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I think I like Boyd better. The only ones that Kennedy shows with movement tend to be blurry, and you definitely aren't going to be standing perfectly still on the big day!
I like Boyd better. I think Kennedy's pictures are really uninteresting - nothing special about the framing, lighting, or depth of field. And he has a really, REALLY boring studio shot as the 1st photo that appears in his website slideshow...what's up with that? Not a good opener.
They aren't professionals, they do portrait shoots as a group from time to time. They are generally easy to get in touch with & willing to do laid back shoots as a group, or solo (a la Boyd's maternity shoot on his blog) -- I was thinking about getting in touch with them and seeing if they/one of them would be willing to do an e-pic/portrait shoot to 'test the waters' before barreling headlong into trying to get them to shoot a wedding.
Boyd did have wedding pictures up on one of his flickr photo sets before, but I can't seem to find them today.
I agree Boyd 100% over Kennedy.
You can tell Boyd has a better eye, different angles, unique takes. Plus, his camera looks like a better quality, because the pics look crisper and more vibrant.
Oh and if any of you want to reference the "pros"(some are actually just hobbyists starting out with little to no formal training) here are links:
http://www.joelsview.com/ <-- this guy just turned 20, and while he has actually shot 2 weddings he just started his 'formal training' this fall. A friend of mine tried to book him for her wedding this summer and he tried to charge her 2000$ for 3 hours, no disc, no printing rights & limited photos -- edits would be extra. he is super flaky &refused to sign a contract (and entirely full of his ego). So while some of his work is nice, I don't like him (have had an interview w/ him & man was it brutal).
http://www.lucky7photography.com/Lucky_7_Photography/Welcome.html
<-- this hobbyist is definitely more affordable but has just started out & my reaction to their work is luke warm at best.
http://www.imagekind.com/MemberProfile.aspx?MID=03f0e50f-06c4-462a-bbc0-c71ec0a88177
third and finally is someone who has actually recieved a degree for photography but they have a really lacking portfolio.
None of these other three are the photog that shot my friend's wedding (mentioned earlier), she has yet to confirm an appointment to view her portfolio which is annoying, hence my query about the two non-pro's Boyd & kennedy.
"...I like Boyd better. I think Kennedy's pictures are really uninteresting - nothing special about the framing, lighting, or depth of field. And he has a really, REALLY boring studio shot as the 1st photo that appears in his website slideshow...what's up with that? Not a good opener..."
Ouch!
I dont do weddings as I have zero experience in shooting weddings and dont want to take the chance in ruining your wedding photos. I have next to zero experience doing studio type shots so thats why the ones i have on my site are for the most part pretty boring. I dont deal well with taking photos of people which is why most of my photos are not of people.
Boyds shots are different ("..his camera looks like a better quality...") I shall say, as he has better glass, and uses more plugins in the computer than I use. He is also more creative than I. He is quite energetic at doing shoots as well. Joel has a great eye, he is very creative imo. I think I know who you might be talking about when you said she wasnt forthcoming but I dont want to comment there as we might be talking about two different people. Joel? "...he is super flaky .... (and entirely full of his ego)..." yeah i concure...I dont now him well but he does seem..different.
For the most part my site is just photos of the son doing whatever over the years (yes it can be hard to get a decent shot of a moving child!) The comment "...And he has a really, REALLY boring studio shot as the 1st photo that appears in his website slideshow...what's up with that?..." its one of my first attempts at using strobes. This shot was for his First Communion. Im proud of my son - thats why I have that shot there. I change it out occasioanlly but for now it will stay.
No, I dont have a great (studio) shot as I havent learned anything on how to properly use the strobes, and I never learned about posing properly which is hard to do when you dont deal with this sort of situation (which is why I have many shots of barns, trains, planes, ect vs people). Studio work is an art in itself. And as someone already said here "...some are actually just hobbyists starting out with little to no formal training..." - thats me: a hobbyist, not a pro in any way shape or form nor do I pretend to be.
Missmouse: your comment about gettnig a hold of (Dennis) Boyd to see if we (the club) would be interested in getting together for "e-pic/portrait shoot to 'test the waters' before barreling headlong into trying to get them to shoot a wedding" is a good idea. Im sure he would be interested in doing a group/club thing for you as you get some photos and we (who ever was able to make the shoot) gets some training/experience. You will get some unique images going this route, that Im sure you would be very happy with.
