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Opinions on this Photographer?

Elle1036Elle1036 member
5000 Comments Fifth Anniversary 25 Love Its Name Dropper
in Not Engaged Yet
FI and I have, I think, decided to have our engagement pictures taken on our old college campus in Louisiana.  It's just too far to drive to go all the way to Houston to use the same photographer we're getting for our wedding, but we don't want to do them here in Mississippi either.  Baton Rouge is only a couple of hours away, so it's a good solution, I think.

Anyway, I found this place:

www.studiorougellc.com

and want to know what you guys think.  There's something that seems just a little "off" about the pictures to me, but I don't know much about photography and can't put a finger on it.  Still, I feel like they'll be perfectly ok for engagement pics only.  The price is right, they can schedule us in pretty soon, and they have experience working on our campus.
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Re: Opinions on this Photographer?

  • becunning2becunning2 member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I don't know a lot about photography either--but the photos all just seem artificial to me. Nothing seems natural or organic. Just kind of purposefully funky poses. But maybe that's me!  If it's the right price, he's got experience, and you're comfortable with him, engagement photos aren't that big of a deal to me. 
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  • polkadot111polkadot111 member
    1000 Comments Second Anniversary Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    I know nothing about photography, but it seems like this person must be really short or something. It seems like many of the pictures he is looking up at the person rather than looking down. Also, lots of the pictures are shot crooked. Like he tilts the camera way too much or something.
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  • Elle1036Elle1036 member
    5000 Comments Fifth Anniversary 25 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_opinions-this-photographer?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:fbbe6c60-6d81-405d-8a5c-a1dc00ffa41aPost:7fab8dc2-a6cb-482f-9540-22778fba555f">Re: Opinions on this Photographer?</a>:
    [QUOTE]I know nothing about photography, but it seems like this person must be really short or something. It seems like many of the pictures he is looking up at the person rather than looking down. <strong>Also, lots of the pictures are shot crooked. Like he tilts the camera way too much or something.</strong>
    Posted by polkadot111[/QUOTE]

    Ugh.  Yeah, I noticed that too, and I'm really not a fan of that type of image.

    I think I'm going to keep looking.  Thanks, ladies!
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  • thejucheideathejucheidea member
    Tenth Anniversary 2500 Comments 500 Love Its First Answer
    edited December 2011
    To me, as someone who does photography as an amateur but spent many years drawing, painting, etc., the photographer doesn't appear to know much about the rule of thirds, lighting, post-editing or straightening along the horizon when taking photographs. I personally would not use that photographer, but it's really up to you in the end.

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  • CCO2012CCO2012
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I also do not like the amount and style of retouching.. Looks kind of fake. Good luck finding your photographer!!!

    ETA: a few more photogs from google! :) I really like the 2nd one.

    http://laynephoto.com/gallery/engagement-gallery/

    http://www.kleinpeterphotography.com/mp_includes/body.asp

    http://www.braydanielle.com/blog/category/engagement/

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  • Elle1036Elle1036 member
    5000 Comments Fifth Anniversary 25 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    Ugh, this is frustrating.  There are a couple photographers in that area that I like much more, but they either don't offer e-pics only or they reserve weekends for weddings (and we pretty much have to do it on a weekend). 

    *pout*

    Any of you ladies good with a camera and want to come take our pictures?
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  • motoLynmotoLyn member
    2500 Comments Fourth Anniversary 100 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    I do agree with the above opinions there is too much retouching and the lighting is off.  I wish that there was a photog for you.  I'm sure there is!  Good luck Elle!  There is still time for it. 

