Stressed out over photographer

[zoebartlett]

Yes, I realize that there are WAY more important things in life to be stressed about but this one is keeping me up at night. We''ve looked at several photographers and have narrowed it down to two (I''ve posted about them before). Here''s the thing: Photographer A is significantly less expensive than photographer B (by $2000, if we compare the packages that we''d want from the latter with the standard flat fee of the former). Photographer B shoots photos for very well-known catalogs (and magazines I believe), while photographer A is pretty much beginning.

Here''s my dilemma: If we choose photgrapher A, we''d be saving a lot of money that could be used to help fund our honeymoon or other expenses (wedding related or not). I haven''t seen many wedding photos from this person but based on what I have seen, I wasn''t bowled over. Photographer B is really what we''re looking for stylistically. He''s perfect...except for the amount of $ we''d have to shell out to have him. The other one''s pics, I thought "eh...nice but not fantastic."

I keep hearing how the photos will last forever and the one thing you should splurge on is the photographer. People say that now but how often do people look at their album years down the road? Is it really worth it to spend the big bucks? Everyone I''ve talked to doesn''t understand why I''d even think about spending so much money. Really, is all you need that one GREAT shot?

What to do, what to do. No, really, what would you do?

 

[Independent Gal]

Well, as the person who posted about whether we should bother with a photographer AT ALL, I''d have to say that for me the answer would be "Go with A!!!! Save the dough"

I guess you have to ask yourself: how often does your mom look at her wedding photo album? How often have you looked at it? E.g., Maybe poll your mom''s friends. Or post this on ''hangout'' where some longer married ladies dwell!

 

[oshinbreez]

Zoe,

I''d also go with A. I asked my kids how often they look at their wedding pics. My DD and SIL have been married 6 years, and they don''t know when the last time they looked at their pics. My DS and DIL have been married 2 years, and said it''s probably been a year since they''ve looked at theirs. I never look at the albums they gave me. I have a wedding pic of each framed, and that''s all I look at.

 

[zoebartlett]

My mom told me that she doesn''t ever look at her photo album. She was the one who pointed out that nobody does after the first few months or so. My parents got married 37 years ago I think. I don''t think she really noticed the quality of the photos for our photographer B. She didn''t seem impressed at all. She looked at them and said "yeah, nice" but I knew she didn''t *see* what we had seen. I love detail shots and she was like, "why would you have your shoes [or whatever random thing] photographed?" She didn''t get it.

I think probably others would agree with her, while a few would agree with "our vision."

Thanks for suggesting I post this in hangout -- I''ll go do that now.

 

[Selkie]

Have you met with either photographer yet? It might be worth speaking with the more affordable one about your ideas for what you want. I don''t see any reason that you wouldn''t be able to get the detail shots you want from her, and even some of the more artistic ones. I think with the well-known guy who shoots for LL Bean, you are in a way getting the "Tiffany" effect--you are paying in part for the brand name. He may have better equipment, of course, and better album production, but it sounds like you are more concerned with the composition of the images. Just something to consider.

 

[surfgirl]

It''s your wedding zoe, go with your gut. Of course you''re not going to be looking at your wedding album all the time forever. But do you want fantastic photos to remember it by?

 

[Trelala]

Hmm, I say if you can afford it, go for it.

We went with a very expensive top of the line photographer as well. To us, photographs is what lasts. Oh yeah, and the memories.

Also, hubby''s in the Film/TV industry, photography''s one of his hobbies. So he''s really picky about photography.
But I don''t know how often I''ll be looking at these photos, haven''t even been married a month yet!

 

[labbielove]

this is a very personal decision, but all i can speak for is myself/ourselves

i am extremely picky about photography, and in my mind it''s the one vendor with which i would not compromise- of course within a particular "realm of possibility" for our budget

with that being said, we could easily get a photog for 2,000 or more less than what we are paying, and the photos being fine. but we had to have a photog that had the credentials, the experience, and the artistry. there is a lot more that goes into shooting a wedding than just being a technically sound photographer. they have the experience to be there when those moments happen that a studio photographer may not be able to capture. we weren''t willing to risk a hit or miss approach on our day, or have it used to build up someone''s portfolio. but again, that''s just us.

if A works for you and fi, then go for it. however i definitely would meet with both photogs and see how you feel in person

 

[larussel03]

This is totally up to you and how important pictures are to you in the grand scheme of everything.

For us, we chose a cheaper photographer (but not cheap) and the reason being is that pics are important to us, but we don''t care about the "styles" or anything like that. I''m sure our photographer is very good, and we saw impressive work, but basically I just really want the basic moments captured with some extras thrown in.

My best friend, on the other hand, herself is a decent photographer, and photos were up there on her list as one of the most important things. She wanted someone who could photograph in a specific style that she liked, so she ended up spending a little more than 2x what Fi and I are spending on photos. She wants to be sure that her pics are done artistically, which she is really into, while we''re just into having our pics for memories.

It all depends on how "into" it you are. I would go with A personally, but my friend would tell you to go with "B"

 

[Jaders731]

Zoe..

As someone who spent about $1800 more on a photog. (our B photographer, just didnt have that look we were going for)... I would urge you to spend the extra money... of course, we didnt hire a videographer.. so we really wanted special photo''s to remember the day by, and we both adore great photography....

I personally feel that the photos of that day are incredible reminders of the day.. I dont regret for one second the amount of money we spent on our photographer.. and you all have seen the proof... she was amazing.. and worth every single cent... I have to tell you though.. its what you put into it that makes the money worth it... ya know... I email my photog once a week... she is like family now.. and I truly consider her a friend... so much so that I have offered up my home to her.. she may come vist us in Turks and Caicos this year...
So.. while we did spend more than we originally wanted.. we were prepared to pay for more, because the wedding photos to us.. were in our top three as far as importance... I feel like we got our money''s worth... and I feel like I gained a new friend out of it...

So, I know that sounds a little back and forth.. I havent finished my coffee yet this am... I just urge you to go with your gut... What is on your "important" list... is it honeymoon? or is it reminders of the day? its totally up to you and your Fi.

 

[risingsun]

I don''t usually like the way I look in photos. I went with a great photographer, who was worth every penny [a lot of them.] The pics were beautiful and I was happy with the way I looked in them

My photographer was a very attractive woman who wore a feminine looking tuxedo for the event and added to the overall experience. It was worth the money.

 

[zoebartlett]

Marian, I usually don''t photograph very well either in pics, and that''s actually one of the reasons we want to go with photographer B. I think having a relationship with your photographer is great, Jaders, and I''m glad you have one with yours. She did such an amazing job! We really want someone who will tell our wedding story in fabulous pictures, not "yeah these are pretty good" pics. As much as I keep trying not to like photog. B as much as I do, it''s not working. I think we may just consider it our wedding gift to ourselves and splurge. I think.

Thanks ladies!! I appreciate your input, as always.

 

[surfgirl]

zoe, based on your last post, go with Brian and be happy! Marion, I''m glad to hear you finally got good photos of you because I too photograph terribly! The FI looks like a freak''in model any time he has his photo taken but moi? Poo-poo. I am hoping to get even just one good photo of us/me and I''ll be happy!