We chose John Urban b/c of the many wonderful reviews and his portfolio. We did not have the positive experience everyone else describes. We received the pictures 3 weeks after our wedding although we were told it would be 2 weeks, and we had to ask for them. The photos seemed very generic and lacked the artistic expression/poses/angles that I was expecting from his portfolio pictures. Group shots were just plain group shots and most of the photos were what I would expect from a guest at my wedding, not my professional photographer. I did not care for the evening photos with the harsh lighting that cast a glow on the edges...the harsh lighting is incredibly unflattering and unnatural and that was the bulk of our couple shots. I allowed John to pick the start time for what would be best for lighting, but I felt like it got dark too quick and we were forced to use the flash and the beach background became non-existent. There were some nice pictures, but I was expecting to like 80% opposed to only 20%. There is not one photo that I actually LOVE.
I spent all weekend photo-shopping the pictures trying to soften the lighting or to better crop photos, which I should not have to do. It was also extremely unprofessional to not have had an assistant with him, therefore making one of my wedding guests hold his flash equipment and follow us around for 45 minutes taking pictures instead of her socializing with the rest of my guests. I emailed John telling him about my dissatisfaction and he did not even have the professionalism to respond. I was just overall very disappointed with the whole experience.
My father-in law makes custom jewelery...very unique and very beautiful. He can make any color or style. I have a ton of earrings from him. He made me some shell hoops for my wedding:)