Disappointed with pre-wedding shoot photographs - advice please....

From what you have described I would deffinitely cancel.

Without actually seeing them I can't input but sometimes people like to be arty. Sounds the case here although the filler shots, such as signposts and things wouldn't normally be a part of a 'If you want this image and it's £20' sort of thing.

It's quite common for togs to chop heads off or just show certain parts of the body. It was on trend 5 years ago. Less so now.

Its hard to comment with out seeing them but it sounds like you have a photographer from one of the trendy blogs (heads cut off) are there any similar photos on there web site to what they took of you both?

Are the style of photos that he has provided for you in keeping with the other photos in his portfolio? If they are then this is just his style and if you don't like it then you will need to find someone else. If not, I would be wondering whether his portfolio is actually his own.

I never thought of that and you could be right.

This^^. Before cancelling I would think about having an honest conversation with him. Giving him the benefit of the doubt - if this isn't his normal style maybe he misinterpreted your thoughts on what you wanted the shots to be like? Are there any other wedding photos in his portfolio you like where he would let you speak to the bride/groom to ensure it was actually him that did them?

What was it about this TOG that made you choose him originally?

I'm at my desk today processing wedding photos! I'd be happy to have a look at them for you. It's impossible for us to say whether these are the work of a trendy good quality photographer or someone who is clueless. We really need to see them to be able to offer advice!

If you'd like a chat my number is on my website or you can email me a log-in via my site. Don't message me via Hitched as the message system here doesn't seem to work.

When we went to visit him and look at his portfolio I had a list of questions to ask him. As he was busy I said I'd email the questions to him, mainly, how long have you been doing this professionally, is all the work you've shown me your own, what happens if you're sick on the day, will you require a meal, what about timings etc (hints and tips I'd got from here- there were 21 questions in total! which my fiancée said were too many - but which I wanted in writing from him, hence the email). I was satisfied with his answers and the portfolios he showed us were good (although I am aware that only the best ones will be shown to possible new customers).

I'm not a professional but I know that when taking a photo you need to look at the background, i.e. you don't want a lamppost growing out of someone's head or a dustbin in the picture, i.e. you need to frame the picture correctly. I have no idea how to set up re. lighting and my basic Ricoh Capilo R3 camera which the person who was shadowing used has now decided to pack up!

Before cancelling, make sure you can get another photographer who you like to be available.

I would also speak with him & voice your concerns & maybe ask if its possible for you to have another shoot with the style of images that you are looking for. This way, you don't lose your £100 & you have made doubly sure that its not just a mis-understanding on either part.

This is spot on....I refer to it as 3 dimensional framing where EVERYTHING in the shot needs to be considered (unless its a quick reaction shot where the value of the foreground negates the backgound).

As wisely mentioned above, it is hard to comment without seeing what was shot. I would though, consider having a chat with your tog expressing your worries.

Peter

Is it possible that he has tried to get a bit too creative/trendy with the pre-wedding but that the actual wedding shots will be fine?

Iona has asked me to let you know that I have looked at the images. There are a few nice ones but overall Iona has correctly identified certain issues with the work. My grandma would kindly say that "they are an acquired taste."

I think it's worth mentioning that a pre-wedding shoot usually allows the photographer more time and a more relaxed environment than what they will have at the wedding. If you are unhappy with images from a pre-wedding shoot then it's important to say something. Any issues are likely to re-occur after the wedding because photographers don't really change their shooting or processing styles substantially between the engagement shoot and the wedding, especially if there's only a few weeks/months between them.

Well Done Paula! It's great that you could have look at them and help to Lona!

Lona: What Bruce said is right, if this photographer has a drastically different portfolio on the website, it is probably not his own photographs Have you seen his blog maybe to identify his style a bit more? That could help too. You have actually two directions, if you think he is good enough to follow your instructions then explain to him exactly what do you want,but if you don't trust him anymore just carry on with someone else. Even if you go for another photographer, you are actually lucky as you found this out before the wedding

I never said that Csaba MrsC did and I agreed. Lets not run down other photographers work on here, everyone is at a different level and I don't think it is right for a photographer to run another photographers work down, what one photographer may think is bad another may not but keep it to your self.

To the op, don't rush in to things, don't jump out of the frying pan in to the fire so to speak. Ring the photographer and talk over your concerns with them.

Agreed....

Just a quick update. We have decided to cancel the photographer as we were so disappointed and just forget about the £100 deposit. We'd rather lose that than pay the full amount and still be disappointed after our wedding.

We decided that we'd also rather get someone who did photography for a hobby than pay for bad photographs if we couldn't find another professional photographer for our day.

However, we are lucky enough to have found someone who is free (we're lucky we're getting married on a Friday, otherwise we'd have no chance of finding anyone for a Saturday at this late stage).

So glad we had the pre-wedding shoot though and found out before the wedding rather than after.

We hope nobody else has this to go through so near to their wedding.

This is great news! are you doing a pre-shoot with the new people too?

We're not sure yet depending on time allowed. Although even if we don't and end up having an after wedding shoot to include our baby, we still feel confident that we've made the right choice. Also, our new photographer has photographed the Queen and these were lovely (and also aren't allowed to be photoshopped in any way).

Glad to hear you got it all sorted.

You got David Bailey???? ?

Glad you are sorted.....must be a relief.....

Peter