BePhoto

local vendors or flying in vendors....... I think there are advantages and disadvantages to both. But in my opinion, this should not even play into the minds of clients. In my opinion, the style of work is the number one most important thing when a bride picks a photographer. I believe the argument locals have that they know the location, and that they know the "light" is invalid. As a press photographer who constantly finds himself if different situations on a daily basis, I actually find the best photos come from events covered for the first time, with a new, fresh eye. If I could do something about it, I would never shoot a wedding at the same location twice. Knowing the "light" may be a valid argument against the more traditional wedding photographer who is used to the same locations, same lighting scenes, and does not know how to adapt to changes, but this is not a valid point to any photojournalist. But some points are true... knowing the overall area can be great for locals when weather changes for the worse, or other situations arise. but I also believe that shooting at the same locations (whether local or destination) is a huge draw-back. Things become routine when this happens, and many photographers then learn to take photos only as the routine suggests. When any photographer does this, they miss out on many opprotunities. Of course, like I said -- I am biased though. -- But I honestly cant imagine shooting the same locations (or for that matter, only shooting weddings). I work at my best when I am thrown into a completley new situation. -- But of course, this is influenced by my background in news/media. -- As for the workflow -- Even for my local clients, all image selections, proof viewing, ordering, etc. is done online, so no need for face to face meetings there. Both my clients and I find it much easier that way! -- One more note -- Personality is also a key factor for the wedding industry. My clients hire me because they want someone laid back, and able to capture everything without being "in your face". They dont want to be overwhelmed with countless photo-ops, and want to focus on enjoying the magic of their day. Many in the wedding industry (usually older photogs) - have a more traditional approach that is filled with posed photos and standard "table shots" and such. And others still have more of a modern approach, but their personality is a more "in your face" personality. Of course, I think the laid back approach is the best, but ultimatley, it is the brides decision -- but photographers personality can seriously effect how the day goes - and should be taken into account. Although all brides have a whole world of photographers to choose from, DW brides really are the only ones who exersize their options - as most local brides use local vendors. - Often the thought of looking outside the local area for most home brides never enters their mind! - It's a shame too, because it can really limit their options!

welcome aboard!

welcome aboard!

I'd check with the hotel concierge - they ought to be able to figure something out for you

of course I'm partial - but have you looked at photogs in your area to travel? - you have the added advantage of meeting prior --- a photogs personality can play a big role in your day -- believe it or not, it's not just about the photos!

welcome aboard!

We offer our contracts online and clients can print them out. - our clients notify us of their intent to book and we hold the date for one week. If at the end of the week, we do not have the deposit, the date is released. That way, there is no racing anyone to the mailbox - and no weird issues if you get two contracts for the same date in the mail at the same time. I think it would be strange if the photog did not sign the contract.... and especially if they refuse to. - but of course, everyone does it their own way.

A WC may have a better idea of the vendors in the area, and may have a relationship with them already -- which could help. However as I'm sure you can tell from this website, there are numerous resources on here you could take advantage of yourself and be ok without a WC. - The choice is yours - but I'm sure the WC would ease stress a little bit on you. Good luck!

have fun........ I dont know what I believe about him -- but from what Ive seen - its been impressive. -- of course, I'd like to believe it -- but assume I wont believe it until he does a reading on me!

thanks for everyones input - and of course, varying advice on what to do!! haha! -- I dont know what we are going to do - I hope this guy just shuts up now that his own surveyor told him he was wrong.......... if he wants to push forward with a lawsuit, its probably going to cost him about 3,000 ---- and our lawyer is still free.... so we are hoping this goes away. -- but either way ........ its already so much nicer being able to go out in our backyard and not having to see the bastard!

Woah - that sucks! - Sorry to hear that!!

Good Luck! - the job search is always hard! - You can train to do anything!

Wow - I cant believe this - it's actually getting worse! - We walk out yesterday to begin working on the fence and he has posted no trespassing signs on his fence facing our yard. - We take pictures of them and start working. During the day, a surveyor that he apparently called comes out and does a rough measurement. - I talked to the surveyor and he said the guy is crazy, and it looks like we are on our property, and thats what he will tell him. -- the guy comes home and barges out saying "Your still going to build this even though I told you it's off?" - I responded by telling him "actually, the surveyor you hired came out today and told us we were fine". - he responds "Oh he did did he... we will see about that" and walks away. - no less than 5 minutes later, the cops arrive...... my brother in law who is a state trooper is helping me build the fence, and assures me the cop cant do anything. - Sure enough, the cop tells the jackass it is a civil matter and there is nothing he can do. -- My brother-in-law goes out and talks to the cop, and finds out the jackass was calling the station numerous times and was already told there is nothing that can be done, but he still insisted a cop come out. .... thats the last we've heard of it -- I'm sure we will be getting a notice that we are being sued again...... I never knew my wife working in a law office would come in handy so much! -- but this is really just absurd - its really troubling because we honestly feel like we are good, and nice people.... all our other neghibors love us - and we all cant stand this guy. I dont want to be a pain in-the-ass neghibor - and I hate that I am being viewed as that. -- but this guy is not going to tell me where I can build a fence on my own property! ARGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG! -- I think what really bothers me is this guys lack of ability to be reasonable, and neghiborly by approaching me and having a friendly conversation. - He never approached us about the dog (although he said he did in court) - and the only reason we knew he would complain about the fence is because that also came up in the last court case. ... My mother in-law tells me I should approach him and ask him if there is something we did to bother him......... but honestly at this point, I dont think this guy deserves me being nice to him. - I dont want to talk to him, he is completley unreasonable - and always thinks he is right. what should I do now?

