A newlywed husband filed a small claims law suit against a wedding photographer who did not produce satisfactory photos of the couple’s wedding event. No formal pictures were taken, and they still had not accepted any of the candid photos. In mediation, the photographer explained that she had been diagnosed with cancer and had been out of work for an extended period of time. The husband’s initial very steely and icy demeanor shifted dramatically after he heard her story. While sympathetic, he was still demanding a full refund of his deposit ($1,500). The photographer explained that she didn’t have the money and offered to provide the couple with all the candid shots in the entire album for free. The mediator asked the husband what he thought his new wife would want and wondered if he might like to phone her directly. The wife readily accepted the offer as she really wanted some/any photos of their special day. Mediation resolved by mutual agreement and court case dismissed.
