Help me pick a photographer!

[dani13]

Hi everyone,

We are in the process of planning our 9/28/07 wedding, and we are having a really hard time deciding on a photographer. We have met with EIGHT so far-yes, that is not a typo- really eight!! I know, we are insane.

We are struggling with making the decision of film vs digital. There are pros and cons for each, I guess. If anyone has any experiences or input they want to share regarding their choice, I would love to hear it!!

These are the 2 photographers we like the most...I think it will come down to either one of them...if any of you have some time, please check out each of them and tell me which one you prefer!!!! I really like them both- they are both sweet personality wise. Here are the 2 we are considering:

www.mariepapp.com

www.anneconstance.com

Thanks for all of the help in advance!

 

[sumbride]

I liked the second one the the best. I think she has a better eye for her subjects, not just the scene. They are both good though. Are the prices similar? and availability?

I lucked out... just asked my photographer friend to tell me who she would hire. She did, and I hired him. YAY!!!

So have you figured out how you feel about digital vs. film? I''m a staunch advocate of digital myself. I feel like they can get more images and do more adjusting, plus then you get access to all of them post-wedding a lot easier than a ton of negatives. You can do so many things to and with digital now that I think film is on it''s way out, and it''s just too expensive. The caveat being their digital camera needs to be as professional as their film camera... no point-and-shoots.

 

[radiantgirl]

Hi Dani - I checked out both of the photographers, and I have to say that I prefer the second one, Anne Constance, much better than the first. Her photos look for more lively, and they seem to capture the moments better.

Which one are you leaning more towards?

 

[dani13]

Thanks so much ladies, I really appreciate your input...

I preferred film to digital initally. Film, imo, just has this look, almost like a grainy-ness that I really love. Film is also more forgiving in terms of photographing people, because digital is just so sharp...

But sumbride, you are right, film is just so expensive- Marie Papp (shoots film) is almost 1k more expensive than Anne's (who shoot digital) package, and that doesn't even include an album, which will be probably another 2k, that is, when we decide to do it...we would probably have to wait on that...With Anne, an album is included in her package, and she is still cheaper than Marie...I think part of it is that Anne is a bit younger than Marie, and less experienced, Regardless, I think she takes lovely pictures and is very talented.

Initally, I was leaning towards Marie, just because I thought I preferred film. But after I saw Anne's portfolio and saw that there wasn't much of a difference in her digital picture quality from Marie's film quality, I started to feel torn. Another advantage with digital is that we will save money reproducing our photos, since everything will be online.

 

[fatafelice]

Oh, boy, do I know how hard this is! I was exactly where you are about a month ago. I got it narrowed down to two photographers I loved, who were both super nice, and I couldn't make a decision. Finally, I made a table comparing all of the elements of each one. What did I like about their pictures/style, what kind of album, what it included, how many hours they would work, what extras were in the package, what fees might be charged for travel or extra hours, and overall price. And I thought about what was most important to me. For example, one photographer was available for unlimited time on the day of the wedding, and had my favorite album of all, but the other would turn over all of the negatives in two years. I had to decide how important those negatives were to me. Important enough for an album I didn't like *quite* as much, an 8 hour time limit, and a slightly higher cost? I decided not. So make sure you can compare apples to apples (or as close as possible) and decide what you want the most.

Now, in the event that they are otherwise exactly the same, I think I like the first one best.

But that is just with a quick look. They both seem wonderful.

And a word on digital/film...Go digital. All of the digital pics I have seen have looked better. Plus, they can take WAY more shots, increasing your chances for more great prints in the end. And no extra charges for extra rolls of film.

my 2 cents...

ETA: I just saw your response, and I say go with #2. Her pictures are gorgeous. I'm not sure I could justify the cost (and waiting for an album!), just to have film.

 

[AsscherGirl]

Hi Dani!

I have to say that I like the second photographer (Anne Constance) better. Maybe it was because her subjects seemed happier? I really liked the photos of the first photographer, but they seemed very "artsy" and I am not a huge fan of the "fashion type" poses.

I also am a fan of digital photography instead of film. I am the type of person though that would load all my pics onto my computer and randomly browse through them as I''m doing something else (like surfing Pricescope!). I haven''t pulled out my film pictures in years at this point & I can''t imagine pulling out a giant box of proofs to look through my wedding pictures.

Oooh & I''m nosy - can you tell me who else you met with & why you ruled them out? Fi & I are starting to look at photogs also

.

I think I remember you mentioned once before that you liked film photography....did something change your mind?

