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Wedding Photography and Videography Forum

Not impressed with engagement pics, worried about wedding pics

We had our engagement pictures done and now it's time to order them. But in looking closer, several have issues. He didn't pay much attention to detail. We went to our local museum that had an old log cabin on the grounds. But it was next to a bright red pole barn. In half the shots, you can see the pole barn. One even has a guy walking in the background. In several other, FI's hair had blown on to his forehead and it looks messy. The first few shots, I had my pedometer in my pocket (required by insurance) and it's visible. I think the photog should have noticed these things right away and corrected them. And practically every single shot is the same pose, just different backgrounds. I'm really sort of disappointed in them.
I know I need to say something to him but I don't know how. I don't like to tell people like that that I don't like how they are doing their job. And he's so very nice it makes it even harder. I found a photog checklist that I can include samples of pictures I like so I thought that might help for the wedding. I'm just scared that I'm going to hate my wedding pictures.
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Re: Not impressed with engagement pics, worried about wedding pics

  • edited December 2011

    Dont be scared. Speak up. The worst thing you can do is NOT say something. Maybe make a list of poses you would like to have in your wedding pictures? Also, make a list of things you DONT want. Tell him you want to make sure you dont waste his time and that the end result is one that makes both parties happy. 

    BE HONEST. Dont be afraid to hurt feelings. Be kind, respectful but honest. These pictures are going to be forever and you dont want to be miserable when you look back on them.
  • laura80smithlaura80smith member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Speak up, it is your wedding, not others.  Better get it right than feeling sorry later.  I would change the photographer to a better one. 

    It is a great idea to try engagement session before signing for the wedding, just my 2 cents.
  • LauraChristinLauraChristin member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    It's a good indication of what your wedding photos will be like. In fact, I'd say it's easier to do engagement photos and make them perfect because there aren't time restrictions and 130 something people running around. There's a lot of things running through a photographer's mind on the wedding day. So if it's not something that is natural for him to do, chances are it isn't going to get better. I would look through his wedding photos again that he's done for other couples and if you see those things that bug you, I'd get a new photographer asap.
  • edited December 2011
    If you can't get another photographer because you have a signed contract, this is what I would do:

    - Search for poses you like on the web, narrow them down to 10, practice them on the mirror, act them, take pictures and have them handy the day of the wedding.

    I understand that maybe this is not what you would like to hear, but you need great photos.

    Disclosure: 
    "I'm a wedding photographer - not looking for jobs, just stopped by to post and got caught up and thought - why not help brides."
  • edited December 2011
    We had the same experience. Our photographer was not my choice, it was my fiance's. I picked the venue, he picked this "great" photographer that did his sister's wedding years before. Unfortunately, his sister who lives out of town never got a chance to email me some pics. I had to wait to find out when i got my e-pics that I hated the photographers style. we also had a lot of pics where my hair was in my face or the photographer got the worst angles of us, and yes even people walking in the background. I emailed the most proactive, diplomatic letter to my photographer expressing my concerns. I didn't get a response for three weeks! I wanted to fire him. I just kept thinking...here I am spending 20k+ on our dream wedding and our pictures will be horrible. I researched other photographers, didn't care about losing the $500. But my fiance would have nothing to do with it--i think he felt offended because this was the one thing he contributed towards the wedding. Long story short, the photographer did call me and offered to meet me at the venue and discuss shots that i wanted for the wedding. I even gave him a 4 page shot list and he was very attentive. On the day of the wedding he was very understanding when my hairstylist was two hours late and i wasn't ready for the pictures. i was livid but he made the most of the time and got some ceremony shots,etc. Its been two months since the wedding and i haven't got the pictures yet. I hope they came out beautiful but I am very nervous. I know he was very upset that guests were trying to take pictures while he was shooting ( seriously? don't you expect that when you are a wedding photographer and deal with it?) Anyways my point is that you should go with your gut feeling...its your wedding... there is no second chance to get the pics you want! Best of luck!
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