Got engagement pics...don't love but already signed

Original post by franksgirl323

Aug 04, 2005 01:43 PM

I am a little bummed here. I took my engagement pics....and I don't really love them. Now that I have seen other people's creative pictures I am worried that I am going to hate my photographer and my wedding pictures.

Any idea what I should do??? Think it would help if I requested a different photographer for my wedding day then the one who shot the engagement pics?? But then again....I don't know how good or bad the next person will be.

Suggestions?

Sonicstef Posted: Aug 04, 2005 03:45 PM

Re: Got engagement pics...don't love but already signed

Don't blame yourself - this definitely falls on the photography. The lighting is not good, they werent creative with the posing or the angles, etc..

Maybe you can show them some examples of what you would have expected and ask them to reshoot? Give them a second chance to do what you need them to. If they are not accomadating or dont have the skill to do it properly, then be happy you found out now and find someone else.

Preshy7 Posted: Aug 04, 2005 03:50 PM

Re: Got engagement pics...don't love but already signed

i think those pictures are very nice. the backdrop is a little fake but i think if you tell them you are not happy with the pics - they should at least do another session- if not for free but for a good price.

i really think you should give this photogragher another chance. i have seen others use them and the pics came out great. all you need is a different loccation- like a park or beach!
cheer up - it will work out fine!!!

troutster Posted: Aug 04, 2005 03:57 PM

Re: Got engagement pics...don't love but already signed

I had the same exact problem.
I called up the guy who we had been working with and let him know. FI and I then met with 3 different photographers at that studio and found one we like. We actually met with the same guy who did our shot ( we didn't know it until we go there! What a waste of time that was!) but after that meeting the sales guy working with us was determined to find someone who could capture what we wanted.

In the end we found someone there we love. I'll let you know how it goes, my wedding is in 15 days!

I say talk to the people there, meet the photographers look at their work and if u still dont' like it then cancel. Just do it soon.
good luck!!

CalJoe0124 Posted: Aug 04, 2005 05:02 PM

Re: Got engagement pics...don't love but already signed

Can you FM me with the company?

Boop2704 Posted: Aug 04, 2005 05:05 PM

Re: Got engagement pics...don't love but already signed

I would not accept the pic when you go and tell them you want another photo shoot. You look great, but the backgrounds don't do you justice. The photographer didn't center anything. I would tell them you want another shoot, with some creativity added in or else you'll take your business elsewhere!!!

candb Posted: Aug 04, 2005 06:23 PM

Re: Got engagement pics...don't love but already signed

I think you look fine in the pictures, but honestly, it looks like just anyone took them. I would try out a different photographer. If you want to stay with the vendor tell them that you are not thrilled and ask them to retake them. Find a nice outdoor place with great background for next time. Also, experiment with different poses. It may sound silly, but you'll be more comfortable infront of the camera.

salsbride06 Posted: Aug 04, 2005 08:49 PM

Re: Got engagement pics...don't love but already signed

yes i would say that your photographer goes with the classic look more. i think that is whats missing. i would not say that they are terrible. if you are really unhappy about them then i would call the photographer and speak to him about the work and how you feel. see what he says it cant hurt. maybe you can go to someone else for your wedding day photos.

belle22274 Posted: Aug 04, 2005 09:37 PM

Re: Got engagement pics...don't love but already signed

I feel your pain! We had the same problem and ended up going elsewhere. I just wasn't confident we were going to get what we want on our day.

I agree with what others have posted about sitting down with the photographer and having a discussion about it. See what they say and go from there.

If you need to rebook, you have plenty of time! We found a new photographer less than 3 months before the wedding.

Good luck!!!!

franksgirl323 Posted: Aug 05, 2005 09:35 AM

Re: Got engagement pics...don't love but already signed

I spoke to the Studio last night and told them that I was coming in on Saturday and I wanted to discuss how unhappy I am. They are very willing to help me and told me that the person who took my pics (Ozzie) isn't necessarily the guy who would be assigned to me. Isn't that the stupidest thing?? The point is to see if you like the photographer and then they give you the guys that available for the day to take your engagement pics.

