Wedding Photographer

robj20

robj20

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Were getting married in North Cyprus next year so are looking for a photographer, can anyone with knowledge have a look over this site and see what you think, its one that's been suggested to us.

http://studyoalem.com/
 
The biggest issue I see is that their entire portfolio consists only a small number of staged outdoor shots from each wedding. If you've got a good/thorough portfolio why would you only show these?
*Staged shots are not very demanding of the photographer in terms of timing/positioning whereas getting the important shots as they happen during a wedding are.
*Outdoor shots in good light are not very demanding of gear or technique in using that gear. Whereas indoor shots with lower light levels is.
*And if flash is allowed (i.e. reception/staged shots) I would expect the photographer to have/use/know how to use flash (not exclusively). There is no evidence of them using supplemental lighting.

If they had only one wedding in their portfolio but it showed their work indoor, outdoor, staged, random, natural light, supplemental light, etc.... in other words "completely," I would possibly be less concerned.

Personal opinion:
The images presented are rather small and therefore hard to judge critically (and that may be intentional) but;
Some images appear soft/blurry for no apparent reason... in some cases it *cold be* a creative choice, but it's not a choice *I* would have made. In other cases it just looks like a bad shot. (there are images with intentionally out of focus parts... I'm not talking about those)
Some images use selective color... I *hate* selective color in 99% of the images where I see it used. And I don't like it here either.
Some images have "textures" overlaid... probably a "creative choice." But it can also be used to hide flaws and try to create/save an otherwise poor image.
I don't think they are very good at editing images... And I think their use of selective color and textures is part of that.

Whoever you choose, make sure you see examples of *all* of the types of shots you expect in *all* of the settings/situations you expect your wedding to present.
 
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BTW, I am *NOT* saying you should avoid them...
I am saying you need more information/examples before you can make a choice based on your personal tastes/likes/budget.
 
Thanks for the input that's exactly what i was looking for. To be fair due to the location there almost certainly wont be any indoor shots or low low light. I was a bit concerned abut the editing even i noticed the haloing around some of the shots.
 
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Can somebody help me out here please? On their home page I'm reading
We are an experienced photojournalist ... Many wedding photographers in Cyprus will claim a documentary style, but our documentary wedding photography is true reportage - telling the story of your day naturally - not asking for poses or directing the proceedings, but through unobtrusive and creative wedding photojournalism
Click to expand...
But all I see by way of wedding photography in their portfolio is posed stuff. What am I missing, where?
 
I hadn't seen that... and that alone is enough to scare me.
Reportage should mean images like Time/National Geographic... what it usually means is the 5 o'clock news.
 
£450 for three hours that includes full ownership of images, a dvd with images on, and an online account with them, one extra location as well.
 
Although as has been mentioned i would ask to see an actual full wedding I do like the work on their site , its seems the locations have a large hand to play in it as-well and there are a few tell tale HDR signs here and there but I for one like that, its all about what you like though at the end of the day.

Slightly off putting as Sid mentioned is the hiding behind 'Im a reportage photographer' and then plastering their site with posed shots.
 
robj20 said:
Were getting married in North Cyprus next year so are looking for a photographer, can anyone with knowledge have a look over this site and see what you think, its one that's been suggested to us.

http://studyoalem.com/
Click to expand...
Do you like what you see? That's what matters.
Most photographers would/could pick holes in anyone's work, as most will look at it more from a technical perspective.
 
Well thanks a lot guys, the other half likes them, im probably just being picky but wanted to make sure it was good value really its not something you pay for often.

When i suggested doing the photos myself it was an instant no. :D
 
robj20 said:
£450 for three hours that includes full ownership of images, a dvd with images on, and an online account with them, one extra location as well.
Click to expand...

Depending on how "a DVD with images on" is defined, I guess it could possibly be worth £450 if all you want is their standard routine posed stuff. But I've seen what customers have ended up with who went for similar offerings in Cyprus ...
 
Bobsyeruncle said:
Do you like what you see? That's what matters.
Click to expand...

Nope. What matters is if you can see samples of exactly what you can expect for your £450, and if you'd be happy with that.
 
North Cyprus? I'll go! Already been to Italy for one and off somewhere pretty special next week (photos to follow), so would love a do at Cyprus. Alas it would probably cost you more than £450 though. :(

Like the other chaps have said, there is some lovely stuff on their site, although mostly posed. Which seems strange when they advertise as 'reportage' (I hate that term, would really love another word for it). Ha.

Can't add anything else really other than has been said. See what they offer for £450. Try and see a full wedding and if you are happy with their work and price, then go for it.

But seriously, I would come shoot it. :)
 
I would ask to see a full wedding. I'd also ask to be put in contact with a UK couple who they've worked with. I will be honest that portfolio is all about the location and its not well posed. I would look elsewhere.I'd be seriously looking at someone who doesn't hide behind the reportage tag then produce that posed work.
 
Looks like they do portrait sessions. As said, it depends what you want, as everyone has different expectations from a wedding.

They look very stereotypically 'Mediterranean' to me (from my experience with ex-pat Greeks and Italians over here). ie. very cheesy, posey, lots of "special effects". Generally quite different to Anglo weddings. Wouldn't be surprised if they're used to working with three videographers, a drone and a crane.

Just make sure you're both on the same page as to what you will be getting at the end of it all.
 
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Hi I had a cousin who got married in Cyprus and o think that was the Greek side South. The pictures were great but not of the ceremony as this was civil. So check this out for the north side.
So they had great shots but none of the civil wedding
 
Were only after the staged shots from the photographer the rest will be done by family as its spread over the full day, we have a boat booked for a sunset cruise as our reception and that's until about 1am. We just want a few of the ceremony, (its the basic vows nothing special) and some posed shots at an abbey near by.
 
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