Wedding *Peridot83* or anyone else with photography opinions

[Sparkalicious]

Peridot83 - You were SO helpful with your analysis of the photographer''s I listed in my other thread.
I think that that, as well as the other wonderful suggestions for photographers from other PS members, was exactly what I needed. We have several really good ones that we are consulting.

Would you be able to assist again? Pretty please.

I really love a lot of this photographer''s stuff and would be interested in thoughts anyone who is either photography inclined or simply has an opinion has to share.
Sorry to bother but I''m just not really good with this stuff and appreciate the objective and possibly even trained eye''s assessment as I''m really trying hard to get this "right".

I just seem to love them all.


http://www.kellychandler.com/blog/category/wedding/

http://www.kellychandler.com/wedding.php

or this one

http://www.valwestoverphotography.com/index2b.php

Who do you think is "better" and why?

THANKS SO MUCH for your time!!!!

 

[FacetFire]

I prefer the second. They are both very talented technically. However, I think that the first one shows mostly posed fashion-type shots and isn''t as good at capturing the moments as they happen. The second has better photojournalistic/emotion shots and still maintains really high-quality posed shots also. I would go for the second.

 

[Sparkalicious]

Thank you, FacetFire. I adore your ring ... I just had to throw that in there.

I appreciate your feedback as it allowed me to go back and revisit each photographer''s pictures from a more critical point of view. Not difficult considering that my "critique" has pretty much just consisted of "oohh ... pretty" so far.

I''ll reserve my impressions/thoughts for a little bit later though just in case some others wish to voice theirs.

I remember reading somewhere that you are a photographer so I do value your opinion, especially as it is one coming from a professional.

 

[surfgirl]

Spark, you asked me to look on this thread and honestly, I dont care for either of these. They''re both really theatrical to my eye. I have a BFA and MFA in photography and I''m usually not a photo journalist with my own work however, I do think that photo journalistic style is awesome for weddings because it''s not staged or phony looking, you know what I mean? I know some people adore the theatrical thing and that''s great, it just depends on your own aesthetic tastes...If you like theatrical, then I prefer the first one, but honestly, neither feels "real" to me in terms of capturing the spontaneity of a wedding day.

 

[peridot83]

IF I remember correctly, both these photographers are more just straight on, straight forward with their shots and processing than the photographers you were looking at last time (the ones from before had a very "artsy" making the focus v. soft, purposefully making things grainy, croping or focusing on the non-traditional areas of a photo).

I really like Kelly Chandler''s portraits and sense of color, everyone looks v. flattering and the colors pop. She poses the couples well and they seem to be having fun. As faccet fire mentioned, she doesn''t seem to get many candid shots (but who would know since she doesn''t have a whole wedding up on her website??)

Val Westover, has a mix of candids & posed, I''m not as drawn to either for some reason...and who knows if he''s actually better at getting candids than Kelly''s cause he doesn''t seem to have a whole wedding ot look at either.

Both are competent photographers. I''d ask to see afull portfolio of one wedding before making any judgments. As to the "arstsyness" "traditional v. nontraditional" "candid v. posed" shots, those are more style decisions that you''ll have to decide on your own

 

[Sparkalicious]

Date: 7/25/2008 7:55:43 PM
Author: surfgirl
Spark, you asked me to look on this thread and honestly, I dont care for either of these. They''re both really theatrical to my eye. I have a BFA and MFA in photography and I''m usually not a photo journalist with my own work however, I do think that photo journalistic style is awesome for weddings because it''s not staged or phony looking, you know what I mean? I know some people adore the theatrical thing and that''s great, it just depends on your own aesthetic tastes...If you like theatrical, then I prefer the first one, but honestly, neither feels ''real'' to me in terms of capturing the spontaneity of a wedding day.

Honesty - fantastic! I knew that I could count on you for that, that''s why I asked.
Okay ... I guess I should have known you had an eye for photography - look at your amazing ring pics!!

