Photography question

Hi Juicymelons

Am a photographer myself (just to caveat my views) but wanted to say firstly you are doing the right thing in seeing 3 photographers so you get to see range and have a better understanding how they operate, what their work looks like in albums (not just on the internet) and, importantly, whether you get on with them or not as you will spend a lot of time with them on your big day.

In terms of the 3 photographer you are due to see, I wouldn't worry too much about what the other photographers have said and I think it is a bit off that they have scared you off like this. Probably means the other two have been around for a while, met at wedding fayres, etc. But just because they haven't heard of the other photgorapher doesn't mean she will be no good. It could be that she is quite new into the business - maybe get an understanding of her experience and ask to see a few full wedding albums (not just a portfolio of best work) - but if her work is good then I wouldn't worry too much, afterall she much have some experience for your venue to know and recommend her.

Alternatively, she might just concentrate a lot of her work to particular venues including yours which is why she isn't so widely know. While I don't think you should be sold on a photographer just because they have worked your venue before, again if her work is good then don't be put off. Equally, don't discount the others if they haven't worked your venue before, a good photographer doesn't need to have photographers a venue before to still get great photos - we haven't yet photographed the same venue and have been going 3 years as a business (with a few weddings before that too) but we usually visit the venue before hand and then adapt on the day.

I guess the main thing I am trying to get across is to make sure you are persuaded by the quality of the photographers work and whether you get on with them or not, not hearsay you have heard from other photographers.

HTH

Hi

Thanks for the reply, that really does help.

I think because after speaking on the phone and after seeing one of her albums at the venue I was a slightly freaked that they both said be very wary eeek !! especially as she was my favourite.

I will have an open mind now and will be able to judge her by her photo's rather than trying to weigh up why the other two said be wary !!!

Thanks again ?

Hi

I would just like to echo the other comments. dont be put off by a photographer just because other photographers have never heard of them. Some people make their living from word of mouth. The others, as stated before, might have met at wedding fayres and everything.

Personally, i say pick the one that YOU want to go with. Some people spend alot of money on wedding photography, so make the choice that YOU are happy with. If they are recommended to you then thats a bonus, but just dont be put off by other photographers comments, jealousy is very common! Haha!

Mike

Its actually pretty unprofessional of the others to even ask who you're seeing, let alone make comments like "they cant be any good if i havent heard of them", its pathetic.

you make your own choice - but the mistake many people make when talking to photographers is in not asking them about the SERVICE they will get. liking the images is one thing, but you need to know more about their service, how long their coverage lasts, types of albums they use, if the images will be on the internet for guests to buy, you to view, if they do a specific vewiign just for you. how long the album will take to produce once you ve chosen, etc etc. as with all things, you usually get what you pay for, and someone offering to shoot your wedding for 400 quid is clearly not going to be as good as someone who uses high quality albums, has high quality images etc. i ve seen some shocking images posted on planning of weddings, usually in the name of saving money, and that money save is totally apparently in the resulting images.

Thank you for your replies your insights are really useful.

I have got a long long list of questions I have asked the previous two !!

I am determined to get the photographer right, it's my second marriage and the photographer at my first wedding was horrendous and I am not going to risk anything like that again, he took over two hours taking posed photo's and kept us at the church so long the church was locked up and the wedding car was threatening to leave without us !!! I never spoke to anyone before the meal and was just a bossy pain in the rear !!

I have quite a good photography budget between 2 and 2.5k so I am hoping that will mean we get a really good package.

Thanks Again

There are many, many wedding photographers out there - don't worry that some are unknow to others! One trick, if you are nervous, is to ask to speak to a reference client, someone who has recently had their photographs taken by your favourite photographer - you can usually get a good idea of how they work and their quality and attitude by talking to their clients.

Clwyd - Wedding Photorgapher for Pixcellence

http://www.pixcellence.co.uk

Spot on.

Amanda Every is a well known photographer to some members on this forum and her name comes up on here many times. I don't recall a negative comment against her.

Hi,

For what it's worth, we met a guy at our friend's wedding who was brilliant !- not only was he (and his lovely assistant) really friendly on the day but they just spent the minimum time on the group photos, the whole thing took about 30 minutes! We've booked him in for our wedding next February and another couple from that day have also booked him in. His website is: www.carloconnell.co.uk

I have no personal connection with him at all, I just thought he was really good and kept everyone smiling, so check him out.

Cheers,

Martin

I have also heard of Amanda Every! So don't worry!!!

We booked our photographer, Dale Crook after seeing several and we just liked him straight away.

Let us know how you get on!!