will go for it.

Thanks all for giving me the insight on photographers. My brothers friend is indeed a photographer, but I'll make sure to see if he has shot at least one wedding.

Well most of you felt I should go for the free engagement shots. I just hope there are no hard sell tactics included. I phoned this morning and am meeting with this guy next tuesdaynight. I'll let you all know how it goes. In the mean time I'll start phoning more photographers and see the availability for my wedding day. Dec should be no problem.

Is it common for photographers to shoot you for just visiting the studio and reviewing their books?

Thanks again everyone!

Vicki

Re: will go for it.

I would be VERY cautious of this. Maybe some of the other girls have heard of this, but I have never heard of it and I met with a lot of photograhers. This sounds to me like a HUGE scam tatic. Why would a professional photographer, with a good business, just take e-shots for free? But maybe they are just really confident that when you see the photos you will want to book them. Who is the photographer?

Problem with using a friend as your photographer: without a contact you have no recourse should he a)not show up b) not give you your photos and c) take only a few and not what was promised. Also, many halls require insurance by your vendors and he most likely does not have any. What if he gets sick or has a family emergency (stuff like that happens everyday). WHo will take over for him? Does he have professional back-up equipment? Things like that make me very weary of hiring a friend to save money.

Re: will go for it.

I did not even remember the insurance part...good point Michelle. Most if not all halls require that any vendor working on their premises have a million dollars or more insurance...so you might want to look in to that. I do not know about the free e-pix shoot. Make sure this does not lock you in to any kinds of contract.

All the best

Re: will go for it.

I think what other people were recommneding were the free engagement photos that comes with a full wedding photography package. I don't think there is a single photographer worth his salt that would take your engagement photos for free without being booked for your wedding. Why would he? His time is valueable as is his equipment and materials.

Re: will go for it.

Actually there was one photographer that does give you an engagement portrait. gabrielgibsonphoto.com
I saw his work at a bridal expo he will take some digital pictures of you and whoever you go to his office with and give them to you on a CD when you go to look at his work. He didn't seem like the type that would be a hard sell afterwards.

Re: will go for it.

M,

All valid points I had not thought about before. The insurance thing is big!?

I'll get the low down from my brother on all your very good points. What books have you been reading to prepare? There are so many?

The photographer in question is named gabriel gibson. I found one of his cards in wedding pages magazine and he also is listed in the knot where I have been sourcing.

I suppose I'll know more after our meeting on tuesday. He did e mail me some samples which looked good.

Insurance is important and I had not even thought of it! Thanks michele.

vicki

Re: will go for it.

Sonicstef,

You are getting me worried that I am going into a hard sell situation next tuesday. This guy claims it is an all high resolution digital camera so there is no expense other then the CD, which I suppose is a small cost, but probably less then a dollar. I guess I could ask him for refferences? Like couples who had gone by and only had the engagement shots done, and see if they had been hard sold? This is what I'm going to do I think.

Thanks vicki

Re: will go for it.

dcbride,

You met Gabriel Gibson? Have you been to his studio?
I just checked the site you gave, it is the same guy! I can't belive it! Did you meet him? Get the digital session done?
let em know?

Thanks

Vicki

Re: will go for it.

Shamma,

If a contract is not signed then no one can lock you into anything, this I do know I have a girlfrined who is a lawyer whom I just asked. I'm leaving my pen at home!


vicki

Re: will go for it.

I didn't meet him- but he had an assistant or something at the bridal expo in the city. The woman told me that if I went to the studio to look at his work that he would take pictures of me, me and my mom, or me and FH that she said a lot of people use for an engagement picture-- whoever went with me to meet with him. I didn't get the impression that he was going to be a high pressure salesperson. I was going to go but we already met with a photographer that we really liked and e pics are included in the package. I would defintiely go.

Re: will go for it.

PS I don't think it is anything really too formal-- so youmight have to go someplace else anyway

Re: will go for it.

dcbride,

I got a few references and they checked out. He apparently is for real, a no cost session with real studio equipment just for coming by. I'll let you know.

vicki

Re: will go for it.

His pics that we saw were really cool. FI would not go look at anymore photgraphers because he loved one that we had already seen- otherwise we would have gone. Let me knot how they come out.