Help Me Decide Between Two Photographers...

[cushioncut]

Hi Again Guys...

I am still stressed about the dress But in the meantime, I have narrowed it down to two photogrpphers for my elopement which will be in less than 3 weeks. Okay, the two of these women both offer similar packages, with almost exact pricing, I'm just trying to decide which one I like better - they are both very good IMO. So, I wanted to get some votes.

If you have a few minutes, and you'd like to share your thoughts, please take a look at their portfolio/gallery and tell me who you'd go with and why.

#1 Look at "Weddings By KASEY" in this Link (I am only considering KASEY here, FYI)

#2 Weddings, Hit one of the little pictures, then run your cursur over the numbers at this Link

Ok - if you guys are bored today, please take a look

 

[gingerBcookie]

like #1 LOVE #2!! Both are great in my opinion, so you can''t go wrong either way...but there is just something so fresh about #2''s pics that i really really love!

 

[E B]

I like the #2 photographer's style more. I'm not a fan of the fuzzy, dream-like photos some photographers take at weddings. I like sharp focus and strong contrast. If you go with #1, however, I like Summer's pictures the best.

 

[Scintillating]

#1 is the way to go! 1000%
She has better timing. (Something that takes a lot of time/trial and error to learn as a photog.)
She has better technical skills!
Offers a variety of Styles/Looks (You can ask for Soft Focus Filters or not (I'm not a fan) - it's all preference. If you go through the portfolio there are a number of styles of photography used. Versatile. Seems like she'll give you the look you want.)
She captures GREAT candid moments between Bride and Groom!!!!! Seems like she sets subjects at ease. Looks like she's very good at the unobtrusive photographer role.)
Love love love the intimate quality of her work!


Comments about # 2: There are a suprising number of technical failures on the website - images that are just plan out of focus. Images that are NOT artfully blurred. Images that are overly grainy/noisy in a bad way. Something about this photogs timing is really off! (I'm thinking s/he is just less experienced.)


Scintillating...

 

[Caribou]

I like Photog #1 the best.

 

[E B]

style="WIDTH: 99%; HEIGHT: 143px">Date: 2/28/2006 1:20:49 PM
Author: Scintillating
#1 is the way to go! 1000%

Comments about # 2: There are a suprising number of technical failures on the website - images that are just plan out of focus. Images that are NOT artfully blurred. Images that are overly grainy/noisy in a bad way. Something about this photogs timing is really off! (I'm thinking s/he is just less experienced.)


Scintillating...

Really? That's how I feel about Photog #1. I thought that, for the most part, the photos looked muddy and mostly out of focus. The timing is good, but not any better than photog #2s timing. I love the color captured in #2s photos.

I wonder how we're seeing such different things!

 

[qtiekiki]

I vote for photographer #1. She really captures the moments and little details, and offer a variety of pictures and styles. Photographer #2 is kind of hit and miss with the moments; it is obvious in a couple of the portfolio where the bride and groom are at the altar and just standing there (that looks kind of weird to me - like someone just snapped a picture of them at the altar). Have you seen more of #2 work in person? I don''t think her website has enough variety of pictures and styles. If that''s all she has, I definitely wouldn''t go with her since she seems less versatile.

 

[Caribou]

For me...I think #1 is more artsy. I could see hanging up one of those photos and looking at it more like ''art'' than my wedding photo. #2 was very nice but I they were a little less artsy...more ''typical'' wedding photos between the two.

 

[Scintillating]

I'm not sure why I did this but, I went back over #2's work and all these images come from PureImage's Site.
I don't mean to knock any Photographer's work (okay, maybe I do) but, none of these images should be on their web portfolio. They all have significant issues - out of focus - badly blurred - badly executed - and poorly timed.
(Blame my Profs for my overly critical eye.)

Scintillating...

One thing I really like about #1 is she really makes her brides beautiful.
In every photo the bride looks radiant. - Go back over Kasey's portfolio, she's just a much better photog.

 

[snow_happy]

from a quick glance through the first one seems to have good lighting, good angles and is more traditional and romantic (I loved the pics and am thinking about booking her for my wedding) and #2 is more edgy-ish with more saturation in colors

Both are nice but definitely have a different feel.

 

[E B]

You're right, Scintillating...those pictures have no business being on their website. They are poorly taken. However....the third wedding, "Our Lady" portfolio from photographer 2 is just beautiful, IMO. Sharp colors, great timing. I much prefer these to any of the first photographer's photos. I guess I like things more "real" and less "staged and purposely romantic looking".

