Trail Magic Photo

How to do a ton of things right and one gigantic thing extremely wrong: After signing a contract and hiring LaRee earlier this year for 1/ wedding photography, 2/ wedding videography (she would edit her contractor's video for us), and 3/ wedding planning assistance, I worked with LaRee for months in the most intimate of ways. It was clear her heart was in it and she was very invested in our event's success. I had built up trust with her and she had a good rapport for lovely images turned around as stated in our contract. We fully paid for all products and services by the week of the wedding, following the agreed payment schedule to the letter. Important: I verbally asked her "what is the process for video backup?" and she told me "oh same as I have for my camera" (multiple cards, procedures to ensure no lost images) Our wedding went as expected, and we received our photo images (which we very much liked) in the stated turnaround time. HOWEVER. Something else happened after the event. The last communication I ever had with her was 3.5 months ago, when she said she would send our video along when it was ready (contract said by 12 weeks out from event - we are now past 20 weeks out). In late September, I texted her, same as we had always communicated. In past times, she would apologize if her replies took longer than a day or 2. Now, I notice the text is green, not blue like it has always been with iMessage. Hmmm, surely not, I thought. I gave it several weeks and sent a friendly email mid-October. No reply. Reviewed the contract and began to get seriously concerned. Why would someone spend all this time, energy, and effort to provide months of stellar service and pictures... only to GHOST you about your video package and remaining prints (somewhere between $550-$600 left)? Best guess: she messed up, badly. And is too cowardly to own up to it, apologize like a decent fellow human being, and follow the contract about refunding our payment. It took til NOVEMBER - months after she had blocked us. We had to find out from a third party, the actual videographer, who was none too happy themselves. This feels like a Taylor Swift song yall. I'm torn for how to say all this, because I've now seen 2 sides of this person. Had she properly owned up to what happened (whenever it happened, assuming after our last contact), I would not have wasted all this time and effort trying to get in contact and excitedly hoping to see our irreplaceable wedding video we have been so excited to get. I would have been sorely disappointed, sure. Having to find out from a third party contact that she claims to have "not heard from Jennifer"? Yeah, no. You might not want to hear from me, but I have been trying to contact you multiple ways, for weeks. And feel free to reach out! ...But you never did. Even as we sailed into 2 months past when the wedding video was contractually supposed to have been provided. This is a business. When you screw up, own up. We have said all along, we are reasonable people. We understand mistakes happen. This was clearly amateur carelessness or something similar. And clearly there were 0 viable backups, as you promised there would be. The biggest mistake here: Hiding, blocking your clients, sticking your head in the sand, ignoring the contract, hoping it will all go away. I now do not trust this person and cannot recommend her anymore. Which super sucks, because there is alot to like with her pretty photos and very pleasant personality (til now, lol)... but when the chips are down, looks like she is gonna do the wrong thing and run. Taking your owed money (refund per contract) along with her. That's dishonest, disrespectful, and theft. I know you will read this review, LaRee. How freaking awkward that I even have to write it, right? I get that it sucks to screw up. But you don't have to screw people along the way, too. I do not recommend hiring Trail Magic Photo for your photo or video needs. If you do, understand that if something goes wrong, LaRee blocks and disappears.
Nov 17th, 2022

Had an amazing shoot at the Aztec Caves in El Paso!! Laree and Trey made it such an amazing experience and got so many beautiful pictures
Aug 29th, 2022

We had the most amazing experience with Trail Magic! I cannot recommend them enough for all your photography needs. We will cherish the photos and experience forever
Aug 25th, 2022

Absolutely LOVE LaRee! Shes very professional and has such an incredible creative eye to make Magic! We love using her and will continue to for years to come! Highly recommend!!!
Aug 16th, 2022

Such an amazing experience! She is so professional and kind! She really knows how to interact with the kids and make it a lot less stressful for this momma!! The pictures captured our family. Not just a group faking a smile at a camera but genuine smiles and laughs that I will always be able to look back at and remember! I would recommend her over and over again!!
Aug 12th, 2022