Photographer advice

I like getting on well with my couples and sharing their excitement for their day, although the above is quite pertinent.....I know of several togs who are miserable b****ers although turn out fantastic work.....

End of the day, it is good photography you want...

Ah this is a tough one because the photos are the end result so my head is saying the second Photographer but I also think it's important to get on well with them because they are going to be with you all day!

I think go for the second one, some people just are fantastic photographers as that's their job, but it isn't in their job descrip to necessarily be a people person, so it'd be a shame to hold that against them.

When you say not the same rapport, it depends what you mean, do you feel she'd be super grumpy on the day/actively annoy you? There's a difference between the rapport just being not amazing, and actually being the kind of person who'd verge on unprofessional in their manner. The former wouldn't be a deal breaker, the latter would be.

Double post deleted

Your friends referral is the best guide on this.

They felt the same as you but loved the photos. That's a good endorsement as any.

It's always nice to get on with a couple and nearly always this is the case, sometimes I meet couples who aren't excited or excitable at all.

Ultimately we have a job to do and a lot of the time we'll be taking pictures rather than chatting to Nan ?

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Maybe see if you can test the water with an engagement shoot?

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Rhys' idea of an engagement shoot to test the water is a great one! Sometimes they'll offer it for free. In an ideal world the photographer with the better pictures is also super nice, but it doesn't always work out like that! At the end of the day though, do prioritise the photo quality

Wow Bill, bit harsh as you know nothing about the photographers in question apart from the brief description in the OP's first post.

LL good that you're looking into things further. Don't forget the option to keep looking too, just in case you are not 100% on either.

Trouble with that Marianne is that free engagement shoots usually come after the client has booked...and paid a deposit. Engagement shoots also doesn't show the togs capability in dealing with groups and the time pressure we are often up against on the day........E-shoots are only a rough indicator.....(albeit it helps the bonding between the couple and the tog)

Peter

This is true, it's a completely different scenario to a wedding but it at least rules out whether the tog would be doing something really awful like shooting with a cigarette constantly in his hand etc. (I did have a bride tell me that's what a tog did at her sister's wedding, how ridiculous!)

Well it's each to their own I suppose! Personally I enjoy them and find them fun, and yes it is a chance for someone inexperienced like me to experiment, practice and try new ideas. I'm not sure what's wrong with that though... if new photographers don't ever practice how would they improve?

Also, way more importantly, the couples often actively want them. I shot a Hitcher as part of the consultation regardless of whether she's booking me because I wanted the practice and she wanted some nice photos of her and her fiance. It was a win-win on both sides. If there's a demand, it's a bit harsh to judge someone for supplying!

Lol no worries Bill, I didn't take it to heart, but thank you for the kind words. I also dislike photographers who mislead couples as that's just being a cowboy in any industry, we can agree on that

Love+Lavender, go with your heart x you need to love your photos from your wedding day! They are the one thing afterwards (apart from if you hire a videographer) that you have to truly look back on to remember your day. You need to love them, you need to have your heart skip a beat every time you look at them because of the connection they have and the story they represent. You need to feel comfortable on your day! I'm torn with my advice, however as your friend recommends the photographer I'd say not to worry. I find it very important that the couples get on with the photographer, it puts you at ease, and I'm with my bride pretty much all day!

I don't just "push buttons" etc, I love showing the bride and groom as who they are throughout he photos. Making them very natural and very real. I only say this as I know of one bride who booked a photographer, who she found arrogant etc. Yes, she thought the photos were beautiful, but she couldn't help but think back to the photographer and how rude he was on the day, ruining them a bit.
BUT, the decision is completely yours x Go with your heart, and what you feel is perfect for YOUR day :-)

Bill, I am slightly offended by your post and although I appreciate your insight, I do not see why you feel the need to voice this on a post that is not the topic. Surely going off on a tangent isn't helpful to the bride?

I offer engagement shoots.

I'm not cheap, I'm not an inexperienced snapper, and it's not a way for me to practice taking pictures. My photos aren't cheesy and naff, and I don't add them just to get bookings. I, myself, feel really uncomfortable in FRONT of a camera. I can imagine how weird it must feel on your day if you aren't used to it, so I offer engagement shoots to get the couple feeling comfortable and beautiful in front of the camera, so when it comes the wedding day they can say "Hey, I've done this before.. And I know the photos I got as a result were gorgeous and I looked happy and beautiful, so I don't need to be nervous!" and EVERY bride that I have done this with say what a help it was and how much they loved it. And yes, it also helps as it gets me knowing them on a more personal level, and them knowing me. I find it an important factor, as I love representing them as a couple through my photos. it's the way I work, I focus more on the emotions etc.

Opinions vary, but you have just stereotyped a load of photographers there, just because it's their choice to include an engagement shoot. I'm not saying your opinion is right or wrong, I just don't think it was very appropriate to post it on here. Please don't take this personally! I just know this forum is to help brides to be etc, and us, as professionals/photographers, should keep certain parts of our opinions to ourselves unless asked x

LL, sorry for going off topic myself! I truly hope you chose the photographer who is right for you and have the amazing day you deserve! :-) x

L&L

An engagement shoot will tell you all you need to know of the information you are currently lacking.

If the tog who's pictures you prefer is able to make you feel comfortable and relaxed, and you 'like' them, then they are the ones to choose.

If they don't make you feel at ease, then the pictures are probably not going to be as good. If the pictures are not as good, go with the tog who you 'clicked' with, if anything they should be able to inspire you to have fun when in front of the camera. If your having fun, it's easy to make the pictures look stunning...

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Yay another thing ticked off the list ?

Exactly ? The idea is that we don't need to book/buy anything else until later this year after we have (theoretically) bought a flat... Although I am going to the National Wedding Show tomorrow so that could all change! Hopefully it will just be a nice day out for my Mum, Sister and I!