Out of the shadows

verucasalty

Hello Las Vegas board!

I have been lurking for a while and decided to post today! My darling fiance and I have started looking for a venue in Las Vegas and this site has been great for planning. I need your help finding a photographer that deals with real people and not fake images. The better known ones that are mentioned all have "beautiful" people on their blogs no gays, fat couples, just basically cookie cutter images. I want more! Can anyone suggest a real photographer?

direy25

Who have you looked at?  Mike L posted an engagement session for a gay couple awhile back, and honestly I think all of the highly recommended photographers deal with "real" people.  They wouldn't come so highly recommended if they didn't.

Anyway, congrats and welcome!  Everyone on this board is great! 

verucasalty

Who is Mike L? What's his website or contact information?

stinkerbell6879

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_nevada-las-vegas_out-of-shadows?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:91Discussion:9fbb533a-bfc2-4e89-bf74-3016a320bd2cPost:db41b071-4c77-4db5-a796-c395deb5675d">Re: Out of the shadows</a>:
[QUOTE]<strong>Who have you looked at?  Mike L posted an engagement session for a gay couple awhile back, and honestly I think all of the highly recommended photographers deal with "real" people.</strong>  They wouldn't come so highly recommended if they didn't. Anyway, congrats and welcome!  Everyone on this board is great! 
Posted by direy25[/QUOTE]

Ditto. If you REALLY looked at the blogs ESPECIALLY MikeL you will see a lot of diversity in the couples. So who have you looked at? Who have you already contacted? I would highly recommend a bride to talk and get a good vibe from the photographer they are trying to book. 

direy25

Here's his blog - http://www.mikelphotosblog.com/

wallacje

Here's Mike's website.

I got a great vibe from Courtney, and their blog is great, very diverse

http://mikelphotos.com/

Congratulations

HTH

verucasalty

I have not seen Mike L. I have been looking at Joey Allen and Todd Wilson and Cohen and Mindy Bean. These people must not photograh real people or they just do not put them on their blogs. I need someone who welcomes diversity and non traditional images. I also saw Chelsea Nicole Photography and she is offbeat but everyone is too glamorous looking plus her price point is out of my leaugue! Are there any gay or transgender photographers in Vegas? I want someone who is not going to refuse to post us on their blog because we aren't "normal".

verucasalty

Thank you for the Mike L information.

theanglfac

We are using Studio ATG. I felt their website has lots of diversity. We have met them in person and they are awesome. www.studioatg.com. They would be up for anything.

vegasgroom

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_nevada-las-vegas_out-of-shadows?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:91Discussion:9fbb533a-bfc2-4e89-bf74-3016a320bd2cPost:3fffdb6c-855f-4ef0-a633-f921155b642d">Re: Out of the shadows</a>:
[QUOTE]I have not seen Mike L. I have been looking at Joey Allen and Todd Wilson and Cohen and Mindy Bean. These people must not photograh real people or they just do not put them on their blogs. I need someone who welcomes diversity and non traditional images. I also saw Chelsea Nicole Photography and she is offbeat but everyone is too glamorous looking plus her price point is out of my leaugue! Are there any gay or transgender photographers in Vegas?<strong> I want someone who is not going to refuse to post us on their blog because we aren't "normal".</strong>
Posted by verucasalty[/QUOTE]

I'm assuming what you meant is that you want a photographer who has no qualms about posting who they shoot on their blog regardless of that couple's orientation rather than how it reads, which is  that you're going to choose a photographer based on whether they will post you on their blog or not, which of course would be about the worst criteria I can think of to base your decision on instead of their photographic talents.