They said he shot about 25 couples that day! Great....so we were on an assembly line!
Anyway, I made it clear by phone that I do not want Ozzie, but I am open to looking at other photographers work. When I am there, if I find one I like, I will ask for a re-shoot.

I've heard good things about this place's work before so I am hoping that it was this one persons work I am not happy with.

I'll see what happens on Saturday---but thank you all for your suggestions. I sometimes lack the courage to be forceful or speak up when I should. But this has helped me to speak my mind.

troutster please let me know how it goes...and please share pic. do you know who your photographer is???
Thank you

otherme Posted: Aug 05, 2005 01:36 PM

Re: Got engagement pics...don't love but already signed

Can i make another suggestion? Perhaps you both shouldn't be wearing white. You sort of blend into each other with white skin and white clothing - there's nothing giving it any contrast. I think that the combination of the studio background, so so lighting, not having you pose well and the white makes it look very blah. (sorry, i hate saying that - i hope you know its the photographer, not you guys that make it look that way)
The other photos you put up of the two of you look great so i'm sure if you explain to the studio that you just want something a little less 'posed' and more natural, they'll work with you.

franksgirl323 Posted: Aug 05, 2005 01:54 PM

Re: Got engagement pics...don't love but already signed

Thank you for the suggestion. I am not offended at all. We didn't know these pictures would all be waist up....we both wore white shirts and khaki pants thinking it would look nice to be dressed similarly....but no one can even see that!

I am definitely going to mention that I'd like a less posed look or more natural. I wasn't sure what I wanted going in so I let him completely direct...but now I know better what I want, and I'm going to ask for it.

Again, thanks. I love constructive criticisms.

2bwed Posted: Aug 05, 2005 04:17 PM

Re: Got engagement pics...don't love but already signed

i'm interested in who this is. i've been so worried about photography and also have a place with a number of photographers.

franksgirl323 Posted: Aug 08, 2005 08:54 AM

Re: Got engagement pics...don't love but already signed

UPDATE::: I went Saturday and told the owner that we were unhappy with the pictures taken and that we did not want 'Ozzie' as our photographer. At this point I did not tell Jeff why we did not like them (because they were too posey), just that we didn't (this is important later)

I gave us a stack of albums to look through. After seeing about 10....i pulled one from the bottom and immediately felt comfortable. We both loved shot after shot. We asked Jeff who shot this album, he said it was a female photographer named Penny. AND...without any prompting he said 'she is on of our more casual, natural photographers. Right then and there we knew that she was the one we wanted and he added her name to our contract.

I also requested a re-shoot of the engagement pictures, which he was very happy to do.

So far so good....I feel a lot better now. I'll let you know how the re-shoot goes. Thanks for your support.

GeorgeGiuliana Posted: Aug 15, 2005 12:29 PM

Re: Got engagement pics...don't love but already signed

I'm happy that everything seems to be working out now! I'm interested in Ariana Studio and have meet with them. I went to a wedding and Ozzie was the photographer and I thought he was great!!! I've actually heard a lot of good things about him and he was one of the more favorite photographers. I must say that I've also heard a lot of really good things about Penny but have never really looked at her work. Please keep me updated as to what happens!!!!

PS I dont think your pictures are bad at all!!! They are very studio shot which makes them seem less appealing in comparison. You too look really happy and in love hugging each other, I think that's the best shot!!!!

franksgirl323 Posted: Aug 15, 2005 04:27 PM

Re: Got engagement pics...don't love but already signed

Thank you so much! My FH and I really fell in love with the 'look' of Penny's work...her style just really seemed to suit us.

We are having the pictures redone and this time I will speak up about how we are posed and wanting to look more natural. Since we don't have a choice of photogs at the engagement shoot, I might get Ozzie again. But I am determined to make the best of it.

I have read everyone advice and this time we will be wearing COLORS not white tops which may have helped in the 'washed out' look.

I will keep you posted....if I don't lose your name. Is there anyway to like make a 'buddy list'....like on aol? Sorry, I know I sound retarted.

Monkeybride Posted: Aug 15, 2005 07:40 PM

Re: Got engagement pics...don't love but already signed

Cancel and find someone you like. Your pictures are all you have when the day is over and done with. I can't imagine anything worse than hating your wedding pictures.