Maybe I'm just too picky :(

[Deleted User]

I've been in search for a photographer for several weeks now and still no luck. You have all given me great suggestions, but it's just not the style that I'm looking for. Maybe I'm just being an annoying, picky bride. It's just that these pictures last a lifetime and I want something soft, beautiful, and timeless.

I love the styles of Julie Dreelin, Millie Holloman, and Bridget M??(I can't remember her last night.) They are soft, real, and somewhat vintage in feel. However, they're either booked or I have to sell my soul to the devil to pay for them.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I just wanna cry Ok, I feel better now...

JENNIFERMCKENZIE

You need to call Island Photography.  Allie and Mike are amazing to work with.  I could not have been happier with out pictures and the service they provided!

hibiscus118

Well what about extending your search to outside the OBX?  Maybe to the Raleigh or VA beach areas?  Then they are within a few hours of the area.   You'd be suprised how many photog's don't mind traveling and will do it for just the cost of travel.  I'd definitely look into it. 

ms_teach

I agree that you're going to have to look outside the area then because it doesn't sound like you're finding what you want in the OBX.  As picky as you're being (it's your wedding, it's your choice, so no judgement there), I think you might also have to accept that you're going to have to find more money for photography somewhere in your budget to get what you want.

kolaughlin23

Maybe you could ask the photographers that are booked for your day if they know of anyone.
I used Bridget and I worked hard to find her because she is inland and noone had used her on the boards before (that I saw). I would look in VA or inland NC to see if you can find someone who can give you a good deal!

[Deleted User]

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_north-carolina-outer-banks_maybe-im-just-picky?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:598Discussion:1d54d2b8-0b90-4e05-b059-53e5b3c8c9c3Post:5f3ec3e8-d5de-460e-afe1-02583e2beb04">Re: Maybe I'm just too picky :(</a>:
[QUOTE]Maybe you could ask the photographers that are booked for your day if they know of anyone. I used Bridget and I worked hard to find her because she is inland and noone had used her on the boards before (that I saw). I would look in VA or inland NC to see if you can find someone who can give you a good deal!
Posted by kolaughlin23[/QUOTE]


I LOVED LOVED LOVED Bridget's style! She actually sent me an email saying that she could pass along my info to other photographers she knew that may be able to help me. That's the style I mean I'm looking for - Does anyone know if there's a name for it?

tcigal

Did you explain to those photographers what you were looking for?  Maybe they've done a wedding for a bride with similar taste and can show you some photos, so you know they can do what you want.  I also agree that you'll have to look outside of OBX, or bite the bullet and spend a bit more.  We were thinking about cutting a few things to save money with the photographer, but in the end, the photographer was the one thing we didn't mind spending more on, because like you said, the pictures last a lifetime!  Was it you who had that beautiful picture of the bride with the parasol on the beach, and soft, vintage colors?  You could send that, and say "have you done this before?  Could you send me some similar pics from your portfolio, or recommend someone who may".  Another option, is someone who's not a "wedding photographer" if you could research artists in the area, and see if they'd be willing to do your wedding with that style?

mparwulski

It seems you're looking for more of a storyteller.

roseygb

Preach it Teach!! I think we were both in the same boat with the photographer search. Nothing in the OBX was doing it for me when I compared the price and quality. I looked at Island Photography with Mike and Allie and their photos are (no offense to anyone who used them) VERY snapshot-y to me. Actually it seems like a lot of the OBX photographers I looked at looked very snapshot-y. I don't know if its the cameras or the skill or the lenses or editing or what, but seriously, $2500 is the lowest package for 5 hours of coverage and a disc of snapshot-like photos? Bridget was thankfully available on our date and we're getting so much more for so much less and I love her style. Do you think it's just that prices are inflated in the OBX because it's kind of like a destination wedding location?

I would say to be wary of showing a photographer someone elses work and being like "hey can you do this instead of how you normally shoot?" I feel like you should be comfortable with the style they shoot in, and if you want posey photos go for a posey photographer, if you want a storyteller you have to find a storyteller. I think you might set yourself up for disappointment if you ask a photographer to shoot a way they don't normally (and usually can't) shoot. Of course they'll tell you they can do it but style is style, if they have the eye they have it, if they don't they don't. Argh it's so hard to pick! Keep us updated on what you do - just know you are not being too picky!

tcigal

Eric Boneske is from Wilmington and was referred to me by a family friend.  I LOVED his style (check out his website: http://ericboneskephotography.com/blog/ )  and we working very diligently at arranging for him to make the trip up to OBX, but my date conflicted with another event he already had planned.  Is that more of what you're looking for?  I LOVED what he did with lighting/ angles/etc.  I truley wanted to cry when he couldn't, and I would be extremely jealous if someone else was able to use him, but we have to help out fellow OBX Knotties (since we're the nice ones!).  Might be worth contacting him and see if he'd be up for it?  We also hadn't ironed out prices much, so that may be your starting piont!

