Online Vendor Reviews

If your vendors had your more upset than bad weather on your wedding day, let others know.

Have you ever been out to a restaurant, only to leave so upset about the food quality, or service that you rushed right to your computer to give a them a bad review on sites like Yelp.com, Metromix.com or Citysearch.com?

While it may be little consolation after having a bad wedding experience, but some of these sites actually go beyond eating & drinking and your bad reviews or rave remarks for a vendor may just help sway another unsuspecting couple towards a great vendor as much as it could save them from a bad one. Not to mention give you a little more satisfaction than ranting on Facebook or Twitter.

As a home owner I'm a big user of Angie's List (a subscriber based rating service). While the site got some hype last year when they started doing medical reviews, I never knew until an issue of their monthly magazine did an article on wedding disasters, that vendors from caterers to photographers are also listed.

So don't forget after the wedding, post up your own thoughts on everything from your wedding vendors to your reception hall rental. You never know, some vendors check these site frequently and may even be grateful enough to give you a discount on future services (say maybe a photographer throwing in some 8x10's for free).

Also, if you're still in the planning stages, don't overlook using these sites for yourself, or to check on vendors you may already have booked to head off any possible issues that may arise.

On a final note; be wary of what you do put in writing. Especially if you had a particularly bad experience. Stick to the facts and try to keep any emotion out of it. The internet isn't as wild as it use to be, and liable cases are popping up all over the country. While a vendor might not win a case against you, they could ruin your honeymoon too, if you need to spend money on a lawyer to defend yourself in a liable case. And God forbid if you have to take the vendor to court for breach of contract. If that's the case, it might be best not to say anything till the trial is over.

www.VincentDavidJohnson.com

Blog Fade was so 2009

My son (Alexander Xerxes Johnson) & I. (photo by my wife Jang Mi Johnson)

So I think we can all say that pretty much world wide 2009 was a year quite a few of us would rather forget. Short of the birth of my first born child in June, I think I would have to agree.

I started this Blog back in the fall of 2008 and while I'll admit it's not the daily update of wedding trends all upcoming brides are looking for, I can't say it was ever intended to be update more than 2-3 times a month. I look at it as timeless information that should be read from the first to the last entry.

But, many of you might have noticed something internet trend watchers called "Blog Fade". Which is where somebody starts to blog, but for whatever reason, those blog posts fall from being frequent to none at all.

You'll also may have noticed my Blog Fade happened in June, so if you can put the pieces together, I've been on daddy duty most of the week, since the majority of my shooting work is done on weekends and blog entries have been push aside.

Eitherway, I'm posting here to tell you that 2010 is going to be a lot more active than the previous 6 months.

Look for;
Photographer recommendations
Best of images from weddings I've recently shot
Questions to ask your potential photographer
Web sites for wedding ideas & info
Post wedding ideas of photos & much more

Send me your feedback on photographers you've seen or used, as well as photo ideas you like or comment on my work & ideas. I look forward to hearing from you in 2010 and wish all you would-be couples the best in 2010.

Cheers,
Vincent D. Johnson

www.VincentDavidJohnson.com

What's more important the photographer or the photographs?

If you think about how your wedding day will unfold, you'll realize that out of all the people you'll be spending time with, almost no one, including your soon to be spouse, will be with you more than the photographer.

Often when I'm contacted by a couple about my services, I often hear about how they like my photos, but later I've been told a big reason why a couple chose me, is that during our face to face meeting I made them feel very comfortable.

This is something that took me a year or two to realize, that it was part of the services I had to offer and not just my ability to dress well & smile.

In the past I've talked about important things to think about when choosing your location, ways to make sure your photographer has a the opportunity to get good photos and ways to get a good photographer if you're on a tight budget, but I've never actually talked about getting a photographer you'd like.

While I can't tell you what you should personally like in a photographer, I can tell you that no matter how good the portfolio, package prices or options offered, you should actually like the photographer you'll be working with as much as you like their products.

A few good examples of when having a likable photographer is nice are;
-when the bride and bridle party are getting dressed & ready
-in the extra small waiting rooms before the ceremony
-those intimate moments when the couple are alone, away from everybody after the ceremony
-and interacting with your guests

Still not quite sure what to look for in a photographer? Here are some good starting points.

1. Do they sound like they enjoy shooting weddings, or is this just a 9-5?

Wedding photography is a job, but while the responsibility of taking photos on one of the greatest days of a couples life is intense, if they're not into it, it will show up in the photos as well as possibly being disruptive the day of.

2. Do they talk about bad weddings & bridezillas more than happy brides & beautiful ceremonies?
I'll admit I've talked at length before about wedding mishaps and bridezillas, but I usually try to focus it on how a future couple can avoid pitfalls, as opposed to just an all out rant. Stories about how to make your wedding better are often a sign a photographer cares about your experience as much as your business.

3. Do you actually get to meet them and are they guaranteed to be your photographer?
Studios often have a sales person you meet with to discus packages, albums & prints. While you might have a choice based on portfolio, meeting the photographer is often a day of the ceremony occasion. Also, be sure to ask up front what your photographer's switching policies are? Even small independent photographers have been know to double book a date and substitute a second photographer or assistant photographer in place of themselves.
Above all, follow your gut and not your wallet. If you get a recommendation for a photographer, ask your friends about their personality as well as their professionalism.

www.VincentDavidJohnson.com