Photography: More bang for your buck? What should I do?

[goldenstar]

I met with two amazing photogs today. I'm so glad I met them the same day so that I could compare. But now I'm more confused than ever.

Here's the problem...

They both have a package for the same price. But one gives you a lot more stuff than the other (Let's call them P1 and P2). They are equal in talent and reputation.

P1 is the one that gives your more stuff. For example, the engagement session is included and you get two family albums and the CD of images. P2 doesn't give you these things in her package of the same price.

P1 is older and has more years of experience. She also teaches photography, has published books, and has won cool awards. P2 is younger (thus shorter career but still very experienced). Most importantly, we have great chemistry with P2 and her style is more "us".

We were sure we wanted to go with P2 until I realized that P1 gives you a ton more for the same price. And she (P1) has all those great credentials and would surely do a fabulous job. If I could get P2 to throw in a few extras we'll be happy, even if she still doesn't match P1's deals.

But how do I go about doing this? Would it be okay to tell P2 exactly who we met with and what she includes in her package? Or should I be more subtle? I'm stumped.

Worse case senario: P2 doesn't budge. Would you pick P1 because of the package, even though you like P2 more? (remember the cost is equal)

 

[Gypsy]

I love bang for buck. But this isn't a like a ring, where you might be able to upgrade settings and centers, or get a RHR in a different shape, style or color, or pair with different bands for different looks. This is a once in a lifetime chance to capture a once in a lifetime event.

So, the chemistry and the gut feeling of her being more 'you' counts for more than the extras.
P2 is the one I'd pick.

I would ask her to throw somethings in though. Those CDs cost them next to nothing.

 

[Emeraldfan]

goldenstar - I would definitely try and negotiate. Our photographer is quite expensive (but worth it) and we negotiated down about 500 dollars, plus she added an engagement session in and an extra hour of her time on the day of the wedding. I would just mention that you would really love to have her shoot your wedding and that you had such great chemistry but her fee is a little high and is it possible to bring it down or throw in a few extras? If you ask her by giving her the option of the same money but a little more work, or less money, it gives her flexibility to try and make it work for both of you.

 

[ringster]

Date: 1/18/2008 2:12:33 AM
Author:goldenstar
I met with two amazing photogs today. I'm so glad I met them the same day so that I could compare. But now I'm more confused than ever.


Here's the problem...


They both have a package for the same price. But one gives you a lot more stuff than the other (Let's call them P1 and P2). They are equal in talent and reputation.


P1 is the one that gives your more stuff. For example, the engagement session is included and you get two family albums and the CD of images. P2 doesn't give you these things in her package of the same price.


P1 is older and has more years of experience. She also teaches photography, has published books, and has won cool awards. P2 is younger (thus shorter career but still very experienced). Most importantly, we have great chemistry with P2 and her style is more 'us'.


We were sure we wanted to go with P2 until I realized that P1 gives you a ton more for the same price. And she (P1) has all those great credentials and would surely do a fabulous job. If I could get P2 to throw in a few extras we'll be happy, even if she still doesn't match P1's deals.


But how do I go about doing this? Would it be okay to tell P2 exactly who we met with and what she includes in her package? Or should I be more subtle? I'm stumped.


Worse case senario: P2 doesn't budge. Would you pick P1 because of the package, even though you like P2 more? (remember the cost is equal)

i have a feeling i know who your P1 and P2 are. i would let P2 know that you are torn between her and another photog ( you don't have to mention who P1 is to P2). let P2 know that you really really like the chemistry between her and yourselves but you are comparing two packages and the other package is giving you more than what she is offering. make sure you have in your mind your priority for what you would like her to include because she might not be willing to include them all. see what she says and then think on it.

btw - i have to admit that when i first met with my photog i wasn't immediately feeling tremendous rapport but i knew that she was very very experienced and would take great photos. and so i was still interested in her. also, i was really wondering that if she has gotten so many awards and accolades and was able to get great photos from tons of brides then she has to be pretty good working with people and getting them to feel comfortable and so i felt that in our first meeting her true personality didn't come out. it was only when i went to her blog and read some of her writing and a video she posted did i get a better sense of her and started to really like her as a person.

when i called her and said i was interested in hiring her and that the clincher was her blog, i really felt that we had a good vibe going and except for the initial worrying about the contract, i feel the rapport has just gotten better. i really liked that she said at one point that she looks forward to exceeding my expectations. i guess i am just saying that you never know what further conversation with either P1 or P2 or any vendor for that matter may bring.

i think that if P2 is the style you prefer then you probably are right and should go with her because that is pretty important esp if you are going to shell out a good amount of money. but just thought i'd share my experience about second impressions.

