wedding photographer - home visit?

kyana

I've narrowed down photographers to 2/3 and now want to meet to see their work and chat. 2 have suggested they come to my place, is this standard practice?

Si_Clist

It was for me throughout my 10 years as a professional wedding photographer. Most wedding snappers I knew preferred to get the punters to come to them, though. If nothing else, the theory was that it was easier to impress them at the snapper's own premises.

Idiophreak

I can tidy my house, or you can tidy yours....If I were a wedding photographer I'd suggest home visits...

Seriously, I guess it all depends on how "professional" the photographer is.

Our photographers had a studio to visit, which was nice...they had nice seats in the window where you could see their example albums in natural light, some very good screens etc for image manipulation and a lot of example work on the wall, along with awards, published shots etc. Really nice, but certainly an overhead for them - and an extra few quid on their price for me.

Si_Clist

Idiophreak wrote: »

Our photographers had a studio to visit, which was nice...they had nice seats in the window where you could see their example albums in natural light, some very good screens etc for image manipulation and a lot of example work on the wall, along with awards, published shots etc.

Yep, like I said - easier to impress the punters if they visit your studio!

But seriously, a photographer can be just as professional (in whatever sense you mean) with or without a studio. A studio simply tends to prove that they are a full-time photographer.

Idiophreak

Si_Clist wrote: »

Yep, like I said - easier to impress the punters if they visit your studio!

But seriously, a photographer can be just as professional (in whatever sense you mean) with or without a studio. A studio simply tends to prove that they are a full-time photographer.

I was using the "engaged in a specified activity as one's main paid occupation" definition of professional, which is essentially as synonym of being "full-time".

As you say, part-time photographers can conduct themselves with just as much (if not more) *professionalism* as their full-time colleagues...but I think those who do it as their day job are more likely to have either a studio or at least a room in their house set up for demonstrating their work to the best of its potential

Tashatutuw

Our Photographer came to my Parents house to meet us. We were happy with him and booked on the day and he is coming back in a few weeks to discuss photo lists with us again, at my Parents house.

Si_Clist

Idiophreak wrote: »

As you say, part-time photographers can conduct themselves with just as much (if not more) *professionalism* as their full-time colleagues...but I think those who do it as their day job are more likely to have either a studio or at least a room in their house set up for demonstrating their work to the best of its potential

Sorry, I think we've got a bit at cross purposes here, perhaps because I didn't make myself clear.

My point was simply that IMO having a studio or whatever in which to impress potential punters has in itself no bearing whatsoever on whether a snapper is "professional" or not.

Following on from your comment about part-time photographers, though, I'm not saying that some part-timers can't take a better wedding photo than many full-timers, but personally I've never understood how any photographer who doesn't earn his or her living from taking pictures can be considered a "professional". Things may well have changed in the last couple of years, but certainly when I was working, most if not all companies offering wedding insurance to brides only paid out on claims relating to their photos if the snapper was full-time.

But whatever, just don't get me started on "semi-pro" photographers!

heartbreak_star

Maybe they are just starting out in business and can't make enough money purely from photography yet?

Maybe they'd rather have a guaranteed income as well as a variable one? (Not unusual - portfolio careers are becoming popular)

I can understand in a way - I am a fully qualified and experienced sports coach but know I can't make enough money to support myself purely on that (though I'd LOVE to), so I have a 9-5 job too.

HBS x

GwylimT

Ours came to our house, brought some work they had done, also did a few photos in the house so we could see the finished result of us before booking.

minerva_windsong

Most of the photographers we looked at were quite happy to meet in a 'neutral' environment like a coffee shop, and a couple invited us to their studios, but none offered to come to our house. Then again we live quite a way away from where we're getting married so it'd be a bit unreasonable I think!

I did however have one who offered a meeting on Skype, which I thought was a great solution as it means you get the opportunity to chat but no-one has to tidy their house (well other than what you can see on the camera!) or travel. But I say this as someone who's not so bothered about being able to see a full album - though I do like to see a full wedding if I can, online will do me fine thank you - so if that's important to you then I can understand why you might want to meet in person first.

DigForVictory

One bonus for them meeting you at your house is they get to see you about as relaxed as they're likely to. Which I personally would reckon an advantage so they know which wrinkles I live with & which I would probably rather they retouched out for the album...

Apart from the Eeek Tidy Up bit, I wouldn't have a problem with it.