FI and I recently met with a photographer, and we love his work based on what we've seen. He studied photography at an ivy league college, and currently works as a fashion photographer who does weddings on the side. His style is very artistic and his prices are surprisingly reasonable compared to many others we've looked into. My mom fell in love with his photos, and she really wants us to sign with him.
One thing that concerns me, though, is that I can't find a single review about him online. He has a blog with a few positive comments, as well a Facebook page with 100 fans, but beyond that, I can't find any other feedback about him from people who've used him. I know that he's been shooting weddings for a few years, and he said that most people have heard about him through word of mouth. However, I'm still a bit nervous. Most of the photos he features are ones taken during the cocktail hour timeframe, so I wonder if he'll be equally as concerned about ensuring that the other important wedding moments are captured. He also stated that he really doesn't like using flash, so we need to be sure that the ceremony and reception are adequately lit.
Should I be worried about any of these things? For those of you who have used a photographer with a mostly artistic style... did you feel that enough shots were taken that actually documented the important moments? Initially, we were supposed to receive two photographers if we booked him, but the second photographer is no longer able to do weddings, so only an assistant will be available. We are told that we'll receive about 800 photos total, which seems like it would be sufficient. I haven't had any prior experience with hiring a photographer for anything, so any input would be really appreciated.