I got my proofs and I'm a little disappointed

We picked up our proofs today and I have to say, I'm a little disappointed. The posed pics are great, but there are hardly any candids, which is a big reason why I booked Duet in the first place. There were a couple of posed 'must takes' missing, but I'm not too upset over that. I'm much more upset over the fact that I was very specific over wanting tons of candids during the reception and they're few and far between. My FG and RB were busting a move on the dance floor and there isn't a single picture of it. There weren't many pictures of us on the chairs (during the Horra) and I was hoping there'd e some good ones.

Re: I got my proofs and I'm a little disappointed

I noticed that with DUet, there are some girls that were thrilled and some that were disappointed. I'm sorry!! I was disappointed with mine too.....but I'm not a Duet bride

Re: I got my proofs and I'm a little disappointed

Sorry! I used Duet and got tons of candid shots. Who were your photographers?

Re: I got my proofs and I'm a little disappointed

Nicole, I feel the same way. There are tons of posed shots, but very little candid. They also used some B&W for the wrong pics IMO, like posed extended family shots. I know I asked them to take pics of ice sculpture and guests at the CH and there weren't any in the proofs. I have to call to see if they missed any.

Re: I got my proofs and I'm a little disappointed

I forget who my photographers were. I do have some nice photojournalism photos, but they really just artsy posed shots. I wanted more people during the CH and espcially on the dance floor. There are pictures of people during the reception, but they always turned to the photographer and smiled. Oh well, what are you gonna do.

Re: I got my proofs and I'm a little disappointed

Nicole, I am so sorry to hear that you are a bit disapointed in your proofs from Duet

I know that there are a few shots I've seen of other brides where I thought to myself 'darn I wished I got that one!' but overall, I can hardly complain. I did also have far less B&W shots than I would have liked - but they can always change the color shots to B&W if I request , so that didn't bother me too much

We got a decent mix of photojournalistic and posted shots.. but I will say we definitely have many more posed shots overall (though I will admit that those are basically my favorites, even from our casual shoot.. which is why they probably took more that way I suppose). Luckily we got loads of dancing shots of our guests at the reception, almost TOO many! So I'm so sorry to hear yours didn't quite measure up to your liking.

If I can make one suggestion - if you truly think that the pics aren't what you wanted, talk to Eric and Nicole about it. I've heard from some other Duet brides that they can specifically recall taking certain shots that they never recieved in their proofs.. (sometimes b/c they didn't come out , so Duet didn't print them) But perhaps there are shots they didn't print up for you that you might like better than the ones you have, so its worth exploring. Just an idea!

Good luck!!

Re: I got my proofs and I'm a little disappointed

Thanks Felicia. Like you, I am definitely overall pleased with the shots, but I was definitley under the impression that I would be getting something I didn't. I will call Duet and mention that I didn't see many candids from the CH and reception and ask if there were any more shots that they just didn't print.

Re: I got my proofs and I'm a little disappointed

I think it's worth a shot to ask about non-printed shots definitely. While I am very happy with my proofs (I feel I got a pretty good mix of candids, photojournalism, & traditional) I also noticed that there were a few (not many) shots that I definitely expected to see in my proofs because I *remember* a photographer nearby at the time, but the print is no where to be found.

Re: I got my proofs and I'm a little disappointed

I am very happy with my proofs for the most part although, opposite of you, I feel I don't have enough posed, formal ones. I have tons of candids. I wish there were more taken outside in the grounds than there were. There are enough to choose from but wish there were a few more options and poses.

One problem I had which I didn't realize would be so big is that the photographer did not show up at DH's parents house that morning, which they were suppossed to. I was told they would make it up to me and I thought 'ok, no big deal' but looking at the proofs it was a big deal. There are only like 3 shots of DH alone and he HATES one of them.

Otherwise, I thought they did a great job and I have over 800 proofs of my wonderful day!

Re: I got my proofs and I'm a little disappointed

I was really upset when I got my proofs back from Duet for the follwoing reasons: a) I didn't have pictures I just thought were standard to include - ie, table shots; b) there were no pictures of non-family guests who did not dance (there were some dancing shots of couples); c) sucky choice (IMO) of location for portraits; d) poor lighting in a lot of the pictures (in a number of our portraits, the faces of those in the center of the group are overexposed while those at the ends are in shadow); e) lack of initiative/poor management of people during pictures; f) 1/3 of proofs were duplicates; and g) many pictures I was expressly told they took (ie of a storm coming in) and that I remember directing them to take (eg, my niece dancing with one of the groomsmen) that were never given to me (and when I asked, I was told that they never hold pictures back -- contrary to someone else's experience with them).
From the 700+ proofs I got, I have selected about 150 that I like. Of those, I 'love' about 10.

The upshot? I have enough decent pictures to work with and make an album that will probably be very nice. It's hard to think about it this way, but life is too short to do otherwise. I think my 'lesson learned' is that you get what you pay for, and I will NEVER skimp on something that is as important to me as the photography at my wedding (what WAS I thinking???) again.

