Photographer Patken vs. Perceptions, help ASAP Please...?

dimarcs22 Posted: Nov 13, 2009 09:19 PM

Photographer Patken vs. Perceptions, help ASAP Please...?

Hey ladies,
We are having some trouble, trying to decide between photographers: Patken and Perceptions...
Was leaning towards Patken but then I checked the Better Business Bureau website and saw that they'd had two complaints submitted in the last 36 months.. ?
Has anyone used either and what was your experience like? Have you gotten your pics back and were there enough of a variety and all your moments captured?
Because we also can't decide between one or two photographers (of course I want two, just don't think we can afford it)...
Have you found that one really did get all you needed by themselves?
Please help... (supposed to possibly put a deposit on one tomorrow...)

Bee12 Posted: Nov 13, 2009 09:49 PM

Re: Photographer Patken vs. Perceptions, help ASAP Please...?

you are getting married in 10/2010... why are you going to (supposed to possibly put a deposit on one tomorrow...) ????? you have time to keep looking...

especially when you are unsure... obtain feedback or not, it seems you have your doubts...

i would kept looking until you find that photographer you are 100% comfortable with...

LaBellaVita622 Posted: Nov 14, 2009 02:48 AM

Re: Photographer Patken vs. Perceptions, help ASAP Please...?

wow, I have never even heard a negative thing about PATKEN before! my FSIL, all of her 3 SIL's used them along with a cousin in law & also 2 friends of mine & no complaints from anyone..infact that is how I picked them was jsut seeing their proofs, albums, & video. I knew I wanted them from the first day I saw them. No other company has made me think differently either. I say do your research but I perosnally think they are amazing. Our E-Pics are in my ablum if you want to see too

miamimerger Posted: Nov 14, 2009 07:21 AM

Re: Photographer Patken vs. Perceptions, help ASAP Please...?

LOVE LOVE LOVE PERCEPTIONS! Some girls on here say that they are too pricey, but they definitely worked with my very small budget. So far, only glowing reviews from me!

Jtruran Posted: Nov 14, 2009 08:46 AM

Re: Photographer Patken vs. Perceptions, help ASAP Please...?

I loved Patken!! My two sisters and my friend have used them and no complaints from them!!! I'm using them and couldn't be happier!!

Melvin1297 Posted: Nov 14, 2009 10:04 AM

Re: Photographer Patken vs. Perceptions, help ASAP Please...?

did u check DUET? they use 2 photographers and work with your budget. Fm me if u want pricing info. Good Luck!

yubbajr Posted: Nov 14, 2009 10:11 AM

Re: Photographer Patken vs. Perceptions, help ASAP Please...?

Patken did my sister's wedding - and we booked them to do ours. As a budding photographer myself, I have gotten to know Doug, the owner, quite well, and can honestly say I have no qualms about using them whatsoever. I took a class with Doug (he teaches photography and posing around the world - and learned all about their system)

Patken does more than 1200 weddings per year... and so 2 complaints over the past three years would be 2 issues out of 3600 weddings. And it's impossible to know what the real story was about the complaints - so it's quite possible both were unfounded or rectified.

We also looked at Perceptions - and were disappointed with the work of the other photographers they have other than Anthony, the owner. I believe we were told you can't choose your photographer at perceptions.

At Patken - all the photographers are trained in the same style, and at your engagement session (free) they'll match you up with a photographer who fits your personality - or if you have a preference, you can choose one. Go visit with them and see for yourself - and feel free to ask them about those complaints and see what they have to say.

As for variety - with Patken - all of their photographers shoot what is called posed photojournalism, which is their way of guaranteeing that you get a ton of different shots... they set them up to look natural, instead of hoping that those special moments happen on their own. They have it down to a science - enabling them to shoot lots of different poses in a short amount of time. And that's with only one photographer... trust me.. with Patken, you really only need one!

As for the prices - they will work with your budget... Photography really is an investment - and it's the only thing you have when the wedding is all over.

Good luck with your decision and your wedding - if you choose Patken, I'm sure you'll be happy.

Shellymd Posted: Nov 14, 2009 10:33 AM

Re: Photographer Patken vs. Perceptions, help ASAP Please...?

I am a Patken bride. My pictures are in my albums. I used jessie, who I highly recommend, followed by Vinny, John and Doug (but he is more expensive). If you have questions FM me.

Tessie728 Posted: Nov 14, 2009 01:09 PM

Re: Photographer Patken vs. Perceptions, help ASAP Please...?

I was nervous about Patken and posted many questions and concerns about them on the boards, but after seeing many different brides great albums and also having my E-pics done by them I can say that I am very confident they are going to do a good job at my wedding. Also- IIMO a year is NOT too early to book a photographer!!! It is one of the most important things, there are brides that book 2 years out- you dont want to experience not having someone available on your date!

MongieToBe Posted: Nov 14, 2009 02:18 PM

Re: Photographer Patken vs. Perceptions, help ASAP Please...?

I dunno about anyone else at Perceptions but Anthony the owner is AMAZING. My g/f used him and he does beautiful work....Lucy from 7th Heaven used him for her wedding on the Amalfi Coast...can I just say...OMG..INSANE pics.

We went to meet with Anthony the day after we met with Duet. We are getting soooooo much more with Duet for a cheaper price. Also, if we were going with Perceptions, we only wanted Anthony...but he will personally not do the wedding unless you get at least the $5,000 package...which is JUST photo...video starts at an aditional $1,500.

As much as I love his work, Duet is very similar in style and we are getting lots in our package for photo AND video for $5,000. I said we were getting a lot more from Duet and he said, 'Well we are a differnet experience.' So I said, 'How so?' And he said, 'We just are.' SORRY but that is not very convincing. We ended up just going with Duet.

dee1984 Posted: Nov 14, 2009 02:57 PM

Re: Photographer Patken vs. Perceptions, help ASAP Please...?

I'm using Patkens for my July wedding, and am totally pshyched about it. I've seen so much of their work, and it's all amazing. I believe someone said, they do between 1200-1400 weddings a year, so 2 complaints in three years doesn't sound like much to me! I'm totally confident in their work.

JeanetteandMatt Posted: Nov 14, 2009 03:55 PM

Re: Photographer Patken vs. Perceptions, help ASAP Please...?

We booked Patken. My sister used them for her wedding and she had her proofs within a couple weeks. The pictures were beautiful and she had no problems.