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01/05/2011 02:37:31 PM · #1 |
Hello all!
I recently got engaged to the most wonderful woman in the world, and now I'm on the hunt for a photographer for the wedding. I have been a member of DPChallenge for a long time and I very much value the opinion of the talented individuals on this site.
First, does anyone have any recommendations for photographers in the Connecticut area?
Second, I had an idea of going to a local art college and seeing if there are any about to graduate or recently graduated BFA students who would like the opportunity to build their portfolio. I am a BFA myself and I like the idea of giving back to a local student just starting out.
I would love any feedback or suggestions that you all could give,
Thank you and good shooting!
Dak |
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01/05/2011 02:51:45 PM · #2 |
Sounds like you want someone who's unproven, untested.. COOL! That's awesome - if done correctly you might get something really special.
But... (there always is one isn't there?)... I would seriously consider having them do some pre-wedding portraits of you two, and ensuring that you like their style, processing, and on the job behavior. I'd try to give myself choices too, I'd do this two or three times at least, if money and time permitted... |
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01/05/2011 03:08:01 PM · #3 |
You should hire both  punk_kaos and ByronD. But don't tell one you've hired the other. |
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01/05/2011 03:29:21 PM · #4 |
Originally posted by Strikeslip:
You should hire both punk_kaos and ByronD. But don't tell one you've hired the other. |
I hear that really gets results... |
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01/07/2011 06:41:18 AM · #5 |
why don't you just host a dpc g2g at your wedding? just put some of the money you'd save on photography into providing food and an open bar.
or offer your wedding up as a licensable event...just put some of the language that they put on the back of tickets on the wedding invitation that says the attendees give permission for any photos they are in to be used commercially. |
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01/07/2011 06:43:52 AM · #6 |
Originally posted by Strikeslip:
You should hire both  punk_kaos and ByronD. But don't tell one you've hired the other. |
i actually laughed out loud when i read that |
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01/07/2011 06:54:21 AM · #7 |
Originally posted by coryboehne:
Sounds like you want someone who's unproven, untested.. COOL! That's awesome - if done correctly you might get something really special.
But... (there always is one isn't there?)... I would seriously consider having them do some pre-wedding portraits of you two, and ensuring that you like their style, processing, and on the job behavior. I'd try to give myself choices too, I'd do this two or three times at least, if money and time permitted... |
I think Cory gave you some great advice. If you're going with someone just starting -- try them out first and make sure they can do it. After all, hopefully this is a once in a lifetime event. :)
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01/07/2011 10:18:38 AM · #8 |
I dunno but whatever you do if you want RAW files make sure you specifically ask for RAW files.
We paid a hefty fee for our wedding photographer with the intention of getting everything shot in RAW and having rights to all those files.
We got every shot alright, in "raw" and unprocessed jpegs, straight from the camera.
Not a big deal, but be sure to clarify exactly what you want. |
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01/07/2011 03:46:25 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by coryboehne:
Sounds like you want someone who's unproven, untested.. COOL! That's awesome - if done correctly you might get something really special.
But... (there always is one isn't there?)... I would seriously consider having them do some pre-wedding portraits of you two, and ensuring that you like their style, processing, and on the job behavior. I'd try to give myself choices too, I'd do this two or three times at least, if money and time permitted... |
My fiance and I really are looking for something unique and special, and I think that find someone untested (but talented) is a great way to find a "diamond in the rough". Also I really like the idea of helping a new photographer develop a working portfolio.
The suggestion of setting up "test" portait sessions is a really good idea, it lets us see how adept the photgrapher is at setting up their shots and their level of confidence, thank you!!
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01/07/2011 03:53:53 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by dakmann:
I recently got engaged to the most wonderful woman in the world |
I really hate to be the one to break this to you, Dak, but I recently read and/or heard at least 3 other guys claiming they were going out with her. You might want to question her about it before you set a date. |
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01/07/2011 04:23:36 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by Skip:
why don't you just host a dpc g2g at your wedding? just put some of the money you'd save on photography into providing food and an open bar. |
That's actually a hell of an idea. There's quite a core group of very talented DPCers within easy day-trip range of Middelbury, Connecticut. You should seriously consider it...