Good luck!!

[Deleted User]

tcigal -yes, that was me with the pic of the bride and the parason on the beach. Maybe you're right, I could try to explain more of what I'm looking for to some of the photographers

Mpar- I think that might be what I'm looking for. In fact, the photographers that I liked usually used that very word to describe themselves.

Roseygb-I thought Allie from Island Photography was so sweet. If their style matched what I was looking for, I'd hire them in a heartbeat. But, I think my style is like yours. I want to capture the emotion of the day. Yeah, I'm not sure about the prices. I contacted several photographers in Raleigh that for 2500 I was able to have them 8 or more hours of the day. They just didn't have that "thing" that I can't seem to put my finger on.

This is what I'm looking for:

This is Bridget McEnaney (she was booked)
http://bridgetmcenaney.com/?load=flash

I like this one (too bad she's on the other coast
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KDBTE7E52ig/TTXZ4T8yTcI/AAAAAAAAAag/kO2ohe1Mn40/s1600/Kate+Harrison+Photography%252C+Beltane+Ranch+Wedding+Photography%252C+Vintage+Wedding+Photographer%252C+Sonoma+Wedding+%252813%2529.jpg

ms_teach

Colors in any pictures can be toned down to give you that look.  It's not really popular right now, so I don't think you're going to find much of that in portfolios.  I'd focus first on getting the style of pictures you want and then contact the photographer about the colors.

tcigal

I also really liked Brooke Mayo: http://brookemayoblog.com/

Have you looked into/contacted them?  Play around on their website; I loved their website, personalities and galleries.  They seem the type to do anything you want, and would love something truely unique to an individual's taste.  They actually seemed (through the website, at least) a lot like one of bridesmaids! haha

jlbeucke

I just booked with John and Brandy at http://www.portraitsbyangelo.com/
They are doing 5 hours with 2 photographers and my TTD the following day for about 2.000. 

I love the style (I dont know exactly what you are looking for, but they are more caputure the storyline photogs and not big on posed photos).  What sold me was talking with John on the phone.  He is willing to work with you for whatever you need (price, time, type of photography), he releases copyrights to the photos, and he is just generally very sweet.

He is in New Bern, NC, but travels up and down OBX.  He is about an hour from me and not charginng at all for travel fees of any kind. 

I was in the same predicament as you a few weeks ago.  I wanted a photographer that would tell the story, not interrupt my wedding, but the ones I loved were 3-5K, which is way out of my budget.  I  was beginning to feel like I wasn't going to find exactly what  I wanted, and would have to settle with the photography (which is fine), when I happened upon Portraits by Angelo.  I am now, again, super excited about my photographer.  

 If you do takl with him, tell him Jamie Beucke sent you his way.

ldybug78

yup, I agree that it's a color thing. Not sure if you have an iphone but you can make any picture with that tone to it with Instagram and that's just an app- I bet any professional could do that for you as well.

roseygb

This is so hard. Like for instance, a PP mentioned the Photos by Angelo company. They do seem to focus on moments, but you flip through their portfolio and so many photos are grainy or out of focus or have bad composition. So in that case you have a photographer who is getting the "story" photos you are looking for but there are major technical issues, and then you get the other OBX photographers who might have perfectly fine photos technically but they're all cheesy, posey, or just boring. It sounds like you have to find someone who marries both the technical side of things and the ability to go beyond just being a portrait photographer at a wedding.

jendem8

Have you looked at/talked to Chris Bickford (on his own, not through Beach Productions)?  If you like Julie Dreelin, he works with her now.  If you get him without going through her company, he's cheaper.  He's worked for New York Times and travels the world taking pictures.  His pictures are amazing, and he has a very "photojournalist" style... I can't wait to work with him! 

jendem8

Also, here's a friend of mine from high school.  She's in Raleigh, NC, but I think she travels to the OBX (not sure if there's an additional fee though).  I didn't know she went there, so I didn't think about booking her until after I got Chris. 
http://www.carolynscottphotography.com/

Good luck!