 

[goldenstar]

Thanks Bay Area gals! (thats why we're still awake-- same time zome)

Ringster--

Gypsy-- You have a great point. It made me feel a TON better.


Okay, my goal is to get a little more from P2. I'd be satisfied with the CD and maybe a teeny bit off the package price. But I'll shoot for as much as I can get.

 

[ringster]

Date: 1/18/2008 2:54:19 AM
Author: goldenstar
Thanks Bay Area gals! (thats why we''re still awake-- same time zome)

yep

i am curious though why P2 is the same price as P1 but gives less and she has much less experience in years from what i can tell.

i am wondering even more about the fact that P2 does not include the digital images. most everyone i met with at that price range included the digitals with the package. so i think it is strange. does P2 only shoot in digital or combo digital and film?

 

[goldenstar]

Date: 1/18/2008 3:22:12 AM
Author: ringster

Date: 1/18/2008 2:54:19 AM

Author: goldenstar

Thanks Bay Area gals! (thats why we're still awake-- same time zome)

yep

i am curious though why P2 is the same price as P1 but gives less and she has much less experience in years from what i can tell.


i am wondering even more about the fact that P2 does not include the digital images. most everyone i met with at that price range included the digitals with the package. so i think it is strange. does P2 only shoot in digital or combo digital and film?

Yes, I was curious about these things also. Maybe P2 is in high demand? I dunno...

I'm pretty sure P2 shoots in film only, but I will double check. The CD is included in the next level of package (which is way out of my range). P2 also charges for the engagement shoot, but what's cool is that an awesome hair/makeup/wardrobe extraordinaire is on site through the whole shoot and is included in the price.

One thing that P2 has over P1 is slideshows for both engagement and wedding. They are really cool. You can see them on her blog. There's one in particular that made me fall in love with P2.

This is all very confusing to me.

ETA: I made a mistake in my original post. P1 includes ONE family album in the package I'm thinking of, not TWO.

 

[ringster]

Date: 1/18/2008 3:37:39 AM
Author: goldenstar

Yes, I was curious about these things also. Maybe P2 is in high demand? I dunno...


I'm pretty sure P2 shoots in film only, but I will double check. The CD is included in the next level of package (which is way out of my range). P2 also charges for the engagement shoot, but what's cool is that an awesome hair/makeup/wardrobe extraordinaire is on site through the whole shoot and is included in the price.


One thing that P2 has over P1 is slideshows for both engagement and wedding. They are really cool. You can see them on her blog. I think these are great.


This is all very confusing to me.


ETA: I made a mistake in my original post. P1 includes ONE family album in the package I'm thinking of, not TWO.

with the shooting in film and not digital, i can understan then why P2 charges for dvd of the images - it is definitely an extra step for her to digitize the images. also, the time to print the images is more so i can see why she also charges more but doesnt't give as many items with her package. her work is definitely more labor intensive. also by shooting in film she would not know until after the event what kind of pics she took. i think that is the case but if anyone knows better please jump in.

you may want to clarify with P2 what her process is. if she gives you a cd of the images then you want to make sure that they are very high resolution images because she can give the cds but if they are not high enough resolutions and you try and go print the image into a big portrait, it might not look good.

yeah, there is alot of info and can be overwhelming.

 

[goldenstar]

Thanks for that info re film vs digital. I''ll ask both what they use. It would explain a lot.

 

[bee*]

I''d go with P2-I''m kind of in the same predicament and after thinking about it for ages I think we''re going to go with the one who''s style is more us. I would try and get a discount though, even if she could throw in the cd for free. That''s what I''m going to try and get from our photographer.

 

[ringster]

hey goldenstar - one more thing to consider. does P2 give you all of the negatives and if so at what point i.e. when you get your photo album or after a set number of days after giving you the photo album? if she does that is good. if she doesn''t then you have to add into your additional cost ordering prints from her and that can add up very quickly.