I love the photojournalistic style for weddings as well. I love it when a image captured by a photographer can evoke the emotion that the subject was actually experiencing in that moment. It''s just so engaging. Optimally, I would like to have a photographer who is able to achieve a perfect balance between pure photojournalism (i.e., just capturing the moment - regardless of whatever else is going on and whether that would be considered visually appealing or not etc) and glamour, so to speak, because I can''t think of a better description. Essentially a mix between real & beautiful.

I don''t mind some posed pictures but in these pictures, I would prefer if the photographer was able to capture them in a way that everyone looked comfortable as opposed to awkward.

There is no denying, I do have theatrical tendencies (I''m a Leo, for goodness sake!!) and fancy myself a bit of a glamour girl

, which may explain why I am drawn to these two photographers and would love some fun candid posed pictures, however, I would definitely like "real" on my wedding day too. I want those important memories to be captured and as beautiful 20 years from now as they were in the moment that they were shot. To me, it just feels as though those pictures would mean so much more than the fun posed ones.

Thanks for your opinion! Seriously - all of this "stuff" is not really important to a lot of people so I appreciate you taking time out of your day to honestly share based on what you know and your own individual preferences. Your thoughts and objectivity are going to assist greatly when it comes time to try and pick the "right" photographer for us.

 

[Sparkalicious]

Date: 7/25/2008 7:57:35 PM
Author: peridot83
I really like Kelly Chandler''s portraits and sense of color, everyone looks v. flattering and the colors pop. She poses the couples well and they seem to be having fun. As faccet fire mentioned, she doesn''t seem to get many candid shots (but who would know since she doesn''t have a whole wedding up on her website??)

Val Westover, has a mix of candids & posed, I''m not as drawn to either for some reason...and who knows if he''s actually better at getting candids than Kelly''s cause he doesn''t seem to have a whole wedding ot look at either.

Both are competent photographers. I''d ask to see afull portfolio of one wedding before making any judgments. As to the ''arstsyness'' ''traditional v. nontraditional'' ''candid v. posed'' shots, those are more style decisions that you''ll have to decide on your own

Peridot!! Thanks for seeing your page and coming on over!

I think that the points you mention about Kelly Chandler are what draw me to her photography. I agree, all of her brides look happy and beautiful. I would like this to be how I look on my wedding day, thus, I think that this is the connection I make - A photographer who can make all of her brides look flattering AND have fun taking pics on their wedding day is the one I want, right?

So horrible & naive, isn''t it? I''m sure that there should be professional criteria and skill that I should be seeking out, however, I am having difficulty honing my professional photographic eye.

I find it troubling that she doesn''t have many candids, however, there is an entire wedding displayed via one of her slideshows on her blog - Britni and Rashawd. I liked a lot of the pictures she took and found that I got a good sense of the day from that slideshow so that is good, right?

I think that you actually hit the nail on the head - the difficulty I''m having is probably more related to trying to figure out which style we would like to go with more so than really the talent of the photographers.

I will definitely ask to see an entire wedding album so as to make sure that we are not making decisions based on any photographer''s "best" shots.

Thanks again! I will keep you updated, if you would like to know what we decide.

 

[peridot83]

Took a look at the slideshow, which confirmed I like Kelly chandler way more than val westover. While she had a clear emphasis on posed pictures, she also had a good mix of candids, and the colors and clarity of the pictures were just much more flattering to my eye than Val Westover.

Please keep us updated on your photography decision making process!!! I am super curious about who else you come across and how those meetings go!

As to photographic eye, what looks good to YOU is most important, beyond that (and i'm just an amateur so, i'm sure some of the professionals can jump in)...

