Wedding photography is supposed to help you capture your day for not only that day, but serve as a record for the generations to come. On October 7, 2021, hundreds if not thousands of wedding couples were notified that Glasser Images based out of Bismarck, North Dakota was abruptly out of business. Many were left scrambling for new photographers and videographers within hours of their wedding ceremony!
Glasser Images sent couples emails saying their contracts are voided and they would not be receiving refunds. Unfortunately, many couples that were booked for 2022 and beyond have not even been formally notified. The average wedding couple likely is out thousands of dollars. They are trying to find replacement photographers and videographers, but being that they already paid for their services, they may not be able to financially afford to hire a reputable wedding professional and pay thousands again. When these couples invested in Glasser Images, they thought they were getting professional images and videos and paid accordingly. Glasser Images website states, “Our goal is to provide outstanding, personalized service and create quality and creative images that capture personality.” It should be noted that Glasser provided photography and videography services for more than just weddings. Their website shows they provided services for businesses, families, seniors and more. The web is filled with scared couples and clients.
Some couples have said they are still waiting on their wedding day content from months ago and had been trying to contact Glasser Images with no response. The Glasser Images Instagram account shows they were still booking clients just one day ahead of the abrupt closings! Many couples have joined the Facebook group entitled “GlasserImagesGroup”dedicated to upset couples sharing their stories. It’s serving as a hub for couples to find replacement photographers and videographers.
Just days ahead of the closing of the North Dakota based photography business, couples say they were contacted to upgrade their packages and add hours on. Many were incentivized to pay upfront for a discount. Now, these couples are out their hard earned money to the tune of thousands of dollars.
Couples hire professional photographers and videographers to capture their day. Many times, couples have signs and announcements on their wedding day asking guests to not use their phones or devices during the ceremony since the professionals will capture those moments. These is a high chance that these couples will have zero images or videos now of their wedding days. Let’s hold onto the hope that Glasser images held on to the files so these couples can have something to commemorate their wedding day. It could be months, if not years though as there are sure to be many legal battles ahead.
It is highly likely that these couples were “Covid couples,” or couples who were were directly impacted from the affects of the pandemic. Engaged couples have been under extreme stress from planning, rescheduling (sometimes many times)their weddings and now may be without images. Many couples who were set to marry during the height of Covid-19, had to basically replan their weddings from scratch. They had to find new venues, new dates and new professionals. They are left with more stress and money spent for memories they may never see.
There is another side to this closing. The professional photographers and videographers from North Dakota, Minnesota, Colorado and South Dakota are due thousands of dollars for their work they did.
Glasser Images is a business that found wedding professionals and gave them work as independent contractors. While this is common in the wedding industry, it has now created an interesting triangle of feuding. Couples who contracted through Glasser Images have directly been contacting the videographers and photographers who served them on their wedding days in hopes to get the footage and images from their day. In most cases, these professionals had already sent the photos and videos to Glasser Images for editing and distribution. The service providers feel awful and are at a loss for the couples. Newlyweds who recently had Glasser Images contracted may have a chance of getting their images if they can track down the independent contractor.
I was born and raised in Bismarck, ND and service that area for weddings. I am appalled with Glasser Images. This business stole money and memories from these couples on one of the most historic days of these couple’s lives. Many couples have family members who came from afar to celebrate their wedding day, some have even passed away. Being a North Dakota and Minnesota wedding photographer who has served as an independent contractor for other wedding photographers, my heart goes out to fellow professionals who are now without their hard earned income. If you or someone you know is in need of a professional wedding photographer and was contracted with Glasser, My heart breaks for you. Feel free to reach out to me to see if we can get your wedding photography covered. I’m happy to provide referrals to reputable videographers as well.
Angela Doherty Photography is a Minneapolis, MN based professional wedding and portrait photographer who services North Dakota and Minnesota.
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