photographer - personality important?

hello all!

i've been on the hunt for a decent photographer and have met a few prospects. i'm finding it difficult to separate the personality of the photographer from their work - for example, i met someone whose work is amazing but he is kind of quiet and awkward. another person had an average portfolio, but was really funny and energetic. i'm thinking that maybe a louder, more energetic photographer will be better at getting people organised for pictures, and making my OH and i relax when we have coupley shots. however, my mum thinks that if a quiet photographer is able to get the amazing shots, then he must be doing something right!

so, any views on this from weddings you have been to or photographers you have met? another thing i thought was maybe the togs are completely different behind the camera.

sorry for the ramble, and thanks!

One bit of advice that my mum gave me was remember that your tog is going to be there when your getting dressed and having your makeup done etc, so you need to be comfortable around them.

If he has some amazing shots then he must be just as good as the louder one, maybe he is quiter and has better shots as he spends more time in the background getting more natural shots than shouting about and having everyone looking at him?

x

Agree with Moya although you don't have to have the tog around for getting dressed etc.  For myself, I just don't feel comfortable with that at all and will be taking some pics myself and get my BMs and mum to take some pics during this time.

My photographer also has a 'strange' personality but his pictures are amazing.  I think its more important what the pictures are like rather than the personality.  Just my opinion though.

As a wedding planner, I always try to match the photographer to the couple in personality and in the type of photography required. 

I only recommend photographers who I know will do an excellent job, but it is also really important that you feel comfortable with them around all day. 

Hello

 The only advise I would give is you must feel comfortable around your suppliers. Nothing worse than not feeling comfortable.  I'd shop around still if you are not gelling with any of them and their work is not how you like it.

HTH

Kim x

I agree with the others that you need to feel comfortable with your photographer.  I also agree with your Mum though, as long has he takes the kind of photos you like, he must be able to organise everyone even if he is a bit quiet.

I agree with the others that you need to feel comfortable with your photographer.  I also agree with your Mum though, as long has he takes the kind of photos you like, he must be able to organise everyone even if he is a bit quiet.

In my opinion you need to feel both things - comfortable with the personality and that they have amazing work.  My tog fulfilled in both areas.  We met with one tog who was so up his own a*se ("I only like to shoot in B&W "- WTF, if I'm having bright pink flowers I at least want one photo'd!!) who wound my OH up, a lot, plus had personal hygeine problems so was an absolute no straight away.

Our tog put us at ease instantly when we first met her, her whole package from her personality, how she marketed herself, her pricing structure, her amazing work all fell into place - on the day she got some really brilliant shots, was in control enough to get the group shots but melted into the background enough for us not to notice she was taking pics of us all day.

Hello Aliaisp,

As a seasoned photographer, I always think it is absolutely important for me to have both, a good personality and great eye for images. A photographer should make you and your guests feel at ease and relaexed, without taking over your day.

I feel it is important to incoporate what the B&G want (as it is they who are paying for the service) within reason and also invite them to share any ideas they may wish to try out as it is, equally, important to be flexible. A good tog should be able to capture traditional, as well as candid and modern type of images.

If you are going for pure reportage/pj, then the relationship with the photographer is not really relevant as you will have no interaction in the day with the photographer (apart from 6-8 group shots...possibly).

In this instance, I would go for quality of photography over personality....

That said, many people are after a mixture of relaxed style photography with the dynamic of what they want structurally from their day....specifically family and friends shots. In this case, it is more important that the photographer has a style and attitude that gets on well with the couple, the parents, relations and the friends.

There can also be "issues" with the style of photography where the couple want one style, although the parents may be paying for the coverage and expect something different and more traditional. This is where experience in the business comes to the fore to ensure that all sides get what they want....

Peter

I don't think this is much help but we saw loads of tog's pics that were lovely, good quality etc but the actual togs were all 'ok', but when we met our tog he was just such a nice guy, really good laugh and we all got on really well. His work was also really lovely so there was no choice for us, we went with him.

What Im trying to say is, if you don't feel comfortable with the tog, keep looking to find someone you do feel comfortable with and who's work is good. It was a big factor for us (not on purpose, it's just the kind of person I am, I probably book people as much for them as the quality of their work!) some of the other togs I didn't feel comfortable with and I just didn't take to them and I would never have hired them. I would have hated having to liaise with them before the wedding or speak to them about what we wanted.

i personally felt that i need to gel well with the photographer so we kept looking and have found a lovely lady that we have booked xx

missdeedee:

 It was a big factor for us (not on purpose, it's just the kind of person I am, I probably book people as much for them as the quality of their work!) some of the other togs I didn't feel comfortable with and I just didn't take to them and I would never have hired them.

i've been doing that so far - really feel like i don't want anyone who isn't completely pleasant and friendly. no need for me to create reasons to not enjoy my day!

thanks everyone. i think this really makes me register how important it is to get along - the tog will be there when i am getting ready and i do need someone who i feel totally relaxed with. i'm going to keep looking and hope i find someone with the right combination of brilliant portfolio + compatible personality.

x

I agree that both things are important.  If you enjoy the company of the photographer, it will show in the photographs, and your wedding party will take your lead. From my side, I also have to feel a bit of a relationship with my clients, I think the better I get to know them, it helps me have a closeness with them that I need for them to totally relax on the day.  Happy planning :)

Teri

We looked at soooooooooooooooo many photogarphers mainly on the web first as price was a BIG issue and we were first trying to source best deal/best price (as i imagine most of us are)

Well i now feel we have made completely the right choice with our photographer i fell in love with his work on his website and his package prices are fab!! so we enquired, his response was friendly and prompt, he then invited us to his house to see his work, we did have to take our 3 boys (all of which have ADHD and the elder 2 have Asperger Syndrome)!!! and i must say that he (and his wife) couldnt have been more welcoming they were so easy to talk to very friendly but remained professional too, they were great with our boys (who i must add were actualy very well behaved........... for once!) which gave us added confidence in preparation for the day, and wow the photography that we were shown was fantastic and did not disappoint at all, we are extremely pleased with what we have been offered for the price we have paid and really cannot wait for the day now and we have total confidence in our photographer!! x