I hate my engagement photos. Advice?

I like the second one but the first one looks like a bad photoshop. I didn't read all the comments, did Jay or Rachel weigh in? They are pro photographers with an opinion that can help you a little more than us laypeople.

Agree with most others that the first one is the only one that looks weird. The others look fine. As far as the ones that one of you is "talking", those look natural and it doesn't look like you're talking at all.

I agree the first one looks weird but the other look nice.

If you are still concerned, I would talk with your photographer and explain your concerns. Maybe they could put your concerns at ease.

If you are still feeling uncomfortable, maybe you can look into someone else. Like someone else said though, wedding work is different than engagement work.

For the people wondering what her portfolio looks like it looked great and just the type of photos I wanted. And she posted tons of photos for each shoot she did. When it came to mine she only posted one. She had previously told me how busy she was and I think that she just rushed my photos out and didn't get many good photos in the first place, and that's why she didn't even post my whole shoot.

In my town most of our photographers are just amateurs with camera and a website or Facebook page. So I picked one I thought was an actual professional and I liked the photos on her page, she had done weddings before and even done pictures for my friend which they raved about and looked good.

I understand that those to pictures are the "real us" but I don't want to use these photos on invitations. And almost all of them look badly photoshopped or badly posed. While there are a few I like, like my icon, considering I paid for them, And for a certain amount, I'd like to like more than 2 of them, I understand that I probably wouldn't like all of them in any situation.

I really need to see the choking pic.. just saying

Also- I'm super sorry. If she was that rushed- she should have tried rescheduling.

Honestly- maybe tell her how you feel and ask if she'd consider a redo.. maybe she'll put her best foot forward? Idk

I don't know if it's a stylistic thing that I don't like or if they truly are poor quality, but I would be disappointed too. However, they aren't as bad as you think they are.

I would still use them for engagement photos, because they are really beautiful. However, if you are unhappy, find another photographer for the wedding.

I hated my engagement photos, too! We talked to the photographer and he offered a free redo, but we decided to just end the relationship. We looked so awkward and we felt there was no chemistry between us. He was not cheap and we did like the photos on his site so Im not sure where the disconnect was. I have a friend who is a photographer who is redoing them for us and we've started contacting other photographers for our wedding. It sucks that we are out the money for engagement photos but at least we have time to find someone we like before the wedding! We've asked friends for referrals which we should have done from the beginning! I was surprised by how many people didn't like their wedding photographer !

I don't think they look bad at all, some editing flaws, but that's about it. I think you two look wonderful. I'd suggest calling your photographer and letting her/him know what you like and don't like. Maybe get a reshoot or some money back? I'm not 100% sure on how that works, but if you are unhappy, you should get them fixed or get a re shoot.

If you have a contract, read it over carefully.

Well, if what was delivered to you didn't match the photos you saw of hers in greater detail than cherry picked ones, I think you should talk to her. Wouldn't you do the same if you were regulars at a restaurant and one night the food was really off? First, make sure the style you wanted is what she delivered to others. Be able to explain in detail what was inconsistent and go from there. It just seems really weird to me that any pro would put that out. I've seen worse, but I'd expect better from someone calling themselves a pro. The looseness of that term is getting scary quite honestly.

One of the main problems is that me and FH are rather socially awkward and self conscious, I had to tickle his just to get him to smile which is why my hands are in his armpits in the first photo I moved them after expecting her to get the photo after I finished not of one my fingers in his armpits. So our photos were awkwardly posed because we had no idea what to do and she didn't correct is or move us. In certainly going to go with a different photographer for the wedding and I'm going to try to work with what I have for my invitations and stuff.

I had a couple hire me for their wedding and also did their engagement photos....the groom has aspergers and would not do well with being posed or having the photos staged, so I was their only choice. I gave them a few guidelines before the engagement shoot and about good body and hand placement, and for the most part I gave very little direction throughout the shoot. It was lovely, and it was captured as me being a fly on the wall for their afternoon out. At their wedding, there will be no direction. (except very few posed formals w family) Every photographer has to have their science for that and for it to look natural. It sounds like the approach you want is similar......based on socially awkward references, it would ease the process and make the photos natural. BUT then you don't get every pose you may envision, it's a tradeoff. There should definitely be some preparation beforehand with the photographer so the mood matches the vision of both of you. Even if direction throughout the shoot is minimal. It sounded like she cut corners or didn't explain her approach. (or lack thereof)

I honestly don't think the last 2 are bad. Some of my favorite shots of H and I at our wedding are the candid shots. We're not good at staged photos and just look awkward, so it's nice to have candids mixed in. The first one looks super edited though. I would use them as e pics still, but if you're unhappy with them in general maybe keep looking for a wedding photographer. Make sure to check their blog and look at a lot of samples before choosing to make sure you like their style.

Maybe they will grow on you! I have gone through all the phases w/ our wedding photos, first I loved them, then I hated them and was completely disappointed, now I really like them. Granted there are things I wish our photog captured that she didn't (she forgot our must have shot list..grrr).

I would def check out their wedding portfolio. If you aren't confident in using them for the wedding, I'd choose someone else for the big day!

I agree with many of the PP's. The first one is pretty bad (editing wise) but the others aren't bad at all.

I would walk away from them for a day or two and then look at them again. It took me a little while to like some of mine. You can also talk to her about the editing and ask if she can give them another look. Just stress that she can take her time with them and that you'd rather wait a little long if that's necessary.

I suspect that this a case where she cherry picked the best and published those. I almost booked a photographer and thankfully someone online said about asking for a full gallery. The difference was pretty shocking and I really dodged a bullet. Since you have a little time, I would ask her to edit again and then if you're still not feeling them then tell you're going in a different direction.

Could you ask for the photos unedited?

I agree with others that the first one looks kind of weird. I would say talk to your photographer about what you do not about the photos and go from there.

I have asked her for the enedited photos, I'm just waiting for a response.