Same photographer for engagement and wedding?

Jay wrong. My engagement photos? I love previous work by this photographer we were thrilled to book them. I HATED the way they turned out. I had spent months researching them and talking to them. They dropped the ball on so many occasions, especially after we paid nearly $2k for ENGAGEMENT photos only.

I picked my wedidng photographer, met with her and did a mini shoot-for FREE to be sure we all meshed.

I find a lot of your advice horrible actually, and fairly condescending to the brides who would make up your clientele. Yes, you are entitled to your opinion, but I would suggest checking your tone when posting on these forums that can make or break your livelihood.

I loved having our wedding photographer do our e-pics. It gave us a chance to meet and get to know her vibe/style before our big day. Plus, the e-session with her was so awesome now I can't wait for our wedding pics!!!

We vetted our wedding photographer with the e-shoot as well. It's not strange at all in my book. Our photos came out great and the photographer was happy to roll everything into her wedding package after we decided to go with her. Decent photographers will be understanding and flexible. Most importantly, they do what you want. Seeing the e-pics first is not unreasonable at all. You only get one shot at that special wedding moment.

Our wedding photographer's package comes with e-pics. In talking with her, she also indicates that this is a time for us to get comfortable with her, share feedback of what we like/don't like, etc. so even if it wasn't part of the package, I personally would want both done by the same photographer but that is personal preference.

We got a little overzealous when we first got engaged. the same day, my best friend mentioned her sister, a college student, might want to do the epics. we agreed, and before I knew it we had booked her. We did make it clear to her we would hire a professional for the wedding and she understood. I love how our e pics came out and I was able to do my boudoir pics with our wedding photographer. still waiting to see those but she was great to work with!

@Jay moving right on past your condescending tone here. It is completely within reason to vet someone, do your research, pay good money, and be disappointed with either the way you work together, or the final product. It isn't always a case of "laziness, being cheap, or not doing proper due dilligence" on the client's part.

Most of the photographers I refer do the engagement photos too. There are a lot of great reasons for this; you can see how compatible you are with each others' personalities, you get a glimpse of their work, you get to know each other. It's a great dry run.

@Lindsey and wine'osursusrex - thank you! I thought it was just me that found that comment condescending and wrong!

No matter how much research you do and how much you pay, there's still a chance it doesn't work. That's why it's good to do the epics and sort that out before the wedding. I had no intention of having to find another photographer.

BTW - our photographer wasn't "cheap", just marginally less expensive than our first choice. Most good ones here cost between $4k - $5k.

Yes- e-pics really help you get to know your photographer's style and to feel comfortable in front of the camera for the pictures that really matter - your wedding day! It can also reveal potential red flags like terrible posing, bad quality pics, or taking too long to get your pics back so you can ditch and find a new photographer for the wedding if necessary.

@JRo, $2k for engagement photos and we were looking at at least another $5k for the wedding.

Our new photographer whom I love so much better in EVERY WAY possible is only $3200. Without that engagement shoot I never would have known. Their work online was great, I only found good reviews, I got a good feeling from them when I spoke to them. But it was a SHIT SHOW, and we got about 4 good photos I actually like. None in the style which we wanted.

To say I didn't do my work and it is my fault? BULL SHIT.

Part of the reason of the engagement photos are to help you feel comfortable with your photographer(s) and to know how they work. If you feel uncomfortable getting your picture taken, this can help alleviate anxiety. The engagements also give you a preview of the quality of work that you can expect on your wedding day. I've seen several brides on here who decided to change photographers after receiving engagement photos back because they were unhappy with the photos, and the photos which they saw while booking their photographer were the "best of the best" that the photographer had taken and not an entire wedding or engagement that wasn't processed through photoshop yet (there's only so much you can do in photoshop if the photographer doesn't get the angles right or have that artistic eye etc).

However, if you're confident that you'll be happy with your wedding day photos and don't need the engagement shoot to become comfortable in front of your photographer's camera and work style, then feel free to go with another photographer to do the engagements.

I don't think there's a right or wrong answer.

I never meant to be insulting, or condescending, and I'm sorry to make anyone feel that way, it wasn't deliberate but your points are well taken. I know some don't value the experience I bring to the table. Some do, I try but I can't win them all. I don't know a fraction of what most do here about different aspects of weddings. As a niche style wedding photographer, I do know my end of it and capturing human emotion and stories, some of which will not translate to couples with other style photographers and weddings. My advice will be different and can offer something different and different ways of thinking about the orocess.

Sure, of course, vet your providers, but I'm only saying by the time you book them, there should be no doubt that they are the right style for you, and you have every confidence in their work to know they are capable of telling the story in your wedding day, and a pre wedding engagement shoot. A second choice, is bound to leave one disappointed. I care for each of you and am sorry if I was too blunt. I will be diligent about that before posting.

Thank you JRO, that was what I meant.

Jay, let me tell you a story. I had a photographer I loved. Her pictures were stunning. She interned with one of the best photographers in NYC. Her prices were in line with NYC prices, about $2,000 for the engagement shoot. The day of the shoot was fun and awesome. However, in the photos she gave us, my bra strap was sticking out. I had to point it out to her. Luckily FH's SIL's friend is also an awesome wedding photographer. He shot FSIL's wedding, our BM's wedding, and we love him. We hired him for the wedding. Bonus, he's one of the best photographers in NY and has been featured in magazines and such.

My experience is proof that the portfolio isn't helpful. All her wedding photos, engagement shoots, etc., were amazing. However, during the shoot I would at least like you to point out my bra strap is sticking out in shots. If you don't notice then, photoshop it out! She gave me 10 photos, including the one with my bra strap sticking out. That was even the one she released as a sneak peek. She didn't understand why I wouldn't want it showing. She did eventually photoshop it out. Her work wasn't awful. She just wasn't as good as she claimed. FH and I are happy we went another direction.

Photographers cherry pick their portfolio. All do. Having a test run ensures that you mesh and that the photos meet your expectations.

Star, I am sometimes guilty of not noticing every detail when on the job, I think we all are. But the bra strap should have been fixed no questions asked when you pointed it out, fair enough.

OKD, truth!

KD yes you're right.....but looking at sample albums and wedding blogs with a more vast array of photos, and giving a feel for how they tell a story, that will tell you far more than a few cherry picked photos from each event. It's ok for that to draw you in, but there should be more available to you to view before making a serious choice, in one or both of those two forms.

I'll add this, a photographers website should serve two equal purposes...to attract their client looking for their style and approach....and deter those with other expectations. Me being more purist wedding photojournalism, I have to be very clear on that,so those who specifically like that approach will look deeper into my work, and also so others not looking for that approach will be misled.

It doesn't really matter. If you can get a good deal with your wedding photographer, do that. Because then you can get a feel for them. But if it's not a money saver, do two different photographers