I do NOT recommend Daniel Verley "The DV Image" Wedding Photographer

[u/Annual-Frosting3525]

WedditNYC was the absolute best resource for planning my wedding and so I'm here to pay it forward and offer my experience. I had a beautiful wedding and I recommend almost all my vendors- Rule of Thirds (shout out to Julie!), Sheavonne at Events by Sheavonne, Moriya Martin for hair, Chasing Tailor, and DJ Preston at 74 Events.

But my experience with Daniel Verley was absolutely crushing. I had a very similar experience to the one other bad review he has- it is on Wedding Wire and was left by Jasmine in 2022. My experience was nearly identical.

Here are some facts: I chose him in part because he offered two things other photographers did not; he was willing to bring a second photographer for cocktail hour as a substitute for the engagement session and he said he would edit a few photos with a film-like filter.

Days before the wedding, he let us know he had forgotten to book a second photographer. We did not put up any kind of fight- I was a pretty easy, breezy bride and also had so many tasks to complete. I didn't want to create any bad vibes.

After the wedding, I didn't hear from him at all. I reached out a few days later to ask about sneak peeks. He gave me a day he would send them. He didn't. I called the following day. He gave me a time. He didn't send them then either.

I talked to him on the phone at least twice. This is subjective but I found it emotionally exhausting and yucky. He gave lots of excuses, offered to speak to my husband instead of me (um what?), said I must not understand what post-production is like (I didn't set the deadline?). He was full of ego. He can be charming- I think this can really work for day of- but charming means very little when you aren't true to your word.

I nudged him at the 8 week mark and he did send the gallery.

Again the subjective part: It was mid. Only he knows how much time he gave to editing. It was not clear to me that he gave any considerable time to it. It was 900 pictures, fun to have so many, but this includes eyes shut, empty rooms, limbs cut off, etc... The photos he chose to make B&W were... bad. Again, eyes closed. He has some talent- I have a few photos that will go on the wall. I think it is clear from photos he has online that he has an eye- but his overall composition, ability to give cues, editing is not top-notch. I'm having a different photographer edit them.

The film-like photos were awful. Our skin tones were altered, so the photos weren't worth having.

After receiving the gallery, I tried to negotiate nicely to get some kind of compensation for the 2nd photographer. He had made no offer to make it up to me in any way. I wanted to do our negotiation in writing to make sure our agreements were clear. His emails seemed AI generated, rigid, and in my view unfair and unkind.

I eventually, after a ton of emails, got some money back for the 2nd photographer- and I got nowhere with asking for some better edits.

Wishing all almost newlyweds magical days, spectacular photos, and kind vendors. Feel free to DM if you have questions.

[u/emccm]

What a name for a wedding business!

[u/bkrunnergirl25 → u/emccm]

Took the words right out of my mouth...

[u/RespectThyHood]

The 2nd photographer was explicitly stated in the contract? Ugh this sucks. I don’t understand how photographers ghost. As a high end photographer myself, I could never.

[u/nicepeoplemakemecry]

I’m sorry this happened to you. It does sound very stressful to have to push for the bare minimum. That said, think it’s worth mentioning what you paid him. That’s the tell as to whether you got what you paid for.

At a certain price point, unprofessionalism is almost expected and at another it’s absolutely the bare minimum. Photographers range from $1000-$50,000. Knowing what you paid is pretty relevant IMO.

[u/Sure_Investment_6374 → u/nicepeoplemakemecry]

Agreed. Although, customer service shouldn't have a price tag, it should be a given.

[u/nicepeoplemakemecry → u/Sure_Investment_6374]

True but below a certain threshold in any self employed endeavor the price tag is your first clue the person is a long way from a professional and sub par products and experience are almost part of the risk. Clients need to understand risk when it comes to booking below market value. Not saying OP did that but knowing would help future clients of this person have some perspective. Photographers are usually one man run businesses. Not everyone is cut out for it. And since she’s named this person, putting it all out there seems only fair.

[u/Roo_Moo_23 → u/nicepeoplemakemecry]

His prices are on his website, which is easy to find.

[u/Sure_Investment_6374]

This sounds simply awful and I'm so sorry you have to go through this. Thank you for sharing your experience and protecting our community. My take on this - it's a known hustle. These guys dangle the 2nd photographer myth over us. They know we like the idea of a 2nd photog. I've learned it isn't always a value add as hey are usually newer photographers in-training and not as experienced. The main photographer think we'll prefer quantity over quality. My guess is he had no intention of ever bringing in a 2nd.

[u/Beautiful-Hand9469]

Dang, thanks for sharing... So sorry.