 

[AsscherGirl]

Ok, I saw your response & I forgot something....


I think the P-scopers like Anne better cause she takes a lot of bling shots

.

I''d definitely go with Anne!

 

[lovelylulu]

i like the second, especially if she''s $1k less

 

[dani13]

LOL- Danielle- you are too funny!!!!

Initially I did prefer film (explained above). But I also recognize the convienence of digital, and its less damage $$-wise.
Did you and your fi set a date and settle on a place yet?? Do tell!!

Ok, some of the other photographers I met with:

Therese Marie Wagner- insanely expensive. Won't even go there.
Stacey Ilyse- young, new, and was a bit pricey for being so inexperienced. And photos, imo, were nothing special.
Karen Zieff- very high-end NYC photographer, insanely expensive, the cream of the crop (and she knew it-LOL). Photos were amazing, but just couldnt afford her.
Lauren Rutten- she was nice, but photos didn't do anything for me.
Marianne (from Blue Daisy Weddings)- photos just weren't that great in person.

Honestly, when I met with Anne, we just clicked. She is a sweetheart. And her prices are reasonable. If you are interested, let me know and I can give you more info...

 

[dani13]

Date: 8/25/2006 3:04:47 PM
Author: lovelylulu
i like the second, especially if she's $1k less

LOL- Lovelyulu-ain't that the truth!!! By the way, how is married life treating you???!!!

 

[lovelylulu]

hey dani!

well, it''s been nearly two months now and so far so good

we lived together before getting married, so there wasn''t an enormous day to day adjustment - but, and it''s hard to articulate, there''s definately a positive change in our relationship.

i highly recommend marriage!

about your photogs -- i really did love the second one''s pictures.

 

[E B]

They''re both great choices, but I like #2 (Anna Constance) more, and not only because she''s $1k less (though that''s wonderful!). She seems to capture the funny little un-posed moments better...those are my favorite moments.

 

[SoonIHope]

Date: 8/25/2006 3:46:38 PM
Author: lovelylulu
i highly recommend marriage!

Hehehe Lulu you are too cute!

Dani - would you mind posting how much your package with Anne would cost? I'm still fishing around.... Thanks!!

ETA: Plus I love her pictures! I actually think I might prefer Marie's by like 1%, but the extra $1000 doesn't do it for me, and I definitely want digital photos. Don't think you can go wrong with either though!!

 

[AmberWaves]

I also like #2 more, and Ebree- LOVE the avatar!!

 

[dani13]

Date: 8/25/2006 4:01:59 PM
Author: albicocca

Date: 8/25/2006 3:46:38 PM
Author: lovelylulu
i highly recommend marriage!

Hehehe Lulu you are too cute!

Dani - would you mind posting how much your package with Anne would cost? I'm still fishing around.... Thanks!!

ETA: Plus I love her pictures! I actually think I might prefer Marie's by like 1%, but the extra $1000 doesn't do it for me, and I definitely want digital photos. Don't think you can go wrong with either though!!

Albi-

Anne's package is $3800, which includes 10 hrs of photography, all proofs (unmarked, about 800 pics), all negatives on high-res cd with repro rights, and a bridal album- either coffee-table/magazine style, or a matted- style album. So I thought it was a pretty good deal for NJ area,...plus, she is super nice. There are other a la carte items like parent albums, engagement sessions, etc that you can add on there too, but that is more $$...

 

[sumbride]

Date: 8/25/2006 4:18:27 PM
Author: Dani

Anne''s package is $3800, which includes 10 hrs of photography, all proofs (unmarked, about 800 pics), all negatives on high-res cd with repro rights, and a bridal album- either coffee-table/magazine style, or a matted- style album. So I thought it was a pretty good deal for NJ area,...plus, she is super nice. There are other a la carte items like parent albums, engagement sessions, etc that you can add on there too...

That''s an AWESOME deal!

 

[SoonIHope]

Awesome, thanks Dani!!

 

[Gypsy]

I think going with Anne is the better choice overall. Have to agree.

 

[dani13]

I am starting to lean more towards Anne. I love Marie''s work too, but she is just so darn expensive. FI says that we can''t go overboard on everything, which is honestly what its been so far- eveything has been over our original budget. So, it may be nice to go a little under what we budgeted for photography, and still have great pictures...

Albi-if I end up going with her, and if you want me to- I can ask Anne if she travels to your area- I am sure she does- although I am positive you would have to cover her travel expenses. Let me know.