 

[E B]

Heh, I didn't mean to sound harsh with my last sentence. What I MEANT to say was that I agree with snow_happy about the second photographer being a little more edgy. I really like edgy. Not a fan of the sappy, romantic ones...and I have no idea why. I won't even have bridals done because they seem SO corny to me.

 

[snow_happy]

Why only Kasey? and not Summer?

 

[cushioncut]

Thanks so much for your thoughts guys. Reading the pros and cons for each photgrapher sounds like my inner dialogue. I've been torn about it for a few days. One thing to note, it's going to be just the two of us, on a balcony over looking the ocean... and then we are going to go and take some sunset shots near the ocear on a cliff... Does that sway anyone either way?

So far the votes are:

4 votes for Photographer #1 (Kasey)
2 votes for Photographer #2 (Pure Image)

I really appreciate anyone who wants to chime in with their opinion. Right now it's looking like #1 if I go with the votes

. I hope to book one of them tomorrow.

P.S. Snow_Happy - To answer your question "Why Kasey not Summer" - I picked Kasey already and have communicated with her. I liked her style more than Summer's...

 

[snow_happy]

Hi cushioncut!

Who did you end up choosing?

 

[cushioncut]

Well, my fiance's vote ended up counting very much, and since I liked both photographer's work, and he was liked #2's work better (Pure Image) - I'm pretty sure we're going with her.

It was a tough decision. I do love both of their work for different reasons.

Thanks everyone for sharing your insights. I'll have to post pics when it's done!

Thanks again -cc

 

[CareBear]

Yeah I was just about to say. I didn't like all of #2's pics but I was impressed with their beach photos the most.

 

[flutterby]

I think you made a good choice. You will have great pics of your wedding.

I am in LA and a photographer I am using (and actually recomended to chargergrrl) is Steve Keegan at www.accentoflight.com He is a photojournalist by trade and I think he will be great! he is laid back and personable and has very flexible packages!

 

[snow_happy]

hello!

Thanks for the recommendation -- actually I ended up booking Kasey (she was the high end of our budget)! My FI and I met with her in Camarillo (woohoo outlets!) and in her album her shots were really amazing...and a lot of close up face shots of people during the ceremony (both the bride and groom as well as the guests). I thought the pics on the website were pretty good but when I met with her and saw more pictures in real life, her photography blew me away. Does #2 shoot digital or film? Kasey shoots film and the effects (like saturation) are caused by different films. If #2 shoots digital then the colors could be perfected in post-processing (I guess this can also be done with film if you scan the pic in but isn''t worth it IMO).

Anywho, I''m so glad that you picked a photographer that you liked! Check another thing off the list right?

 

[cushioncut]

Hi Snow_Happy,

That''s funny that you ended up booking Kasey! So her shots we amazing in real life? S&*T, now I am second guesing my choice! #2 shoots in film - she said she''d give me the negatives. I have not "booked" "booked her yet... I have a question about the contract. Actually, everyone, is it standard for photographers to say in the contract that they can use your images for their purposes (promotions, advertisements, websites) -- I am very private, I feel funny about that. I have to ask her about it. Wondering if it''s standard or not. Did Kasey have that? Also, Did kasey have a good amount of color shots, or would you said it was mostly B&W/sepia. just curious, incase something falls through.

 

[snow_happy]

Hi cushioncut I forgot to TOTALLY thank you! Your post led me to Kasey right when I was about to give up on finding a good photographer for my price range!

I would say to meet up with Kasey and see her pics so that you are totally comfortable with your final choice. She also has a thing in the contract about them using your pics for promotional stuff, etc. However, what you might be able to do with Kasey or even the other photographer, is ask that you be notified if they *do* use your pics and maybe request that they don''t use pics of your face? Kasey is a really understanding person so I would be totally honest with her about any reservations you have.

Her album was about half B&W sepia and half color. She mentioned that different films had different color effects so she might be able to tweak the color effects to your taste by using a different color film. She also brought her computer along with her with more pictures but I didn''t see those. When you talk to her you can let her know that you want to see more color photo examples, what kind of style you are looking for, etc.

One thing that wasn''t totally clear on the website that I was surprised to find out was the price includes 4x6 prints of all your pictures and full, immediate rights to the negatives. Also Kasey said sometime Rikka or Summer will be her second photographer!

Let me know how it goes or you can totally email me with any questions!
[email protected]