Is the photographer supposed to tell you what to do?

Maggie0829

lrigyelims said:

I was worried BC have paid the deposit and have more or less a verbal contract until we sign the actual contract. Plus, I really love her work... Now, about the problem I had...you guys have helped me to see that I am overreacting/overthinking this. I was just worried that, like someone said, our photographer would be photozilla... However, I'm much less worried now bc I see this is common verbage and common expectations. Thx!

If she was a photozilla I am sure that would have been reflected in any comments that you read about her.

And I second PDKH that you need to get a written contract pronto.  I never would have paid any kind of deposit without a written contract in place.

Dreamergirl8812

PDKH said:

lrigyelims said:

I was worried BC have paid the deposit and have more or less a verbal contract until we sign the actual contract. Plus, I really love her work... Now, about the problem I had...you guys have helped me to see that I am overreacting/overthinking this. I was just worried that, like someone said, our photographer would be photozilla... However, I'm much less worried now bc I see this is common verbage and common expectations. Thx!

Whoa! You paid a deposit without a formal contract? I'd insist on getting a formal written contract laid out ASAP.

That concerns me too. Can you contact her and request one asap (before the engagement shoot)?

lrigyelims

I will contact her to try and get a contract asap. 

LDubHawksFan

Yeah you needed a contract when you put down the deposit.
It sounds like you realize that her request wasn't unreasonable. I'm glad.

lrigyelims

Well, thanks.   And in hindsight, I wish we would have signed the contract when/before we put the deposit down.

manateehugger

lrigyelims said:

Well, thanks.   And in hindsight, I wish we would have signed the contract when/before we put the deposit down.

Yeah, for every vendor you ever work with again, make sure you have a contract you're ok with that spells out all the details before you hand over a dime. 

The contract protects you and it protects the vendor. 

Dreamergirl8812

lrigyelims said:

Well, thanks.   And in hindsight, I wish we would have signed the contract when/before we put the deposit down.

Anyway, welcome! When is your wedding? What's your favorite kind of cheese?

wrigleyville

I don't think you have to worry about her not letting you do certain shots/poses in certain areas, but I would definitely listen to her if she doesn't want you to do a certain pose or take shots in a certain area. She'll know what flatters you best, where the light is best, and potential issues, so I'd listen. Some poses might feel weird and uncomfortable, but believe me - tilting your head that way instead of sitting that way can make or break a double chin. Photographers are great at finding what works for each couple.

FI is only an inch taller than me, and I wanted a "cuddly" look to the photos, so my photographer came up with all of these great poses that felt bizarre at the time but worked really well to ensure he's taller than me in every shot instead of shorter or the same height. In my sig photo, he's standing on a rock, and I'm in a natural depression made by run-off from the building. I thought it was really stupid and couldn't stop laughing, but it's one of my favorite pictures.

Most photographers will ask for a list of "must-have" photos, so make sure you go over those with her. Don't make a gigantic list, but it's pretty reasonable to ask for 4-5 shots you absolutely must have even if she thinks they won't turn out right. You can always discard them when you get the proofs.

ei34

I've never seen a couple wear more than two outfits in those engagement shoots, maybe the photographer wasn't used to your request.  It's great you two were able to meet in the middle though.  She was probably thinking in terms of time/lighting, etc., as opposed to being difficult.  You will be able to get a real feel for how she works during the shoot, that should be an indicator of how your personalities meld.  You're the paying customer but she's the professional, so it's important that you both have say in any matter.

lrigyelims

Dreamergirl8812 said: 

Anyway, welcome! When is your wedding? What's your favorite kind of cheese?

 

I couldn't get out of the grey "quote" area...but...thanks for the welcome!  Our wedding is April 19th and my fav. kind of cheese is Asiago.  Why do you ask?

Dreamergirl8812

lrigyelims said:

Dreamergirl8812 said: 

Anyway, welcome! When is your wedding? What's your favorite kind of cheese?

 

I couldn't get out of the grey "quote" area...but...thanks for the welcome!  Our wedding is April 19th and my fav. kind of cheese is Asiago.  Why do you ask?

In NEY they always ask how you like potatoes to get to know you. I like cheese. My favorite is gouda

lrigyelims

Ah, okay. I like cheese too!

CheleLyn

We did our engagement shots a week ago. We went to 3 locations and had 3 changes...different tops and I changed my shoes once. We just changed shirts in the car once we arrived at each location, took literally like 2 minutes!

Our photographer recommended up to 4 different outfits and to base them on the locations we were shooting at.

ETA...our photo shoot was just over 2 hours long

wiki8

I don't think restricting you to two outfits in unreasonable at all.

When a friend of mine was getting her engagement pictures done her photographer informer her she didn't "allow" her clients to wear dresses or their hair down. That is something I could see being upset about. However, you really don't need four outfits. If you have already agreed on three I think you can definitely stop stressing out about it.

CLI242009

wiki8 said:

I don't think restricting you to two outfits in unreasonable at all.

When a friend of mine was getting her engagement pictures done her photographer informer her she didn't "allow" her clients to wear dresses or their hair down. That is something I could see being upset about. However, you really don't need four outfits. If you have already agreed on three I think you can definitely stop stressing out about it.

....WTH?!?! I am kind of shocked by that. Don't get me wrong I have nothing against couples who do nice jeans and a pretty shirt/blouse....but for mine I wanted to get dressed up. That is just....I've never heard of that before! o.O 

katieg520

Photographers are paid for their time and their services. If you want to do what you want to do, then take the pictures yourselves. Chances are, you chose this photographer because you liked the style and quality of her pictures. Trust her!!!! If you love her pictures, then she will do the same for you.

HuckSC

Also, it seems like you are concerned about the photographer during the shoot. You need to trust your photographer. If they put you in a pose that you wonder about, trust their eye. Granted if you don't want a picture with you sticking your tongue, don't do it. If they have you tilt your head a certain way even though you think that is your "bad side", they can probably tell the light will be better that way. 

wiki8

@cli242009 my friend couldn't believe it either. She sent back an email saying she had already picked out an outfit, a dress, and planned to wear her hair half up half down. My friend wasn't going to follow these asinine guidelines for her own pictures. The photographer wrote back to be sure to bring a hair elastic then. They didn't end up having any major issues with her attire or hair during the actual shoot.

CLI242009

wiki8 said:

@cli242009 my friend couldn't believe it either. She sent back an email saying she had already picked out an outfit, a dress, and planned to wear her hair half up half down. My friend wasn't going to follow these asinine guidelines for her own pictures. The photographer wrote back to be sure to bring a hair elastic then. They didn't end up having any major issues with her attire or hair during the actual shoot.

That's great to hear! Although the comment back from the photographer about the hair elastic, I don't know....I would of taken offense? Offense isn't the word...Blah I can't think of the word, just I know i wouldn't of liked it. 

Anyways, I'm glad the shoot went great for your friend and that she also stood her ground! *applause*  I hope her wedding planning is going smoothly and that she has a great day!