Also keep in mind that some people don't want to be posted on the photographer's blog, and with there still being lots of discrimination in this country, perhaps gay or transgender couples who have used the other photographers simply requested their photos not be posted; so you may be discriminating against a photographer based on something that may not be true and they have just had the misfortune to not have had the opportunity to post pics of a couple like that.  My FI and I are using Mike L and made them add to our contract that our photos can't be put online without written permission, so that is not unheard of.

verucasalty

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_nevada-las-vegas_out-of-shadows?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:91Discussion:9fbb533a-bfc2-4e89-bf74-3016a320bd2cPost:cedbac5d-b7a8-49fa-bf3e-33c4e239b5d4">Re: Out of the shadows</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Out of the shadows : I'm assuming what you meant is that you want a photographer who has no qualms about posting who they shoot on their blog regardless of that couple's orientation rather than how it reads, which is  that you're going to choose a photographer based on whether they will post you on their blog or not, which of course would be about the worst criteria I can think of to base your decision on instead of their photographic talents. Also keep in mind that some people don't want to be posted on the photographer's blog, and with there still being lots of discrimination in this country, perhaps gay or transgender couples who have used the other photographers simply requested their photos not be posted; so you may be discriminating against a photographer based on something that may not be true and they have just had the misfortune to not have had the opportunity to post pics of a couple like that.  My FI and I are using Mike L and made them add to our contract that our photos can't be put online without written permission, so that is not unheard of.
Posted by vegasgroom[/QUOTE]

Im looking for talent as well but I do want someone who is not ASHAMED to use non traditional couples for their photography. Opting out of the website or blog is one thing refusing to post is another.  I understand this is the internet but please do not criticize my choice of selection criteria for a photographer you don't need to go there. You have your wedding the way you want and Ill have mine the way I want thank you very much.

vegasgroom

So are you saying you contacted the other photographers you mentioned and stated that you would only use them if they would specifically post your photos on their blog and their response was a REFUSAL to do so because they were ASHAMED to do so as you allege?  Or you're just assuming that to be the case?

verucasalty

These photographers Ive contacted say they can select who they want for their blogs. There was no guarantee if we'd be posted or not. They have the right not to they say and may not if its controversial or not the right look. Mostly they are all about the whitebread image.

direy25

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_nevada-las-vegas_out-of-shadows?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:91Discussion:9fbb533a-bfc2-4e89-bf74-3016a320bd2cPost:5961b100-7d62-48a9-9483-43c04482a6d8">Re: Out of the shadows</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Out of the shadows : Im looking for talent as well but I do want someone who is not ASHAMED to use non traditional couples for their photography. Opting out of the website or blog is one thing refusing to post is another.  I understand this is the internet but please do not criticize my choice of selection criteria for a photographer you don't need to go there. You have your wedding the way you want and Ill have mine the way I want thank you very much.
Posted by verucasalty[/QUOTE]
Calm down.  As you mentioned, this is an internet forum and unfortuantely we can only respond to what has been written.  Your post did come off exactly the way vegasgroom described. 

verucasalty

Irregarless he doesnt have to say my criteria is the worst. maybe thats his opinion but its rude to tell someone their opinion is wrong when I never asked him.  I can pick a photographer how I want I didnt ask for permision just suggestions.

MsBerlin

First of all, welcome to the board. It sounds like you have dealt with a lot of discrimination in your life so you feel like everyone on the board is attacking you when they are just trying to give advice.

Can you imagine if photographers spent all their time blogging? They probably wouldn't have time to shoot / work images / eat / etc! They probably choose their favorite pictures based on a number of things including lighting, setup, location, etc and not necessarily just based on what the couple looks like.

Also, if you are looking for blogs with "ugly" brides, well I haven't seem too many ugly brides probably due to the fact that they spend lots of time and money to look their best  on their wedding day! Without any makeup we all look pretty average!

Natrasha

It's hard to give suggestions, when we don't know every couple a photographer has shot, and how each of them felt about being on a blog. Like Vegasgroom said, maybe some of those couples don't want to be on the blog. So we can't really give suggestions. That being said, I met with Mike L and Courtney, and they seem like awesome, groovy people. Ron Miller is my photog, and he seems like he'd be cool with anything.

stinkerbell6879

Also FWIW when you call and speak to them, if you come off attacking them because they don't have what you are looking for on their blog, then they are not going to have a very good vibe and shut down working with you. So please listen to what these ladies are saying, no one attacked you.....and I am sure if you take some time you will find someone who can capture what you want. Also ditto PP. Most brides get all done up so we DON'T look average! So again good luck.

