Call Kurtis: Where Are Our Wedding Albums?

Jackie and Julio Lopez aren't necessarily newlyweds anymore.  Their wedding was in 2008.

"This is my wedding in a box," Jackie says as she pulls out her box of proofs.

The couple paid Michelle Murphy Photography of Ceres $3,301.94 to be their wedding photographer.

"I'm happy with the photos that were taken," says Jackie.

The couple has been given all the proofs taken by Michelle Murphy, but the proofs are all they have.  In three years, Michelle hasn't produced their 12-page wedding album, a parent album and two folios.  Jackie and Julio say she won't respond to calls, emails, or visits to her home studio.

"Where are my pictures?  Why are you doing this to us?  Are you doing this to other people?  You know, it's just wrong," says Jackie.

Jackie admits, she didn't email Michelle with her picture selections until 20 months after the wedding.  But they still think it's been too long without any response.

"I figured she lost our pictures," says Julio.

Then in February, Jackie and Julio ran into Michelle while out shopping.  They say they asked where their albums are.

"I think the look on her face just told it all.  It was that confirmation for me like she's definitely full of it, like I don't believe anything.  She's lying to us right now," Jackie recalls.

Jackie says Michelle claimed she never got their messages.  She did say the layout for the album was done, and she would email them a link to approve that night.  But the couple says the email never came.

We called Michelle Murphy.  She says she tried to reach Jackie and Julio, but they never returned her calls.  Once we got the two sides back in touch, Michelle emailed a layout of their 12-page album immediately.  Jackie says Michelle also apologized for taking so long and offered two enlargements and another parent album for free.

"I won't be calling her for any photos after that, let's just put it that way," says Jackie, "but I'll be happy to get the stuff that we paid for."

Jackie and Julio are expecting to receive those albums and photos in the next few days.

We have done quite a few of these wedding photography stories.  We learned that you might not want to pay everything up front.  Then, there is no incentive for the photographer to get the job done.