PHINALLY we have a PHOTOGRAPHER!!!
Mr. ST and I met with another photographer, Dan, from Inlight Studios. He was meeting us for a "dinner meeting" at the local Atlanta Bread. I was excited about getting a soup and sandwich combo let alone getting to meet with an other photographer!! You know you love those artisan meals too.
Anyway - We were a few minutes early for the meeting, and much to the JOY of Mr. ST Dan was already there! I'm pretty sure Mr. ST would have hugged him for being earlier than us. Punctuality is a big thing for Mr. St - which is hilarious because I'm NEVER on time. haha.
We sat down and got started with the meeting right away. From the first moment Dan started talking we were all very comfortable. He was honest, funny, and had an answer for all my crazy, neurotic bride questions - "What happens if we have a major natural disaster and you get stuck in your house because of a giant tree that fell and your car was crushed by a crane trying to get the tree off your house, who will come to my wedding then?????" Seriously the question I asked. lol. Dan was relaxed and it made Mr. ST relaxed so he actually asked questions and was involved.
We finally went and got some GREAT food. I wanted to book Dan right then and there. I kept looking at Mr. ST trying to send him messages with my mind that I was SUPER happy and wanted to book RIGHT NOW. I guess my Jedi mind tricks need practice because Mr. ST didn't get it. At ALL. We finished eating and left.
I wanted to see what Mr. ST thought before I waxed poetic. I waited and waited....and waited. He finally said, "I like him."
That's it????? I could hold it in no longer and let it alllll out. I wanted to book right then. We went home and discussed a bit more and decided we were happy and would book the following day.
SOOOOOOOOOOO - Photographer is finally on the DONE list. YAY!!! This is something that was very stressful for me and I wanted to book sooner rather than later. I am SO glad it is done.
What was the ONE vendor you wanted booked right away? Which vendor did you stress over the most?
Showing posts with label photographer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label photographer. Show all posts
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Photography Phrustations Part 2
Mr. ST and I met with a photographer. She was recommended to us by BM TBG. PhotogR was the photographer at TBG's wedding back in April. I knew I liked PhotogR's style of photography so I emailed her to set up an appointment.
Several emails later we settled on a date, place, and time. We would be meeting off the Parkway (major highway in Jersey) about half-way between our respective places. No worries - Starbucks means I get to appease my major coffee fix.
Mr. ST and I left with a small cushion in case we got lost. We arrived about 10 minutes ahead of schedule. No big deal. We checked out the place, didn't see PhotogR, so we got breakfast and coffee and waited.
Then we waited some more.
Finally, 13 minutes late (yes, 13, Mr. ST kept track), PhotogR came in to Starbucks. She threw her multiple bags down, made a small introduction, then ran over to the counter for a coffee. I could sense that Mr. ST was not a happy Groomzilla.
I smoothed out my sundress and waited with a smile. I'm willing to let people be late because they were lost, it's not a great impression and something I won't forget, but I understand that it was a new location for both parties. PhotogR comes back to our table, pulls out a few sample albums, and begins to chat with us about album options, pricing, and shows us all these album cover options.
Hold on just a minute. When the multitude of emails went around, I had expressed that Mr. ST and I were interested in services for the day - that albums would come later - we didn't need to hear those options first. But she kept going. And going. I politely reminded her we were not interested in albums up front, but were glad to see her work. I also reminded her that we had seen her first hand in action. She continued to show us more album options. After reminding her three times that we could discuss it later I could REALLY tell that Mr. ST was no longer interested.
I asked all my usual questions and I did like her personality. It would be an interesting discussion on the way home. We finished up the meeting and got back in the car. Neither one of us said anything for a while. I could tell how Mr. ST felt about her, so I asked. He didn't like that she was late with not phone call, he didn't like that she didn't listen to what we wanted, that she was "scattered brained" with all her things.
He was right. So we went home, I sent an email thanking her, and told her we would be in touch.
We've got ONE MORE appointment made. I've gotten a few more numbers and will contact that if need be. I've got my fingers crossed this next one will work out!!
Did you have a hard time when you interviewed vendors? Were you able to choose the first one you met with? Any advice for helping us decide?
Several emails later we settled on a date, place, and time. We would be meeting off the Parkway (major highway in Jersey) about half-way between our respective places. No worries - Starbucks means I get to appease my major coffee fix.
