Re: How many proofs did your Patken Photographer give you or any other photographer?

Stef I am not defensive, i am stating my point of view

Re: How many proofs did your Patken Photographer give you or any other photographer?

Michele what's up with what?!
I asked her a question from what I read last week.

PERIOD.

I apologize if you thought it was an 'attack'. I am learning myself from reading alot so when I go to book my photographer I know what to do.

Re: How many proofs did your Patken Photographer give you or any other photographer?

To answer the original question, honestly, you don't realize how many pictures 500 is until you have them in your hand. I had somewhere in the vicinity of 400 proofs and it wasn't candid/photojournalistic photography...I was guaranteed 250. It really depends upon the photographer, and if you were guaranteed 500 proofs, it is almost certain that you will see at least 1-200 more than that in the end. A good photographer doesn't pay attention to the number of pictures he's taking, but the quality. They know how to space out the picture taking, and the necessity of the pictures according the the guarantee, and then they usually beat that.

No worries!

And Shirley, just go a little easier next time, your post came off just weeny bit harsh kinda needlessly.

Re: How many proofs did your Patken Photographer give you or any other photographer?

We had about 400-500 proofs and we had mostly candid shots and just enough posed. I had color and b&w and I had a hard time picking just a few for the album -- it was overwhelming.

So I don't think the number is quite as important as what kind of pictures you want. Let your photographer know what you must absolutely have and the style you are looking for.

I think you'll be fine.

Re: How many proofs did your Patken Photographer give you or any other photographer?

Thanks girls for all your posts. I guess I'm concerned with how it's possible to be doing only 300-400 shoots when he's with me from 7 am in the morning till 6 pm in the evening. Based on looking at photographer websites adn all the different posses available, I would think that it should be much more. His repsonse to my question of how many proofs do you take in a day was '300-400'. My cousin got 1500 proofs from his wedding in July. They did have 2 photographers. And going through about 2/3 rds of them, its true that alot of the shots are not that great, BUT there were several where eyes were closed, and looking in other directions until finally on the 3rd or 4th shot they got it right.

I'm nervous and worried. Espicallly since my indian photographer from the engagement party RUINED all my picutres, I didn't get a single picture that came out right. His excuse was that there was not enough lighting, but isn't that why I paid him so much so that he would know about that. sooooooooo.... i dont have any engagment shots, so i would at least like my wedding shots to be good.

Re: How many proofs did your Patken Photographer give you or any other photographer?

Tell your photographer what you just said here.

He may charge you more for film/processing, etc but at the end of the day you want to have these pictures and now is the time to do something about them. You will not be able to retake the pictures so be extremely clear about what you want now.

Re: How many proofs did your Patken Photographer give you or any other photographer?

Call and ask for Doug and tell him your feelings

Re: How many proofs did your Patken Photographer give you or any other photographer?

I'm one of those brides who got around 500 proofs and loved all of them -- there were no bad pics, no eyes closed or stupid looks on my face, etc. It was a great number of proofs for me, but my wedding was much smaller - about 130 people, with a bridal party of seven. IMO, with your big wedding and big bridal party, you need more proofs. Are you having a second photographer? I think it would be a good idea for your size wedding if you want a lot of candid shots of your guests.

Re: How many proofs did your Patken Photographer give you or any other photographer?

I had a bout 300. I used Patken

Re: How many proofs did your Patken Photographer give you or any other photographer?

Here's my opinion....I think you should tell your photographer exactly what you are looking for in terms of photographic style. Then tell him to shoot til his heart's content....and NOT to 'cap' his shooting when he reaches 400 pics of the wedding day. You'll get what you want, I'm sure.

Regarding photojournalism - yes, it is candid - and likewise, it's also random and LUCKY if the photographer catches 'a moment' when he shoots an event. Photojournalists have a high proof count - not b/c they are offering you more just to be nice - but b/c they HAVE to shoot more in order to actually catch something worthy of a wedding album or a wall portrait. It's all about odds.

I learned this from my recent family photo shoot - out of more than 100 pics, I like maybe 2 or 3. Not very good odds....so, if it was my wedding day, than I'd want at least 2,000 pics to ensure me I'd have enough to fill an album. JMO.

Re: How many proofs did your Patken Photographer give you or any other photographer?

I also think it depends on what you consider 'album worthly'. Some brides really love formal posed photos and other's don't. I have a mix going into my album, but honestly I have A LOT more non-posed photos in the album. But that is what I like and not for everyone.
I have photos that I wouldn't put in my album but I still love to look at and remember the moment.
It is all about what YOU want for your wedding photos.

And with such a huge amount of guests you may need more photos just to cover getting some nice dance photos at the reception.

I wonder if some photographers take out 'eye's closed' type photos before giving them to brides? I don't know but it seems impossible to me that not one photo has that or something similar, right?

Re: How many proofs did your Patken Photographer give you or any other photographer?

To answer your original question we had about 700-800 proofs. We only had us and a MOH and BM and very few posed family shots....most were candids and b/w but that is what I requested.

With a party as big as yours I would try to get as many proofs as possible. The more you have, the odds are the more good ones you'll get. Even though all our proofs came out great..hardly any eyes closed shots or things like that....I really only totally loved about 150 of them. So that is way less than half.

I think this thread is turning into people defending their own photographers and there is no need for that. All the pictures I have seen on this site came out wonderful and no one is doubting anyone's photographers talent. People have different tastes is photography just as people have different tastes in dresses.

I would call your photographer and tell him your concerns and what you expect. I'm sure he will be more than happy to give you want you want and deserve on your wedding day. I'm sure the number he gave you was just an average and if needed he'd take more.

Good luck!!