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This is a TERRIBLE mistake that people make (usually not their fault - many planners, websites, and magazines tell people to do this). You pick your photographer based off of THEIR images. Picking one and expecting another's isn't realistic. It's also taken very offensively by many wedding photographers.
Bobby Earle (wedding photographer)
Bobby, do you think it would be appropriate to send pictures of certain poses and setting ideas, and not from the approach of a certain photographic style?
I don't think there's anything wrong with asking for certain poses or shots (like big group jumps, post-ceremony shots of all the guests, etc), but I do think it'd be insulting to ask them to replicate somebody else's style. Most photographers consider their work an art and their style unique, so it'd be a mistake to pick somebody who's style doesn't already match what you're looking for.
I agree with the above posters - hopefully you picked your photographer because you really liked their work, and, more importantly, their style. I think it's fine to ask for certain poses, or groups, or an emphasis on say candid vs. posed though. I also made specific requests for omissions, i.e. we didn't need any of the closeup hand/ring shots, so I told our photog not to waste time on them.
If you really want to make suggestions, I would try to couch them in terms of what your photographer already does. When you meet with them, you could point out elements that you like from different pieces in their portfolio, and ask them to try to bring those together in one shot, etc.
Bobby, do you think it would be appropriate to send pictures of certain poses and setting ideas, and not from the approach of a certain photographic style?
-CarolineG
Hi Caroline! I guess it would depend... Photographers can be a very touchy bunch at times. Sometimes I can't even relate to it :) The poses I would see nothing wrong with - just so long as the client understands that it's almost impossibly to duplicate a picture. So, the same pose can end up looking very different. The setting ideas... probably my fault, but I'm not sure I get what you mean by that...
Honestly, the best approach is to pick someone who blows your socks off - not just with their favorites in their portfolio, but with their most recent full weddings. If you like their finished product then you've got nothing else to worry about :) That way you've got peace of mind in regard to your wedding photos. And peace of mind is priceless!
Thanks Caroline!
Bobby Earle
WS8664.jpg (82.5 KB, 35 downloads) 2 years old 
As a wedding photographer, I have to (respectfully) disagree with Bobby. I encourage clients to send me pictures. We provide unlimited customer support both before and after the wedding, and that includes emailing or calling to talk about their vision for their wedding. A lot of us were planning our weddings before we even started dating our future husband. We end up with some very specific ideas! And then when we are engaged and wedding planning begins in earnest, we see so many pictures that inspire us and get us excited about our wedding.
So when a bride shows me pictures, it helps me, as a photographer, get to know her better. I use my skills and creativity to make photographs that are my own style, but this helps me deliver photographs that are unique to her tastes and desires.
I think if you have an idea for a pose or a setting that you like, share that with your photographer! It will only help you get the photographs that you want.
Hope this perspective "on the other side" helps!
I also disagree with Bobby a little bit. I have known several photographers while they are "newbies" in the wedding photography world, and if you are hiring someone who doesn't have lots of weddings under their belt, it's possible that they would really appreciate some inspiration. However if you are hiring someone who is really established in their business, they are NOT going to change their style just for you.
I am taking a little bit of a chance on my photographer who does not have much wedding experience and I frequently send her things that I like, just as suggestions. Please note that whenever I send her something I reiterate that I am merely letting her know some of the things I love about photography.
Basically you should never hire someone based on price, and then send them all kinds of images that look like they come out of packages costing $10,000. Remember that no matter how many emails or inpirational photos you send your photographer, you will ultimately get photos that look a lot like the work they have already shown you.
Thanks for the additional perspective, Avocado and PerezSistersPhotography ;)
I don't really disagree that much (especially with Avocado - You've got a newer photographer who is actually probably getting a lot of help from your emails :). Not sure if I added it, but I'm a full-time, well established wedding photographer myself. I personally don't care if people show me photos. I just know from my networking with (literally) hundreds of wedding photographers that this is definitely an area of annoyance. They won't ever tell you this (unless you're really bad at it :) but they go on our pro (private) forums and complain/ask what the best way to get away from this is. Sure, not ALL photographers care (for example, I don't care but don't encourage it and PerezSistersPhotography doesn't care and she encourages it - nothing wrong with either :), but generally speaking (meaning of course there are exceptions) the better, more established photographers care a lot. Less estabilshed and a little less experienced photographers tend to not care as they are just getting their feet wet and will do whatever it takes to get some work. This is a VERY difficult industry to go full-time into so we have to do what we have to do to get established - nothing wrong there.
Bottom line, i personally don't know of any of the wedding photography greats that encourage people to bring in other photos. Feel free to let me know of some if you do, but honestly I think there is a reason why the greats don't. The best in the biz do what they do and that's why you pay big bucks for them. You're paying for their skill but also for your peace of mind - that you don't have to coach your photographer into being what you want. Hope that helps!
Bobby Earle
At one photographer interview, the photographer suggested that I send him poses/shots that I liked, if I came across any during my wedding planning. I can't remember how it even came up, but he said it was a good thing to do (and he was very established). At another interview, I asked our photographer and he said it would be fine to send him shot suggestions ahead of time. We ended up going with the second one (for lots of various reasons). I asked respectfully, and he responded positively, and I'm not worried about offending him.
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My photographer asked me to send him poses that I liked -- not for every shot, but shots that I've always dreamed of or can't live without. For example -- me and my fh with the UCLA bear, one of my mom lacing the back of my dress, etc...
I brought images that I liked to my photographer. It gave us a starting point to discuss what type of photos we wanted, since it's hard to explain in words. (A picture is worth a thousand words afterall!). I was very clear that I wasn't looking for him to replicate any of the photos and they he had artistic control over everything - after all, I choose him because I like his photography. He said he appreciated it. He is a commercial photographer who does weddings on the side, and he mentioned that his commercial clients often give him very specific poses, lighting, etc.
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A few weeks (or months?) ago someone posted a board about sending their photographer websites and pictures that were in the style they wanted and aske for advice about that. Does anyone know who posted that?! I need to find that advice now!
THANK YOU!
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