1. are they able to focus on elements, and let others fade away? Or is everyone and everything clear in every shot?
2. capturing things from an interesting point of view (i.e. through a car window, through a windchime, from up above, in a reflection (mirror, sunglasses, etc.) or even better something I can't think of =P)
3. lighting & coloring: do you like a faded vintage look or everything bright & popping like a vacation brochure? Also how much do you want in B&W as to color? How do you like shadow?
4. Are things in focus or blurry? Especially important in difficult lighting situations...like a reception at night. On the other hand, are things TOO in focus, the photographer doesn't bother to deal with lines & blemishes
5. How are things put in the frame? Is everything always, in the front & center of the photograph?

 

[Sparkalicious]

Date: 7/25/2008 10:40:54 PM
Author: peridot83
Took a look at the slideshow, which confirmed I like Kelly chandler way more than val westover. While she had a clear emphasis on posed pictures, she also had a good mix of candids, and the colors and clarity of the pictures were just much more flattering to my eye than Val Westover.

Please keep us updated on your photography decision making process!!! I am super curious about who else you come across and how those meetings go!

As to photographic eye, what looks good to YOU is most important, beyond that (and i''m just an amateur so, i''m sure some of the professionals can jump in)...

1. are they able to focus on elements, and let others fade away? Or is everyone and everything clear in every shot?
2. capturing things from an interesting point of view (i.e. through a car window, through a windchime, from up above, in a reflection (mirror, sunglasses, etc.) or even better something I can''t think of =P)
3. lighting & coloring: do you like a faded vintage look or everything bright & popping like a vacation brochure? Also how much do you want in B&W as to color? How do you like shadow?
4. Are things in focus or blurry? Especially important in difficult lighting situations...like a reception at night. On the other hand, are things TOO in focus, the photographer doesn''t bother to deal with lines & blemishes
5. How are things put in the frame? Is everything always, in the front & center of the photograph?

Okay - So you are for Kelly Chandler. It''s interesting ... everytime you guys offer your opinions, I go back and check out both sites and I do see the pictures differently. I pick up something new on both sites every time. It''s interesting and kind of fun. However, I''m juggling 6 photographers and I''m going to have to make a decision so I can''t keep this up.

Your 5 tips are great .... Thanks! I think that I''m going to write them down so that I can review them and think of them during my consults. This way I feel better prepared than just relying on what my eye says b/c my eye appears to like everything!

As an aside - You aren''t born in August, are you, hence the Peridot? I''m an August baby - August 7 so I was just curious.

When you mentioned the vibrant colors above - I thought of this photographer ... she has some great colors in her pictures and they are a little different. http://www.aprilgreer.com/

Here''s 2 more that I''ve scheduled for consultations - both great - 1 based on Surfgirls'' recommendation and the other based on both another PS recommendation and my wedding planner''s....

Thoughts?

http://www.inaframe.com/

http://www.jenandjody.com/

Based on your comments so far and those above, I am interested in your response.

And, by the way, THANKS for being interested and wanting to be updated. I will certainly update you ... week after next. That weekend is going to be crazy!!!

 

[peridot83]

All 3 use very vibrant colors which seems to be a look you tend to favor .

April Greer has very fashion photography portraits/posed shots for her weddings, which I think look excellent if that is what you want. She also seems to do a lot of after-processing (in a good way!)

Both her, and jen & jody, seem to have many more posed shots than candids in their sample weddings. Their candids at night receptions, seem a little grainy (which photographers tend to cover by putting the picture in B & W). I would say April Greer is more creative in her posed shots than Jen & Jody.

In a frame, seems less dramatic & different in her posed shots, but she posted many candids she was able to capture, and so that''s impressive to me.

Also keep in mind the personality of the photographer and if they ever have shot a wedding at your venue before. If you don''t feel comfortable with the photographer at your initial consult, keep in mind you have to spend 8 hrs with this person =P.

 

[surfgirl]

Spark, I just realized you''re having your reception at the Edgewater (I love that place!)...If you check out Cheryl''s site again, look under August 2008 for "Allison & Eric" and look at their photos...they had both their ceremony and reception at the Edgewater...Just in case you didn''t see them...It will give you an idea of a reception there.

