When we looked at photographers, I emailed SO many my mind was spinning and I was forgetting who I had contacted. It was that bad. I felt that the photographer was one of THE top MOST important things about my wedding day. I could care less about things like cakes, hairstyles for bridesmaids, flowers etc. But pictures! I need my pictures to be AMAZING! I wanted a vintage, natural, photo-journalistic feel to my pictures. Part of the reason I think it was so important to me was because it really captures your day and I scrapbook. I scrapbook obsessively.
Ok so, I wont name names because that's mean and bad for business for photographers and I will not do that BUT, the first photographer Michael and I interviewed was great. Personality-wise he was fun, enthusiastic and all about making the BRIDE happy. (what about the groom? or so i thought) Well, I liked him and felt completely comfortable with him but his pictures were too modern for me. They were harsh, clear and very magazine styled. By magazine, I mean they looked like a picture of a cake in Better Homes and Garden. His pictures were not bad by any means but just not my style. I would still recommend him to anyone who asked.
Then, Mike and I interviewed a couple team whose pictures I was excited about. They were natural, had great lighting and a somewhat vintage feel to them. However, when we walked in the door, from that first moment it felt SUPER awkward. I mean, whoa. The husband greeted us and invited us to sit on the couch. He then disappeared to find his wife and when she came back in with him, it seemed like she was in a REALLY bad mood. She sat on the couch and put her binder in her lap and folded her arms and said "SO?" I felt like I had to start the conversation which for me, is HARD! I am typically VERY shy and awkward when I meet new people so this to me was a HUGE downer. Then during our chat, a child screamed from the other room and the wife turned to the husband and snapped "Go check on that." When he came back she snapped, "what was that about?" and he gave a detailed response about a child getting hurt in the garden oustide? I don't know but it seemed like there was underlying tension for the couple towards each other. After an awkward hour of questioning, Mike and I left and summed it up to they were just really socially awkward but we loved their pics. Before leaving, we asked that they give us a quote to print out about 250-300 4X6 prints so that I could scrapbook our wedding. Well, a week later I got my quote that was to be added to our contract. I was happy and okay with the quote. I went home talked to Mike, we decided it was good. I emailed her and asked that she revise the contract and email it to me to sign. The next day, I checked my email and I had an email from the wife who had given me the quote. I will copy and past it here:
Hi Erin,
Sorry for the delay. Been super busy w/ portraits this week. Anyway, I told my husband the quote I gave you for the prints, & he said that was way too low. His offer was $***. Attached is the new contract, thank you.
Well. For me, changing a quote after GIVING a quote is rather unprofessional. I took a week to think about it and then Mike called and talked to her. There was no apology, no regret, just plain, well sorry but thats what it is. For me, it was a deal-breaker. For Mike, he wanted to forgive and hire.
I waited another week and then told Mike I was just plain NOT comfortable with this and them. They were not only awkward but plain unprofessional. While their pictures may be great, I would never be comfortable with them.
SOOOOOO, then began another many weeks of researching
and emailing and then a LIGHT at the end of the tunnel.
I found Kiley Mullen.
Her pictures were amazing and made me really excited! I emailed her and got a great response back. She was informative, enthusiastic, and had the same style I was looking for. She answered all my questions and dealt with Bridezilla tendencies. Her packages were PERFECT and included everything I wanted. So I set up an interview, Mike couldnt make it that night because he got stuck working $OT$$$ BUT! It was a great meeting. She answered all my questions and her style was what I was looking for. All I can say is THANK GOD I did NOT hire the other people. When I asked what her style of photography was, her response was VINTAGE!! I was beyond happy because with every other interview with photographers that was the one key word always missing. Her pics just are so great because they capture those special moments. I truly cannot say enough! She has answer all of my questions with honesty, openness and is willing to basically make her clients happy. Something I felt was truly lacking in other photographers I interviewed. She even sent me the website link to her bridesmaids dresses that I had admired from her OWN wedding!
Here is the link to her website:
http://www.kileymullen.com/And her blog:
http://kileymullen.wordpress.com/
What it comes down to is feeling comfortable with your photographer and finding someone who wants to make you happy and feel beautiful on your special day. Anyone who asks, will get this *opinion* and advice from me: Go with your gut! pick a photographer who matches your style and expectations but makes you feel comfortable!
But hire Kiley! Oh! And she loves animals, like me! *remember my donation favor?! :)