Mr. ST and I left with a small cushion in case we got lost. We arrived about 10 minutes ahead of schedule. No big deal. We checked out the place, didn't see PhotogR, so we got breakfast and coffee and waited.
Then we waited some more.
Finally, 13 minutes late (yes, 13, Mr. ST kept track), PhotogR came in to Starbucks. She threw her multiple bags down, made a small introduction, then ran over to the counter for a coffee. I could sense that Mr. ST was not a happy Groomzilla.
I smoothed out my sundress and waited with a smile. I'm willing to let people be late because they were lost, it's not a great impression and something I won't forget, but I understand that it was a new location for both parties. PhotogR comes back to our table, pulls out a few sample albums, and begins to chat with us about album options, pricing, and shows us all these album cover options.
Hold on just a minute. When the multitude of emails went around, I had expressed that Mr. ST and I were interested in services for the day - that albums would come later - we didn't need to hear those options first. But she kept going. And going. I politely reminded her we were not interested in albums up front, but were glad to see her work. I also reminded her that we had seen her first hand in action. She continued to show us more album options. After reminding her three times that we could discuss it later I could REALLY tell that Mr. ST was no longer interested.
I asked all my usual questions and I did like her personality. It would be an interesting discussion on the way home. We finished up the meeting and got back in the car. Neither one of us said anything for a while. I could tell how Mr. ST felt about her, so I asked. He didn't like that she was late with not phone call, he didn't like that she didn't listen to what we wanted, that she was "scattered brained" with all her things.
He was right. So we went home, I sent an email thanking her, and told her we would be in touch.
We've got ONE MORE appointment made. I've gotten a few more numbers and will contact that if need be. I've got my fingers crossed this next one will work out!!
Did you have a hard time when you interviewed vendors? Were you able to choose the first one you met with? Any advice for helping us decide?
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Photog Phrustration
A while back Mr. ST and I decided to start hounding down looking at photographers for our wedding. We figured we could have first picks still since we are still over a year away. I started with calling the photographers that we knew other people used (like Mr. ST's sister - her photog was amazing)
No one called me back. NO ONE. One guy didn't even have an email or answering machine.
Then I moved on to looking through Weddingbee's vendor page to see if I could find someone in our area. BINGO! A company that has a branch right down the street from us! AW-Some. This works out since Mr. ST travels so far to work and has a very long commute. It would not be hard to set-up an interview. We set a date, and the company sent out a sales rep. She was very nice... however, we only got to see samples of what the photographers work. We would have to book with them before we could meet with any of them. What if we booked, I met photographer A and haaaaaated him????? Then what? So when she called to follow up I simply told her we were still looking and I would get back to her. (The company has since called me once a week for every week since we met!!!).
Mr. ST asked around to other couples we know getting married soon, or that have gotten married recently. He got a few more names. I placed a few more emails and calls. The biggest problem we are having: most of the photographers are far away. We would have to take an entire DAY to meet with one, maybe two of them just to interview with them. I don't know if we are that desperate to be riding around the state all day.
Am I going about this the wrong way? Do brides/grooms/couples still interview photographers? PA-Lease give me some suggestions!! We are in New Jersey, so obviously someone in this state is best, although a little bridey told me about someone who will travel from state to state (<3 you!). HELP!!!
No one called me back. NO ONE. One guy didn't even have an email or answering machine.
Then I moved on to looking through Weddingbee's vendor page to see if I could find someone in our area. BINGO! A company that has a branch right down the street from us! AW-Some. This works out since Mr. ST travels so far to work and has a very long commute. It would not be hard to set-up an interview. We set a date, and the company sent out a sales rep. She was very nice... however, we only got to see samples of what the photographers work. We would have to book with them before we could meet with any of them. What if we booked, I met photographer A and haaaaaated him????? Then what? So when she called to follow up I simply told her we were still looking and I would get back to her. (The company has since called me once a week for every week since we met!!!).
Mr. ST asked around to other couples we know getting married soon, or that have gotten married recently. He got a few more names. I placed a few more emails and calls. The biggest problem we are having: most of the photographers are far away. We would have to take an entire DAY to meet with one, maybe two of them just to interview with them. I don't know if we are that desperate to be riding around the state all day.
Am I going about this the wrong way? Do brides/grooms/couples still interview photographers? PA-Lease give me some suggestions!! We are in New Jersey, so obviously someone in this state is best, although a little bridey told me about someone who will travel from state to state (<3 you!). HELP!!!
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