R. |
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01/07/2011 04:34:38 PM · #12 |
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
Originally posted by Skip:
why don't you just host a dpc g2g at your wedding? just put some of the money you'd save on photography into providing food and an open bar. |
That's actually a hell of an idea. There's quite a core group of very talented DPCers within easy day-trip range of Middelbury, Connecticut. You should seriously consider it...
R. |
I am sure he was joking - you are hoping everyone who turns up is reasonably dressed, none want to `take control` etc... shudder - it would be horrible. I remember reading about a situation where a bride hired a photographer but then went and invited another pro photographer along for the ride.. I`ll see if I can dig up the thread.
Message edited by author 2011-01-07 16:35:05. |
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01/07/2011 04:51:16 PM · #13 |
Originally posted by Simms:
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
Originally posted by Skip:
why don't you just host a dpc g2g at your wedding? just put some of the money you'd save on photography into providing food and an open bar. |
That's actually a hell of an idea. There's quite a core group of very talented DPCers within easy day-trip range of Middelbury, Connecticut. You should seriously consider it...
R. |
I am sure he was joking - you are hoping everyone who turns up is reasonably dressed, none want to `take control` etc... shudder - it would be horrible. I remember reading about a situation where a bride hired a photographer but then went and invited another pro photographer along for the ride.. I`ll see if I can dig up the thread. |
Hey Simms, want to borrow my huge wooden spoon?? It's great for mixing things up:)) |
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01/07/2011 04:54:44 PM · #14 |
Hey, the guy DID seem open to "alternative arrangements"... My first wife and I basically did exactly that, back in the mid-70's. All the wedding guests had disposable cameras provided by us, which we collected at the end of the reception and processed and printed. Worked great :-)
R. |
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01/07/2011 04:59:44 PM · #15 |
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
Hey, the guy DID seem open to "alternative arrangements"... My first wife and I basically did exactly that, back in the mid-70's. All the wedding guests had disposable cameras provided by us, which we collected at the end of the reception and processed and printed. Worked great :-)
R. |
and now she is your ex-wife. Just sayin. :P |
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01/07/2011 05:06:52 PM · #16 |
Originally posted by Art Roflmao:
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
Hey, the guy DID seem open to "alternative arrangements"... My first wife and I basically did exactly that, back in the mid-70's. All the wedding guests had disposable cameras provided by us, which we collected at the end of the reception and processed and printed. Worked great :-)
R. |
and now she is your ex-wife. Just sayin. :P |
It makes sense to use disposable cameras for a disposable wedding.
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01/07/2011 05:15:28 PM · #17 |
Originally posted by MelonMusketeer:
Originally posted by Art Roflmao:
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
Hey, the guy DID seem open to "alternative arrangements"... My first wife and I basically did exactly that, back in the mid-70's. All the wedding guests had disposable cameras provided by us, which we collected at the end of the reception and processed and printed. Worked great :-)
R. |
and now she is your ex-wife. Just sayin. :P |
It makes sense to use disposable cameras for a disposable wedding. |
That's hitting a little below the belt guys. Besides, it was an artistic statement, don'tcha know? At the time I was a working pro, an exhibiting artist, and teaching at UCSD, where she had been one of my students. So it was a license to be reasonably crazy :-)
R. |
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01/07/2011 05:31:53 PM · #18 |
We're a tough crowd here  Bear_Music. I apologize for the rub.
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01/07/2011 08:02:29 PM · #19 |
Congratulations on your engagement! Its the beginning of an amazing life long adventure.
I live too far away from Connecticut, so below is some objective advice.
The bride from my last wedding project invited 5 of her photography friends to shoot the wedding and I was one of them. Sounded like fund and a good idea at the time. Requested to be the second shooter not the lead photographer as this was intended to be a fun event not work, especially since I focus on sports photography.
