Brides Helping Brides ™ - Photograher Info needed -- Brett Mathews, Creative Compositions or Jovon???

Annieb Posted: Feb 11, 2003 09:49 PM

Photograher Info needed -- Brett Mathews, Creative Compositions or Jovon???

These are the photographers that are suggested by our reception hall...do any of you know anything good/bad about them? Also, if anyone has used them who did you work with and did you like them? I want to know who i should make an appointment with. THanks girls...i really appreciate your help

sept20yay! Posted: Feb 11, 2003 09:52 PM

Re: Photograher Info needed -- Brett Mathews, Creative Compositions or Jovon???

I am going with Creative Compositions... Jovon I know does wonderful work, but I have heard not great things about customer service after you sign up and after the wedding.... CC is a first class place and I met with the actual photographer who won tons of awards..

sept20yay! Posted: Feb 11, 2003 09:53 PM

Re: Photograher Info needed -- Brett Mathews, Creative Compositions or Jovon???

For cc, see Steve or Ernie... At Jovon, see
Telmo and Beth for photojournalism.

Annieb Posted: Feb 11, 2003 09:56 PM

Re: Photograher Info needed -- Brett Mathews, Creative Compositions or Jovon???

HI...thanks for responding so quick!!! Who is the photographer you met with? I want to make sure that i make an appointment with the right person!!! Also, if you don't mind me asking, were they very expensive?
Thanks in advance for your help

Annieb Posted: Feb 11, 2003 09:57 PM

Re: Photograher Info needed -- Brett Mathews, Creative Compositions or Jovon???

sorry...i just read your second post now!!
What is photojournalism?

sept20yay! Posted: Feb 11, 2003 09:58 PM

Re: Photograher Info needed -- Brett Mathews, Creative Compositions or Jovon???

yes - they were expensive.... I got a 72 pic huge beautiful album though, 2 parent albums, some extras, an e shoot and three photographers! I get everything pretty quickly! and this is a first class small operation compared with Jovon. They are known for traditional photos.

sept20yay! Posted: Feb 11, 2003 09:59 PM

Re: Photograher Info needed -- Brett Mathews, Creative Compositions or Jovon???

photojourn is not what I love, but it is the black and white candid captures- unposed....

Sonicstef Posted: Feb 11, 2003 10:01 PM

Re: Photograher Info needed -- Brett Mathews, Creative Compositions or Jovon???

Just FYI: 'recommended' vendors pay to be on a receptions halls preferred list and sometimes even get a % of your package kicked back! Since you are paying a premium for those sorts of costs - you may want to consider looking at vendors that are not on that list.

Valenia Posted: Feb 11, 2003 10:03 PM

Re: Photograher Info needed -- Brett Mathews, Creative Compositions or Jovon???

I visited all three photographers you are considering (along with another bunch) and I chose Creative Compositions. Creative Compositions is a small studio, so who you make your appointment with doesn't really matter. They are a tight team and will all treat you well. Steve and Ernie are the co-owners, and both amazing photographers. For my wedding which was in June, Steve was my main photographer and Ruth (who is fabulous!) was the photojournalist. Let me know if you have any detailed questions about them.

Jovon has become a bit of a factory. They have some very talented photographers, but the studio in general can be very difficult to work with. (A friend from high school used them, and was unhappy with how they treated her after the wedding.)

B rett M atthews also has some very talented photographers, and pretty pictures, but the photos had a different feel then at Creative Compositions. I prefered CC, but you should see both to judge for yourself. I would also do a search on the boards -- I remember a post where someone was very unhappy with their engagement photos from B rett M atthews.

sept20yay! Posted: Feb 11, 2003 10:06 PM

Re: Photograher Info needed -- Brett Mathews, Creative Compositions or Jovon???

I agree with what stef said... but here is the good thing. these vendors go with the first class places you chose to have the wedding. they are the house photog for oheka, carlyle and amazing places! They don't let those brides down therefore and are ultre familiar with the place.... Oheka would not have a second rate photog. associate with their name.... There are many photogs that want to be on that list. if oheka refers them, they' re the best on the Island!

Sonicstef Posted: Feb 11, 2003 10:16 PM

Re: Photograher Info needed -- Brett Mathews, Creative Compositions or Jovon???

Sept - I dont think that being on the recommended list gaurantees quality (although Im sure Creative Compositions and all of the names on that list are excellent - im just speaking in generalities). There is simply a price associated with being on these lists in most cases. If a vendor can cough up enough $$, they will be put on the list. (In fact, I know a girl who booked a well known vendor recommended by a very upscale reception site. Not only was the vendors' work substandard, but the reception site that recommended them told her they were 'very sorry about her experience but buyer beware' They were not at all persuaded by their more than unprofessional behavior to remove them from the list)

My point is - being on that list IMPLIES that the reception hall recommends them because they are good when in fact, most reception sites recommend vendors because they are paid to do so. Just because they are on the list does not mean they are good, just that they pay for client referrals. Equally noted, being on the list does not mean they are bad either.

Nothing against any one vendor - as i said, im sure these photographers are quite good - I just personally resent having to pay extra for a vendor purely because they ahve to pay a reception site a fee.

The point of my post is just to make everyone AWARE of this somewhat hidden fact of the industry so they can make educated decisions.