Btw: The quality of a camera doesnt make the photo better, its the person behind it. And dont go with anyone that wont sign a contract.
Oh, I like Boyds photos more than mine too.
Four words: Hire a WEDDING photographer.
Nothing against those two photogs in particular, just what I would advise anyone considering doing what you're doing.
have you checked into the photographers at your local newspaper? photojournalists are usually really talented and, even if they don't often shoot weddings, they usually have a good eye for emotion.
Heh [The name of the OP has been removed at their request!]... sorry to pop in here and sign up to post but the good old internet leaves tracks (or trackbacks in this case).
So, would anyone be willing to take a look at two of the non-pro's photoblogs & give their honest, downright critical thoughts about the style, technique & etc of each?
Like Derek mentioned above, photography is a hobby not a profession for either of us. I have been a Paramedic for over 20 years now and that is what I do for a profession... Only recently was able to delve into photography even though I wanted to back in high school.
With that I have to say that even though I am extremely confident and competent being there through some of peoples most important, exciting and albeit most times traumatic events 
, I would not consider trying to shoot one of the most important days of someones life.
Ha... sorry... but I'm just learning how to shoot... I am an amateur photographer through and through.
So for the others reading this... I'd prefer not to have an unsolicited critique of my learning process if that's all right with you... I do that through our little camera club's forum as well as on other photography forums when I feel the courage to do so.
Honestly though, these exact same thoughts have been going through my head as well over the past several months. Yes... after 40 long years... the woman of my dreams came into my life two years ago and is about to change it even more if I am lucky enough. I had about given up, thought maybe it just wasn't meant to be... and sure enough this woman comes storming into my life with kids, dogs and horses... who would've thought I'd be looking at rings, Wedding Photographers, honeymoon destinations ???
But off topic I guess... I still have to ask first and figure out the whole ring thing now 
Yet with the photography, at I first couldn't understand why there was such a difference in prices with some offering prints and hugely $$ albums, some simply shoot and burn with a disc for you to do with what you want, and then all the different styles from traditional, photojournalistic, modern, you name it... so many options to choose from.
Yet I love reading and learning and have been doing just that.
If you don't mind... here's a few things I'm considering...
Why does it cost so much for a good photographer?
Say one spends 8 hours shooting the wedding day, then 30-40 hours of editing following that, but also how do they recoup their costs for things like the gear, software, etc.? Even at 40 hours spent total shooting and developing... by the time they factor in the costs associated with running a business it has to cost $$ unless they want to work for minimum wage or less. Seriously... a thousand dollar photographer... I'm guessing has next to no experience, considers all the money they've spent on cameras/lenses/computers/programs as well as all the other expenses negligible and is willing to donate those expenses for the fun of shooting... but do you really want that?
If I was going to start my own business I'd have to look at ways to replace worn out gear, getting the righ lenses for the job (the proper lenses can cost thousands each and have to be replaced sooner or later like the cameras themselves), making sure I have backups of everything just in case something stopped working or broke in the middle of the job, etc...) and of course would have to factor in the business license and make sure there was enough left over after taxes were paid to cover the rest.
Hmm... maybe there is one of the big cost savings... someone who isn't a professional and does it under the table here and there... if they aren't paying taxes and there is no record of it... that saves $$$. But again... how many times do you plan on getting married... there is only one shot at this, one day, lots of chaos, excitement and stress... who would you rather have shoot your wedding? Someone who does this on the side or someone that does this as a profession?
Off topic sort of... have you seen what costs are for good albums from the manufacturers (not blurb style cheapies)? 
Throw in the time it takes to make/design the album and again factor in they have to usually buy the software to do that too... it sure adds up.
Now given... there are photogs that cost $$ way too much for my blood... but then again... if I could afford to hire their skill and talent... I can understand why others do hire them and why they are in such demand.
Hmm... last thought for the night on this... something that kind of hit home when I was trying to figure out what this whole thing was going to cost. A wedding dress, the reception, meals, open bar... what does one spend for each of these things that are for one single day/night? I know for myself... I'm going to spend money on the photos of the most important day of my life... because I want to be able to sit down and look through that album years later and smile. I want grandchildren to be able to look at that same album, I want my family to be able to do the same... I want to ensure that the monies are spent for us... not just for others to enjoy that one day, but for us to be able to have those memories in front of us for years to come.
