Patken-long (sorry)

gimpybride Posted: May 17, 2002 02:32 PM

Patken-long (sorry)

Hi, all. I hate to say anything negative about vendors, but after using this board for feedback in planning my wedding, I feel a duty to share my experiences. My wedding was 5/3/02 ( I will post a full review of all soon, but work is really busy now and I haven't had a chance). we had it at the Riviera (only wonderful things to say about them), and as it was a beautiful, if nit windy, day, we had all photos and ceremony outside. I picked the place for the view and I wasn't about to forego it.

I just got my proof back last night. Steve from Patken was the photographer. During the day, I had a great experience with him -- Prompt, courteous etc. Unfortunatlely, I am not thrilled with the work. Many, many shots were ruined by squinting. They are, basically, not useable now. Moreover, there were only 9 shots of the ceremony. He did not take any close up enough. He did not utilize the beautiful blooming cherry tree as we walked down the aisle. All the ones of us walking to and from the gazebo (we walked down the aisle together) have people along the sides and are far away.

I know I have rambled, sorry. But be aware of these issues in the future. Just before posting this, I emailed Patken citingmy complaints. I'll let you know what they say.

Debbie Posted: May 17, 2002 02:44 PM

Re: Patken-long (sorry)

Why does your profile say your wedding isn't until 6/8/02

NIHA Posted: May 17, 2002 02:59 PM

Re: Patken-long (sorry)

Congratulations! I'm sorry, I don't know what to say about your experience with your photographer, but I hope things work out for you, let us know. Are you excited for Aruba??

gimpybride Posted: May 17, 2002 03:16 PM

Re: Patken-long (sorry)

I joined before we had a date set, and they make you put one in. When we finally set it, I never changed my profile.

gimpybride Posted: May 17, 2002 03:17 PM

Re: Patken-long (sorry)

Nina, I can't wait for Aruba-- sorryI haven't replied to your email (work blows!) but, 6/29/02 can't get here fast enough!!!!

Marnles Posted: May 17, 2002 03:26 PM

Re: Patken-long (sorry)

I'm sorry to hear you were so unhappy. That really stinks! Thanks for warning other brides so they can help prevent the problem in the future - did you have a 'must' list?

Either way, congratulations!! Hope your day was all you dreamed of!!

Sonicstef Posted: May 17, 2002 03:54 PM

Re: Patken-long (sorry)

Im so sorry you are dissapointed with your photos. THERE IS NO EXCUSE why more photos weren't delivered that met your expectations. I hope they do the right thing (or as close as is possible) and compensate you for their carelessness.

For other brides who are thinking of using him - there was a thread a while back (that LI Wedding deleted for some reason) where girls were saying that they felt uncomfortable around him because he suggested nude engagement photos. Patken came on the boards himself to respond and essentially said that taking the same photos over and over again became tiresome (Im paraphrasing). In any case, Patken must have done good work at one point (based on his sample albums) but maybe he is no longer interested in pleasing the couple based on the numerous negative posts about him.

tarakinspa Posted: May 17, 2002 05:05 PM

good thing

you said something because i was planning on meeting with them. This is not the first negative thing i have heard, I was also thinking of meeting with VIP, hope they trun out to have a better reputation.

debbus Posted: May 17, 2002 05:09 PM

Re: Patken-long (sorry)

Ok now I am starting to get nervous! We booked Patkin for our September wedding.
This is only the second negative post I have seen on them and both were about Steve.
We haven't been assigned a photographer yet so maybe we will be o.k. with someone other than him.
There are supposed to be a lot of proofs to choose from. I would think not all of them would be good shots for the album. Is this what's happening?? Or are you having trouble finding enough good photos to complete the book? I liked the sample books that they showed us in Lindenhurst (we asked to see work waiting to be picked up too) I would hope the finished albums for all would look like that.
Pleasl let us know what happens when you speak to Doug and how the final album turns out. It would be important to follow up for all of us waiting. Thanks

02bride Posted: May 17, 2002 05:17 PM

I'm nervous too!

Most brides have raved about Steve, but now I'm getting a little worried. I feel like I'm second guessing all of my choices! I'm so thankful for your honesty and hopefully I can cover certain things before my big day in Sept.

Did you have a list of pictures he must take? Any words of advice?

Thanks so much,
Shannon

NovemberSue Posted: May 17, 2002 05:20 PM

Re: Patken-long (sorry)

I wouldn't worry about a couple of negative comments. I know people who used them and were very pleased. I don't think you can please everyone all of the time. I've noticed great comments and bad comments on the same places or services.If they were that bad, they wouldn't have stayed in business.

gimpybride Posted: May 17, 2002 08:22 PM

Re: I'm nervous too!

We did not give them any specific list of photos. That was not the problem. My displeasure arises from the fact that for a professional, who is being paid a good deal of money, he should see the natural lighting conditions and the subjects squinting, and do something about this. There were many remedies he could have chosen from, such as repositioning people or using some sort of shade which I was just recently advised of.
As for the ceremony shots, I do not think I would need to tell him which ones to take.
It boiled down to one thing, it appears he just didn't want to make the effort to get the good shots. If he had moved a littled at the ceremony, he could have had wonderful pictures-- I know I've seen several from friends who made a minimal effort, and they are lovely.

Marnles Posted: May 17, 2002 11:39 PM

Re: I'm nervous too!

I agree with you...I'm so sorry you are unhappy. I really hope he compensates you in some way...all the best to you!

Nowie Posted: May 21, 2002 08:00 PM

Re: I'm nervous too!

Okay, I booked Patken too for my August wedding. As I'm reading these comments I'm getting a little nervous. I actually have Vinny as the photographer. I really hope the pictures come out good. I've heard good things about them.

AlisonMT Posted: May 28, 2002 09:06 AM

Re: Patken-long (sorry)

Yikes... we just met with Patken this weekend and thought they were the best out of everyone (well, except for Imagine, but they were a little too expensive for us, unfortunately). Has anyone used them and have GOOD feedback?? Now I am really confused...

jlabs Posted: May 28, 2002 10:00 AM

Re: Patken-long (sorry)

We are using Patken as well. My cousin used them 2 years ago and her album turned out great. We are using Frank, he showed us an album that someone was coming to pick up the day we met with him and it was gorgeous. So we got to see some recent work which was nice. I asked him at our engament shoot do we need to give him a list of the shots we want taken. He said he works with the maid of honor all night so he makes sure he gets the shoots we want and of who we want without bothering us. The maid of honor knows the family so she can point people out to him. I have not heard a lot peolpe on this board using Frank but he is really nice and we love our engagment pictures. He tends to be on the more traditional side but he had us due some fun poses as well.

wutie Posted: May 28, 2002 10:10 AM

Re: Patken-long (sorry)

My sister used Ken at her December wedding. Absolutely beautiful pictures. Also a coworker used Vinny for her April 13th wedding and although I did not see the pics I hear she loves them. My other sister used them 7 years ago for her wedding and my cousin 5 years ago. My reception was in Westchester otherwise I probably would have used them. I would not be concerned if you booked them. They have been around a long time and are professional. Every photographer has a blemish on their record.

jillian Posted: May 28, 2002 10:59 AM

Re: Patken-long (sorry)

Please check out my reponse under Patken Photography???

jennbaby Posted: May 28, 2002 08:06 PM

Re: I'm nervous too!

I booked Patken for my May 2003 wedding & I chose Steve. We saw many albums of his work & we loved his work.
Just be sure to print out these posts and point out to your photographer whatyou expect (and better get! lol I am doing the same