weather and offering to then do the shoot at our home, she then insisted that doing the shoot at our home would incur double her fee, which was unreasonable. When the shoot finally happened at her suggested location, she arrived late, even though we were told to be punctual for the ideal sunset lighting. Throughout the session, she focused more on talking about her personal issues than conducting a professional shoot, making my family very uncomfortable. According to the terms and conditions, we were supposed to receive our photos within 15–21 business days. However, 10 weeks passed without any updates. I sent her multiple messages via WhatsApp, email, and Facebook before finally receiving a response. She claimed her WhatsApp number was no longer in use and promised to send the photo link the next day, which never happened. After persistent reminders, she finally sent the link on the 13th of November, instructing me to choose the photos within 1–2 days in order to receive them by the 24th of November. After selecting the photos, I was required to pay an additional R2,325, which I felt was excessive. When I raised concerns, she responded with a sarcastic email. Despite paying, I did not receive the photos by the promised date. Instead, she posted on social media about moving offices and limited access to emails, but she continued taking new bookings and attending other shoots during this time. When I followed up again, she accused me of being unreasonable, claimed she was overwhelmed, and even made personal remarks about how I should be more understanding. After weeks of frustration, I publicly posted on her Facebook page, asking for my photos. She eventually sent them on the 7th of December, but they were unedited, included photos I didn’t select, and excluded the ones I paid for. This seemed intentional and spiteful. Her accusations are shocking as she is trying to make out as if we are in the wrong for expecting to get the photo's we paid for. Vanessa is unprofessional and unreliable. From the initial promise of a 15–21 business day turnaround to the reality of 4 months later (74 business days), she failed to deliver quality or professionalism. Her actions, including taking money without fulfilling her obligations, feel fraudulent. The photos on her social media seem like bait to lure in unsuspecting clients, but she does not deliver on her promises. I strongly caution anyone considering her services to think twice. My experience was not only disappointing but also infuriating. Avoid her at all costs! Photoshoot date: 23 August 2024 Photo's received (unedited and not the ones we selected): 7 December 2024

Horrible Service & unprofessional behavior

We booked a full photoshoot with Vanessa. We added on additional family members to join us on the shoot for who we paid extra and she confirmed that it was in order. On the day of the shoot she was more than 30 mins late. We had a lot of kids with us and by the time she arrived they were already over it. While we were shooting another couple came to a spot close to us and all she was focused on is how these people were stealing her ‘spot’. We were informed that the waiting period will be around 4-8 weeks, in week 8 I messaged her to ask if we will receive our pics before the end of the week but she couldn’t remember our shoot date. Which means if I never followed up we probably still wouldn’t have our pictures. She then proceeded to tell me that she also needs rest and have to take her public holidays in order to maintain her wellbeing. I completely understand this but then don’t give your clients timelines which you cannot adhere to. When we finally received our previews many of the photos were blurry, peoples eyes are closed, the sun made harsh shadows. She didn’t take initiative to direct or stage the photos. While we are waiting for our pics she was still actively having specials on her shoots to get business and take peoples deposits but can’t keep up with the work load. She gave us 1-3 days to go through the pictures that we waited for for 8 weeks and to choose our favourites. This was not possible as there were multiple family members that had to make choices. It took us about a week and a half to get back to her after which she informed me due to us not adhering to the 1-3 day limit she gave us that we will have to wait another 3-4 weeks for our pictures. By this time I informed her that she was being unprofessional and that not even newly weds have to wait this long for pictures. I told her we wanted our pictures immediately. She then responds by telling me that I wont ‘bully’ her into sending them sooner. We got them about two and a half weeks after that and no further editing was visible from the previews she sent meaning she just kept the pictures fout of spite because I complained. Its a shame because her pictures on her facebook account look so beautiful and thoughtful and ours is just not up to the same standard. Not a warm and inviting person to deal with.