Shoot and burn?
If a Photographer cared about the final image, the quality of work they were known for, wouldn't it be a little bit disconcerting giving away a disc of unedited images for others to mess up and then say "so and so shot our wedding". Honestly... I'm just a rookie and I don't want someone else re-editing my photos and then blaming me for the way they have changed them. I want someone who is proud of their artistic ability.
Yes... I would love some small shots with their logo on them for facebook... who doesn't... but I don't want unedited photos or ones that they don't really care if I change them by adding vignettes, popping the colours, cropping, blurring, etc... I want someone who has pride in what they do and how they do it...
Shooting Styles?
I know my g/f and I have different tastes and each photographer is so different in their artistic interpretation. Personaly I want both of us to meet the photographer and go through their proven abilities to see if we both like their style. If they don't have a proven track record... I'm not willing to cross my fingers and hope their style matches what we like.
Local Photographers?
Each and every photographer has their own style; some are just developing it, some have perfected it and others are in between. For me... ha... actually the g/f has suggested it more than once... I'm heading to Winnipeg with her to the Wedding Expo whenever it is... as she fell in love with some of the photographers work displayed there last year. I've been surfing and searching and have in mind a couple so far, but honestly... what we want, well... we want a professional who has a style we both like and they are few and far between.
I love our local photographers work, I love the landscapes, the portraits, the sports and even the abstract stuff I see coming out of our local photographers. Heck... I'm just plain old excited to see others out shooting and experimenting... ha... it truly is fun trying to be creative and artistic (and in my case that is something totally foriegn). These people are delving into photography with passion and their work is amazing in their own right... Yet... I know that when we are lucky enough to choose our photographer... I want a professional whose style matches ours and most likely will have to bring them into town for the day.
Anyhow... sorry everyone for intruding on your forums here but just wanted to have a say in something that involved me (unknowingly).
I think LBPhotography said it best though... and I personally feel it's worth it hiring a proven professional as besides the ring... the photos are the things that you will have for years and years to look back on and remind you what a terrific day you had marrying the person of your dreams.
Dennis
@LBPhotography: I never said I wanted a photographer for a WEDDING. I never said I was going to ask anyone to do a wedding. I was entertaining the idea of inquiring about portraits--casual portraits or perhaps something like e-pics. Two very different things.
@dkennedy
Personally I don't think you're a boring photographer. I didn't mention any biases, because really, each photog has a different shooting style as well as a different glass etc. I apologize if any of the critique here was not taken constructively. I did try and preface with the fact that you weren't professionals, therefore the 'expectation' to see high-end professional work should not have been there.
I think we may be talking about different people. But again, not going to air someone else's dirty laundry on a public forum.
Joel shoots great stuff. My only qualm is his level of professionalism. I don't claim to know him well at all, but his attitude & carriage at the time reflected poorly. I'm leaving it at that.
When you enter into an opportunity billing yourself as a professional you should be expected to be treated and paid as a professional, yes--but you should also act as a professional. Contracts & protections for both the photog & the client are really the best for all parties.
As for photogs in general, you really should only work with someone you jive with, and a lot of that is based on the personality & presentation of both parties, not just your reaction to their work (though that should also play a key part). If Da Vinci was a bigot I wouldn't be able to bring myself to work with him, even if he IS Da Vinci. (I'm not calling anyone a bigot, at all--just trying to point out that even if someone is the most talented person on earth, if there is something you find a fault with you may not be able or willing to overcome that drawback and work with them).
Portraits & something that could benefit everyone (even for a fee) was somewhat the original intent/idea, like I said, I didn't expect, or necessarily even want a wedding photographer, which is the point I think a lot of folks missed (but not you Dkennedy, thank you for reading closely )
@dboyd
Pop in all you like, in fact I encourage it--as you said it's your work, you have a right to know what is being said/thought etc.
I prefaced that you were both non-professional & never insinuated that, or that you either operated on a professional basis. Unfortunately some of the board members seem to be holding you both on the same scale as professionals.
Personally I think you & dkennedy are both great hobbyists -- you both have different styles & processes, thus creating different facets of photographic style that can be appreciated separately. I didn't mean to insult anyone or create any sort of 'competition' etc. --I really do want to apologize for any of the comments here that ruffled any feathers (despite the PC vibe this place usually exudes it can be quite harsh at times).
