Possible photographer?

[E B]

What do you guys think about this photographer I found? I like him a lot, but I'd like to hear some other opinions. His prices are pretty reasonable.

http://www.alexhamphotography.com/gallery1/Gallery/

ETA: Please, honest opinions only! Nothing's been booked yet, so you won't hurt my feelings.

 

[Caribou]

I like the pictures alot.

That girls (in gallery 1) hair is so cute!!!!!

 

[aphisiglovessae]

I like some of his photos, but I don''t he''s offerring a whole lot for his prices. Maybe I''m just spoiled by my photographer.

 

[E B]

Date: 3/15/2006 1:17:14 PM
Author: aphisiglovessae
I like some of his photos, but I don't he's offerring a whole lot for his prices. Maybe I'm just spoiled by my photographer.

What is he not offering that he could? (I don't know much about professional photographers and what they provide, so I'm genuinely curious!). Also, when you say you like some, which do you not like? I pasted the link to his first gallery because it's my favorite, and I want him to shoot mine the same way. I can pick and choose pictures from the other galleries, but it looks as though he's photographed different weddings in several different styles (some of which I don't care for).

 

[akw94]

I don''t know much about photographers either so I can only offer an opinion. I like the pictures and what I like most is the variety of shots taken. It seems very unique to me, not just your standard shots.....based on my limited knowledge.

 

[E B]

Date: 3/15/2006 1:35:00 PM
Author: amy94
I don't know much about photographers either so I can only offer an opinion. I like the pictures and what I like most is the variety of shots taken. It seems very unique to me, not just your standard shots.....based on my limited knowledge.

Exactly! I'm not a fan of the standard "bridal" shots either...I'm not having "bridals" for that very reason!

 

[aphisiglovessae]

Date: 3/15/2006 1:25:40 PM
Author: EBree

Date: 3/15/2006 1:17:14 PM
Author: aphisiglovessae
I like some of his photos, but I don't he's offerring a whole lot for his prices. Maybe I'm just spoiled by my photographer.

What is he not offering that he could? (I don't know much about professional photographers and what they provide, so I'm genuinely curious!). Also, when you say you like some, which do you not like? I pasted the link to his first gallery because it's my favorite, and I want him to shoot mine the same way. I can pick and choose pictures from the other galleries, but it looks as though he's photographed different weddings in several different styles (some of which I don't care for).

I liked the style of some of the photographs because I prefer a more photojournalistic approach to photography, but it seems that some of his pictures are as vibrant in color as I would like (But it's possible that the monitor I have at work just sucks). You really should see his pictures in person to guage how vibrant and full of life his photographs really are.

I also like more artistic, non-traditional photos that you normally wouldn't see in wedding albums of the past. His galleries seem to be a good mix of both, and that's why I like some of them. But this is all my personal preference.

As for his packages, there's probably a lot more he could offer if he was capable of doing it. I'm just saying that I'm getting a lot more for the price than what's listed on your photographer's website. My photographer did raise his prices recently (so I'm getting my photographer for a lot less than others now just because I happened to book him at the right time), but my particular package came with a LOT of stuff. Here's just some of the stuff I'm getting in my package: unlimited montages (which your photographer doesn't offer, but maybe doesn't do at all), the album is of the highest quality I've ever seen (leather bound with flush mounting in my colors of choice) and it's included in the price (your photographer charges 600 extra for that), an engagement and bridal session (both on locations and not in a studio. You're photographer only offers a bridal session with the most expensive package), larger prints (16 x 20) for my home and reception, unlimited coverage with no time limit at my wedding and reception, a DVD for each set of parents and parents albums (your photographer charges another 175 for that). There's more that I'm getting, but I can't remember off the top of my head. Plus, I don't want to reveal ALL the goodies that I talked him into.

It just seems that I'm getting more for the same price as your photographer's middle package. Just like any other vendor, his packages are probably negotiable and you could probably talk him into more stuff like I did with mine. It's possible you could get a lot more in your package with some tactful negotiating. I don't think his prices are super high or anything though: It's about average for a photographer of his caliber, from what I've seen while looking for a photographer for my wedding.

If you want, you can check out the WPJA website. It's for the Wedding Photo Journalist Association. The members of this association are supposed to be the top 5% in the country for wedding photojournalism. If you like that type of photography, the website is a good resource for looking up photographers in your area. It lists member websites, their prices and their capabilities and it's searchable by area. Who knows, you might find someone you like better and has better packages.

