Would you use this Wedding photographer?If not can you recommend someone?

[Helpmedecidepls]

Hi
Getting married in September this year.Going to in SW area(although I live on outskirts of London) lovely registry ofice.
Need to find a photographer.

Been in touch with this one

www.proimagestudiophtography.net

What do you think?

Don't understand how whole process works really.The guy on the phone aid I would need to pay a £200 deposit over the phone.Hate things like that incase they're not genuine!

Sorry for it being a Wedding thread!

We had a guy called Dan Maudsly he was great and CHEAP. I believe we paypalled the deposit so had some protection. He really was fantastic and I could bot reccomend highly enough. He kept to the brief, got great pics and did not have everyone hanging around all day.

Hi Ladies,
Please let me introduce my self, my name is Jarek, I'm a photographer and co-founder of Pro Image Studio, mentioned on the very top of this thread.
In last few days we had enormous amounts of traffic on our website, resulting in bookings for couple of weddings and a studio sessions, coming from this post. I feel like I owe this community so I decided to give you an honest insider look on the whole wedding photography business.

Before I start I just would like to clarify a couple of things:
-First of all we have never, ever asked for payment over the phone. We don't even have facility to accept such payments. So it had to be some kind of misunderstanding and I would like to apologise to that lady if she feels in any way let down by our studio. I also advise you steer clear from any photographer that asks for deposit before actually meeting you in person.
-Second is addressed to the lady that was kind enough to comment on one of our photographs (second post from the top). We definitely don't mind people sharing their opinions about our work but calling one of our brides "pissed scowling girl" is little inappropriate to say the least. Actually that is a quite religious couple and there was not a single drop of alcohol on their wedding. The picture was taken on their way home, walking from the venue to the car. Yes they are tired after very long and exciting day but this is part of the biggest day in their lives and they rather have pictures that tell that story than a few posed photos from a park. I'm sure that this bride, as polite as she is, would not appreciate such comments, especially from the person that wasn't even there.

Now back to the actual topic.

1. When looking for your wedding photographer you need to be sure that you absolutely love and admire their work (obviously it helps if you can also afford it ;) Your wedding is not just another photo shoot that if you not too happy with the results you just go and do it again in some other studio. We all value opinions of our friends and family but photography is an art and comes in hundreds of forms and styles that suit different tastes. Fact that your best friend likes that song, book or painting does not mean that you should too. So don't crack under pressure and find some one that YOU like.

2. NEVER PAY any money before you meet the photographer in person. Genuine studios just don't do that and if someone ask you for it you probably shouldn't be dealing with them anyway.

3. MEET YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER in person, preferably in their studio. That will let you find out if they actually have one, if there are professionals, I mean if photography is what they actually do for living or they are milkman, welder or plumber that just blows the dust of his camera once in a few weeks to get some extra cash. Professional studio will most likely be a little more expensive but they will not let you down. They will be prepared for the worst. They will have a lot of equipment, several cameras and lenses in case something goes wrong they will heave backup and backup of the backup if needed. A weekend snapper even if have talent and a few good pictures in their book will show up with just one camera over the shoulder. If that goes wrong YOU WILL NOT HAVE ANY PHOTOS at all. And you can't even sue them for that because most of them are not legally registered businesses not to mention about any sort of insurance.

4. Make sure that YOU GET ALONG WITH YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER. You are most likely to spend more time with him than your husband. He will basically ALWAYS be there. From the morning preparations to the late night party. If you don't get along or even worse he annoys you, even if very talented he will not be able to deliver any good photos of you being irritated by his presence.

5. Once you find THE ONE. You will have to pay deposit. And believe me, it is not about money at this stage it's about commitment. Just like you don't want us to call you a week before your wedding saying that we are sorry but we just got much better paid job and will not be attending your wedding, we do not want you to cancel on us a week before because you have found someone else.

6. When you do pay your deposit make sure that you have EVERYTHING IN WRITING. And I don't just mean get a receipt for the deposit but full list of goods and services included in your package, list of all optional extras together with the detailed price list. If you think that you also need a proper contract, than let me tell you: you don't. By law if photographer accepts any payment (in this case deposit) for the agreed services he automatically enters the contract with that person and it is his duty to fulfill that contract.
   So the deposit thing is not all that bed after all ;)

7. If anything does GO WRONG remember that you do have YOUR RIGHTS, including a lawsuit (in the worst case scenario).

Dear ladies, if you have any questions that are not answered in the above text, I'll be more than happy to answer them for you.

Kind Regards,

Jarek

Pro Image Studio

Just a quick correction. The comment I have mentioned in the above post was made by "squeakytoy" and it's a fourth one from the top (first page).

With respect, if "Anything does GO WRONG", then all the rights in the world won't compensate you for a truly cack set of wedding photos - I speak as a documentary photographer and picture editor who has had the sorry experience of telling people that there's nothing miraculous that can be applied to transform their dismally WRONG pictures.

But you can avoid this unhappy state of affairs by deciding what style you want from your wedding photography (formal, reportage, natural or more heavily edited), getting recommendations from trusted sources, meeting prospective photographers in person and ultimately choosing someone who you want to share your day with. Because if you don't have a rapport with your snapper, it'll mar the day and show in the pictures.

Sure right Pandemoniaa, nothing will compensate bed wedding photos or worse the lack of it. However many people just put up with it because they don't know about their rights. You can demand another photo shoot (sure it won't be the same but better wedding photos taken a week after than no photos at all) or financial compensation. While in UK you can expect a few hundred pounds in US there are known cases for 20.000-30.000$

Zombie thread!

Can't suggest in that area but all I would say is ask to see an entire wedding album... it's all very well having a selection of nice images on a website but you want to make sure that the bulk of the photos are going to be decent, rather than one stunning image and the rest a bit average.

DH and I said the one thing we weren't going to compromise on was our photographer - few people will remember in six months time what favours we had or what style the cutlery was but we'll be looking at those photos and memories when we're old and grey and can't really remember that far back

Doh...nice spot Goodadvice1980. Presumably SueS28 is not necessarily impartial on the matter!

alipaul.com/

My friends had this guy. The photos were incredible and he was a lovely and very professional.

Too many trick shots on there for my liking. What's wrong with a perfectly decent photo of random guests in a line up and great aunt Maud wearing an "interesting" hat. I think I may be getting old.

The one on the bench of the adoring bride and the groom with his arms crossed is hideous from a story telling point of view. A bit too try hard.

I have no zombie thread message and am very annoyed that I posted now.