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  • becunning2becunning2 member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Is there a local school nearby you can try? Sometimes you can get students for DIRT cheap--and they often work super hard too because they need to put together a portfolio.
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  • Elle1036Elle1036 member
    5000 Comments Fifth Anniversary 25 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_opinions-this-photographer?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:fbbe6c60-6d81-405d-8a5c-a1dc00ffa41aPost:3d15cdc9-3f4f-420b-9560-50e806f6260e">Re: Opinions on this Photographer?</a>:
    [QUOTE]Is there a local school nearby you can try? Sometimes you can get students for DIRT cheap--and they often work super hard too because they need to put together a portfolio.
    Posted by becunning2[/QUOTE]

    I've had this thought already, and I'm sure LSU has plenty of photography students who would love to do it, but how do I find them? 
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  • Ana_2985Ana_2985 member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I don't like these photos at all. I agree with everyone else - the lightening is no good. Just my personal opinion - I would skip the engagement photos before I paid extra money for something just so-so. If you want e-pics, that's fine but don't waste your money on a photographer you don't love.

    I'm sorry I don't know anything about your background. Are you originally from Houston? Will you be visit there anytime between now and the wedding? For me, the big (well, only) appeal of e-pics was to get comfortable with the photographer before the wedding. I'm so glad I did it because I love our wedding photos even more than our e-pics. I was so much less nervous on the wedding day. We got married out of the country so there was no way we were going to plan a trip just for a photo session. We knew we were making two trips there before the wedding, and luckily our photographer could schedule in then. It ended up being 15 months after we were engaged and 3 months before the wedding, but I'm so glad we went with that option instead of doing nothing or hiring someone else.
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  • thejucheideathejucheidea member
    Tenth Anniversary 2500 Comments 500 Love Its First Answer
    edited December 2011
    Yeah, I'd try for a photography student. Maybe contact the fine arts department of the university?

    I'm okay with my camera, but alas, Louisiana is far away. I enjoy this pic I took of my sister when she was about to go to senior prom though: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ahstillwell/2444542698/in/set-72157604745118994

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  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] member
    Sixth Anniversary 2500 Comments 500 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_opinions-this-photographer?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:fbbe6c60-6d81-405d-8a5c-a1dc00ffa41aPost:d281217d-2d52-48c5-af83-7a62ff052705">Re: Opinions on this Photographer?</a>:
    [QUOTE]<strong>I don't know a lot about photography either--but the photos all just seem artificial to me. </strong>Nothing seems natural or organic. Just kind of purposefully funky poses. But maybe that's me!  If it's the right price, he's got experience, and you're comfortable with him, engagement photos aren't that big of a deal to me. 
    Posted by becunning2[/QUOTE]

    This is exactly what I was going to say. Although I don't have a problem with the photos, they all seem very posed to me. I personally would want something more natural.
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  • Elle1036Elle1036 member
    5000 Comments Fifth Anniversary 25 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    Great pic, Still!

    Ana - the wedding is in Houston, but we both grew up in Louisiana and we currently live in Mississippi because FI is in med school here.  I know that the ideal situation is to use the same photographer for both sessions to get to know them, but FI really doesn't have room in his schedule for a trip to Houston any time before the holidays.  I guess I could look into the possibility of having them done around Thanksgiving or something, though.
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  • becunning2becunning2 member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_opinions-this-photographer?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:fbbe6c60-6d81-405d-8a5c-a1dc00ffa41aPost:a121ce08-521b-4a38-9805-1d03cf040708">Re: Opinions on this Photographer?</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Opinions on this Photographer? : I've had this thought already, and I'm sure LSU has plenty of photography students who would love to do it, but how do I find them? 
    Posted by Elle1036[/QUOTE]

    <div>You could contact the fine arts department and see if they have a listserv for photography majors.  Then you could write up a mini-job advertisement, what you're looking for, how to apply (submit some examples of their work/resume/whatever), and then have the fine arts department mail it out.  Or flyers on campus in the fine arts building might work too. :)  Just a thought.</div>
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  • lunarsongbirdlunarsongbird member
    2500 Comments Second Anniversary Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    Contact the career center for the university. :)

    They can post the opportunity or send it to the students they know are interested in photography.

