Hiring a wedding photographer

I am in the process of choosing a wedding photographer. I have seen a lot of portfolios and like some of the post production that is being done nowadays.

My main question is will the photos look dated years from now? "Oh look there is the effect they were using in the early 2000's"

I am thinking of asking the pro photographer to give me her files before she does "post" and after too.

I find that most photographers will now let you have all the files so you don't have to go through them for printing. They charge more for this, of course, but it's worth it to me to have the files.

Comments from members on this board are appreciated.

IMO, yes, over-processing will look dated. Of course everything in wedding photos date so whether the processing or not matters, is up to you. You can always ask them to stick to natural or B/W processing.

>>I am thinking of asking the pro photographer to give me her files before she does "post" and after too

Not too many established pros will want to do this. Buying the files usually buys you printing rights to the large JPGs after the photographer has selected the picks and done the edits. Releasing 'non-edited' work to a client is not a good idea as that is your name attached to it. I don't think anyone normally gives out ALL the files before processing.

There's tons of photographers who shoot in a way that might be dated one day and there's tons who shoot in a very timeless manner. Just find someone you like and go with them, I'd say

For photographers, I usually don't mind giving them RAW images - but I still process them and the RAW's aren't ever allowed to be shown publicly (i.e. Facebook, on blogs, etc). Only my images with my processing can be shown publicly. But for their own private use? I usually don't mind. Most photographers that are proven to be respectable and talented don't do this, I've found, however. Tons of people who aren't proven do it -- as they'll do anything to get work.

Keep in mind, they have to be REAL photographers for me to hand over such files - not people who just own a dlsr

Hope that helps!

Bobby

Thanks guys. That helps. My fiance likes this woman's work and I do too but the post she does has me thinking the stuff will look dated.

I do get the feeling this woman is sort of "up and coming." Another photographer we spoke--who had a lot more experience-- with wouldn't sell the files until a waiting period has passed.
Both photographers seem to use a lot of post. (I don't think my fiance even knows what post is--LOL)

The "up and coming" photograher (5 years experience) says she can give me the images with "color correction" or with no "color correction."

In the work that I do, (I shoot photos for a hospital that wants no post at all) it's simple and straightforward.

I am thinking of hiring the artsy photographers and lending my camera to my buddy that day and having him take some "documentary" type shots that day. Nothing fancy, just straightforward pics for history's sake.

What do you think?

Trackerxx wrote in post #8875816
What do you think?

Just hire me

Seriously though, I think you can TOTALLY find a photographer who's work is legit AND you enjoy their post work. You're in California and there are TONS of photographers who are extremely consistent/talented that shoot all different types. I think if you hire a photographer who you aren't into (their PPing, at least), that you'll be a little bummed later.

So I think you can get BOTH - PPing you like and good photography

Bobby

p.s. how freaking hard is it choosing a photographer for your wedding when you're a photographer?! I wasn't a photographer when I got married -- so I wonder how freaking difficult it would have been to choose my photographer now days

Bobby, It's tough. I have the feeling I'm being too picky.

The finalists we have chosen are good photographers. I might just trust them and enjoy the experience.

BTW, I like your website and your post stuff. In some you didn't use a lot and the photo speaks for itself....just good composition, a lot of natural light, and good timing.

Thanks!

Yeah, if you're being too picky, that's something to totally consider. I'd say go with whoever you trust to do things their way - because you like their way... if that makes sense

Bobby

If you're concerned about the processing of your photos looking dated have you given due consideration to what you'll both be wearing and your hair styles?

Things go out of date. Pick a photographer that processes their images the way you like them now.

I would just go with the photographer that you feel most comfortable with and you like their style.
I dont do a lot of PP but when I do I always give the clients both...the artistic PP and the same photo just colour corrected as jpg.
I do not give the raw files (most of my clients wouldnt even know what a raw file was.)
My tip...once you have chosen your photographer......just enjoy you day and let him or her do their thing.
Goodluck Val

If you feel like you're the picky kind, then don't hire an artsy photographer. It seems to me you're more into straight-forward photos, as you seem to enjoy the photos you take at the hospital you work at.

Good advice guys. I basically take photos that are used in the newspaper. So I think I'd like something a little more elegant for my wedding photos but not overdone. I hope that makes sense.

If anyone is interested I could PM the name of the photographers to anyone who is interested in giving me an honest critique. This way you can simply google them and look at their site as anyone else would.

I will say the photographers that are our finalists are all good and having the "pros" on this site give me their opinions would be excellent.

We live In San Francisco so if you have personal experience with a good wedding photographer in the Bay Area please let me know.

Thanks again.

IMO it is a bit in poor taste to put up another photographer's site for peer review. I would PM some of the experts in this forum for their opinions in private.

A bride of mine put my website up on bride-oriented wedding forum, asking if she should choose me or not.

I didn't mind one bit. For each person who didn't like my work there were probably 10 who did. If I had problems with people talking about my work behind my back, my website wouldn't be so Google-friendly.

Do you think I will have trouble finding a photographer that is willing to give me the raw files (after post of course). Bobby said he would do it so I may just hire him

Trackerxx wrote in post #8883608
Do you think I will have trouble finding a photographer that is willing to give me the raw files (after post of course). Bobby said he would do it so I may just hire him

Just hire Bobby. He's a great photog.

Most won't give the raw files. I don't.