How do i narrow down photographers

HI Tara-
I am new to this site, but just had to chime in. I just booked John at VIP on Monday. I was torn beween him and Mark Kauffman but I went with John for three main reasons. 1. He used to work with MK, so he has a similar philosophy about how to shoot weddings so they pictures have feeling. 2. He was willing to work with me concerning how much b/w I wanted and my schedule (some photographers I met with wanted me to work with there schedule). 3. Cost. I'm getting two photographers for the cost of what most studios charge for just one.
I don't know anyone who has already gotten their proofs from John, but I will tune back into this thread to see what happens with the other brides who booked him.

I have seen some good things written about him so i think i may go see him next week, i am 99% sure i will stick with John from VIP but I just feel wierd if i dont meet with more photographers.
Thanks for the input shell, there was one girl on here stef28 that got back proofs but thats about it, that gets me worried all these girls booking, based on what?

For all brides who are shopping photographers - please get real references! I have been on this board for over a year and have seen too many girl upset after seeing the end product. I can't say why it happened but I think many girls put too much faith in what other brides here say.

We are all trying to be helpful but we all have different tastes, expectations, etc..

I can sing my vendors praises all night long - and that is well and good - but what really counts is the opinions of the brides who have already had their wedding, saw their proofs, made their albums and left as happy customers.

I spoke to at least 2 people who used my photographer (and they were not his references by the way, they were people I had contacted from the boards who had already used his studio). Does that ensure I will be 100% happy - no. But its better than relying on the word of people who really can't say for sure.

You are right about the references, Stef. I would prefer to find people who used John (or any of the photographers I met with) and ask them, rather than calling the people that were given to me (as we all know, when people give out references they give out only the people who were happy). I met with John twice, and looked through several albumns plus asked to see recent proofs he had around. Plus, MK had good things to say about him, too.
I did meet a bride who used MK and looked through her albumn. She was very happy with the outcome, but said he is sometimes a little difficult to work with when putting together the albumn (he's an artist with his own vision and really is involved with the construction of the albumn). Some people will see this as a plus, others may see it as a negative. But he has been doing this a long time and his albumns all have good flow. Also, with MK, you could use your proofs as an albumn, since he gives you so many (if cost is a factor).
The bottom line is, the bride has to like the photographer and like their work. And as long as you haven't heard any horror stories about the photographer you like, then go for it.
I came on this thread to see if anyone had already used John so I could get some honest feed back. Now I'll wait and see what the other brides say, just for curiosity's sake.

who is your photographer
I have Laura g and she is really nice, sounds like you picked her too
I am very happy with cassarinos as well
they are very nice and have some average packages to choose from

I know that some people say that MK is hard to deal with but honestly he has been nothing but 100% flexible for me. Since booking him I have changed my venue, my photo shoot locations, my timing and my package - and he has been nothing but great about it. Most vendors stop caring as soon as you pay that deposit, MK has treated us as if we had never booked and he was courting our business all along.

Im sure MK has some serious opinions when it comes to how an album should look and I am okay with that. I love all the albums he has in his shop and Im not afraid to disagree with him if it comes down to it.

I will also add that he is one of the only vendors that comes on this board and will actually speak highly of his competition. That says somethign too.

I don't mean to sound like a MK commericial - but I obviously think he is a great choice for those who have the budget for him.

Just keeping you guys posted on my progress even though my computer is on the fritz, i met with Duvall in wantagh, way too commercialized for my taste, I also met with Jardin who is a guy who used to work for Jovon who was a littel high on himself and his work seemed o need a little work but his passion and srtistic flare were very apparent.
I went back to VIP and witll probably book him I am meetig with lavendar tonite, ill let you know how it goes.