Andrea Halsey Portraits

This is the worst experience we’ve had with a photographer and I’ve worked with a large group. We hired Andrea to do our newborn photography at our home. We talked at length over the phone and we were on the same page as to what we were wanting. She said it would be $350. After we did the session she said to come look at the pictures at her home. We walked in and she had this over the top slideshow with music. After this big presentation she gave us a price list of options mostly over $2,000. One 8x10 print was an extra $500. It was absurd. I asked what would it cost for just the digitals. She said she wouldn’t sell digitals. It would be foolish to pay $500 for an 8x10 picture so we were out $350. I’ve worked with dozens of photographers and have never experienced this. It was heart wrenching.
Mar 9th, 2021

Great
Nov 21st, 2018

Yes, I work for her. Yes, she doesn't know I'm writing this... Yes, simply put, Andrea is the best photographer around, probably in NC even. If you are looking for true crafted artwork, memories that last forever, and imagery that touches hearts and families together, wrapped up in products that are pretty much museum and heirloom quality... just give her a call. Portraits ARE Andrea's life and her gallery shows it, her attention to detail and experience is second to none, just browse the website and I bet that you couldn't tell me that you wouldn't love to have a signature piece on your wall or coffee table... A worthy investment for your family.
May 23rd, 2018

I unfortunately had a terrible experience with Andrea. I found her on Google and loved her pictures. I was looking for a photographer to do a portrait of my daughter to hang in our foyer. My recollection of our initial conversation was that the final product (canvas and frame) would cost $1,000 - $1,200. I paid her a $533 deposit over the phone. Unfortunately, we had no contract and no written documentation of this conversation. After coming to my house, she said that to get a high end frame could cost a great deal more. I told her I would like to see frame quality options and prices once we got closer to that point in the process. After doing a 1 hour photoshoot in a park, and meeting at her in-home studio a week later to see a few images, she quoted me prices of $4,500 and $2,800, depending on size of canvas and frame selection. I told her that was a great deal more than I was expecting to pay, and asked for additional options. She didn't provide any less expensive options. I left and told her I would be getting back with her. A few days later, I emailed her stating again that her prices were unaffordable and I would like to explore the options of just purchasing a few digital images from her. She replied two days later stating that she does not sell digital images, that I must have been thinking of a conversation with another photographer b/c the prices I were expecting were no where near what she charges, and that the $533 was not a "deposit," but a "shoot fee." She informed me that if I didn't make a decision by August, she be destroying the images and moving on to her fall clients. She redirected me to the $2,800 - $4,500 options. At this point, I have received nothing of value for the $533 and she was not offering any sort of compromise. I replied to her email the same day, stating that if she could not provide at least one full resolution digital image (the primary one she showed me that would be the portrait) that I would have no choice but to file a charge back with my credit card. Notice that this was an offer of $533 for ONE edited, full resolution digital image. I asked her to let me know before the end of the day. This was two days ago and she has failed to respond. I filed a dispute with my credit card this morning. I understand that there was a miscommunication between us and she was expecting to get more for the project. I was also expecting a product for a much lower amount. Unfortunately, we have no contract to know which one of us is mistaken. It is my opinion that if a photographer enters into a project with a client expecting several thousand dollars, this needs to be memorialized up front, in writing, in contract form, before any money is accepted and work completed. For context, I paid $4,500 for my wedding photographer, which included a full day of shooting (with an assistant - so two photographers), over 100 fully edited digital photos, and a wedding album. We had a contract. I have been very disappointed with her lack of professionalism and flexibility in attempting to resolve our misunderstanding and this unfortunate issue.
Mar 25th, 2019