Meeting Prospective Photographers

alexia75

I've arranged to meet a couple of photographers, to see which we would like to use for our wedding. They both offered to meet us in our home-town but this means a journey of between 30 minutes and 1 hour from them (we are getting married in the area they cover, they aren't having to travel beyond that). Now I'm feeling guilty about it - because obviously we aren't going to hire them both!

Is it usual for photographers to travel to meet people who might not then hire them? Or should we insist on travelling to meet them instead?

Please put my mind at rest!

sandieb

If they are the ones who offered, then don't worry!

They are keen for the business and willing to make the trip!

Be upfront and say you are getting another quote (which is surely what most people would do?)

MrsDrink

Hope you don't mind me hijacking your thread... but I hope to meet some photographers within the next two weeks. What sort of things are you going to be asking them? My main priority is that they will blend into the background (only want photos of the ceremony and there will only be 17 guests and the two of us so it's important they don't stand out like a sore thumb). Looking at their photographs online they appear to take the reportage style that we're after, but I appreciate we should ask to see a full album. Thanks for any tips/advice!

vax2002

derek Pye is the number 1 wedding photographer, google Derek Pye

trying_2_b_good

They want your business - let them come to you!!!

I only saw one photographer because I used to work with him and had confidence in his work (and it was an easy option...!) - but even so, he did the full "sell" on me (at my home).

Showed me an album of a recent wedding, gave me a DVD of another to watch, give me his speil about why we should choose him and what packages he offered. For me, these things were important:
Photos to be edited and faces touched up if required (in case I get a big spot/go really shiny)
To be there from preparations until after the first dance (he'll stay until about 10)
Album included (I know photobox etc are great - but I wanted a professional one)
Full copyright (so I can print as I please)
CD of images
Reportage and posed shots

As an added bonus, the package we went with includes albums for the parents, smaller albums for the grandparents, and a pre-wedding shoot with one picture printed to be used to sign by guests on the day. This was not a cheap package - but we felt that the photographs were too important to scrimp on!

He also advised that he'd be wearing smart casual gear - not too smart that he'd look like a guest, but he wouldn't look like a chav either! And dark so he'll blend into the background (no loud shirts!).
He'll sort his own lunch (can you believe some togs insist on having the 3 courses!!).

Can't think of anything else, but hope that helps...

trying_2_b_good

There's another thread on this here:
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3286020 HTH

jemb

Don't worry, they'll claim their petrol money back from the tax man at 44p a mile!

ellay864

We narrowed our choices down to 2 photographers, both were about 45 mins from us. They each knew they weren't the only people we saw. In the end we made a decision and I e-mailed the one we didn't choose to thank him for his time but that we had chosen somebody else. It was genuinely a pretty tough call - we liked both of them as people and they were similar prices, but one of them had much more experience and we were able to see a much better portfolio of work.
After he got my mail he replied and asked if I could explain a bit more about why we didn't choose him, so I did tell him how the other guy's presentation had won us over, but I did also say how it had been tough and the bits about his work that we had liked. He seemed genuinely appreciative of the fact we gave him honest feedback. Don't feel guilty - at the end of the day you're going to be shelling out a lot of money for these people to capture the biggest day of your life

alexia75

Thanks everyone for your responses. We are having a tough time finding photographers who take the sort of pictures we like, for a price we can afford - so I'm wary of adding to the costs of already reasonably-priced photographers!

MrsDrink - I want to meet them so I can see if I get on with them. My sister really disliked her photographer and considering they're going to be around all day I want to have a rapport with mine! I also want to see their work face-to-face, and talk about the sort of style I want. Hope that helps!

tod123

We are having a tough time finding photographers who take the sort of pictures we like, for a price we can afford

What sort of photos do you like, natural ones?

Anyway , I don't think any business that quotes for work minds visiting clients , but if you are seeing other people as well, I do think you should let the person know, so that they get the chance to consider whether they still want to meet.

Scotsbride

I think it largely depends on where you are getting married and the type of photos you want. We will be meeting our photographer at the venue as we would like photos outside in the gardens. So it important to us that the photographer is familiar with the venue and we can work out the best areas for shots and which areas we'll use if it wet. As far as what to ask a photographer: Will you be my photographer on the day?, what will you do if the weather is terrible?, will I own the copyright? How many weddings do you shoot per day? Can I see a complete set of shots from a recent wedding? how long will it be before we can view our photos? Do you have an assistant? Have you shot at our venue before?