Patken review

Pam Posted: Nov 24, 2002 03:14 PM

Patken review

As per my post yesterday, FH and I went to Pateken about 7/11/04 wedding. First I was happy that they also do video because we are looking for both and would like them to come from the same place. We met with Kevin, very nice. He showed us some albums, also very nice and then a sample video, again...nice. When he worked up a price for us it didn't seem crazy and he gave us a discount because of LI Weddings which was great. He tried to get us to book in the spot by throwing an incentive in the mix but we could not do it because of other parties involved. Anyway...the problem is that we also went to see Imagine Studios and fell in love with them! Also, I was telling my parents about Patken and they wanted to ask family friends who they used. After calling them they said 'whatever you do, don;t go with Patken' because they were very unhappy with the quality of work. The proofs came out awful - faces blocked by flowers, tables missing from the table shots, power lines and plugs in some of the shots, etc. They were told after the fact by friends of theirs not to chose them. Now I know that a lot of LI Weddings girls have and are going to use them. Maybe this was a sign that I should go with Imagine. I can't wait until vendors are booked. I want to actually begin to enjoy this process. Any advice????

jennbaby Posted: Nov 24, 2002 03:37 PM

Re: Patken review

I booked Patken and so did many other ladies on this site. I have also seen pictures done by them and I find this to be totally untrue. Who told you this?
I also seen ladies post pics on here from Imagine and they are also beautiful!

As for video, I suggest you search around. They don't have to come from one place, but that is personal preference. There are some great video vendors on here. I booked Wild Rose and I couldn't be happier or more impressed.

I, as well as other ladies on here, have chosen over vendors carefully after much consideration, and I am very happy with all my choices.

M&M2004 Posted: Nov 24, 2002 04:04 PM

Re: Patken review

It's possible that the people you spoke of just had the luck to get a bad photographer at that studio. I visited PatKen and although I am not going with that studio the pictures taken by Steve that I saw were beautiful (and really romantic looking). Doug the owner takes beautiful pics too but he is more $$. Vinny has also gotten good reviews.

It seems though that fate is telling you to go with Imagine...

Just my opinion!

Sonicstef Posted: Nov 24, 2002 04:06 PM

Re: Patken review

Here is my advice:

a) Most people on this site have been very happy with Patken but there have been one or two brides who have come on LIW to tell future brides how unhappy they were with their proofs or some other aspect of the photography. Do a search and you MAY find it. Its also possible that the posts were removed from the boards since Patken is an advertiser on this board and LIW is protecting their ad revenue. Doesnt mean Patken is bad or good - just that not everyone is happy so keep that in mind.

b) Understand that everyone has different tastes. There are some people who would look at my wedding photos and think 'yuck, something is out of focus' or 'yuck, the flowers are in the way' but there is an art to photography which means that certain styles of photos call for something to be out of focus or in the way ON PURPOSE. I love that style and would rave about my photogrpaher as a result...but if I didnt like that style I might be unhappy and tell everyone they had made mistakes. My point is that you should consider the source: is the couple who is unhappy have a similiar taste in photography as you do? If so, then take that advice very seriously. If not, then maybe you should try to see their proofs and make your own judgement.

shamma Posted: Nov 24, 2002 04:37 PM

Re: Patken review

I think is a matter of your choice, do not go by what others say. Yes you can take opinions, but in the end you have to be the one to decide. People look at some of our photos and ask why did they cut the heads off? or why is such and such in the background faded out???does that mean it is a bad photo?? no but the photographer wanted to focus on something else. I used Imagine and I loved them. It is your day and you have to decide what you want. You have to be comfortable with your photographer. Do not let anyone else help you make that choice for you, but you and your FI.

Here is the pix that someone said why did they have to cut our heads off. I particularly love this pix

Happy planning

Stacey1403 Posted: Nov 24, 2002 05:12 PM

Re: Patken review

We are using Patken as did most of our friends, NO ONE has had any complaints! I agree with what Shamma said( BTW I too love that pic of yours!) You should go with your gut. So if Imagine is what you think then do it, but you can't go wrong with Patken IMHO!

curly2003 Posted: Nov 24, 2002 05:46 PM

Re: Patken review

I too visited Patken and after consulting with a few people who used them decided against them. I'm sure they are great but my gut was telling me to go elsewhere. Many people here (as mentioned above ) are using them and ARE VERY HAPPY. All you can do is visit and compare and go with who YOU feel would fii into your day, budget and overall style the best. Happy planning.

Jess2 Posted: Nov 24, 2002 05:51 PM

Re: Patken review

I also have an appointment coming up with them, and now I'm getting a little nervous! But, I still want to go and take a look at their work and I guess I'll know for sure after that. I think no matter who the vendor, someone at somepoint may have had a bad experience for whatever reason. So, I guess I'll see if they fit in with what I am envisioning for my wedding.

debbus Posted: Nov 24, 2002 07:31 PM

Re: Patken review

Just needed to throw my two cents in...

I used Patken for our 11/27/02 wedding.
We had Frank for our photographer.
I was totally pleased with everything that day and so far since.
I have a proof book with hundreds of proofs in it and not one has anything wrong with it. Not one single one.
I could have chosen any of the proofs, even at random (not likely!), and had a great album.
Just wanted to let you know.
You have to be comfortable, choose who you like, but don't base you decision on mis-information.
Good luck.

Deb

dubliner Posted: Nov 24, 2002 07:39 PM

Re: Patken review

Pam

I have no experience with Patkin, but if you are having doubts, you sould really consider whether you want to book them, and worry about their reliability all through the wedding.

J&A Posted: Nov 24, 2002 07:47 PM

Re: Patken review

Two of my best friends used Patken (one Doug, the other Steve) and both of their pictures were BEAUTIFUL! Go with who you feel the most comfortable with. Usually, you get a gut feeling and just know. Good Luck!

Pam Posted: Nov 24, 2002 10:17 PM

Re: Patken review

Thanks ladies...I hope I didn't offend anyone by my review. It just came as a shock when we were told this info from family friends. I thought their pictures were nice and they were affordable. Some of the poses I didn't like but they told us that they would work with us. Not sure what I'll do, but I appreciate all your input. It's nice to know that I have a group of people going through the same process (who I can 'speak' to at any time of the day).

jennbaby Posted: Nov 25, 2002 08:24 AM

Re: Patken review

I wasn't offended! I checked every vendor before I booked very thouroughly, including the BBB website. I also viewed their worked and compared it to others.

I know I made the choices that best fit my FH & I!