RP '07 Board-Patken Brides Help

Hi I know that I don't post much but I am worried. I rerally love allof the pics I see on reviews and I like the artistic style. Everyone on here raves about Patken so my FI and I booked them on our first meeting because Jodi told us they re were already 7 weddings booked on our day so we gave a 500 dollar deposit. She told us to book our e pic shoot because until we did we wouldn't get assigned a photographer. I am not sure if anyone else was told this. Jodi told us that after wehad our e shoot we would go over with the photographer what we liked and what we didin't and then based on our personalities and what we were looking for we would be assigned a photographer and would do another shoot with them. SO I was so excited for mypicsI could hardly wait. The day came and the photographer Evan seemed like he could care less. He set up these bright lights and took 16 pictures of us. He put themon a computer and asked us what one we wanted free and which we would like to order. I liked only 1 of the 16. After I asked when he would ask us about what we liked and he said oh no you don't do that now call us in 4 weeks and well tell you who you get.So what aboutme did you learn that would help you decide who I get on MY WEDDING DAY. It seems like they were trying us out and not the other way around. I'm confused and scared I just gave 500 dollars to them and I wont like my photographer or my pics..help!!! Did make a big mistake??? TIA

We booked Patken but reserved our Photog. We haven't met him yet, but he was recommended by my SIL's best friend. Her pics were beautiful and he had rave reviews on this board. We will have a test shoot with him to make sur ewe are compatible and if we are not ugh we'll have to meet with someone else.

When I called to see if he was available I got the 'There are 3 other couples looking to book him on your date'-speech. I wasn't sure if I should believe it so I waited a day and called back and reserve him.

I get the feeling you're 'just a number' there, but they have good work and they are abig company that has been around for a while, so they must be doing something right. Don't worry too much, just make sure you always let them know what you like/love/hate and are looking for on your day.

Wait... so you take e-pics with a photographer, but not the photographer you're going to have on your wedding day? Then they just call you up and tell you which photog you get? Am I reading that right?

ETA: You HAVE to be comfortable with your photographer, that is so important. I would call them and tell them how you feel.

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Posted by CaMacho

Wait... so you take e-pics with a photographer, but not the photographer you're going to have on your wedding day? Then they just call you up and tell you which photog you get? Am I reading that right?

ETA: You HAVE to be comfortable with your photographer, that is so important. I would call them and tell them how you feel.

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yes it seems backward right? P.S. thanks for your advice

i'm sorry you had a bad experience with that photographer!

i was just at a wedding last weekend, and the bride used Patken--and her photographer was fantastic. I believe it was Vinny. FM GothBride55 on here and ask her about her photog, and see if you can find out if he's booked.

patken really does great work---you might have just had a bad day with that photographer.

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Posted by sunflower13

P.S. thanks for your advice

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You're welcome.
I also agree with MJ... there might be other photographers there that you would like working with more than the one that did your epics.

Thanks everyone, I hope you are right.Maybe I'll see how it goes with my actual photographer and hopefully much better. You guys are the best

Ok.....being that I was a Patken Bride and I went through the whole e-pic shoot let me give my point of view of how I think they go about the photographer selection......

I had Kevin as my photographer for the E-shoot. He was not my photographer for my wedding day . I think what they do is see how you respond to the camera, what poses you are comfortable/ not comfortable with. I was specific with Kevin as to what poses I did NOT want to do for the e- pic shoot. Based on that he could have come to the conclusion that 'John Doe would be perfect for this couple...he seems to be more their style'
After the shoot, we did not discuss the selection process of photographers. I think unless you specifically ask for a photographer, you do not have input as to who you are given. Which makes sense. i was not worried at all cause they came highly recommended and I had very high expectations for whom ever I was given and did not not specify who i wanted for the day of. I couldn't have asked for more on my wedding day! They were amazing! Nick was my Photographer and Ray my videographer. They are both so talented and creative.
If you are not comfortable with not being included in the selection of the photographer, give them a call! I always deal with Nadira at the Mineola office. She is very sweet and has ALWAYS helped me since day one when I booked them (two years before my wedding).
Good Luck!

I just got my E-pics back last night and they were phenomenal! Doug was our photographer for the e-pics and he will be our wedding day photographer as well. (fyi... he does charge a premium).

I called and let them know that I really needed Doug to do our e-pics because my fiance hates having his picture taken and I wanted him to get comfortable with Doug before the day of the wedding so they could learn each other's styles. Doug's schedule is tight, but they made sure they fit us in, which I really appreciated. Thank God, my fiance really liked Doug, and we LOVED the pictures, and I know we're going to LOVE our wedding photos! My fiance and I actually ENJOYED the photo session... laughed through it, enjoyed each other through it... even felt very romantic through it! Doug is AWESOME!

I would stress to them that the personality of the photographer is very important to you for the day of and you would like to make sure you like your photographer that day since - besides your fiance he's the one you'll spend the most time with! Go in ASAP for your e-shoot so you get the pick of the litter! I've heard good things about Steve and Nick. Speak to John in Lindenhurst... he's very nice!

Good luck!