 

[Sparkalicious]

Date: 7/26/2008 10:17:52 PM
Author: peridot83
All 3 use very vibrant colors which seems to be a look you tend to favor .

April Greer has very fashion photography portraits/posed shots for her weddings, which I think look excellent if that is what you want. She also seems to do a lot of after-processing (in a good way!)

Both her, and jen & jody, seem to have many more posed shots than candids in their sample weddings. Their candids at night receptions, seem a little grainy (which photographers tend to cover by putting the picture in B & W). I would say April Greer is more creative in her posed shots than Jen & Jody.

In a frame, seems less dramatic & different in her posed shots, but she posted many candids she was able to capture, and so that''s impressive to me.

Also keep in mind the personality of the photographer and if they ever have shot a wedding at your venue before. If you don''t feel comfortable with the photographer at your initial consult, keep in mind you have to spend 8 hrs with this person =P.

I''m pretty transparent, aren''t I?

Yes - I do like the vibrant colors. They just seem to bring so much life to the shot. I love black and white shots for their romantic feel, though.

Hmmm ... didn''t notice the grainy ... Interesting. Something else to look out for or make note of. Thanks! Nice tip.

Your final point is exactly why we are committing to endure the tortuous process of interviewing so many photographers. A major part of the equation to us, apart from talent and the finished product, is our rapport with the photographer because this single element will influence strongly how we look/feel when our pictures are taking.

My face is pretty expressive and if I don''t like the photographer''s personality or manner of dealing with people, I don''t want to end up with a bunch of shots looking like this

right?

 

[Sparkalicious]

Surfgirl -- Glad you like The Edgewater ... I love it there too. Do you visit and stay there a lot?

Since we''ll be having quite a few out of town guests and we both love the water, we thought it would be nice to have a quintessential Seattle wedding right on the waterfront. We were thinking of The Woodmark in Kirkland, initially, because it is located right on the shores of Lake Washington, however, given that it is outside of downtown Seattle, we liked the "feel" of The Edgewater better.

I did notice that on Cheryl''s site. I just saw it in the favourites, though. I will be sure to check out "Allison & Eric" to see more pics. I''ve been scouring different sites to try and find more pictures to give me an idea of how I might like to suggest that it is designed but haven''t found anything that I loved yet.

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction ...

 

[surfgirl]

IIRC, Allison & Eric also have a photo shoot up under "Engagement" sessions, and they made a nice guest book for their reception, using the photos from their engagement shoot. I seem to remember it being really nice.

 

[Sparkalicious]

Hi Ladies - Since you were so helpful, I wanted to ensure to update you about our decision...
I''ve updated the other thread already but will cut and paste the update so that it is in this thread as well ... Don''t want you to miss it. Here it goes ...

Hi everyone!

Thank you for all of your input and assistance! At long last, my FI and I have made a decision about a photographer!

We interviewed so many talented photographers and we really liked most of them, which really made it difficult to ultimately make a decision. If I were to do it again, I would take more time than the many hours I already spent researching these photographers and only interview a maximum of 4. It is just so hard to decline the photographers who we didn''t select especially given that there was nothing "wrong" with them, per se.

We are really happy with our choice - We opted to go with Kelly Chandler www.kellychandler.com/blog/ as her photographic style is the one that most resonated with us. We also had a great consult and are confident that her personality will be a great fit with the rest of our wedding vendor team and with us and our wedding party and will deliver and outstanding end product. While we will not know for certain until after the fact, we are keeping our fingers crossed.

If you are in Seattle and are looking for a photographer, please let me know - I''d be happy to make some recommendations.

We have also finalized our selections for a florist, videographer and DJ so we are pretty excited as all of this "big" stuff is out of the way!

Thanks again for your help everyone! It was a pretty difficult decision for us so it was really nice to know that I could depend on the PS Community to help us out. Much appreciated!