M'sian Woman Apologises After Facing Backlash For Disrespecting Wedding Photographers
The woman said RM100 for a 10-hour wedding shoot was justified as "Bangladeshi workers only earn RM80 per day despite working tirelessly".
By Melissa Alvina — 22 Jan 2024, 05:40 PM
A Malaysian woman has apologised after causing a stir by suggesting a payment of only RM100 for a 10-hour wedding photoshoot
The issue came to light when a Cyberjaya-based photographer named Haikal Omar shared on X the woman's post from a Facebook group, Photographers/Videographers Malaysia, where the anonymous woman was looking for a photographer for her wedding photoshoot.
In the now-deleted Facebook post, the woman asked if she could find a photographer to "simply press the shutter" as she would provide the camera required for the shoot.
She offered to pay RM100 for a 10-hour shoot from 8am to 6.30pm, justifying her budget by comparing it to the wages of Bangladeshi workers.
"Bangladeshi workers only earn RM80 per day despite working tirelessly," she wrote.
The woman concluded her post by reiterating that she only needs a photographer to simply capture the images, as all of her relatives will be occupied with the guests.
The post quickly gained widespread attention, with netizens expressing frustration over the woman's perceived undervaluation of professional photography services
One user said, "It's not an issue exclusive to her. Many of us share this mindset, perhaps because we seek budget options and may not fully appreciate the value of talent.
"If we were talking about car repairs, she might hand the mechanic a wrench and ask them to just hit [the car]."
"When photos turn out badly, they'll go viral. Just hire a Bangladeshi worker if you want them to just press the shutter. You'd want someone experienced to take the photos. It's not just about the camera; it's about the skills," wrote another user.
"If I'm a professional photographer, you'll only get blurry photos and terrible angles from me. Don't complain or judge my work.
"You paid me to 'press the shutter' and not for my 'skills and knowledge', so that's all you will get. I think it's fair," said another.
Another user said, "I think it's better to install a CCTV and then ask her to take screenshots from [the recording]".
Amidst the backlash, the woman has since issued an apology
"I extend my apologies to all photographers. Upon careful consideration, I now understand that photographers don't merely sell pictures; they offer expertise and services through their talents," read her anonymous post in the same Facebook group.
She added that after some thought, she realised that the market prices for photography services were affordable and a worthwhile investment to capture a once-in-a-lifetime moment.
The woman concluded her post by expressing gratitude to the photographers, who shared valuable insights into photography, and acknowledged that she now has a better understanding of the profession.
