Studio One/Edward Fox/Timothy Whaley photo&video

acmorrison915

We've booked consultations with the above photog/video.  Did anyone use any of them or have any tips for booking photog/videographers?
Thanks!

SaraAndrew2010

I haven't work with those studios.  I'm turned off by Tim Whaley because I receive at least 2 postcards/emails a week from them.

Personally, I've found it better to work with smaller operations where the owner is the photographer.  I like being able to choose the photographer I want.  At the places that employ a whole staff photographers, you sign with the company, then they assign you one of their photographers.  You generally have veto power over the person they assign you, but it's not the same as picking the photographer whose style and personality you like.  Keep in mind that your photographer is going to be following you around the whole day, so it helps if you click with them.

decamp.sarah

I had a consultation with Edward Fox and I didn't get to meet the photographer (they have like over 30 photographers that work with them). Instead I met with a woman who just did wedding consultations. I think that small studios are the way to go, because they do offer you individual attention and also seem to do a better job.

TheDohertys

i agree with decamp.sarah those companies are all huge operations kind of like staffing or temp agencies. they are sometimes more economical but we chose to go with an independent photographer.

Albanesepartyof2

I also vote for smaller operations so you KNOW the person that is photographing you the day of your wedding. I agree that I have received a zillion postcards since putting my email address out there and attending bridal shows. You don't want a farmed out photograher no matter what they promise.

kenright16

I'm going to play the devil's advocate here - partly because I'm using Timothy Whaley based on the recommendation of two co-workers. This is only in regard to photographers, not videographers.

My cousin and his wife used a photographer who had a "small operation" - he had great reviews, took amazing pictures. They got their digital negatives (which was a blessing), and the guy took off, website shut down, phone shut off - never got the album they paid $2,000 for, and they can't do anything about it because the guy fell off the grid.

One more horror story about a small company. A co-worker of mine got married, used a photographer who, again, came highly recommended. After my co-worker's wedding, the photographer went through a nasty divorce, and somehow his wife ended up with the rights to almost everything from the business. Co-worker and wife never even got their digital negatives, and they are going through a litigation process (it's now been 2.5 years since their wedding).

After hearing these two stories, I knew that I wanted to use a larger company, just for the safety of knowing that they'll still be around to get our pictures to us. Two of my co-workers used the same Timothy Whaley photographer for their weddings, so we requested him also. This is just my personal preference - I want beautiful wedding pictures, but I'm willing to sacrifice a bit of the customer service for the security of a well-established company.

holly3c

I booked with Timothy Whaley and while I suppose there are apsects of a large company to it, I feel that I've gotten the personal attention that I want. I never really considered a small independent... I feel more secure with a BBB rated place, I suppose.

imtaken07

We also searched out smaller companies. We felt there was more personal attention and seemed they wanted to work with us better. We also knew who our vendor was going to be for the day. I am very happy we went this route!

Michelle_G

We are also using Timothy Whaley and couldn't be happier with the personal attention/customer service we've received.  I like the fact that there are different locations that I can go to for different needs (Lisle is closer to work, Schaumburg is closer to home).  I can email anyone there directly, and they get back to me immediately.   They've been pretty awesome so far! 

tonyatibbs

I also did a consult with Edward Fox.  I thought it was a little deceiving that all of the beautiful images that I had seen on their website & brochures were from their Senior Photographer that is $10,000.  Everyone else with the studio is considered an associate and are much less expensive, but you won't meet them until a month before the wedding.  I also didn't like that the pushed the album.  It seemed like they were charging you based on what kind of album that you want.  I personally didn't like that approach.  I'm more concerned with the actual images.  I ended up finding someone on my own that has shot weddings at my venue.  I would suggest having a list of questions ready to ask so that you don't get overwhelmed.

Bubbala

Okay, my 2 cents.  Originally, I was a big believer in smaller, more intmate firms, for the exact reasons of PP's.  I was very turned off by the larger firms because I would meet with a sales person, look through multiple albums, and was told they would assign a photographer to me based on which albums I liked best...sorry, not my thing.  However, I was lucky with TWA.  When I went in for a cosultation, I met with a photographer, and we just clicked.  He checked his availability, and he was free. Since then, I have had great customer service, quick responses when I e-mail the counsultant asigned to me, and quick responses from my photographer when I e-mail him with questions.  I also liked that I didn't have to buy an album with them before I signed.  They always have great promotions, and we got our engagement pictures for "free", because the cost was put to any product we purchased (so we got our sign in book that I wanted with our engagement pictures).  I recommend them, definitely, for the attention and great service I have gotten so far.

bonkkm

We're using Studio One and we've been really happy so far. It doesn't feel like a big studio at all... we even have the owner (Joe B.) booked as our photographer! We already had our engagement session (which was free!) and found several pictures we really liked from the session.

The website is really easy to view and order pictures from and everyone is very friendly. The owner, Joe, responds quickly to emails, even over the weekend, to make sure all of your questions are answered.

I think it's a great choice! We've also had friends use Timothy Whaley and their pictures turned out great too... though I've heard it's all about which photographers you pick there!

Good luck...