Am I being too critical of our engagement photos?

A couple more...

You posted this twice just a heads up

Personally, I like the photos and would keep the photographer. The photographer has agreed to retouch the ones you want done. Editing a photo for lighting or focus seems like something that should be done before sending the photos to you. Changing your physical appearance because you don't like your hair seems to be asking too much, but that might just be me. If it helps any, I really like the photos as is.

Ugh, sorry the comment (and apparently post) showed up so many times! I kept getting errors on my laptop and never saw the other post. I'll try to fix it!

I mean that's a lot of "fly aways" to remove. I wouldn't have expected my photographer to fix that. The lighting is off. I would talk to them about your concerns.

Think I got all the duplicates hidden, really sorry about that.

Considering that the background images are 'blurred' I didn't think it would be hard to use a blur tool and blur out those hairs, most notably around the face, out as well. I'm not a photographer by any means, thus why I'm looking for additional suggestions and information.

Our photographer is $2k and several around here are in the $800-1000 range.

He didn't stage us at all, so we did feel awkward for most of the shoot, I now know we need direction as we are normally socially awkward people anyhow.

I think some of those are better than others, but your hair is yours to deal with, not your photog's. If you don't love the photos, you should lose the deposit and find a new one.

I still don't see why your hair is your photographer's problem.

I like them! But i agree with A L C, if you had fly always and what not you should have hair sprayed them down and what not. It's something i wouldn't have noticed until you pointed them out though.

I can understand why you feel how you do- the photos lighting does show all the detail of your hair. Not trying to be harsh but is that just how your hair normally looks? Did you have it done prior or put product to try and control the flyaways? My hair is naturally curly and unruly if I don't put product in it and blow dry it straight every morning. I'm going to get a professional blow out the morning of my engagement photos to make sure I look as good as possible...because I know my hair can get frizzy & a lot of fly aways depending on the air moisture, wind, etc and I wanted to make sure I had professional product in it. You look nice in these but I mean it's kinda like saying "I wore a shirt that showed my bra straps but I don't understand why my photographer didn't edit out my bra straps without me asking".

I really like the photos! I think you both look great!

My hair is super thin, however I did have product in it. I had no idea this is how it was showing up in photos or I absolutely would have changed it! It was windy that day which I'm sure contributed.

Maybe I have too high of expectations, but our photographer offered editing my scar on my face in photos, so I assumed editing the hairs was not out of reach either.

I don't mind some of the fly aways at all, but the up-close photos I think they should be mildly tamed, especially when up against my face.

Perhaps our best route would be to see if we can do another session and see how we like the photos from that one before making a decision and losing our deposit and moving in another direction.

ETA: I probably also need professional hair for that session too.... it was originally lightly curled and sprayed for this session.

Editing a scar and editing hundreds of fly away hairs are VERY different. I don't mean this in a rude way, but I'm not sure you understand what can and can't be easily edited. Offering to edit one thing doesn't mean they can make you look flawless. Your hair is yours to deal with. It's unfortunately not your photogs problem you couldn't tame your hair that day. Editing hair around your face is even harder.... maybe wear it up next time and stay inside. Seems like you have unrealistic expectations.

I like them and think the sun lighting up your hair frames you nicely. I see what you mean but I don't think it's a big deal. Maybe try again with professional styling and then make a decision.

I posted this on your other thread; you have every right to be disappointed in these. The photographer didn't capture any warmth, any emotion any connection between you...your profile photo, which I"m assuming is non pro,is much warmer and more expressive. This just looks like two people in a blurry field.

The stray hairs are the least of it really; the posing is awkward, the lighting isn't managed well,and the cropping is terrible. They honestly don't look like pro photos.

I'd have a conversation before this goes any further, honestly.

I pulled some rando photos from my past clients....

Oh yea there is no way you can expect him to edit out all those flyaways. That's expecting way too much.

Celia hit the nail on the head. The hair isn't the issue I see, it's that these photos seem very staged and don't capture much romance. The second set is nicer, but she should have gotten some candids of the two of you. My favorite photos are the ones our photographer got when we weren't paying attention because they really do show how much we love each other and that's what you want to see with photos. I'd talk to this photographer about your concerns, see if she would offer a reshoot.

I'm not asking for all of them to be edited, I realize that is not possible. What I was hoping for, was for them to be tamed down, blurred into the background some so that they weren't as glaringly obvious as I think they are.

I did this in about 30 seconds on free editing software, they are still there, just more in the background rather than in focus. THIS is more what I'm asking about - not that they be removed.

Not for nothing- but hair is one of the single most difficult things to edit.

My photographer is INSANELY anal retentive about making it clear your hair should be picture perfect when you show up.

She's amazing at her job- but hair is a bitch. and you've got a lot going on there.

NOW- how you and he behave on camera and how they capture that- that's something that can be improved upon- and or you can get someone else.

Do you guys drink? do a shot and uber- or two or three. The sooner you remove the stick from your proverbial ass on camera- the better the shots get - not trying to be insulting- but people get really uptight when a camera comes out. All those insecurities people have- come right on out. So the sooner you can let it go- the better you'll be.

But yeah- the hair- not happening- if you wanted something better- you should have gone to a stylist if that's outside your wheelhouse. (hairs out side my wheelhouse- I pay to have it done for events- so I feel you)

I think the pictures are nice . But I don't think your fly always are the photographer problem. Try some hairspray