Valenia Posted: Feb 11, 2003 10:19 PM

Re: Photograher Info needed -- Brett Mathews, Creative Compositions or Jovon???

Sonicstef - Do you think that cost is passed along just to brides who book at that particular hall? It seems more likely that they would spread the expense across all the weddings that they do, as with any advertising. I never worked in the industry though, so I have no idea... just curious!

Annieb Posted: Feb 11, 2003 10:31 PM

Re: Photograher Info needed -- Brett Mathews, Creative Compositions or Jovon???

I don't think that a vendor charges you extra because of these fees...in fact, i have gone to recc. vendors that have given me a discount from what i know others paid because i they were a house vendor and appreciated all the business that resulted from that.

I do agree that you have to be wary about recommended vendors but, that being said there are many pluses to using a suggested vendor. First, they are more eager to please because they know if they dissappoint you that you will complain to Oheka who retains the discretion to eliminate them. ALso, they are familiar with the location and set-up and can offer more because of this.

I also have to say that i trust oheka's suggestions because i have spoken to my banquet manager there and not only did he use them for his wedding but so did the owner's daughter...i truly believe that they have faith in their suggestions and are not just doing it for the kickbacks...they stake their rep on being an upscale place and don't want the vendors they suggest to ruin it!

Thanks for all your help and support ladies

merf99 Posted: Feb 11, 2003 11:09 PM

Re: Photograher Info needed -- Brett Mathews, Creative Compositions or Jovon???

Hi. I am using Jovon and so far have been happy with them. Even after I signed and have had alot of questions I always get a call back quickly. We looked at Creative Compositions too and really liked them but we got a better deal with Jovon and they also did video. I think both are very talented so I would look at both places and see which one you get along with better.

EvenEdan Posted: Feb 12, 2003 01:43 AM

Re: Photograher Info needed -- Brett Mathews, Creative Compositions or Jovon???

Hello,
After visiting nine photographers I finally chose B rett M atthews. I never met with Creative Compositions, but I did meet with Jovon, I thought their work was beautiful and the consultant who met with us was very nice, but in the end I chose B rett M atthews because I preferred their work and I was getting more for my money. Jovon was in the same ballpark, but I was not getting as much included. I think each of the three are worth checking out, but don't limit yourself to just those options, check out as many as you can! You will know when a studio feels right for you.

Snowboardgirl Posted: Feb 12, 2003 09:12 AM

Re: Photograher Info needed -- Brett Mathews, Creative Compositions or Jovon???

I also chose B rett M atthews. They gave us more for the money for great quality. As for the hirl who had a bad experience with her engagement photos, there is always at least one person who had a problem with every vendor, so don't let one person's bad review steer you in another direction. Also, B rett M atthews has a more than one photographer, one of wich I thought was definitly not as good as the others. This may explain why someone had issues with them.

good luck!

ps. We are using John and his assistant. He is so nice and energetic, and very talented!

karen0119 Posted: Feb 12, 2003 09:56 AM

Re: Photograher Info needed -- Brett Mathews, Creative Compositions or Jovon???

Annie - I think we have chatted about this. We went with Creative Compositions as well and got married at OHEKA. I just think they were a lot more personal and gave us more for our money and flexibilty with what we wanted. We had Ernie as our photographer, Ruth as our photojornalist and then there was an assisitant. They were all great and patient and VERY famliar with all the great locations to take amazing pictures at OHEKA. As soon as I get my proofs I will try to post some for you to see. In terms of pricing I believe they will work within your budget when you tell them what your budget is, but yes they are on the high side. Although they are a recommended vendor, I would like to believe that a place like OHEKA would not stake their reputation on a vendor that they did not feel was reputable regardless of the kickbacks. And you are right the owner of OHEKA's daughter used CC - that is the book they will show you at CC.

HappyEverAfter Posted: Feb 12, 2003 10:05 AM

Re: Photograher Info needed -- Brett Mathews, Creative Compositions or Jovon???

IMO, its a tough call to judge on a studio, because each one has many photographers all of whom do different work in different styles. To me, its most important to sit an meet with the actual photographer who will be photographing your wedding. You can go w. a great studio with a great reputation, but if the photographer is not the best, it doesnt matter. I say go to all three, and look at their books. When you see a style you like, ask to meet w. that specific photographer. I have heard lots of reviews of the studio I am using, both good and bad, but the reviews of the photographer and photojournalist have been positive. I think that is most important. Good luck!

Teri Posted: Feb 12, 2003 10:30 AM

Re: Photograher Info needed -- Brett Mathews, Creative Compositions or Jovon???

I used B rett M atthews for my wedding last October - we were really happy with our pictures (do a search - I posted a TON!) We used John, and 2 assts (rob, and someone else) We had heard of a few mixed comments, but were always confident in John. As someone else mentioned, there are a few different photographers there, and not everyone wants the same thing. We just sat down to do our album, and they were very helpful - it's going to be gorgeous - I can't wait to see it!!

Jill914 Posted: Feb 12, 2003 06:11 PM

Re: Photograher Info needed -- Brett Mathews, Creative Compositions or Jovon???

Creative Compositions was recommended to me by a friend of mine from work. Can anyone give me some info on them and do they do their own video or have someone that they refer?