Re: I got my proofs and I'm a little disappointed

I also booked duet and am starting to get alittle concerned. What do you think i can do to ensure i am happy with the pictures they take.

I know most photographers, from when i was searching for one, do not do table shots other than the two head table unless asked. All the photographers i saw, except duet, told me if they took all table shots, i would HAVE to use them in my album. Duet was the only one who agreed to take them.

Obviously, we all have different styles. Some want more posed than photojournalistic and vice versa...however, how can i make sure i get what i'm personally looking for.
Were your concerns voiced to them that day or prior?

Re: I got my proofs and I'm a little disappointed

Re: I got my proofs and I'm a little disappointed

You guys should really let brides to be know this. So many people were raving about Duet when they booked them when just a couple of people used them. Now that people are actually getting their proofs back not everyone has been so happy.

Re: I got my proofs and I'm a little disappointed

i agree w/dcwife. in the past few days, i've been reading more and more about people being disappointed with their DUET proofs on TBR and FNO boards, but not on any of the other boards...

Re: I got my proofs and I'm a little disappointed

Sorry to hear that!

Re: I got my proofs and I'm a little disappointed

I've heard positive and negative feedback about almost every photographer. I think it's due to miscommunication. If you sit down with photograher and tell them EXACTLY what you want, I am sure it can be achieved. I think DUET's work is extremely talented, and I am going to delegate certain pictures they have to take.

Re: I got my proofs and I'm a little disappointed

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Posted by KL805

I also booked duet and am starting to get alittle concerned. What do you think i can do to ensure i am happy with the pictures they take.

I know most photographers, from when i was searching for one, do not do table shots other than the two head table unless asked. All the photographers i saw, except duet, told me if they took all table shots, i would HAVE to use them in my album. Duet was the only one who agreed to take them.

Obviously, we all have different styles. Some want more posed than photojournalistic and vice versa...however, how can i make sure i get what i'm personally looking for.
Were your concerns voiced to them that day or prior?

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I was a Duet bride extremely happy with my proofs (my albums have been another story, but they're doing everything they can to rectify). I think to ensure you get what you want, you should put everything in writing and then talk to them face to face - repeatedly! Also, I was under the misconception that I wouldn't have to do anything on my wedding day except sit back and enjoy...but that wasn't the case. Because I had planned so much of it on my own, there was only me to make sure everything was running smootly. From limo to DJ to photographer.

Also, you should definitely choose locations for pictures BEFORE the day. Visit your hall at the time of day that you will be taking pics to figure out which site has the best lighting, etc.

Also, look for as many photos of your reception/photo site as possible to get ideas. We took pics in the wine cellar and some were a little dark, but I've seen other pics of the place since where the couple has been back lighted in the wine cellar--with a candle!!! Something I never would've thought of!!

Good luck! I think Duet take beautiful photos on the whole, but communication is definitely the key!!!

Also, it's important to remember that even professional photographers get very few 'great' pictures - 1 or 2 per roll of film!!! So the fact that anyone has 10 that they love is really great!

Re: I got my proofs and I'm a little disappointed

I found myself (not a Duet bride) also concentrating on what I didn't get from my wedding. Try to concentrate on what you did get, I'm sure there are fantastic photos that you didn't ask for that you are happy you got. My cousin is a photographer and she did my wedding, I just got my proofs back. I started concentrating on the photos we forgot to take (like my cute little nieces in the dresses that my friend made-they refused to be photographed) etc... then I took a step back and realized I got some great photos. Plenty for 5 books if I wanted. The day went so fast, how can you get everything!!

Best of luck!!!

BA

Re: I got my proofs and I'm a little disappointed

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Posted by usuk2004

I was a Duet bride extremely happy with my proofs (my albums have been another story, but they're doing everything they can to rectify). I think to ensure you get what you want, you should put everything in writing and then talk to them face to face - repeatedly! Also, I was under the misconception that I wouldn't have to do anything on my wedding day except sit back and enjoy...but that wasn't the case. Because I had planned so much of it on my own, there was only me to make sure everything was running smootly. From limo to DJ to photographer.

Also, you should definitely choose locations for pictures BEFORE the day. Visit your hall at the time of day that you will be taking pics to figure out which site has the best lighting, etc.

Also, look for as many photos of your reception/photo site as possible to get ideas. We took pics in the wine cellar and some were a little dark, but I've seen other pics of the place since where the couple has been back lighted in the wine cellar--with a candle!!! Something I never would've thought of!!

Good luck! I think Duet take beautiful photos on the whole, but communication is definitely the key!!!

Also, it's important to remember that even professional photographers get very few 'great' pictures - 1 or 2 per roll of film!!! So the fact that anyone has 10 that they love is really great!

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Thank you! I appreciate the advice. I've seen your pictures posted here. They came out beautiful.

Re: I got my proofs and I'm a little disappointed

Nicole, I would love to see some of your pictures. Scan some in!!! Please share!!!