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Connecticut

Photographer - Studio1923, HK, Sebastian

Recently engaged bride here.  My fiance and I recently booked St. Clements for 2011 and have three photographer meetings set up for this weekend.  Thoughts on Studio1923, HK, and Sebastian?  For brides that hired them, other then "clicking" with them why did you chose them?  Did you pick HK for budget reasons?  If you had to pick one of the three, which would you chose and why?  Thanks!  I've been driving myself crazy looking at the slideshows over and over again.

Re: Photographer - Studio1923, HK, Sebastian

  • edited December 2011
    I didn't go with any of these - but I know my photographer has worked with Studio 1923 and has said good things about them.
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  • edited December 2011
    We are using Catherine Fiehn (love her), but Studio 1923 was one of our top choices but FI & I didn't click with them as well. HK had some not so great references on here  when we where making our decision but I know many of the brides on a budget are using them and the photos didn't compare to Studio 1923 or Catherine as well I don't know much about Sebastian, but someone had asked about them earlier this week I think. If I had to pick one of the three Studio 1923 would be my choice, but I still like who I'm using.
  • MeghanHoppingMeghanHopping member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Maybe I'll readd Catherine to the list.  I just wanted to try and narrow it down to a, lower budget, middle budget and upper budget photographer.  We have contacted over 11 photographers (Carrie Draghi, HK, ECImagery, Steve DePino, Catherine Fiehn, Tony Spinelli, Studio1923, Victoria Souza, Val McCormick, Brian Ambrose and Sebastian) and it just starts to become overwhelming.
  • edited December 2011
    I know both Lalee and I used HK and loved working with them.  Their prices were really good and they are willing to customise to fit your needs.  Friends who have seen our photos loved them and found them just as good as some of the more expensive photographers. 
    We picked HK for many reasons. For one I loved the work I saw both on their site and when I my H and I met with them.  And the fact that they were well priced was a big draw too.  To me Hubert and Alka's work stood up to and beat out a few of the more expensive photogs I had looked at before setting up meetings. Also they have a great energy and a similar relationship to my husband and I  (me super talkitive and him a quiet person).  I think clicking with the photographer you choose is really important cause your pics tend to come out much better.
  • tannymcgeetannymcgee member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    we went with studio1923 because we clicked really well with them  (had a few beers together and laughed alot) but also because jerome is clearly very dedicated to his work and his art, and we were impressed with his passion.  They also had everything we wanted at the price point we wanted.  The other photogs I met with were:
    Lam Photography -- AMAZING, but out of our budget for what we wanted included. 
    Catherine Fiehn - loved her work but for whatever reason, I wasn't 100% sure I would be totally happy with my photos. Can't explain that feeling.
    Candace Jeffrey - she was pretty highly recommended by someone on here, plus my wedding coordinator, but honestly, I thought her photos were sub-par, especially for her price.
    Married 4/30/11
  • edited December 2011
    I chose HK also.  I was first drawn to them from looking at their photographs, not their pricing, but it definitely was a nice surprise to see that they were affordable.  Another feature that they don't specifically advertise is that you get them the whole day.  Many photographers go by a set number of hours, and that didn't work for us.  We have two ceremonies one AM private ceremony and the PM with our friends and family... one is in Kent, one is in Ridgefield and they will be coming to photograph both AT NO EXTRA CHARGE.  All of the other photographers that I spoke to wanted to charge us an extra $500-$1000 to do this and some wouldn't agree to the two distant locations at all.

    If you want to see our engagement photos, send me a private message with your email and I'll send you a link.  Alka takes beautiful artistic shots, which I love.  That is what drew me to them.  They work well as a team (Hubert and Alka) to give you a wonderful selection of group shots and candid photojournalistic pictures.
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  • Vanessa630Vanessa630 member
    1000 Comments Fourth Anniversary
    edited December 2011
    Love Studio 1923!! I interviewed probably 5-7 others (can't really remember) before I found them. HK was the first one I met with. I liked him and he probably would have been my second choice (though I also had an interview scheduled with Val McCormick and she sounded awesome). The "clicking" thing is definitely true, but I could also tell that Jerome knew a lot about photography and the quality was apparent. I went over my budget b/c of this. I didn't click at all with Catherine and didn't like her photos (but I know a lot of girls on here like her). 
    I loved Studio 1923 and HK's albums as well.  
  • jmestylejmestyle member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Studio1923is AMAZING! I wasn't able to afford them but I know people that used them and the pics are seriously sooo good.

