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Oh and just to clarify how we found out about him - he was referred to us by a well-known photographer that was booked for our date.
It's a little unorthodox, but it sounds like he has good credentials. Ours gave references, but we didn't check them, tbh. :p
I think sometimes when professionals become well established in their fields they feel that they're past the stage of having to prove themselves with references. His response about not wanting to bother past clients may well be legit. Maybe you could contact other professional photographers in the area, or better yet the Wedding Photojournalist Association, and verify his reputation and credentials.
I would love to say that all that matters is the final pics, but I do not feel this way after attending a friends wedding. Her phtographer was great to her, but horrible to her guests(yelling, demanding, pushing...yes shoving guests) I would ask him to reconsider his policy.
Honestly, if the well known pro referred him, you shouldn't worry too much. For the most part, photographers refer those they are alike in style and competency. You really liked his work, have you checked out his entire galleries?
If anything, if his package includes a free esession, take it and see how he fits to photograph your wedding.
You know, the reason he gave makes sense. I'd not be too happy if I got a bunch of calls from brides wondering about our photographer. Reviews are for yelp.com!
You could ask him to provide email addresses of just 2-4 clients. You don't need their phone number. Maybe that will help. In the end, how he treats you know could be a deciding factor of who you decide to pick.
His reason sounds good, but I still don't buy it! I'm sure brides are willing to give references. The photographer just sounds like he could be hiding something.
I liked this one photographer and looked at his reviews and they were great but I later found out from people that used him that HE MADE A BRIDE CRY ON HER WEDDING DAY and another bride said SHE WASNT COMFORTABLE WITH THE POSING PICTURES HE WANTED HER TO DO AT HER CATHOLIC CHURCH. So I think if he was that good, he would give you refences on hand!
If an unhappy client posts a complaint on his blog, he can just delete it. If he isn't willing to offer unbiased references, I would walk away. You can tell him your point of view and just say that it is a deal-breaker for you. Then he can choose what he wants to do.
If he's not willing to give you two names, he's hiding something or just a jerk, which would make me want to pass anyway. I think it's odd, no matter who recommended him. I would pass!
You say a well-known photographer referred him which makes it sound okay to me. But on the other hand... I don't know, something just doesn't seem right.
I don't trust references completely anyway. His personal blog will only have good reviews, and honestly so will his references. You insist on a reference and if he complies, he's not going to send you bad references. Just like if you apply for a job that asks for a list of references - you're going to think very carefully about who you list, you're going to make sure every reference you provide is good, right?
Ummm I would not like that situation. There should be nothing to hide.
Has he shown you full wedding books? That's another good thing to look at. Better than the 'greatest hits' portfolio. You can then gauge how pleased the clients are? Just another thought.
Have you googled his name and "reviews"? I'd try that or ask about him on your local board. If he was referred by another photog, he's probably ok, but I'd still be slightly weary.
Yeah, he did show us full albums and they were great. I agree that the blog thing makes me uneasy because he could just delete the bad comments...and people don't often put bad comments on a blog anyway! And it's weird there are no Yelp reviews. Then again he was recommended by Jennifer Skog and she is well known. I don't know, it definitely put me off a bit. The other photog we met with, though not as "amazing", not only agreed to provide us with references but asked if there was a specific wedding we wanted them from.
Maybe you could send a message to some of the commenters on his blog? He told oyu you can find comments from past clients there so why not contact one otwo directly and ask a bit more about their experience.
I feel that a photographer/company/vendor should provide references. Even if he updates the list every few months so not to bother past clients more than 5 times. If they had an amazing experience they are bound to tell all to another.
Ask the brides really important questions like - Did the photographer have the same deameanor/personality at the wedding in front of 100 people like he/she did when it was just the two of you at your 1st meeting?
Was he directing the wedding the whole time or was he/she more unobstrusive?
I know you saw a full album. But how many pictures - 20? 40? Ask to see a full unedited wedding - so you can get a good sense of how many pictures he takes? Ask youself after looking do they need alot of post-wedding touchups/photoshop?
He should be able to give you access to previous clients wedding proofs online.
Go check him out with the Better Business Bureau.
If he skirts the issue - Keep moving... there are tons of talented/creative/personable photographers out there that will provide references.
Note: Yelp is completely unregulated. You could be another vendor bad-mouthing another vendor online just to draw bad buzz to that person.
You want solid recommendations - Ask the specific questions so you know it's not one of thier buddies putting in a good word.
All this imput is from 1st hand experience with my Maid Of Honor's photographer that she had chose without doing some checking. - Bad Move!
