Destiny Dawn Photography

Hi Janet,

First off, I want to thank you for taking the time to voice your frustrations regarding my business. Feedback is definitely one of the biggest ways to create a better experience for my customers moving forward, and I am always open to learning, growing, and cultivating an exceptional business experience for all my clients who retain me.

With that said, although your feedback is appreciated, I do feel that it does need to be rooted in truth I order for it to be an accurate representation of who I am, and how I conduct my business.

I pride myself in ensuring all my clients are taken care of every step of the way, and I was very sad that was not able to be a part of Victoria and Duncan’s wedding this past August. In all my years of being in business I have never once had to part ways with my clients before a wedding day. As I mentioned in the email to your daughter (whom I was retained by) it was not an easy decision for me to make in any way. I was left with no alternative solution when the decision not pay me was made and honoured as originally agreed and signed in the legal contract I provide all my clients with before commencing business together.

As I am sure you can appreciate my business is small and any time I spend with my clients is time spent away from my family. So not receiving payment that was agreed upon not only affects myself but my family directly; as just like this situation I booked 98% of my couples a year or two in advance and filling those dates does not come easily when timeframes are so short.

I only decided not to capture the wedding after numerous attempts to coordinate with your daughter, fell on deaf ears and made very clear to me via emails, telephone calls etc that paid was not going to be made. I tried everything to ensure I have ample lead time for the engagement session etc, and found it challenging because of the groom being in Ottawa and the bride being in a job that was very busy.

To be honest I think the bride and groom are lovely individuals and to be fair have never been rude to me, or treated me disrespectfully. To that end though, my contract was breached and not upheld on their side thus leaving me no alternative but to cancel my services as final payment was past due, and with no foreseeable future of me retaining the fees owed to me.

I believe I acted with integrity throughout the whole process, even offering to return the non-refundable deposit, when legally the full balance was owed to me as well as the deposit. But just as I said to her, I am not out to ruin someone’s wedding day. I would never want to create that type of a reaction, that is why I returned the funds to her, and closed off our relationship on a positive note.

My heart and love is for people, that’s why I had no reservations about giving her, her money back. It was the right thing to do, and I stand by my choice to do the right thing even when I wasn’t being treated respectfully, and honoured on the other side of things.

I am truly sorry that you felt it was necessary to say hurtful things about my business and myself, given your knowledge of actual events.

I only hope that wedding was all the bride and groom dreamed it to be. As I said to her in my closing email, I wish them a lifetime of happiness, love and prosperity.

Wishing you the same.

Thanks again for your feedback.

Love + Light,

Destiny