Koti’s Photography

Where do I begin? For those of you who don’t want to read my entire post, just know that you ABSOLUTELY should get a different photographer. I would pay any amount to avoid the hassle, attitude and lies from Koti.
I used Koti back in June of 2013 because my original photographer had an emergency and couldn’t shoot my event. I should have noticed then that the little «mistakes» that seemed honest were actually lies from Koti. Almost a year later I used Koti for my 10yr vow renewal (on the beach) because Koti offered a great price. Well, folks, you get what you pay for. She claimed to have a flat tire at 5am, when she was supposed to arrive. Fine, you can’t come for make up and hair pictures, no worries! At least answer your phone!!! After 3 hours of not answering her phone or text messages I sent a final text. «If I don’t hear back I am going to hire another photographer.» She called within moments, then later claims to have never received that text. She never once apologized for being late or for not getting back to me. Acted as if she was waiting on me when she got there 15min before the renewal was scheduled to begin. She was to arrive (PER KOTI) 1−2HOURS before the start to check the lighting, etc. Well, we had the chairs facing the wrong direction for the best light and the sun washed out most of our pictures. Something that could have easily been changed 1−2hours before the start time. Afterwards when we were taking our pictures she could have suggested we move to face the better direction. That never happened. Either she had no idea what she was doing, or didn’t care that our pictures look like there is nothing but white light behind us. She later claimed that we were in the best direction for the sun. Which is very untrue b/​c the pictures she took PROVE that is wrong. The few pictures we took from the «proper» direction came out just fine. She was short with my guests, and I was asked by more than one guest, «What’s up with your photographer?» Talk about unprofessional! When I later brought this up to her she claimed to be sweet and pleasant with my guests, but I can tell you that she was ANYTHING BUT SWEET AND PLEASANT with me.
After the event I was promised pictures to be ready about two weeks. Sweet, I never expected them to be done so fast. That never happened. The «you will have them no later than» date came and went many times. It was about a month later that I finally got to see the only pictures she edited. (many were repeats of the same picture) When I saw the pictures I cried. So disappointed in the quality and in the editing. That was when I saw how washed out we were and how bright the sun was behind us. When I spoke to Koti about this she was very defensive. Insisted that the pictures were amazing. I asked her to be honest, and if she can say that those pictures were her best work, that I would be fine with it and walk away. She then offered to give me 25% back. (that never happened, another lie and broken promise. Fast forward many promised dates that I would get my pictures. I had to call, text, fb message, and fb post to her page in order to get her to reply to me. At this point it was 2.5MONTHS since my event, and still no pictures. In the end, close to July (past 3months later) after I was given may lies and excuses, I FINALLY got a tracking number and received a thumb drive with my pictures. Not one more picture was edited from May to July. Why it took so long to get my pictures, I’ll never know. I can tell you I will never do business again with her if I was paid to!
I should also mention the «promised», but not contracted, extra photographer she said she would bring. She said she knew of someone who would do it for free, so she could train them and they could gain experience. This mysterious person I never met or was given a name of. I paid $ 40 for this person to eat, and confirmed with Koti one week before so I could give the reception venue a head count. No apology for that, or mention of it from Koti.
If you are looking for beautiful pictures to capture your special event, don’t choose Koti. You’re going to get decent pictures and a lot of grief. The first time I used her the same delay for my pictures happened. It wasn’t as long, and at that point I believed the lies of «why» it was taking so long. She claimed to use drop box as a way to give ALL of her clients their pictures, but for some reason the full amount of pictures never «dropped» for me. TWICE. How is that possible? Is it possible, sure! Should I have to wait until nearly July when my event was in April for her to «pop» my unedited pictures in the mail? ABSOLUTELY NOT! So it’s not surprise that she blocked me from her fb page, changed her phone number and never gave me my refund.
If you decided to hire Koti, GET A LEGAL CONTRACT! DO NOT PAY HER IN FULL IN ADVANCE. Shame on me. There are more «little things» that I could write about, but you get the picture. Good luck!