    I think it's a neat idea to get a student involved since you'll already be on campus.
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  • Ana_2985Ana_2985 member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_opinions-this-photographer?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:fbbe6c60-6d81-405d-8a5c-a1dc00ffa41aPost:cf9ff3f5-9641-42b4-9d06-6597996fa20a">Re: Opinions on this Photographer?</a>:
    [QUOTE]Great pic, Still! Ana - the wedding is in Houston, but we both grew up in Louisiana and we currently live in Mississippi because FI is in med school here.  I know that the ideal situation is to use the same photographer for both sessions to get to know them, but FI really doesn't have room in his schedule for a trip to Houston any time before the holidays.  I guess I could look into the possibility of having them done around Thanksgiving or something, though.
    Posted by Elle1036[/QUOTE]

    Ah okay I understand. I think it's definitely worth asking about the holidays. We did ours when we went to visit family for Easter. It can't hurt to ask!
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  • niknik15niknik15
    1000 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    This is probably a stupid question, but have you checked the knot local photographers? Here is ONE from there that seems reasonable.
    image
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  • Elle1036Elle1036 member
    5000 Comments Fifth Anniversary 25 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    Thanks for the advice everyone!  I talked to FI while he was at home on his lunch break and he "just remembered" that he has an old high school friend in Baton Rouge who just opened up a photography studio.  I like her pictures, and her prices are great since she's pretty new to the business, so I think we're going to see if she can do ours.  If not, we'll try to schedule something around Thanksgiving.

    Thanks again!  I'm really glad I asked you gals!
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  • leia1979leia1979 member
    2500 Comments Fifth Anniversary 100 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    I'm glad you got a good lead. I do agree with Ana that the e-pics are a good way to get to know your wedding photographer. Our photographers wanted feedback on the e-pics to know what we did and didn't like.

    But if you can't get in with the Houston photographer, I like the idea of going to a student or your FI's friend.

    image

    I haz a planning bio
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  • wink0erinwink0erin member
    Seventh Anniversary 1000 Comments 500 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_opinions-this-photographer?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:fbbe6c60-6d81-405d-8a5c-a1dc00ffa41aPost:506a2be9-1bf2-405c-a874-713bd559d2e4">Re: Opinions on this Photographer?</a>:
    [QUOTE]To me, as someone who does photography as an amateur but spent many years drawing, painting, etc., the photographer doesn't appear to know much about the <strong>rule of thirds, lighting, post-editing or straightening along the horizon when taking photographs</strong>. I personally would not use that photographer, but it's really up to you in the end.
    Posted by ahstillwell[/QUOTE]

    This is pretty much EXACTLY what I was thinking... very amateur. The composition in a lot of the photos is all wrong, not to mention the blown out whites and extremely posed shots.

    It also looks like they don't use shallow depth of field at all, like they are shooting with really cheap lenses or are shooting in auto mode instead of manual. Annnd a lot of the photos feel cold... there were a few where the couple looked almost blue toned. I prefer warmer photos for portraits of any type!
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  • kaitlynmichellekaitlynmichelle member
    Fifth Anniversary 500 Love Its 1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    I have to agree with everyone else, the pictures just don't seem real to me.  Far too touched up and only a couple of pictures actually jumped out at me when I flipped through their gallery.  


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  • NurseyKNurseyK
    1000 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    I'm not loving this photographer... it looks like he isn't catching the moment. I'd keep looking.
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  • NurseyKNurseyK
    1000 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    Is Mississippi pretty in the fall? Is there any way you could do pics in MS (sp?) at a pumpkin patch or park with pretty fall colors?
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  • Elle1036Elle1036 member
    5000 Comments Fifth Anniversary 25 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_opinions-this-photographer?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:fbbe6c60-6d81-405d-8a5c-a1dc00ffa41aPost:47a902da-7d03-4695-b877-2b4a9bca3979">Re: Opinions on this Photographer?</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Opinions on this Photographer? : YES.  I just got a Nikon D5100 and it makes sweet photos even sweeter!  Plus you know I'd love to see you and I'd do them on the frizzle!
    Posted by sunbird627[/QUOTE]

    ...Are you guys going to be visiting Ponchatoula again anytime soon?  That would put us really close...
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