Photographer Saga

[miraclesrule]

Call me crazy, but I think that paying $3200 for one shooter for seven hours is SANITY defined!

Especially if the venue needs a minimum of two shooters at best. So, apparently paying $4000 for two shooters for 6 hours is reasonable.

Personally, I think we should get a big fat discount just because the Bride has never taken a bad photo in her life because she is naturally...unnaturally even....photogenic. Seriously looks better in photos than in person. Lucky brat.

But seriously, am I the only one who thinks that it is insane to pay that much without getting a single print. Is it "normal" for a person to want to wait one year to get their hands on the DVD and then start deciding on an album which starts at $1600 for 45 pictures?

I think I feel a fever coming on...or a hot flash...hard to tell the difference. Or maybe I am the only sane MOB at the moment for questioning the wisdom of this.

::::taking my temperature::::::::

 

[Gypsy]

It doesn''t sound insane to me. Sounds reasonable it it''s a good photographer. Isn''t that terrible?

My second choice photographer was 6000 for one shooter for 7 hours. I was adamant I wanted two photographers... so imagine what I was willing to pay. And I''m FRUGAL.

After the wedding, the photos are all that''s really left. The better the photographer, the better the archiving of the day. For me, it''s worth it.

There are brides on here with 25K total budgets spending 10K on photography. That''s over a third of the budget, but it''s worth it for them.

 

[miraclesrule]

D''oh!! Put in that context I suppose you''re right, dangit

I just took my first serious look at their website and I realized that it was worth if they could make me look as good as they did some of the other photos.

They even demonstrated the 1) raw shot 2) the proof stage shot and finally 3) the custom print.

::::heavy sigh::::::

I guess the thought of having to rush to find my MOB dress in time, which nobody has locally for me to on and i can''t get to L.A. this week because I have a business trip that is taking a huge chunk of valuable time next week. I have to walk Bride down the aisle and want to make sure it''s in the dress i want. And my Mom...OMG, I can''t talk to her about any of this, because the thought of any of these prices might send her to an early grave, so we made a pact not to tell her too many cost details.

Time to go buy some lottery tickets :::shrugs:::

 

[SarahLovesJS]

Date: 4/3/2008 1:04:38 AM
Author: Gypsy
It doesn''t sound insane to me. Sounds reasonable it it''s a good photographer. Isn''t that terrible?


My second choice photographer was 6000 for one shooter for 7 hours. I was adamant I wanted two photographers... so imagine what I was willing to pay. And I''m FRUGAL.


After the wedding, the photos are all that''s really left. The better the photographer, the better the archiving of the day. For me, it''s worth it.


There are brides on here with 25K total budgets spending 10K on photography. That''s over a third of the budget, but it''s worth it for them.

Yep, I was one of those Brides, but I decided it was a little much for me personally. One of my first choice photographers was about $9,000-$10,00 + travel + accommodations. I am looking now at staying under $5,000 hopefully.

 

[Courtneylub]

What''s hilarious is I''m paying $750 for 8 hours coverage before prints!! I look at you guys and go

.

I got lucky with my photographer though. They are new to the wedding game, but are FABULOUS and creative, which is what I wanted.

 

[sap483]

My photographer is 6k (it is a husband and wife duo though) for unlimited covereage on our wedding day. We get our proofs in their signature magazine which is like a fashion magazine and full rights to all of their images on DVD. We don''t get prints or an album though for that price, that''s extra and starts at around 2k. If you''re in an expensive area (Bay Area, So. Cal, New York, Boston....etc.) that price seems reasonable to me if they''re talented.

 

[Stephanie]

My photographer freakout moment came when a potential photographer came back with a $9800 quote - with no prints. Granted he was good, but there was no way. However, I am estatic about the one we found - a third of the price and she is just wonderful. If they are good photographers, it''s crazy what they can charge, especially with the touch ups and corrections that need to be done.

 

[kellybelly]

sap483----> are you in NJ? you''re not using the Lagstein''s are you? i''d be so jealous because their work is beautiful!!

mine is going to run about $4500 and that includes all proofs, but no album. and for a photojournalist style, this is actually mid-range or low.

beaucoup bucks in photography. i should think about a career change!

 

[Daydreamer7130]

We are getting married in St. Lucia and our photographer is coming with us for 2 or 3 days to document the day before wedding, the wedding and then they are enjoying the island for the third day. Both days are unlimited photography over 4000 photos and we keep the CD. They have included some prints because we asked for such a small amount from them and we wanted to print off what we wanted in the sized we wanted. Our price was 3000.00 and their portfolio is absolutely creative and gorgeous!

It just depends on your personal preference and what is important to YOU.

Good luck!!

Cyn

 

[miraclesrule]

Well, I bit the bullet and said.... "Okay". The only thing I added, was an extra hour of shooting and I wanted to pick the pictures for the Parents album. Not that i don''t trust Bride, but I want to chose the photos that I get.

I''m sure my Bride is laughing that cute tush off knowing that y''all are basically giving me...her...a green light. I just never thought it would be so dang expensive. But I suppose since we live in a city where everyone acts like they are rich...San Diego..(but we aren''t)....it is the going rate for a great photogs, and y''all are right. It is one of the items that one should be ready and willing to splurge on.

So...the image is found....is a go, and the contract should be coming in email very soon.

 

[Gypsy]

Yeah. I know it's a painful bullet to bite. My mother about had a cow at the bottom line, and she loves our photographers. AND that's after I flat out lied to my family about what we are paying for photography. I discounted by 500 bucks! I'm getting a really great deal from them too as we have a past relationship with them (had booked them for our wedding a couple of years ago, long story). But it's worth it to me. I'm spending a fortune, and want nice pics afterwards to commemorate.

As for us talking you into it... it's a matter of perspective, that's all.

 

[miraclesrule]

It funny you say that Gyspsy...about perspective. When the photographer emailed *both* of us today, I was able to see what my darling daughter wrote in the email trail. She said that she was "At the mercy of those that are paying". I was like ....errrrrrr (Scobby-Doo style). I wanted to write back "Daughter gets it twisted, I am at the mercy of her" oh vey...but I didn''t write that.

I was like "heyyyyyyy" Got Contract? Will sign!!

 

[Gypsy]

Date: 4/3/2008 11:48:20 PM
Author: miraclesrule
It funny you say that Gyspsy...about perspective. When the photographer emailed *both* of us today, I was able to see what my darling daughter wrote in the email trail. She said that she was ''At the mercy of those that are paying''. I was like ....errrrrrr (Scobby-Doo style). I wanted to write back ''Daughter gets it twisted, I am at the mercy of her'' oh vey...but I didn''t write that.

I was like ''heyyyyyyy'' Got Contract? Will sign!!

It''s a joint venture, you are at each other''s mercy, the sooner you both realize it, the happier you''ll be. LOL.

It''s not a NECESSARILY a bad thing that she''s telling them right off that you are resistant a bit. It creates a room for her to bargain and exploit. I used my parent''s reaction to get a little more out of the package than was originally offered. Just as long as your darling is smart enough to use your reaction to her benifit, let her. If she''s not... tap her upside the head and tell her too.

 

[miraclesrule]

rolfmao...that''s my physical comedy in the office. I am always pretending I am whacking someone upside the head.