In article <3254109F.2AA3@okstate.edu>, cshawna@okstate.edu says...

>Hopefully someone can help me with a big question I have in deciding
>between photographers for my June 21 wedding.
>
>Photographer A - Well known in my city, but way over my budget (almost
>1500 over my budget). Very good quality, and I like him a lot. He
>allows for people to take photographs at the same time (dad wanting
>snapshots, etc.). Mixes 35mm and medium format, and will do black and
>whites for us, too.
>
>Photographer B - Great quality, nice guy. Perfect for my budget. Will
>work with us on package prices, so it fits perfectly. He uses medium
>format only. He will not allow anyone to take any photographs while
>he's taking them. I asked what about during things like the bouquet
>throw. We had also wanted to use those disposeable cameras, and he says
>ok as long as none are when he is shooting. Meaning no extra pictures
>of bouquet, cake cutting, or even some while we're getting ready.
>
>Question...
> Do most photographers feel so strongly about not allowing family to
>take snapshots? We know exactly what we're going to order, so it's not
>like he's going to get less money. At Geoff's brother's wedding his dad
>took pictures of a lot of the things we were doing, and it was nice to
>have the less posed photos. Sadly, the photographer who did their
>wedding moved, or we would use him. I really like the second guy, his
>quality is great, but Geoff really doesn't like the idea that his dad
>isn't "allowed" to run around taking those fun little photos at *our*
>wedding, and I kinda agree.
> Also, which is better for wedding photography, medium format a
>combination? Most of what we're ordering is just the albums and couple
>of larger ones, so would that make a difference?
>
> Any help you can give is GREATLY appreciated!!

Hmmm, too bad I am so far away - I would do it for the difference
between your budget and the expensive guy's price ;-), and I do weddings
available light, with LOTS of unposed photos (it is my style - I hate
the phoney-looking posed shots and the inky-background "cave-look" flash
pictures), and I do the groups casually and quickly. 35mm (especially if
slow film is used with flash only [ugh!, but it is what most wedding
photographers do...]) is fine for album prints - a larger format just
precludes all but set-up posed available-light work, or flash-only work.
I never prohibit other photography (heck, it's YOUR wedding - I'm just
there to record it), but 4-5 people next to me during the group photos
draw attention from my camera location, so I let the others shoot first,
then I shoot. I would say that you have not found the right photographer
yet - maybe you should keep looking....
Hope This Helps