 

[E B]

Wow, Aphisi, don't let that photographer go!

I think we'll be okay for what he's offering. We're not sure if we're doing engagements (if we DO, we'd have to find a local photographer here in L.A.) and I won't be doing bridals. I think we can pay extra for larger prints, but we probably won't be needing more than one. The only problem I have with what he's offering is the time limit....an unlimited amount of time sounds really nice. If we go with him (her?), we'd be choosing the Gold package which is 5 hours. That sounds like enough time, doesn't it? I don't know, I've never done this before!

BTW, thanks for the link! I'll check it out right now.

 

[E B]

Oh, no, Aphisi....that link you gave me....

I''ve found another contender.

http://www.kellymoorephotography.com/

 

[aphisiglovessae]

Yeah, so now you know what I mean by SPOILED. He''s really hooking me up. If you don''t have a problem paying for the extra stuff then that''s cool, but you know it doesn''t hurt to try and get it out of him for free. Just polish up on those negotiating skills. They can really help when dealing with vendors.

As for the time limit, it depends on how long you want to be photographed. We''re getting photographed from the time we''re getting ready, through the ceremony, and through a 4 hour reception. If you add up all the time it takes to do all that, it''s way more than 5 hours for me, so I would need more coverage time. Also, larger prints can be REALLY pricey. I know my photographer''s average price for a 16 x 20 is over a hundred dollars! That''s a LOT of money for a print, IMO, and I know it''s a big markup compared to the actual cost for them.

Like I said: Negotiate, Negotiate, Negotiate.

But you really wanted to know what we thought about the quality and content of his photographs right? I think he''s better than a lot I''ve seen, but the REALLY good ones are REALLY expensive. He''s pretty good for his cost.

 

[aphisiglovessae]

Date: 3/15/2006 2:12:44 PM
Author: EBree
Oh, no, Aphisi....that link you gave me....

I''ve found another contender.

http://www.kellymoorephotography.com/

Ha ha, I knew that would happen...

I kinda skimmed the website, but I personally liked this person''s style and photos more than the previous one you posted. I didn''t see package prices listed though, so they might be a little more expensive.

It''s hard picking a photographer when you have a few really good contenders. Good luck on your search!

I''m no expert on this subject, but I have a HUGE interest in it. If you have any more questions, I''ll try to answer to the best of my ability or I will consult my photographer for his best answer.

 

[E B]

Date: 3/15/2006 2:19:29 PM
Author: aphisiglovessae
Ha ha, I knew that would happen...

I kinda skimmed the website, but I personally liked this person''s style and photos more than the previous one you posted. I didn''t see package prices listed though, so they might be a little more expensive.

It''s hard picking a photographer when you have a few really good contenders. Good luck on your search!

I''m no expert on this subject, but I have a HUGE interest in it. If you have any more questions, I''ll try to answer to the best of my ability or I will consult my photographer for his best answer.

Well, she''s more expensive....AND she''s in Louisiana, so she''d have to travel. Would I have to pay for her travel expenses? She was listed under North Texas. No fair.

When you say negotiate, do you find that there''s quite a bit of room? I wouldn''t know the first thing about negotiating.

 

[aphisiglovessae]

Usually photographers charge for travel. If she's listed in Texas, it probably means she's willing to travel that far, but probably at a price.

As for negotiating, it depends on the photographer. Some are easier than others. My photographer was willing to swap things out for other things, but he wasn't willing to give a discount on the price if I just wanted to take something out. I basically just said "ok, well I don't necessarily need this, but I would really like to have this and that." If they really want your business they'll work with you. To negotiate, you basically tell them what you would like and what your needs are. You can't be bratty about it or anything, but you kinda need to give them the impression that if they're not willing to work with your needs, you might look elsewhere. Usually they'll make you an offer and if it's not really what you want or if you think you can get more, you say, "well how about this?" and you make a counter offer more suited to what you want.

It's really hard to coach someone in the art of negotiations. I was raised with someone who negotiated EVERYTHING, so it's kinda natural for me. You gotta know how to act. You can't be bratty and you can't be soft either. Ha ha, I'm not really sure how to explain it to you by typing it out. It's something that involves facial expressions, tone of voice and everything else on top of the words you say.

I hope I helped a little though.

 

[cushioncut]

I didn't read through this whole thread before posting... nevermind