    I looked into HK because of budget reasons but after meeting with him, I decided to go elsewhere (hes very nice but noooooo personality!)
  • edited December 2011
    Hey there... just got married this past Saturday and had HK as our photographers.  We loved working with them.  They were super friendly/nice to all of our guests, never got in the way of my husband and me, and did an awesome job at staying in the background during the whole day so that they weren't intrusive to our guests.  We loved our engagement session from them and hope that our wedding photos come out just as nice. 

    I ended up picking HK mainly for budget reasons.  We met with a few other photogs but i couldn't justify spending $1000 more on a certain photographer just b/c they've been in the business for 10+ years.  HK's photos really held up against some of the more experienced/popular photographers in CT.  I'm not a huge fan of the super modern/arts-y photos either and HK can really capture the whole day in a classy, formal way without being too modern for my taste.

    HTH!
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  • MeghanHoppingMeghanHopping member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Thanks everyone for your input.  Definitely been a help.  And just a FYI/BTW I'm creating a new account since I created this when I was a MOH in my sister's wedding and having a less obvious username would probably be smart (thanks akulaji for the head's up).
  • edited December 2011
    We booked with Val McCormick! We loved her work and really hit it off with her. She had everything we wanted without going over budget. I'm really excited to work with her! We met with two other photographers before meeting her. Driving home we both said, "how can we not have Val at our wedding?" 

    We met with Studio1923 first. They were very nice and their work was amazing. We were really excited coming home and I found comfort knowing so many brides on here used/are using them and are very happy. 

    We also met with Victoria Souza. I've loved her work since the beginning of our engagement. I still think her work is my favorite. I kinda felt like our meeting was too business-y and we really didn't hit it off/feel comfortable like we did with Studio1923. Her prices were also much more than studio1923 so we cut her off the list despite loving her images.

    Our last and final meeting was with Val McCormick. I had talked to Val on the phone a few times before meeting. She's chatty :) I was impressed when hours after submitting a request for information online she had given me a personal phone call to talk about her work,etc. When we came to see her it was snowing. She had hot beverages waiting :) We talked for hours..laughed...just had a great time. While we loved Studio1923's work we just couldn't imagine not having Val. We hit it off so well we know we will photograph best with her. She felt like an old friend. She is so sincere, artistic, and passionate. Her work is artsy and emotional but still timeless. It was a perfect fit. 
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  • edited December 2011
    p.s. Val said one of her favorite venues is St. Clements. It is beautiful :) Not to confuse you more; but I'd give her a call....
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  • megbrooks2011megbrooks2011 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Ironically I JUST received a vm from Val.  No lie.
  • megbrooks2011megbrooks2011 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    And sorry this is my new username.  I just scheduled Val for Sunday! but wasn't able to work out any time with Catherine :(
  • edited December 2011
    We're using Sebastian and they are amazing! I love the way they edit their pictures; they edit some with an antique finish and it's beautiful. Also, we showed many ppl our engagement pics from our complementary session, and they said that the photographers did a good job of making us (my finace and I) look natural. Some photographers just take pictures that looked posed, but they do a good job taking many natural looking photos. One downside is that their cost per print for individual pictures are high, in my opinion. But I didn't compare that with other photographers so it could be standard too.
    Anniversary
  • edited December 2011
    We are using Studio1923. Jerome is so dedicated to what he does and his skills are absolutely amazing. He is also just a nice guy- it's like spending the day with a friend he is so comfortable to be around. I am so overly impressed by the 2 shoots we have already done with him, I cannot wait until our wedding!!
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    TTC February 2013
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