Telling the Photographer how to do his job.....

Dunno, but I'm doing this tonight too so will be back later with more useful input!

To be honest, I wouldn't be presenting them with lists of photos on the first meeting. We chose a photographer based on style, price and "likeability" (i.e. we clicked well with him). It was only after we chose one that we met at the venue and went through our day in more detail including lists of formal photos and detail photos.

Apologies if I've misread you, but your question reads to me like you haven't chosen a tog yet... in this situation I would choose a tog first, and sort out the details of who is in what photo later.

Great, Sammyjay, keep me posted! We have one appointment later tonight too and I've (secretly) started on a list which I intend to present to him if needed! x

Thanks for the advice. No we haven't chosen one yet, we have app's with some that are all free on our date. I may hang on to the list for now until we decide then! I'll keep jotting things down though as picture ideas come to me! x

WSS.

At this point it's most important that you:

a) get along with him/her and feel relaxed with them

b) like the albums and styles of pictures that they are showing you.

Lists come much later - think two weeks before the wedding!

I would ask what there usual pictures are, What are there standards, Once you have booked your tog you can then work on addin to there list. Group shots tend to be a standard with most and will generally have there own list to work through the guests quickly. Its better to think about where you would like some pictures (by lake, In arch way) also groups the photographer will not know about, Uni friends, work friends etc...

Just be careful not to make a huge list as this can distroy any creative skill as the photographer will just be working through your list. instead find out what there usual method of working is and add to it.

Hi Rachb3

If this is your first meeting with the Photographer then you don't really want to be discussing the finer details at this point, ie. what list of definite images you want.

On your first meeting you want to be discussing the following...

1. When you want them to attend (Bridal preps to 1st dance etc)

2. What sytyle of photography do they specialise in, and more to the point what style are you looking for.

3. What are their prices

4. What products do they offer

5. Are they insured

6. A portfolio of work.

Those are just some of the points you should be discussing.

I ask all my wedding couples to provide me with a list of photographs that THEY DEFINATELY want prior to the day. This is usually provided at our pre wedding meeting at the venue a month or 2 before the big day.

If I can be of any further help please do call or drop me an email.

All the best

Dean

www.deancarney.com

Hi

There is no problem in you providing a list of the group shots you want. I send the client a questionnaire that covers this as well as lots of other information - like the name of the person nominated to get the groups together. This person, normally a family member, knows all the faces and I make sure they have an up to date copy of the group shot list. This prevents a loud, shouty TOG having to bellow "B&G's PARENTS PLEASE!!" etc.

However a couple of things to bear in mind. The longer list of group photos you have the more time it will take and the less time there will be for creative shots of the happy couple. Equally check the TOGs contract to see if the expressly limit you to a number of group shots - some do.

Equally there's no problem looking at the Togs portfolio and saying which photos of other weddings, set-ups and poses you like. This will give them a strong sense of what you are after. However, I wouldn't pick a tog on, say price, who has there own style and then show them lots of photos taken by someone else that you want them to 'replicate'. They will probably find this a little presciptive.

At the end of the day the tog is there to provide you with a service that you want and are paying for. There is room for discussion and negotiation but my view is that the customer is always right!

Good luck!

You should never feel shy or embarrassed in asking or suggesting anything to your photographer... This person will be around you all day and your questions and thoughts will only ever help in allowing your TOG to understand you even better.

Hope that helps!

Dean makes a very important point here. Not all photographers are the same and you need one that fits your requirements. Then again, allow them some licence to create outside of what you think you want. Often a good tog will offer something you really like, yet didn't realise that you liked IYSWIM.

Peter

Peter