Complaint Review: DW Photography

It's clear most of you who have replied in favor of Drenaka Williams/DW Photography don't realize the type of forum this is! There's not a doubt that you all probably have had favorable experiences with DW - leave those reviews on her site where it matters. All of you that have been enlisted to do DAMAGE CONTROL for DW are lucky you received quality work for which you paid! However, this consumer did not!!

It's more saddening to read all the "praise" for Drenaka and her work because it further proves that when working with said consumer, she got LAZY. She is capable of good work, and she also proved to be capable of horrible work that exhibits no effort, no vision, no passion, no artistry, lacking quality and invested time!! Leaving this report is not to be vindictive nor hateful. A real man/woman stands up for themselves with honesty and integrity! This forum was designed for consumers to state their displeasure with any type of services that were rendered or the lack thereof.

Drenaka Williams/DW Photography is not being attacked or wronged in any way, shape or form. A true professional would be able to take criticism. Especially when it's coming from an honest place! She knows as well as this consumer that she took advantage of said customer by taking their monies and providing unprofessional low quality work! Work that she knows she could have done a much better job had she put forth effort and a little dedication to the job! Our only question is why? Why Drenaka, why did YOU think it was ok to leave a customer/client with work you yourself didn't stand by and certainly couldn't be proud of?? You have admitted to being sued by an unsatisfied customer whether it was a win or lose...something is wrong here! That customer felt strongly enough to pursue you and your shotty work in a court of law! You really need to check yourself! Don't catch an attitude, don't be mad, don't be offended YOU be a woman and admit when you're wrong. Something you have yet to do! Lastly, Drenaka Williams and/or DW Photography if you so chose to reply yourself or have another "satisfied customer" speak on your behalf... enough will never be enough until those who have wronged others reap what they've sewn. Right? Right. ;) DONE.

I have worked with DW Photography on several occasions and have been beyond pleased each time. The first time I worked with DW Photography was when she did a product shoot in which my daughter was a model. Not only was the turnaround time for my disk exceptional, but the photos were amazing as well.

After a successful shoot with my daughter, I hired her to do a product shoot for my candy apple business so I could create my website. Once again, I was beyond pleased with Drenaka and her work. She even made suggestions for some shots that would help showcase my apples. 

My mom then hired her to shoot her 50th birthday party. She captured everything from the detail shots, candid shots and styled photos.

I have nothing but positive things to say about DW Photography. If you are gifted, then there is no need to go to school. Drenaka has an amazing eye and I will continue to use her as my choice photographer for my photography needs in the future. 

I have observed DW's website and the "Product" images. I must say I am not pleased. I would not consider a photographer. The proper term would be hobbyist or even magician because she can definitely hide her flaws in her images. She adds filters to her images which can be mistaken for an Instagram picture. Now for the matter at hand, the "product" images. They are blurry, color temperature is off, person in the background, couch in the background, the product is being held instead of perfectly placed to make an appealing photograph, natural lighting (not the best lighting for product), on-camera flash, dusty, no editing, etc. Unfortunately, she is not a good magician either because she couldn't make her flaws disappear in those images. This is what defines the thin line between hobbyists and photographer. An expensive camera doesn't make you a photographer. Take the camera off auto and try manual and set your own exposure. 

Please stop! The dissatisfied person writing these negative reviews about DW Photography is unprofessional and lacks all integrity. The truth is that you were in breech of contract. The truth is that you lost in court.The truth is your are being vindictive. If you are so unhappy with your photos, why did you use them on your main web page www.gabagirl.com? Be a woman, get it together, and just stop! Enough is enough!

In my honest opinion of the photography work done by Ms. Drenaka Williams
was truly professional in all aspects! When we were at the beach
she took lots of photos of myself and my family truly stayed in a professional light
made the children and the adults feel very comfortable so for anyone else to have a
complaint is ridiculous! I would hire DW photography to do any and all professional photo
work for me and my family again!

 I am sure she is a wonderful person......AND you are absolutely correct HER WORK DOES SPEAK FOR ITSELF.....IT speaks untrained. I have looked at the website. Lets start there, the website does not make me think of a photographer, it comes off as if I were looking to attend a spa or resort there are no images on the main page that show cases her work (which should display HER BEST WORK) that would give me an indication that she is a photographer, other than the words. Now that I have had time to look at the images in her gallery most of the images are out of focus and blown out. The eyes on some of the images are dead meaning there is no catch in the eye and this in essential when creating GREAT imagery. She often uses color treatments (sepia or B/W) to cover the flaws in the images. The skin is not edited to a smoothness that still looks natural, there is no proper retouching done to any of the images on her site, consider yourself on of the lucky ones the image you posted appears to be clear but the proof in in the RAW image.
All of her images seem to be with natural light ONLY where modifiers needed to be used to bring down the harshness of the natural light to MAKE IT LOOK NATURAL. There is a very creative shot of the back of a little girl holding a balloon, but the door frame should not be in the image it distracts from the subject (the little girl) not that she needed to go to school to learn this very easy technique but should at least attend a workshop to learn the her craft a little better, some of her images and concepts are quite lovely but just because one has a DSLR camera a professional photographer does not one make, unless they take the necessary steps to become a true professional by taking a few classes and work shops here and there and become truly trained in their craft. I can cook but that does not make me a chef!
~Shutterbug

A "portfolio photograph" is NOT a product photo! DO NOT enlist DW Photography for PRODUCT PHOTOS! Also, Drenaka Williams tends to camoflauge her flaws with usage of black & white or sepia color in her photographs. To the untrained eye her photos may appear decent maybe even good to some...however look a little closer you'll see hot spots in several photos, unedited images, as well as most if not all are shot in natural light. Natural light is not the only light source that should be used in photography, ESPECIALLY in product photography which further exhibits her lack of knowledge in and with lighting. AMATEUR! We all can take pictures doesn't mean we should take/rob/ripoff individuals for money just because we think we're good at it! She should add the horrible blurry shots of her couch, oops I mean products that she was hired to shoot to her portfolio, I challenge all future clients to request to see those and then dare to applaud her work.

Thanks.

I have used DW Photography and would have to totally disagree with the negative report of her work and her character.  Before booking her, I checked out all of the  beautiful photos she displays daily and also knew of others who have patronized her business on several occasions. I was unable to find any flaws or negative remarks from anyone.  In my experience, I received nothing but professionalism and work that exceeded my expectations.  DW Photography took all photos of one of the most special moments of my life ( my daughter's senior prom).  I was amazed at Drenaka's eye for art and the ability to capture that in my daughter's photos.    She delivered!  I believe that God blessed her with this beautiful gift of photography IN SPITE OF THOSE WHO ATTEMPT TO SLANDER HER NAME.  

Dreneka Williams of DW Photography took pictures of my son for his professional portfolio. We did this shoot at her home location and I can't say more wonderful things about the way my son and I were treated.

From the snacks and toys provided, different props to my own personal request- she satisfied them all. We will be doing our Winter/Fall shoot with her very soon. Her work is great and she takes her time with all clients. She even delivered our CD to my home-with all edited photos without watermarks.

Anyone who goes as far to claim these things must have a problem unrelated to her business. I welcome you all to check out her work at  ( https://www.facebook.com/Jazzwashingtonspage ) and judge for your self. Thanks Jazz' Mommie