Choosing a Studio Photographer

[stevieb]

Hi,

I am looking for advice on choosing a studio photograher.. I would like a few shots of my children + Me and the wife (Group and individual). The children are 7, 6 and Twins Just turned 1.....

We are not to keen on the white background photography, we wanted something which felt a bit warmer as the photos we have had done previously look to clinical and cold.

Has anyone got any recomendations in the Guildford Area?

Thanks


Steve

[ian in lancs]

I'm told the makeover studios take 50 pictures in 50 mins in/out and aim to make at the very least £500 from each client so avoid the photo factories. My family organised a tog to shoot a family portrait. He used a wide angle lens and the distortion is horrible and to add further injury he's over photoshopped it to extend the white background. Its uneven and looks like vignetting. I have to look at it every day in the dressing room. Grrr.

Make sure you see their work and you actually get them not a sub contract tog. Be clear about what you want - use their portfolio or take magazine clippings to illustrate. Try and talk to previous customers. Request advice or suggestions from here!

[spydersingh]

As much as I am likely to get flamed for this especially on this forum, our family recently had a shoot with Venture and we were really happy with the results. They obviously bend you over when it comes to paying but search around for offers if you're not in too much of a rush. We had £250 voucher from our toddlers nursery. I believe they do similar offers at stands in shopping centres.

We had some pics taken from another "Venture" style photographer when our sprog was much younger and you can really tell the difference. Its not only about the quality etc but Ventures composition/style/colouring/layouts/cropping were felt to be better being a bit easier on the eye than the cheaper studio.

Hope that helps!

BTW we went to the Venture studio in Wandsworth.

[//dean]

Hi Stevie B.

It sounds like you're after something a little different to boggo studio work? How about doing some outside portraiture where the photos can be much more dynamic and you get to interact with the scene etc? I haven't a clue who'd do this for you but I'm guessing most wedding toggers would be more than suitable, especially those who do pre-marriage/engagement shoots.

I live in Guildford myself but I unfortunately cannot recommend anyone (I don't shoot people either).

Cheers.

Dean

[stevieb]

Thanks for the replies..

I recall some photos my Mum got of my sister that they still have up on the wall was when the photographers studio was in a older country house, and the background was made up using various pieces of older style furniture... which were also used as props.

All of the studios i have contacted mainly use white/creams as background and little or no use of props..

Outdoor stuff would be nice but wrong time of the year. We had some outdoor stuff done when we went to a friends christaning back in the summer..

Steve

[nogginthenog]

this lady is pretty damn good :

http://www.bellawest.co.uk

but all location, and you asked for studio....

Looks pricey too, I haven't checked what she charges, but I get a feeling there might lots of zero's on the bill