Ended up as the lead photographer (not by choice) but everyone else was hiding, until the party. There was one girl who was consistently jumping in the way and taking a picture of me. A bit weird. End result, they only appreciated and received the photos I produced. They really didn't say why but thanked me a million times.
Advice, hire a lead photographer and a few students from the local school. The lead photographer will give them direction, position, and answer their questions. Best of all you will be assured of professional quality at the end of the day. Weddings are fun but very different from most projects.
The most important aspect of your wedding photographer is that you really like them and their style of work.
Good Luck.. |
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01/07/2011 08:11:39 PM · #20 |
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
Originally posted by MelonMusketeer:
Originally posted by Art Roflmao:
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
Hey, the guy DID seem open to "alternative arrangements"... My first wife and I basically did exactly that, back in the mid-70's. All the wedding guests had disposable cameras provided by us, which we collected at the end of the reception and processed and printed. Worked great :-)
R. |
and now she is your ex-wife. Just sayin. :P |
It makes sense to use disposable cameras for a disposable wedding. |
That's hitting a little below the belt guys. Besides, it was an artistic statement, don'tcha know? At the time I was a working pro, an exhibiting artist, and teaching at UCSD, where she had been one of my students. So it was a license to be reasonably crazy :-)
R. |
So, you married one of your students huh? Excellent! |
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01/07/2011 08:25:55 PM · #21 |
Originally posted by coryboehne:
So, you married one of your students huh? Excellent! |
It was a University Extension course, that one; we were the same age. She already had a Masters in Architecture, actually.
R. |
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01/07/2011 08:42:23 PM · #22 |
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
Originally posted by coryboehne:
So, you married one of your students huh? Excellent! |
It was a University Extension course, that one; we were the same age. She already had a Masters in Architecture, actually.
R. |
Apparently Bear was studying the student body. ;) |
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01/07/2011 09:40:04 PM · #23 |
Originally posted by Strikeslip:
You should hire both punk_kaos and ByronD. But don't tell one you've hired the other. |
Its now a requirement in my contracts that you provide an anonymous body drop to keep disagreements quick and clean ;) |
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01/07/2011 11:16:12 PM · #24 |
Whether you like it or not, there are two people who run your wedding (hint - not you or the bride). Your MC and your photographer. They can make or break your wedding. You need someone who has significant experience shooting weddings to be your lead photog - someone who has just about seen it all and is unlikely to be surprised (or worse, panicked) by anything. If your lead photog is cool with the idea, go ahead and open it to students / others - as long as everyone is clear on who the lead is.
Cindy & I did something a bit different with our wedding (besides the bell choir and trumpeter, I mean). Because her folks were from a small church in CT that was attended by mostly older folks that were not comfortable travelling to NY for the actual wedding, we held a small reception in CT after the honeymoon. Cindy got a second chance to wear her dress, and I took some outside pictures (at night, with flash) which turned out pretty cool. Plus, everyone (her mother and her) were much more relaxed.
We won't discuss our wedding photographer - we have such wonderful mementos as "The Martian Bride", "The Bride Who Couldn't Hold It" and "The Groom centered in front of the only window in a brick wall (with half-open curtains)". My wife still (23 years later) won't talk about our wedding photographer. |
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06/05/2012 05:23:53 PM · #25 |
Dtremain is right on target with the MC running the show. The weekend before last my favorite wedding couple had an amazing ceremony and I was excited to be their photographer.
So many complications such as reflected sun glare, brides vial continually blocking her face, and the couple was so physically close together I wish I could just hover above and shoot.
The MC & priest made eye contact and would move back and forth to block the sun and give me a space to shoot from afar. I just loved them! The couple and audience never knew - it was subtle.
Photos delivered and couple is ever so happy. They were surprised on the angles and how I was invisible during ceremony.
Message edited by author 2012-06-05 17:25:55. |
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