Was this your experience with a photographer?

Question

Just wondering as this seems a tad strange to me.

One of my daughters is getting marrried (the 1st). I have been looking at photographers long distance - looking online and trying to get suggestions from people. One photographer contacted me and wants to set up a preliminary meeting for me to see their work. They said that they meet their clients throughout the area in coffee shops - where ever is most convenient to the client - thus being so the client doesn't have to travel much. I can pick a spot and they'll meet me there.

Well, like I said, this is my first experience with this. But I was assuming we'd be going to the photographers business to look at their work, not meeting in a coffee shop - seems like a red alert to me. I prefer doing business (even just preliminary), at a place of business not a coffee shop. Sure, I know I can say I want to come to the business, but I'm wondering if it's just better to by-pass this one. Comments about this?

While I'm on the subject, how did you go about picking a photographer- what things did you ask (or wish you that you had known about looking back). What things did you find you absolutely needed included and what could have been avoided.

What is a typical amount of time and did you have 1 or 2 photographers there (I'm thinking it depends on the size of the wedding)

Thanks much for any help!

Answer 1

That's totally normal. Keep in mind that many photographers who just do weddings may not have a studio, because they have no need for one (they only shoot pictures on scene at weddings, so a photo studio would be an unnecessary expense). The only "office" that they may have might just be a place for storage and for developing their photos, which isn't really a great place to meet. Our wedding photographer doesn't have a studio where she meets clients - she meets people at coffee shops or at their own homes. And let me assure you - her work was FANTASTIC!!

Answer 2

We met our officiant in a coffee shop and she has been the most professional and accomodating member of our wedding vendors.  But as you prefer to meet your photographer at their business, why don't you ask them if you can do that?  They may work out of their home (many photographers do, and tend to have more reasonable rates), but if they have an office and you'd prefer to see it, go for it!  Just be flexible if they work out of the home - that is not a red flag.  To pick a photographer, I asked the questions from the "Bridal Bargains" book by Denise and Alan Fields.  I found it an invaluable part of my wedding planning.  Older (equally good) editions are at your local library.

Answer 3

:)

I actually met several photographers and my videographer at a coffee shop.  They all brought along sample albums, pictures, etc for me to look at it.  I guess it's just a nice informal way of meeting.  Alot of the people I looked at did this from their home, so they didn't have an actual studio or office.  As long as they bring sample work and you can view their photos, I say it's no big deal.

I picked the wrong photographer.  Ask about their style of taking pictures.  Do they want you to request what pictures to take or do they just go for it.  I was so upset with this lady, she took pictures, sure.. and lots of them.. but for instance, my dad's parents were in the big family portrait, but then not one single pic of them afterwards.  I wanted a pic of me with them and me being the bride being caught up in all the excitement, I couldn't sit there and tell her what I wanted.  I missed out on a lot of GREAT pictures because she just plain sucked.  I was sad there were not more pics of me with my friends... I understand the wedding day was about me and my husband, but it seemed like she just focused on US... no one else and it hurt looking back at pics and not seeing family and friends.  Ask if they use digital.  Ask how they develop them, if you can have the negatives and copyright release (those are GREAT to have).  Ask how many photographers and how many cameras she/he will have.  Just make sure you look through several albums they have already done, it helps get an idea of their style.  I debated between 2 people and I really had my heart set on the first one, but the one I picked ended up being cheaper. Don't do that! Go with your heart!!!! ;) Good luck!!!

Answer 4

I live in Louisville, KY. Around here a lot of photographers and DJ will do meet you some were since they are will to travel with in the state. I haven't meant with any yet. My vow renewal isn't until 2010.  

Answer 5

We found our photographer through a friend who used her for her wedding. We also met at a shop, not at her business. We asked her for sample pictures and she also showed us a slide show of other weddings she has done. We went over prices and we told her exactly what we wanted and she came up with a price we liked.

~MLF~

Answer 6

It really depends on the photographer. A photographer may really work for a company, but still does most of his work from home. Not all photographers have studios and whatnot because leasing a space for things they can do from home is a bit costly. Meeting up at a coffee shop is just fine. I wouldn't have an issue with it at all as you have to understand they might not have an official office, besides their home office, and I'm sure they'd rather you not go to their home either.

We picked a photographer based on the pictures we saw they'd done, the albums they had put together and their price. We had one photographer for most of the day and evening. The photographer came to my home to take shots at the house, and then went to the hall and was there until the end.

Answer 7

The photographer we ended up going with , we drove an hour to her home, we didn't care but alot of the photographers we met with DID meet us at a coffeeshop. They come to you basically. They bring a laptop and they're work with them. I picked the photographer after meeting her, finding out she wasn't psycho (our first photographer was psycho and we didn't know, she called my hubby and I fat whales and she wanted to beat the c**p out of me and she actually wanted to show up at the wedding and tell everyone she slept with my hubby. She had a criminal record (she still has her business though) she had a restraining order against her for punching a woman in the face).

Our photographer gave us a discount on our package because we worked with their local cake lady as well...then she gave us 150 dollars off of our package ALSO because thats what we lost with the other photographer.

She did a great job.

As far as the coffee shop thing, it IS totally normal. We met all of them but our photographer at a Starbucks....we chose the one we didn't meet there because she gave us a great deal. We had one photographer and she gave us all day, make sure you find someone with no time limit. :)

Answer 8

Before you write them off, ask to meet at their place of business. Even if its a home office or little room at an office park, they could be great.

And if they reply sounding like they would rather not meet you in their place of business, then I would not meet them at all-- it probably means theyre running it out of their messy living room or something!

Answer 9

We met our photographer at a coffee shop and had a wonderful experience with him. You have to take into consideration that not every photographer works out of a studio. Some work from home or have no need for a studio because they do weddings as more of a side job or a hobby. Our photographer told us he used to have people come to his home but he has a dog, and one time a client was allergic. So that's why he meets at coffee shops not.

Our photographer worked mainly in marketing and did weddings as a side job. But he was fantastic at it. Before even meeting with him I checked out his website. I read through his contract and new exactly what i would be getting. I also viewed his portfolio online which made me want to choose him even more. He displayed multiple weddings that he has done, so we knew we would get wonderful work from him.

We only had one photographer and we had him for about 8 hours. He was there before the ceremony, during the ceremony, after, and at the reception.  

Make sure you let the photographer know what types of pictures you want and if you have any in particular in mind. And if there are specific family members that are a must have in pictures.. sometimes with all the commotion even the bride and groom forget that they wanted to take a picture with a specific person.