Well, I can understand how it could rub you the wrong way, but I agree that it's not necessarily a bad thing. I didn't ask for references from my photographer, mainly because I had done what yours is suggesting - checked out her blog. I also scheduled just a regular photo shoot for me and my daughter to "try her out" and she was well aware of why I was doing it, that there was a chance of a wedding being booked if I liked the pics.
I can understand why he'd do it that way, but since you asked specifically for them, he should have given you some. Then again, considering how you found him...I would say not to worry.
If you think about it They are not going to give you references to people that will say Negative things about them so asking for references from anyone is a bit useless.
I would be nervous about a photographer that doesn't provide references. I'm sure he's amazing, but even well-established, award-winning photojournalists need to humble themselves a bit. Plus, I would be just a little worried about a photographer with an attitude. I agree with some of the commenters above: Ask for a few e-mail addresses of past clients.
id say that a referral from another pro is as good as a reference as he would only give you advice from those who will put him in a positive light. have you tried to see if anyone used him from the boards here or The KnoT?
So I can't find any reviews of him whatsoever. I don't doubt that he is an awesome photograher (as his photos are amazing and he was referred by another photog) but I think it's really odd that there are no reviews on Yelp or Project Wedding. Or that when I google him, the only thing that comes up is his website and WJPA stuff.
I was thinking of just sending him an email explaining why references would make more more comfortable etc. My fiance thinks that this will ruin our relationship as he already politely refused to give me references. On the other hand, I don't feel comfortable booking him without real references. I don't know what to do! This whole thing has made me uncomfortable.
Hm. Tough. I think that even if he DID provide you references, you'd get the "happiest clients" of the batch. I wasn't too pleased with my photographer (unprofessional, was rude to my bridesmaids, etc) but have yet to find one negative review about her online. Except an older sorority sister of mine who got married a month before me who coincidentally had the same photographer. And we both complained about ALL THE SAME TOPICS.
My photographer was recommended to me by another one who's work I really liked. Mine has really let her own life take over and her business has been pushed to the bottom of the barrel. Unfortunately, it's showing like none other. Mine is not reviewed on project wedding, either.
No matter what, I think it's all going to be a gamble, but I am quite jaded now. If you mesh with him well and like his work, it should be enough and I don't see how it'd hurt him to appease you by providing emails of two former clients. I understand his side but also yours. I wish I'd asked for references, but then again, if I'd gotten a not so glowing review, I doubt my photographer would ever use them again! She'd refer me to the friends whom she did pics for, right?
If you are uncomfortable go with your gut. He has been polite and you can be polite, too! If it "ruins" your relationship then obviously there isn't much of one going on. You are the potential client and if he is "too good" to give you a reference, you should move on and consider it a blessing in disguise
In two years of business, no one's ever asked us for references. With online reviews, blog comments, Facebook, etc., I think most clients have a really good feel for us before we even meet. To be honest, I would be a tiny bit hurt if someone did ask-because after checking us out online, meeting with us, looking at our albums, talking about your life and wedding for 2 hours, etc., if you still don't trust us...that's not good. That said, I don't think we'd ever deny someone references-it just might take a while because we'd have to ask former clients for permission!
Ok, so I talked to the photographer and he is willing to work with me on this because he understands I'm not comfortable without the references. I am glad we were able to work it out, bc I really love his work.
Asking for reviews of someone who has won some awards may rub people the "wrong way" too.
He gave a fairly legitimate answer, and we wouldn't hunt down brides and grooms to ask for references unless they explicitly state they want or would be willing to give one for us.
To me, the portfolio and steady stream of business is a reference.
Bean, that's great he's seeing where you are coming from. I think business owners should try not to take it personally when clients need a little more reference in their work and I think it's great he's not letting his ego/awards/professional standing (which, let's face it, unless you stalk the wedding industry religiously, you're clueless about, right?) stand in the way.
After dealing with my photographer, who has a great portfolio and "steady" stream of clients, it's not enough because there are certain things I wish I'd known in hindsight.
Yeah, for me, it was nice to see that he was sensitive to my needs. We are spending a lot on photography and it made me feel comfortable that he worked with us to make us happy. So much so that we booked him. I'm thrilled!
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So we met with a photographer we really like and his work is amazing. He seems very professional and has even won a few awards from the Wedding Photojournalist Association. However, there are no reviews of him on Yelp or Project Wedding, so I asked him if he could provide us with a couple references. He said that he doesn't like the idea of bothering his past cients, and since most of the time his clients will comment directly on his blog, that I could go there and see what they have to say. He was polite about it and said he hoped I'd understand, but it kind of rubbed me the wrong way. Is this normal? Is this a bad sign? I'd be curious to see what you guys think (especially you photographers out there!)