i went to my engagement photo shoot at patken's studio on wednesday and i left less than fullly satisfied. i just wasn't feeling a good vibe. the photographer didn't make me feel at ease during the shoot and i never realized how hard it was pose and smile without looking like an idiot. i expected more out of it. i tried to make myself feel better by looking at proofs from other people's weddings taken by patken on this site. most the pictures came out very nice...so that kinda put my mind at ease. did anyone else feel the same way after their first encounter with their photographer?
MrsQ-in2007
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Re: make me feel better about my photography choice
Do they have more than one photographer to choose from for the big day? If so, I would probably try to meet with someone else.
That, or I'd speak to the photographer and let him/her know that you'd like more direction during your formal portraits because you felt entirely too uncomfortable.
At least your pictures came out nice, but do you want to feel the same way on your wedding day? I would just speak to them.
Maybride519
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Re: make me feel better about my photography choice
Well, to me, smiling with a camera right in my face was awkward. DH and I were so nervous about the shoot and were afraid that it would show in the pics. I felt more comfortable about the fact that we were given directions by the photographer though. It made everything a whole lot easier. Do you know for sure that the one who took your e-pics is your photgrapher for the day of? Mine were not the same person.
emcheung
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Re: make me feel better about my photography choice
actually, i hated my engagement photos. that's why i'm so nervous about my wedding day photos. we're suppose to call back in a month to see who we're paired with. so, we won't actually know who our photographer is right now. hopefully it won't be the same person.
nifheim
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Re: make me feel better about my photography choice
When i did the eshoot at patken i had vinnie who we liked. I agree with you i was not completely in love with our engagement pics... but i did like three pics out of all of them after we looked back at them after a week. If after a week of you looking at your epics you still hate them then ask them for a diff. photographer.
They are not us though, we don't hold each other like that, we don't kiss each other like that, etc. So it was hard to see us like that. BUT i felt by them posing you they get the neccesary shots that typically work for the small amount of time you have. Since you are given a limited amount of time and such few shots by the time you get comfty with the camera its over. That was my biggest problem.
I had major issues when i found out who my photographer was because it was not vinnie. I wanted to have my e shots done by the person who i shooting my wedding. So i went in and spoke to our photographer and he showed me sample albums and i calmed down.
Jennifer907
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Re: make me feel better about my photography choice
My photographer had a long discussion with me about the importance of the engagement photo shoot. He says it's a chance for you and the photographer to get to know one another and learn how to work together. It also teaches you how to take direction and pose for pictures. So witht hat being said, if I were uncomfortable with my photographer at the e-photo shoot, I don't know that I'd keep them for the wedding. OTOH, Patken has an amazing reputation and on your wedding day you're not going to be one on one with the photographer the whole day. It's only a small amount fo time compared to the rest of the day, so maybe it's not that big of a deal. Go with your gut.
melissas28
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Re: make me feel better about my photography choice
I'm sure the photos came out better than you think... we are all our own worst critics. If you really felt uncomfortable with the posing and what not, maybe you can talk to your photographer. Tell them how you usually hold each other or act and hopefully they should be able to work with that.
or you can do a shot before your wedding!
Good luck!
emcheung
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Re: make me feel better about my photography choice
i know i'm freaking out about nothing. just needed you guys to calm me down...ahhh, feel better now.
KellyDance
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Re: make me feel better about my photography choice
I LOVE LOVE LOVE patken!!! Did you see the pics? Because I felt uncomfortable and then I felt like they came out great! Try to see if he is your photographer. We made sure that we got along with our photographer before we booked. Do you know who you have???
newbee
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Re: make me feel better about my photography choice
i felt the same way, not so happy after the engagement photo shoot Pix felt so posed, unnatural, i could see how them worked on the model albums but of course, those are their BEST albums.
we just found out that our photographer's name is holden. if anyone knows anything about him, please share!
luvbud
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Re: make me feel better about my photography choice
We also booked with Patken. We took about 20 epictures. Some of the poses were a little different when we were doing them. But we liked about 5 out of the 20. Not to sure if thats good. But it wasn't the poses we didn't like, but the way we looked. We both said we have to loose some weight. We have Evan. He was great. Made us feel really comfortable.
DandS
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Re: make me feel better about my photography choice
I would call them and tell them that you did not feel at ease with your photographer and that you would like to meet another photographer. Maybe you and the guy just didn't click, which could happen. And that is not to say that they are bad, but he may not have been your style. I used patken and I was very happy with them. Actually I did not go for our e-shot, so we just met our guy the day of, which I was very scared about. I really liked him. But my absolutely favorite guy there is Kevin. He is SO nice and very easy to work with!!! I highly suggest him if he is not booked already.
emcheung
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Re: make me feel better about my photography choice
i have a question...can you request a particular photographer for your wedding? or do you just have to wait to be paired up?
Trishthedish
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Re: make me feel better about my photography choice
Posted by emcheung
i have a question...can you request a particular photographer for your wedding? or do you just have to wait to be paired up?
After your e-shoot they tell you that they will assign a photographer to you. They did assign us someone but then I requested Vinny and they said okay.
SummerBride06
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Re: make me feel better about my photography choice
after my e-shoot, i switched photographers and am SO glad i did.
if you're not happy and are worried, switch now before your wedding day actually happens. i booked with a completely different studio.
BlushingBride714
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Re: make me feel better about my photography choice
I felt the exact same way when we got our E-pics done. It felt like all the poses were very fake and forced and I just felt terrible about the whole thing. I stressed about it for a week UNTIL we got our proofs back. They came out great! I felt much better after that. Don't judge the shoot until you see the actual pictures.
