Photographer Advice Needed

MsJuneBride2012

Hi, ladies! I could really use some advice. I am interested in booking a photographer whose pictures I love, but I don't think she's ever photographed an African-American bride/wedding before. She seems to be really talented, but I'm nervous about skin tones looking "off." Should I trust a talented, experienced photographer to be able to photograph skin tones she hasn't really dealt with before OR should I go with a photographer who has done African-American brides/weddings before whose pictures I don't love as much? Thanks in advance for your help!

sfennell1

IMO a good photographer is a good photographer no matter what your skin color is. I think that's a little silly. Just my 2 cents

MsJuneBride2012

Thanks for your opinion. I guess I should clarify...my understanding is that lighting for darker skin tones during a photo shoot is very different from lighting for lighter skin tones (i.e., with a professional shoot, lighting needs are very different for a pale Caucasian person vs. a dark African-American person). Also, my FI and I have very different skin tones. I'm concerned about a photographer not having experience with lighting for darker skin tones and the tones looking "off" in the pics. Not a silly concern in my opinion, but to each her own. :-)

kiwona

Just ask her has she ever done any African-American weddings or if she has taken any pictures of African-Americans. I had the same question for the photographer I chose.  She didn't have any on her site but she had done shoots with African-Americans and sent me photos over so I could see her work.  Just ask. She may have and just haven't posted pictures.

MsJuneBride2012

kiwona - Thanks! I will definitely ask her. Do you think it would be too much of a risk if she hasn't photographed African-American skin tones at all?

pinkcottoncandy7

I would go with her if I liked her style because a really professional photographer can enhance and correct an image thats been already taken. However good your skin looks in the pictures if you hate the actual compositions you might regret it.

MsJuneBride2012

pinkcottoncandy7 - That's a really good point! Thanks so much!

djscat

Ask the photographer to do your engagment photos.  That way you will really be able to see the quality of their work on you and your FI.  Most photographers will throw in the engagement session if you book them for the wedding.  I don't think that your concern is silly.  The photos will last forever and you want them to look the best they possibly can.  Oh and I would just ask her if she has shoot an AA wedding before. 

Good luck!

dlthompson22

I would ask her if she photographed any African Americna Brides before if you feel that way? I would also see if you are able to set up an appointment to do some test shots for a small fee to see how they turn out. A good photographer will be just that no matter the skin tone. Just My Opinion
HTH

kiwona

Go with her if you like her work. I was going with the lady we chose just from seeing what I had seen on her site. I just felt it didn't hurt to ask. Like djscat said ask her to do your e-pics and go from there. but if she is good as you say she is I don't see it being a problem.

sweetjess2011

I noticed your still a year out before your wedding, so If you have an e pic session with her soon, you still have plenty of time to find someone else just in case you dont care for the lighting. Good Luck!!

lil01

If she's a good photographer & has experience, she should be knowledgeable in how to shoot individuals of all skin tones. What really matters is that she knows what she's doing when it comes to "lighting". Just fyi- I know of previous brides that chose AA photographers & were not satisfied. 

As pp said, book her for you engagement shoot to see if you like her work. Good luck!

chantil_2005

And here I thought I was the only one having this concern so thanks for posting this question.  I asked the photographers I'm looking at; like you I have more than a year off but I have a close friend in mind for our e-pics and can't fly him out for the actual wedding so I cudn't do a 'trial' shoot but I agree with pp just ask and see where that goes but any photographer worth their salt will be great no matter what complexion you are.  GL!! Make sure you come back and tell us how it goes. 

tyboyd

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_african-american-weddings_photographer-advice-needed?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:400Discussion:87625ea3-a56f-4c96-b5e4-064961a02caePost:37b68982-38dd-4583-9fbf-da544bd97d36">Re: Photographer Advice Needed</a>:
[QUOTE]<font class="Apple-style-span" color="#ff0000"><strong>Ask the photographer to do your engagment photos. </strong></font> That way you will really be able to see the quality of their work on you and your FI.  Most photographers will throw in the engagement session if you book them for the wedding.  I don't think that your concern is silly.  The photos will last forever and you want them to look the best they possibly can.  Oh and I would just ask her if she has shoot an AA wedding before.  Good luck!
Posted by djscat[/QUOTE]

<div>This. Have a session with her. That way, you can see how she shoots the two of you and if she's never shot an AA couple, that would be her practice run.</div>

kiyamurph

I agree some of the pp, any good photographer is going to know what they're doing when it comes to lighting.  Our photographers are a boyfriend/girlfriend duo who are both white but they're very experienced and our engagement pics turned out great.  Here's a link if you want to see a sample of some of them:  http://www.inluxphoto.com/blog/entry/columbus-engagement-photography

Like a pp said, I've seen some photos from AA photographers that haven't been all that great, so to me the skin color isn't the issue, it's the quality of work of the photographer.  I think the same goes for a makeup artist.  Mine is white but she does a good job of matching up the foundation and not making me look ridiculous.  I think that if you like her style and her vibe then go with her.

MsJuneBride2012

Ladies, I truly, truly appreciate all of the suggestions and advice. I know it may have seemed like a silly concern to some, but photography is very important to me and this will be the first major vendor that I book (so I want to get this right!). Thanks so much to all of you! :-)

kiyamurph - Your engagement pics are beautiful!!!