direy25

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_nevada-las-vegas_out-of-shadows?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:91Discussion:9fbb533a-bfc2-4e89-bf74-3016a320bd2cPost:12ab9b74-66a5-4f7c-8d78-1c9ceba821fb">Re: Out of the shadows</a>:
[QUOTE]First of all, welcome to the board. It sounds like you have dealt with a lot of discrimination in your life so you feel like everyone on the board is attacking you when they are just trying to give advice. Can you imagine if photographers spent all their time blogging? They probably wouldn't have time to shoot / work images / eat / etc! They probably choose their favorite pictures based on a number of things including lighting, setup, location, etc and not necessarily just based on what the couple looks like. Also, if you are looking for blogs with "ugly" brides, well I haven't seem too many ugly brides probably due to the fact that they spend lots of time and money to look their best  on their wedding day! Without any makeup we all look pretty average! :)
Posted by MsBerlin[/QUOTE]
MsBerlin is very wise.  <img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-smile.gif" border="0" alt="Smile" title="Smile" />

mwkoby

I'm not sure why you would choose a photog based on whether or not they will post your pics in their blog.  Sounds like you're wanting publicity rather than someone to photograph one of the most important days of your life.  If you're looking for your photos to end up on the web then choose a photog based on their talents and post your pics on your own blog.  I'm bringing my own photog with me to Vegas but I have looked at a couple of the popular LV photog's websites and I saw pics of pretty real couples.  It's not like they all looked like models.  Just because you don't see pics of gay or lesbian couples, doesn't mean that they aren't willing to shoot them.

As for people not giving you their opinions, that's what these discussion boards are really based on.  Everyone's recommendations are coming from their own personal opinions.  If I have a good experience with a vendor and recommend them, that's MY opinion.  Another bride or groom may not have had a good experience with that vendor - they would then form their own opinion based on their experience.  But that's what we all do on these discussion boards is give our opinions and try to help each other out.  But if you don't want to hear someone else's opinion that you won't have a successful experience on here.

glukas21

I may be biased as I used Joey Allen as my photographer, but if you look far enough into his blog, you will see that there are brides of all shapes.  Regardless of size, I loved his style and thought he photographed them beautifully.  I'm a curvy girl and I absolutely love my pictures.  He hasn't updated his blog since August and therefore my pictures are not on his website, but I didn't hire him for the blog.  I think what is important is if you look at the photographer's style and what he did with the subjects.  If you don't like the style, nobody can fault you for that.  It's all a matter of personal opinion. 

Sara191431

Did you contact Todd, cause if so, you'd know he doesn't even have a blog.

(unless he does and I'm just not aware of it, if so, where's it at cause I want to see!?)

VegasGroom is dead on.

LilMissScareAll

If you want someone who's really out there, I can recommend one of my friends. He's not a wedding photographer, he does photo shoots mostly, but he has done a few weddings. He and his FI are part of the goth industrial scene. He might be more your speed. He does not blog

verucasalty

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_nevada-las-vegas_out-of-shadows?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:91Discussion:9fbb533a-bfc2-4e89-bf74-3016a320bd2cPost:ceb56226-7272-4c98-93b3-bb5db290b2b4">Re: Out of the shadows</a>:
[QUOTE]Did you contact Todd, cause if so, you'd know he doesn't even have a blog. (unless he does and I'm just not aware of it, if so, where's it at cause I want to see!?) VegasGroom is dead on.
Posted by Sara191431[/QUOTE]

Not a blog but gallery showcasing his work.

verucasalty

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_nevada-las-vegas_out-of-shadows?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:91Discussion:9fbb533a-bfc2-4e89-bf74-3016a320bd2cPost:69bd83ff-fff3-4d9f-b997-6ef52964c57f">Re: Out of the shadows</a>:
[QUOTE]Also FWIW when you call and speak to them, if you come off attacking them because they don't have what you are looking for on their blog, then they are not going to have a very good vibe and shut down working with you. So please listen to what these ladies are saying, no one attacked you.....and I am sure if you take some time you will find someone who can capture what you want. Also ditto PP. Most brides get all done up so we DON'T look average! So again good luck.
Posted by stinkerbell6879[/QUOTE]

