*************, UNRELIABLE, DISINTERESTED

We booked Andre Sonnekus trading as “Andre Sonnekus Photography” for our engagement shoot in 2017. We really liked him and loved the photos we got for this shoot. We also saw Andre at a Wedding Expo and he seemed to be trustworthy. However, it was all short lived. We booked him for our wedding as our photographer and videographer. Our packages included amongst other things, 2 photographers, 2 videographers, a 3 minute highlight video, 15 minute highlight video, a photo album and unlimited edited photos. We paid around R 30 000.00 in total at the time. On 27 January 2019, the day of our wedding, only 1 videographer and 1 photographer pitched up on the day (resulting in us paying for 2 empty spaces at our wedding when it could have been avoided). In any event, the day went well and Andre seemed to be doing a good job. On 13 March 2019, we started following up with Andre on our photos and videos. After weeks of no response, several follow ups and then excuses, we were surprised to find that “Andre Sonnekus Photography” was closed down and that Andre started trading as “AndFox Photography” instead. More weeks passed during which Andre made excuse after excuse and several empty promises. At one stage, we were writing to him almost every second day, following up via sms and threatened legal action almost weekly. He would not even let us have the raw files in the meantime. Eventually, around 30 May 2019, we received the raw photos, video footage and the 3 minute highlight video. Whilst the photo quality was good and we had some great shots, the photos were not edited at all and many were dark. Certain shots were missing, which we remembered taking on the day. We questioned Andre about these issues on several occasions. To date, we have not received an answer and have not received the outstanding shots. Moreover, the video footage lacked professionalism. We realised that Andre often simply left the video camera somewhere and just let it record. Even though the quality of the video was good, the workmanship and attention to detail was poor. Our 3 minute highlight video was also rushed and done with, what it seemed to be, minimal effort. The moment of the groom seeing the bride for the first time was not captured on video or photograph – This is a standard special moment in any wedding that must be captured and we recall asking for this. We also did not receive the photo album and 15 minute highlight video. We followed up about this on several occasions and again were forced to threatened legal action. The usual excuses followed. He even claimed that he could not pull up the files again. We had to send him a google drive link to the photos he had provided to us and which we had tried to edit ourselves. On 7 August 2019, we eventually received the 15 minute highlight video. It was also rushed and included the whole 3 minute highlight video that had already been done. This was strongly suggestive of a lack of interest and an attempt to fill up the 15 minutes with the least amount of effort. Then more excuses were made about the album before we eventually received it around 5 November 2019. Although we had approved what should be in the album, it appears that there are still mistakes with the shots chosen. However, the quality of the actual album itself (not the photos) were of a decent quality. As our photos were not edited, they are nothing like what you see on his website. Our overall experience with Andre was very negative after the wedding day. We did not doubt Andre’s s**** as we had seen his work before but it appears that he picks and chooses when he is passionate and dedicated and when he is lazy and disinterested. We always got the impression that he just wanted to be done with us. We would not recommend him to anyone as he was completely ************* and unreliable. If we hadn’t nagged and threatened him the way we did, we probably would not have received anything at all. Further, the end products received were rushed and sloppy. By the time of the wedding day, you would have already paid him in full – You would have paid a premium price for a service and products that you do not receive in full, of a poor quality or do not receive at all. It’s not worth it for your wedding day. There are more reliable and dedicated photographers at a cheaper price out there. We are more than happy to make available any photos, videos or correspondence with Andre so you can see for yourself!