Photographer Advice Please

I'd take tecchy bride opinions too!

For anyone not wanting to post their email, you can message me at: ******.*****.**@*****.***

Hi Louise. I'm Alex.

First of all my sincerely congrats on your engagement.

I don't want to change your mind or what so ever. I was through all these moments myself and i know how important is your big day. I was searching, reading about everything. My first budget was about 3k but i after all i did spend about 15k on everything. I do not regret the investment. Its was little bit over but hey, its once in a life time.

All a care now is that i have beautiful moments which i can show to my grands when i'll be too old.

So to your question, this absolutely your decision. If you do not want to spend on memories - don't. Just leave with what you get. If you like the student style and picture - go for it.

Regards

Alex.

Thanks Alex!

As I say I am almost 100% convinced but the fact that I'm not a pro' leads me to want pro' opinions. I know she's likely to have sent me some of her best shots to showcase her abilities which is fine, but that is all I can base my decision on. The great shots. Whereas a pro' can look at it and think "Yep, it's a good shot, but I don't like, x-y-z" or "Why has she done that?" or perhaps even "This is her best?"

My point being, just because they look good to my layman eyes, doesn't mean they are good, and just because I like these shots doesn't mean I'll like mine. If her competency levels are still at beginner level, and I'm just swayed by pretty flowers and a nice cake, it'll disappoint our mothers and waste our precious budget.

Not sure if I'm making sence now. I know what I mean but starting to think no-one else will! lol

Thanks again though!

You are 100% right. No one can understand what do you need the most of all. It's just you. You can always take into considerations someone else opinion but the final verdict is YOURS. You can not fulfil everyone's wishes. I always say, do what you want to do but respect others and try to make everyone happy.

If she has a website I can have a look for you. I think there's a point (in terms of photographer ability) where paying becomes pointless. If you're going to pay anyone you need to be confident they can do better than a guest!

My first thoughts are why were you sent images ... I'd expect anyone aiming for paid photography work to have a website with their work displayed on it. Photographers should not need to email you images as they would normally be hosted online.

You also need to be clear about exactly what course she is studying and how far into the course she is. I know one lady who hired a photographer because she was a tutor in photography at the local college, so the bride thought she must be good. The "photographer" had lied about the tutoring bit... and the college bit too! After the terrible wedding photos were supplied it turned out the lady in question had never been a photography teacher for any college, she had only led a local photo walk for fellow amateur photographers!

Dear Louise,
I have just emailed you, please check spam folders too

Hi Louise, drop me an email and I will look over them for you, not everyone is interested in photos so I do understand about you not wanting a pro but drop me an email on ********@************.**.**

Oh and congratulations.

Oh I hope I've used the quote function right! We'll see when I post I suppose!

Paula- she is a student. I didn't explain well. We approached students on a local college course and asked if any of them wanted to do weddings when they graduated. She doesn't have a website because she isn't yet a pro'.

Hope that explains it a bit clearer!

Thanks everyone- off to check my emails now! ?

I still think you need more info about the course. It could be a full time degree or it could be a 3 month 1-evening-a-week course. There are a lot of photography courses available and many of them will in no way prepare anyone to shoot a wedding.

If you have a local university that has degree students then going to a final year student may be less risky, as they would at least have a few years of using a camera behind them.

My friend lost her dream wedding photos. She got pictures but they are nothing like what she wanted, she's really upset and can't tell anyone. She booked another friend of ours who had just graduated with a HND in photography (she studied full time for 2-3 years.) We both knew our friend specialised in architectural photography, but the bride didn't realise how difficult a wedding is for a photographer.

Louise emailed me the photos and I have emailed Louise back with my thoughts and advice, Hope you got the email and if the photographer wants any advice then get her to drop me an email as well.

Hi Alex....welcome to the forum....I am going to be a bit controversial with your post, so do forgive me...........Perhaps a seasoned pro that has seen hundreds+ weddings just "may" know more about what a bride really wants than she actually realises.(Heresy...I will get burnt at the stake for this comment)

OK, that may sound preposterous, although to dig deeper in to the comment, some brides first time around, may not have fully appreciated the importance of the photography and the style of delivery. Assumptions are made...many which are then realised too late after the day itself.(threads on this forum are rife on this subject over the years) Classic example is the buzzword reportage. true reportage has limited interchange(if any) between the couple and the photographer.....shots the couple want can get missed because they didn't naturally happen. Of course, it is possible to blend a relaxed coverage with structured shots....if the tog is asked.

I often add elements to the coverage that the couple haven't necessarily asked for and found these to be extremely appreciated after the event.

Going back to the original post....I would be happy to give honest and open advice should the OP wish to share the images in question with me. Despite being a long term pro, I support start up businesses and those entering the profession quite openly, so have no axe to grind with newbies....

Peter

Peter as i said on my previous threat, i'm not pushing people to get me or someone else to his/her photographer for the wedding. For me its just too rude. I'm always explaining what they should a pro and what they can get from a pro and from a non pro. I'm always calm and easy going to potential clients. I'm hinting to get me or a pro but i do not force it. They have to take the decision at the end.

An honest eg.: if i go to a market and the sale person is jumping over me and pushing over limits i never ever buy anything from that person and do not return back to see his face.

If a person likes my style, my pictures and what i do and how i do it - I'm theirs. I can negotiate but if you come to me like market person and try to force me to do something which i just cannot do it then please forgive me but i'm not your person you are looking for.

Hope this helps Peter about my thoughts.

I've not seen the photos so forgive me if this is not the case.

Most people assume that photography students spend all their time at college learning how to take photographs with a camera. That is actually far from the truth. Most of the time they're researching old famous photographers, critiquing their work, style etc. They're learning about all the different types of film and how to process in dark rooms. Any practical assignment they get, they have days & weeks to produce the work.

The result is a lot leave uni without the basics in place to take photographs. Critique them...oh yes, they're experts at that. But know what settings to use for a dimly lit church when the bride & groom walk down the aisle? I doubt that's covered.

My point is to bear this in mind when you are looking at the photos. Are they events where people are moving around and candid shots where she's had a second, maybe two to capture it. Most photography assignments can be taken again and again until the student is happy with the result. You cannot do that at a wedding. An arty picture of a vase isn't going to help them much during the first dance when the DJ lights are everywhere.

I'm not necessarily saying it's a bad idea. You could have found a gem of a student who is passionate about photography and has learned more than just the syllabus.

The thing to understand is that you are taking a risk of getting poor photographs in exchange for the (low) cost. If you are happy to take that risk then great, go for it. We all had to start somewhere and I'm eternally grateful for the first few couples that took the gamble with me when I was inexperienced and didnt have the best gear.

Hope that helps

This typo was a bit amusing......?

Alex, I think that we are on the same wavelength. The point I was trying to make was that often couples in hindsight and after the wedding, wanted something different to what they thought they wanted before the wedding. A classic example is where a couple say that they don't want any posed images, and then after the wedding query why there aren't shots of person x, y and z together. I think its a pros job during meetings to really find out what the couple truly want in order to deliver on the day with no regrets for the couple later.(That was a poorly constructed sentence, although I hope it is understood)

BTW, I too am a very easy going guy and never push a client.

Peter

Hi Louise. Congratulations ?

Sounds like this is a great decision for you and your budget. If you want me to look over them, just let me know.

I was that 3 month, 1 evening a week student once so everyone has to start somewhere.

It's almost impossible for a pro to pass accurate judgement on a student.

A good amateur is still an amateur.

At this stage how they mix and work with your guests, their personality and experience is the most important thing other than the photos they have on display.