Hey everyone, thought I'd update you on the situation! -- Breif recap for those of you who didnt see the OP -- long story short... my neghibor is a jerk and complains about everything to the county - never confronts us about anything, only calls the county to comlpain. Among many other things he has copmlained about (property line, a drain pointing towards his yard)... he decided to complain that my dog is out in the middle of the night barking excessivley. The only thing - my dog is in between my wife and I in bed in the middle of the night. - On occasion, 1-2 times a month, she wakes up in the middle of the night and goes to the bathroom -if she see's something outside, she will bark a total of 2-3 times before I get her inside. He complained so much that animal control issued us a fine - we appealed and went to court. ------- on to the rest of the story......... On his complaint, he listed about 14 days straight that my dog apparently was out in the middle of the night numerous times each night barking for 5 minutes each. One of the nights listed, he had her barking at 12:15am, 2:15am and 5:00 am - only problem - we were at a friends house until 3:30am -- and our dog is kept crated when we are not home - so it was impossible! We went to court with a certified note from the friends house we were at and a note from our other next door neghibors, whom we are actually attached to saying that our dog has never been a problem, and they have never heard her barking in the middle of the night. Also - since my wife works at a law office, she brought a lawyer who was free for us! - It may have also helped that this lawyer is really... really good and has recieved awards amongst his colleagues for his work! - anyway.... our lawyer starts out and sets the guy up perfectly--- he caught him in a number of lies, and had the guy talking in circles - it was really entertaining - the animal control board and the councelor overseeing the process really enjoyed the show! In a way - I even felt sorry for the guy because it had to be tough to be embarrased in court so badly! The result - we dont know yet - but we assume we wont have a problem. - The board notifies us of their decision by mail! -- But of course, we will have another issue with the guy.... we are building a fence (which I made sure I got the appropriate permits for and looked up the county land plat to make sure I wasnt over extending my property or anything) - the problem is he doesnt want my fence butting up against his fence... and wants me to leave a foot and a half between. His problem with that is, it's my property and I can do whatever I want to do! We dug all our post holes yesterday and I'm sure we will be getting a note from the county, if not the police called on us today! lol This should be another fun situation!!

congrats...! welcome aboard!

welcome aboard!

welcome aboard!

Welcome Aboard

welcome aboard!

welcome aboard!

welcome aboard!

welcome aboard!

Jen - can you come take care of my neghibor too!

What crap. - We just filed for our hearing on our situation!! (which reminds me - one of the days our jackass was complaining about - we were not even there!)! - But on how to get back........ #1 - I'd park in front of her house every chance you get.... if it is public property she cant tow you - if it is her personal property that is obviously different. We had a car parked in front of our house for 4 months - never moved! - I finally called the cops because I thought it was abandoned....... the cops basically said, tough luck since the tags were not expired. If she does tow you - I'd contact a lawyer ASAP and probably end up suing the tow company, since they can not to where they are not contracted by either the owner of the vehicle, or the owner of the property the car is parked on (in this case, the town). You could put a big sign in your front yard telling the whole world that your neghibor is a bitch. -- I dont think you can use profanities, but you can put it in a nicer way. You could contact a lawyer and have the them send a nasty letter on your behalf threatening that you will sue them for harrasement if they continue to file absurd complaints to the county. I think water in the gas tank will actually do more damadge than rocks! lets see.... what else? - You could be like my jackass neghibor and dump your grass clippings in front of the gate to her fence. (I cant believe that jackass did that). umm........ what else.... hmmm......... other than giving them a dirty look or flipping the bird every time you see them, thats all I've got. -- Oh - and you could be like me -- hoping that you just happen to see someone breaking into your neghibor's house so you can tap them on the shoulder and say - dont worry.... I'll make sure no body calls the cops - just be sure to take everything!

You guys are right - No vendors are allowed to post on theknot.com at all. - However, in many markets, there seems to be some vendors that create ID's as "brides" and then get on and post a "Vendor Review" of their wedding - only reviewing one vendor, and telling everyone how great they were. - and that is the only post they ever put on the forum! But it goes beyond that - in the Baltimore area, we had a big bridal show at fair grounds -- one of the opposing bridal show founders got on the knot and repeatedly made fake accounts talking down about the fairgrounds bridal show. - it was kind of absurd. -- Everyone here seems to be friendly and seems to respect each others points of view. I think the fact that vendors are allowed to post (but not SPAM) is great. - Vendors usually know alot more about the wedding industry than brides do -- and as a result, can be very helpful in ways other than simply soliciting. -- Afterall, we go to weddings ALL THE TIME - and see all kinds of things! The Knot's search feature is useless. - I advertise on the knot locally - and when I told my sales rep, I get all these click-thru's to my site coming from a forum, but I cant search because your search feature is broken. - she said she would look into it, and never got back to me. On the Vendor's side - it's annoying because I'd like to see what's being discussed, and who is linking to me! -- I often give gifts to previous clients who continue to reffer me business and I like to always know who is reffering me so I know who to send gifts -- but without the search feature, I cant!