I was referred to Ryan Green Photography by a couple friends who used them; after looking through both their album and the gallery on Ryan and Lindsey's website I was pleased with their work. I spoke with Lindsey before committing to make sure I felt like it was a good fit and had a good feeling. I was pleased to learn that they offered a site visit with me at the venue to talk through my expectations and ideas for our wedding. During my site visit two weeks prior to the wedding I expressed all aspects of photography that were important to me. Jessica assured me they would have everything under control and led me to believe she was taking notes on my expectations. I left feeling very confident we were on the same page.
During our meeting I was very clear that my mom was making all floral arrangements, bouquets, boutonnieres, and decorations and that I wanted good footage of all this. While there are a few pictures there is not much variety and most are cropped to cut out important parts. They were pitiful coverage. However I have 12 shots of trees and leaves and 3 shots of a pink sequin table cloth like a fabric swatch.
What should be standard pictures found on any quick google search for "wedding pictures list" I am left without. While I have 23 pictures of my shoes (11 with them sitting on a lamp?) there is not one full length shot of the back of my dress on or off me. While I didn't explicitly ask for this I feel it is standard and common sense that the bride would want some good footage of her once in a lifetime dress. There are no pictures of our rings. My bouquet was shot next to the infamous lamp that got so much coverage with my shoes in dim light. They didn't shoot the "head" table with arguably the best centerpiece and the beautiful gold "Mr" and "Mrs" signs on the chairs to mention a few thing.
I verbally and through email gave overall ideas of pictures I wanted with my bridesmaids, wedding party, and family, that seemed to be completely disregarded. I was left with 4 different shots (that's being generous as they still look like the same picture) with my bridesmaids. They were completely left out of the pictures while we were all getting ready - I verbally asked for these and fun pictures of me and my girls. "Fun" being left up to the professional photographer. For reference our Wedding party was only 6 people (3/3). There are 2 pictures of the whole wedding party; one with the bridesmaid and groomsmen on either end cropped out. They did not pose anyone or give any direction so the spacing and stance in a lot of pictures is awkward and look unprofessional. Our 15 year old nephew played the ukulele as I walked down the isle with my dad and although this is not standard; they were made aware and there is not one picture of this.
Other bizarre shots taken to leave me questioning their judgment and ability:
-The ceremony was shot through leaves cutting out bridesmaids faces. Pictures of me getting ready were shot through someones arm.
-We had doughnuts brought out for our guests to enjoy as a late night snack and they chose to shoot the greasy doughnut boxes and one half eaten doughnut on a napkin but no one actually enjoying the doughnuts.
To top it all off both Ryan and Lindsey were unpleasant and had a bad attitude through the whole process. I received negative feedback from my mother in law, my dad, and my husband. All of whom were obviously in great moods and cracked a few jokes directly with Jessica or Ryan and were met with zero response or expression. When it came time for fun shots, group shots, and family shots; They were not in control at all which left me trying to direct family for pictures and trying to remember all the moments I wanted shot. In the end I am left with great memories and complete disappointment that it was not properly documented.
If you do decide to book I would suggest giving a VERY detailed list of all pictures you want taken. I would not leave anything up to chance.
I am happy to share my pictures with anyone interested.
Best of Luck,
Hailey Conley
HaileyClange@gmail.com read more