I wont do that I have sense!

verucasalty

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_nevada-las-vegas_out-of-shadows?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:91Discussion:9fbb533a-bfc2-4e89-bf74-3016a320bd2cPost:01eef14c-501b-4a3b-a844-1e6ab2389e08">Re: Out of the shadows</a>:
[QUOTE]I'm not sure why you would choose a photog based on whether or not they will post your pics in their blog.  Sounds like you're wanting publicity rather than someone to photograph one of the most important days of your life.  If you're looking for your photos to end up on the web then choose a photog based on their talents and post your pics on your own blog.  I'm bringing my own photog with me to Vegas but I have looked at a couple of the popular LV photog's websites and I saw pics of pretty real couples.  It's not like they all looked like models.  Just because you don't see pics of gay or lesbian couples, doesn't mean that they aren't willing to shoot them. As for people not giving you their opinions, that's what these discussion boards are really based on.  Everyone's recommendations are coming from their own personal opinions.  If I have a good experience with a vendor and recommend them, that's MY opinion.  Another bride or groom may not have had a good experience with that vendor - they would then form their own opinion based on their experience.  But that's what we all do on these discussion boards is give our opinions and try to help each other out.  But if you don't want to hear someone else's opinion that you won't have a successful experience on here.
Posted by mwkoby[/QUOTE]

I don't want publicity I just want a photographer that I know wont automatically disqualify our pictures as being worthy of a gallery or blog because of who we are and what we look like.

Opinions are fine but I dont need to be criticized on how I select my photographer. That's like saying oh you want to wear a red wedding gown that's stupid! Its my choice and saying my criteria is the worst is not cool. maybe your opinion but not cool.

Anyways thanks for the input Ill check out this Mike L and keep lokking and aking around.

verucasalty

Sorry to seem defensive just tryin to esplain

benjillian

Hey Verucasalty, I've read a blog article somewhere, perhaps Offbeatbride, that discusses some of the issues you've raised when selecting a photog to look a the diversity in their blog.  I've gone with John Morris.  By email so far, he seems like an awesome dude, and his blog is relatively diverse - I don't think I've seen any LGBT couples on his blog, but he does seem to at least have a diverse range of sizes and cultures.  Can I also suggest, you might wanna join the Offbeatbride tribe, (i'm on there too), it's a really supportive community, for those not having whitebread weddings

Auguri

I have seen brides of all shapes, sizes and ethnicity featured on almost all of the popular photographers blogs.  But you are entitled to your opinion and I think Mike L might be a great choice for you. 

FWIW, Chelsea Nicole did my TTD photos and she has used my photos in several articles written on her or featuring her work.  I'm also on her FB page and in one of the video montages that I have seen.  And I am most definitely a plus size bride and not white....not that it mattered to her at all.  You mentioned her price was too high for you, but you might want to check her out for a TTD session or post wedding shoot.  DH and I did one and they are some of our favorite photos because we could finally relax and have fun.  Plus her and Jayse are awesome!  Good luck in you planning. 

MVJP10

We brought our own photog to Vegas assuming you find one locally and it isn't too expensive to bring them maybe you could do that?

red1115

verucasalty: you might seriously consider the suggestion to bring a photographer with you.  Since their personality and approach to blogging is a critical factor to you, it would give you an opportunity to "get to know them" before the big day.  Since legally the photographs and the blogs are the property of the artists (not the hiring couple) they really have the final say in what they post and whatever image they feel will bring in the most business or highlight their talents best.  Politics/discrimination usually have nothing to do with it - Photographic aesthetics are a higher priority.  If they have a great picture of traditional couple and an OK picture of an untraditional couple - which do you think is going to bring in more business?

If you don't want your pictures posted you have to write those restrictions into your contract - but I've never heard of writing in that they have to post anything to their blogs.

The reality is that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so I strongly urge you to get to know the artists before making your decision and not judge /discriminate against any of them based on their advertising.

Good luck & please let us know who end up hiring!!