I'll reiterate (again) -- I never ever ever said I was looking or wanting a wedding photographer. Yes this is a wedding website, but I was thinking/musing about portraits. I apologize if you're uncomfortable with unsolicited critique, but unfortunately you have a public blog so that is in fact what you are inviting the entire world to do--critique your work. Yes, you may not see the entire world in daily blog traffic, but just because it isn't happening doesn't mean it couldn't.
I fully understand what it means & costs to shoot professionally, thus I understand the cost charged to make it a viable line of work. There is no confusion there. I don't want to make anyone feel as if I'm outraged at the cost of the pros. & trying to 'score a deal' with non-pros. I'm not. This issue is really availability of work in a variety of styles from which to choose. Which is why many people in the area do go to Winnipeg to seek out professionals at expos or through an interviewing process.
Another part of considering working with a group or solo hobbyist photog in a casual setting that isn't "one chance only" is getting used to being in front of the camera rather than behind it. When the subject is comfortable they photograph more naturally. Million dollar professional or not, if the subject/client is uncomfortable or awkward they are still going to photograph as uncomfortable & awkward (and possibly with stink eye lol), which would be especially lame if it was in fact a wedding shoot etc (which is thankfully not what this thread topic is about)
"Now given... there are photogs that cost $$ way too much for my blood... but then again... if I could afford to hire their skill and talent... I can understand why others do hire them and why they are in such demand."
I share your sentiments, if I could magically budget for that level of skill I probably would -- but in the same breath I never said I was looking for wedding photography--yes I am looking into wedding photography, but atm/the topic of this thread was portraits that would take place prior to any sort of wedding nonsense.
To you both, or any of the other photogs you rallied in on this, I want to clarify that I wasn't trying to make anyone hurt/angry/annoyed/feel violated by the net etc etc etc. I'm not trying to be snarky, so I apologize if it comes off that way, but this is the internet, like you said dboyd, there are trackbacks and all kinds of other ways to find out who goes where and says what to whom on the net--which means that people will look at public forums, blogs, websites etc etc etc and they will draw their own conclusions from what they see/read there, regardless of the wishes of the author/creator.
That's the joy of personal opinion.
@DKennedy:I think you have a good eye and you are honest about your abilities!!
I've been noticing more brides requesting other brides to review photographers websites- if I saw someone posting my website for review I'd be fairly irritated.
i don't know who you are "missmouse29" but you should get your facts straight before you post it all over the internet. Firsly, Joel is not 20 he is 19. secondly there isn't even a 1% chance that Joel would ever charge $2000 for a wedding let alone for 3 HOURS! He charges depending on what the couple wants and it is very reasonable and does not shoot a wedding unless a contract is signed. I cannot believe that you would have the audacity to behind a computer screen and blatantly lie and criticize him is unbelieveable. Joel has more passion for what he does than you have in your pinky finger. He takes his work very seriously and would never want to make someone feel like they are not getting what they deserve. Seems to me that there is jealousy floating around. Joel is a very kind hearted person and if you had a so called "interview" with him that would be extremely obvious. I also know for a fact that Joel has been more than happy to help out the members of the camera club and has never boasted about his work! I suggest you stop post lies on the internet that are false before you cause more hurt than you already have, or continue to hide behind your computer. Your choice, but the right (and more professional) choice should be VERY apparent.
Thanks
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Greatly appreciated!
In the area where I live, there aren't a lot of people in the business of being photographers, I suppose there isn't enough demand for the service to make it a viable career choice for professionals. Anyway, there are a handful of locals who shoot as hobbyists, and some of them aren't half bad. I've been toying with the idea of trying to get together with the local photo club they run & possibly set up some e-pics/portraits & go from there to see if anyone would be interested (or up to par) with shooting an actual event. (I actually know of a decently priced photog who does shoot weddings, but she hasn't been very forthcoming with her portfolio so I am on the fence about 'settling' with that. Also, I've 'worked' with her before as a BM and though she is friendly I'm not too sure I dig her method).
So, would anyone be willing to take a look at two of the non-pro's photoblogs & give their honest, downright critical thoughts about the style, technique & etc of each? I am not going to state any preference at this time (as I don't want to create a bias) I am just looking for outside opinions atm.
Boyd & Kennedy.
TIA!