is this rude?

forrma7

considering i have to ask, it probably will be.

when talking with a potential photographer, is it rude to show them pictures of photo styles you like? would they be offended because it was another photographer's work?

i know i've been keeping a bunch of pictures that i like because of their style, or i like the shot idea, but i wasn't sure if this is a no-no when meeting with a vendor.

thank you to all you etiquette divas. you truly help me keep me in line

tenofcups4me

No, it's not rude, but you'd be better served by asking them to show you their own pictures from their portfolio. If you show them a picture, odds are good they'll say of course they can do that, and maybe they can and maybe they can't. After you select a photographer (or at least later in the conversations), it's not rude to show some specific pictures you like and ask for them to do something similar.

iamjoesgurl

Instead of showing actual pictures, could you use the pictures to create your "must take" list and give that to the photographer?  Or are you basing your decision on whether or not the potential photographer can take a similar shot?  

nda_roxybabe

I definitely don't think that is rude?
Maybe I'm wrong...

tidetravel

Not rude at all.  Any photographer that balks at something like that isn't worth your time or money.  It actually helps them get a feel for your style, and what you like.

That being said, there are photographers out there that simply cannot take the type of shots that you want.  Some are good at photojournalism and others are good at portraiture.  If you try to ask someone that's good at portraits to do photojournalistic shots, you may find yourself disappointed.

And, since you're in my neck of the woods, I'm gonna go ahead and plug my photographer, Brian Ray.  He's awesome.  Pics in bio (click link in siggy.)

www.brianraystudios.com

tidetravel

Also - when choosing a photographer, ask to have access to a couple online galleries of full weddings that he/she shot.  This will give you an idea of their true talent.

It's easy for a photographer to put together a portfolio of 100 great shots from multiple weddings.  It's much more difficult for a photographer to get 100 great shots in one wedding.

forrma7

iamjoes - that seems like a better idea, to create a list rather than a portfolio of what i want them to be

i didnt really intend on walking in and being like, "you need to do this this and this"

i understand that photogs have different styles and visions, so i think a "must have" shot list would work out better for me

thinking about it now, it seems silly to want a photographer to emulate a certain style that they dont do

tidetravel

Now I'm curious.  Who are you looking at using?  Have you been over to the B-more board?  There are TONs of great photographers in the area.  We did have a review site going for a while.  I'll see if I can find it for you.

miah_23_ncb

i do not think it is rude i did it when meeting our photographer. i also looked at his work as well.

Kristin&eric

NO i think it is a great way to show your photographer of what you want! LOL

forrma7

tide - wedding is at the chesapeake bay beach club. i've been looking ast dbryant because he photographs there all the time. i like his clean crisp pictures, but i also love some more modern and creative shots i've seen around various blogs etc. i follow his blog and i've seen a bunch of his work.

it seems like i would be really happy with the pictures i'd get, but i've seen more creative things elsewhere, ya know?

and i'll def check out your photog! thanks for the suggestion!

LauraT25

I agree with Tide about asking on the Baltimore board - it's generally dead, but people will come out of the woodwork for vendor recs, especially photographers.

JanoBean75

I don't think it's rude at all. I'd do what a PP said -- bring a "must take" list. Show him some samples you really love and ask him what he'd do to get the same feeling in your pictures.