Hi ladies I wondered if you could give me some advice.
We recently lost out on a dream photographer and have been trying to find an alternative but seems summer 2017 is booking up fast. I feel OH is dragging his feet a bit because he'd like to meet the photographer before we pay the deposit and set the date.
How did you ladies find your photographer? Did you go by their online pics or meet them at a fair or similar? Did you book/pay deposit as soon as found them or tried to meet up first?
Would really love some advice as I have found lots of info about what questions to ask and things and very little about going and finding/booking someone. Thanks all x
CommentAuthorEmmilou82
We found our photographer at a wedding fair where we are getting married. They are the main photographer used there. I met them to discuss options and look through their work and instantly loved the couple (husband & wife) and we just bonded immediately. They were so genuine, 'normal' and down to earth and produced the most beautiful photos....
I paid the deposit there and then. OH was working in the Shetlands the day of the meet but he saw them first at the fair and really loved their work!
Perhaps look on FB for local photographers and at wedding fairs and have a chat with them.... Nothing wrong with meeting them and then laying a deposit. Normally they will pencil your date in and give a set number of days to decide.
Good luck....I think it's a hard decision to make xx
Marrying 'The One' on 30th July 2016
I am now Mrs Emma Stokoe xx
CommentAuthorMrsC2bee
We found our photographer from using them at family events, I would defiantly go and check some photographers out as soon as you can and then your be able to relax :) x
CommentAuthorMrsA2B
I definitely agree that you need to meet a photographer before confirming. My OH is not one for having pictures taken and I hate all of the cheesey shots so it was important that we felt comfortable around ours. We found our photographer online but met her face to face before committing. For me, a photographer is one of the most important on my checklist. Good luck xx
CommentAuthorMrs D2B
I advertised for photographers on my local wedding page on fb, got loads of responses, filtered out the ones we couldn't afford and the ones whose photo's didn't appeal to me, then set up meetings with the rest. Both my h2b and I really enjoyed the time we spent with the first photographer we met and we loved his photo's (plus he did us a really good deal) so we booked him a few days later. I'm also lucky enough to have a few friends that do photography as a hobby (and they're good at it) who have offered to do some fly on the wall photo's for us so we should get images from all angles!! My advice to you would be ask for recommendations from local brides to you (do you have a fb page for wedding stuff in your area?) have a look at other photographers work, filter out what you don't like/can't afford and then set up a few meetings with the ones you do like, then just go with your gut. If your at ease with the photographer and you like their work your on to a winner!! good luck
31/12/2017 A New Year, A New Life, A New Husband and Wife
Thanks for your advice everyone! OH has a big exam for his horticulture course tomorrow but after that I hope to line up several meetings and fairs and get this sorted. Will feel better once we can cross it off properly.
I've also found a local wedding group so will have a peek on there. Thanks all x
CommentAuthorKazzle100
We had this happen recently too, not just with the dream photographer, but with the back up second choice too!!! I asked both of them for their recommendations for people with a similar style and they were more than happy to recommend other people. We have a meeting set up for a couple of weeks time with a photographer who is half the price, but just as good!! I wouldn't book before meeting them as you don't know if you're going to get on and they do have to be with you all day long. I'm sure it'll work out, and I'm glad to know I am not the only one!!
CommentAuthorVikkiH53
We met seven face to face before making a decision. It's so important that you hit it off with them and to see their work for real than just online. We didn't pay deposit until we made the decision but we told the ones we liked that we were currently making a decision and they held the date for us and then gave us first refusal of someone else enquired about the date
CommentAuthorKjs2016
We went with someone who was at the wedding fair at our venue. I would suggest asking your venue for their recommended suppliers. That way you can also have someone who knows your venue and the best photographs. I would also say that you should meet with the photographer before agreeing to use them, they will be with you all day and you need to ensure that you get on well with each other.
CommentAuthorLeanneH643
I found ours online we went to meet them this morning they really put us at ease explained everything so we paid the deposit this morning while with him I think it's better to meet them first to see bow you feel around them
CommentAuthorHannahT21
edited
POST REMOVED DUE YO ADVERTISING WHICH IS NOT PERMITTED ON THE FORUM.
CommentAuthorMyranny
I found ours by accident, we weren't even looking. I was searching for information on a word-of-mouth-only wedding venue and he'd done photos of a wedding there and they were on his blog.
Fell in love with his photos, showed OH and he loved them too. His ratings on everything were sky high, but he was planning to get married the same weekend we were! :( So... I waited like 4 months, resigned myself to finding another photographer, found one, arranged a meeting with him.... then the original guy said his W2B hadn't made up her mind yet so he was free if we wanted him. Made an appointment with him, loved him, booked him.
It's important you're both happy though so just do whatever makes you both comfortable. Definitely a good idea to meet them in person though, even if you do only meet the one, because if you don't like them personally I don't think it would be good to have them photographing your wedding. xx
CommentAuthorFutureMrsW
Hi everyone, thanks so much again for all your advice :)
In the end I happened to find a link to ours on a random wedding blog page, saw she was local and loved the pictures and she was eager to meet before committing to anything. Met her this week and now the deposit is all paid and the date secured, hooray! \o/
CommentAuthorAndyB95
edited
POST REMOVED DUE TO ADVERTISING WHICH IS NOT PERMITTED ON THE FORUM
CommentAuthorMarieC65
edited
POST REMOVED DUE TO ADVERTISING WHICH IS NOT PERMITTED ON THE FORUM
CommentAuthorFayeH
I found my photographer due to a blog that featured his photos - I found a link to his site and loved the photography so got in touch, sounds quite similar!! Glad you got something sorted! xx
CommentAuthorWundatigga
So glad you've manage to find someone you love FMW x
Started dating: 10th February 2011
Welcomed our little girl: May 2015
I proposed: 23rd December 2015
I finally become Mrs R 17th August 2017
CommentAuthorFutureMrsW
Thanks ladies :) x
CommentAuthorLeanneF457
edited
POST DELETED FOR BREAKING FORUM RULES. LINKS AND ADVERTISING ARE NOT ALLOWED ON THE FORUM. MODERATORS
CommentAuthorCharlotteE98
Our photographer was recommended by a work colleague as he'd photographed her wedding. We'd done a bit of internet research and emailed the details of the ones we liked to friends who know a lot more about photography than we do! A couple of them came round to the house to meet us. The one we eventually picked was very enthusiastic about photographing our wedding and listened to everything we wanted. My Husband doesn't really like having his photo taken but the photographer took all this into account. We booked him in June 2013 for our wedding in April 2015. He did say at the time that he was already getting enquiries for 2015.
Glad you got it all sorted :o)
CommentAuthorJenniferD18
edited
Has anyone used this site called *************************** it lets your guests upload any photos they take at your wedding so you end up with a collection of everyones photos it says its free - what does everyone think, we will have an official photographer as well but it looks like a good idea????
LINK HAS BEEN REMOVED AS THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED ON THE FORUM - MODERATOR
