A Sydney mum has revealed her baby’s lavish christening was ‘ruined’ by an ‘unprofessional’ photographer who failed to capture key moments from the special day.
Makeup artist Renay Harb, 30, posted a warning on social media after being left ‘devastated’ over photographs from her one-year-old daughter London’s lavish celebration in September that fell drastically short of her expectations.
What should have been an unforgettable day quickly turned into a costly ordeal – one that, she warned, could happen to anyone.
Renay, who has spent over a decade working with luxury beauty brands like Lancôme and YSL, admitted that she knows her way around a photo shoot.
In the lead-up to her daughter’s special day, Renay found a second, back-up photographer on Instagram while searching for someone available at short notice and hired her for the event.
But after paying more than $2,500, Renay was left confused and disappointed by the results of the photo edits and was dismayed to discover there wasn’t a single photo of her daughter alone in her gown.
To make matters worse, Renay claimed the photographer got defensive, stopped responding, locked the final album with a password, and demanded extra fees before allowing her access to the final selections.
Ahead of the event, Renay had already booked a photographer for the venue, but on her event planner’s advice, she organised a second one for family photos to help keep things smooth and minimise stress.
Sydney mum Renay Harb, 30 (pictured), has revealed her baby’s lavish christening was ‘ruined’ by an ‘unprofessional’ photographer who failed to capture key moments from the special day
She posted a warning to her social media followers after being left ‘devastated’ over the highly anticipated photographs from her one-year-old daughter London’s lavish celebration in September when they came back either too dark or too bright
‘I had searched Sydney photographers on the Instagram search bar and went through a few. She was the only one available… and based on her profile, I thought she was legit,’ she said.
Despite paying an upfront fee of $2,000 before the day for five hours of coverage, Renay said warning signs were already written on the wall.
‘I had to email her three times just to get her contact number. Looking back now, that should have been a red flag. But at the time, I was scrambling.’
On the day, Renay claimed the photographer provided no direction, failed to use any of the beautifully prepared photo areas, and didn’t provide additional lighting or camera equipment to shoot indoors.
‘She just pretty much stood there snapping away. There was no ‘move here’, ‘angle that way’, and no ‘let’s fix the lighting’. Nothing,’ she recalled.
And in one of the most heartbreaking details for Renay, not one photo was taken of London alone in her custom, bejewelled christening gown from Kids N Style.
Two days later, the photographer sent a small preview set of 45 images, to which Renay said she tried to offer polite feedback.
‘I said, ‘they are so beautiful, however, they’re just a bit too bright or too dark.’ I was very polite.’
On the day, Renay claimed the photographer provided no direction, failed to use any of the beautifully prepared photo areas, and didn’t provide additional lighting or camera equipment to shoot indoors
However, the photographer’s tone changed instantly when Renay requested that the images not be shared on social media until they were properly edited and returned in full
‘Even London’s dress, you cannot see any detail [because], it was fully laced with beads, but in the photos it was so blown out. While one side of my husband’s face was practically black because of the shadows.’
However, the photographer’s tone changed instantly when Renay requested that the photos not be shared on social media until they were properly edited and returned in full.
Instead of responding to her feedback, the photographer began demanding payment for additional costs, made excuses for her shortcomings, and threatened that if she wasn’t paid, she would go to social media.
Renay paid the outstanding $560 in full – which included extra charges for an additional hour and parking fees incurred on the day – hoping this would finally secure her daughter’s photos.
In a bid to salvage the memories while still waiting weeks for her final edits to arrive, Renay attempted to lightly adjust the brightness and colour of some of the preview photos herself
After being continually ignored, Renay was dismayed when the photo album did finally arrive in her inbox five weeks later, but it was password locked
In a bid to salvage the memories while still waiting weeks for her final edits to arrive, Renay attempted to lightly adjust the brightness and colour of some of the preview photos herself as other vendors were keen to post snaps on their own business accounts.
That, she said, sparked an explosive reaction of the photographer accusing her of ‘playing games’ before ceasing to reply completely.
‘I followed up multiple times… nothing. Completely ignored even though I’d paid in full,’ Renay said.
When the photo album finally did arrive in her inbox five weeks later, Renay said it was password locked, but no password was ever provided.
After Renay shared her warning with followers, her inbox was flooded by more than 15 people who claimed they’d had similar experiences. But now she’s determined to warn other families to be cautious and to do their research before booking vendors
In the end, her husband had to intervene and contact the photographer directly to finally access their long-awaited photos.
After Renay shared her warning with followers, her inbox was flooded by more than 15 people who claimed they’d had similar experiences.
‘This is honestly so sad to read… I sadly know of the photographer you’re talking about,’ one follower wrote.
Now, instead of happiness, Renay says looking at the photos only brings back memories of stress, arguments and frustration, and she’s now determined to warn other families to be cautious.
‘If you’re planning a big event, ask for full galleries, not just highlights on Instagram. And don’t pay in full upfront to someone you haven’t worked with before.’
‘I found out after the event that she wasn’t even trained. Just someone with a camera and an Instagram page.’
