The price of a memory?

[aphisiglovessae]

Well, I found a photographer for the wedding. He's the best I've seen so far and I want him SO bad. The only problem is he's way out of my budget. With taxes it's going to cost us A LOT for him. Fortunately, I kinda talked a lot of things out of him for the package. For the price he's including:

A VERY high quality leather album with unlimited montage and color options (black and white, color, and color selectives). I saw these albums and they're beautiful! I can put as many pictures as I want in them (20 pages, 40 sides)
Engagement Shoot and Bridal Shoot (both are on location, not in a studio)
One 16x20 that is matted and framed for display at our wedding
One 16x20 wedding photo for our home
2 parents albums (20 5x7 pictures) in high quality leather albums.
3 DVDs of all the pictures he will take
1 proof CD
Unlimited coverage at wedding and reception

He's also allowing us to purchase 2 more 16x20 wedding photos for our parents at cost, and he's allowing us to add extra pages (up to 40 pages total) to our album (with prints) at cost as well.

The question is: It's about 2500 dollars... That's a lot of money. He's offering us a lot of stuff that we want that weren't in the original package. Do you think we're getting a good deal?

The pictures are so important to me and I want the best quality possible. He's the best I've seen and I LOVE his work so I am not going to say no. I'm just curious as to whether we're getting raped of money.

 

[MelissaSue]

Actually that sounds REALLY REALLY reasonable for all that!!! Photos are expensive... I think you''re getting a LOT for your money, and the extra "at cost" options are even better. To me, it almost sounds too good to be true. Does the photographer do good work?
This is my photographers price list, for comparison purposes
http://www.artshotphoto.com/packageprices.htm

He also gave us a "coupon" for free engagement session and four extra pages in our album and the bridal portraits are included as well even thought it doesn''t say that on the list.

 

[ame]

2500 is CHEAP. Holy CRAP you gotta get this guy.

Most likely you can just put a deposit down and pay over the next few months.

 

[qtiekiki]

You are getting a lot of that price. If you love his work, then I think you got yourself a deal.

 

[aphisiglovessae]

I LOVE this photographer.

He has a photojournalistic approach to his work and I love that style. I hate those posed portraits. I never look good in them and I think all the ones I've ever had were just plain goofy. He specializes in weddings. In case you want to see some of his work, his website is: Walters Digital Photography He's phenomenal, IMO. I guess I'm just really good at getting stuff out of people. I had to work pretty hard to get this deal out of him.

As for a deposit, he requested half and then I plan on paying more every time I get some cash. He is SUCH a nice guy. He comes to your home the initial visit and he shows you all his stuff, then if you like him he talks price. Everytime I've talked to him it's like talking to a friend. Such a great person and I believe you should get along well with your vendors. Wonder what I can do for him later to show my appreciation (that isn't expensive).

 

[KimberJEB]

That is incredible - incredible enough that I just emailed him to see if he''ll travel to Jacksonville to do mine...even with travel and lodging it is a GREAT price.

I would do it!

 

[Scintillating]

You are getting A LOT for your money!!!!
I know it sounds like a lot, but in the end I think you'll find everything he's offering is worth it.
Unlimited coverage! (WOW!) Two photo shoots! (WOW!) 3 DVDs! (WOW!) Albums! (WOW!)

I've seen photographers charge MORE for just 4 hours work, and not as much in the package.

Scintillating...

 

[aphisiglovessae]

Even his original package for that price contains a lot of stuff (his price list is on his website). I just did some switching around and stuff to get everything else. I hope he doesn't find out I told people what I'm getting for what price. He might not be happy about that because everyone else will expect the same thing.

Wonder if I can get a referral discount or something if I refer enough people to him?

BTW, he told me that a bride's dad flew him out to San Francisco to shoot a wedding, but I think it was for a friend. I don't see why he wouldn't go to Jacksonville if you're going to pay for travel and lodging. Be careful though, some photographers charge out the yin-yang for travel. He doesn't have to travel anywhere for me, so no travel charges.

 

[KimberJEB]

I went to pricing and couldn''t find a price list...do you have a link to it, lol

K

 

[aphisiglovessae]

Oops, I guess I was mistaken. I thought it was on there. Sorry.

I think he's offering a deal on the parents' albums right now (which is why I'm getting them). If you book him before Oct. 5th then you get the two parents' albums for free.

The original package for that price included:
Engagement and Bridal shoot
Unlimited coverage at wedding and reception
Matted and framed 8x10 engagement photo for wedding
150 wallets of engagement photos for reception favors
DVD slide show of photos taken
CD of proofs
High quality Wedding album with prints

 

[aphisiglovessae]

So did he email you back??

 

[KimberJEB]

Yes, he emailed me back. AND his mom lives in my area, so I would only have to pay gas - not hotel. I am going to call him on my drive to school (Jax --> Gainesville) and go over things with him. I thought I had FINALLY made my photographer decision, but...I LOVE his pictures on his website. Is he nice to work with?
K

 

[aphisiglovessae]

He's SUPER nice! Totally kind and patient and willing to work with anyone. I really get along with him and I look forward to dealing with him.

BTW, what was your wedding date?

 

[KimberJEB]

My date is May 6. I just got off the phone with him - he is SO nice! And SOOOOO reasonable priced. Now I don''t know what to do, lol.

Daniel and I found a local photographer we really liked mainly based on her ideas for our engagement session. I have basically told her I am going to hire her I just need to get confirmation from my dad. I haven''t signed anything or paid her, but told her yesterday I was 99% sure I was going with her. I like Brad''s wedding photos better plus he is $2000 less (and I am paying for photos myself, so...). BUT - he wants me to have someone local do the bridal and engagement photos - he says he will find someone for me, etc, but that he thinks that will be the best way to do it (from what I can tell either he will pay for it or I will NOT pay that part to him). So how do I get my local lady to do my engagement and not the wedding without hurting her feelings? Or should I just give up on her altogether. Or use her? But $2000 (plus I will get more from him and it is STILL that much cheaper). EEEEEK!

I am the world''s worst decision maker.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

I actually think that is a really good price too...Photos is number one on my list b/c its those pictures that you will look at for decades so I think it is worth the extra money to get the style and things you want.

 

[aphisiglovessae]

I totally agree with Tacori, which is why I''m willing to fork over so much money to him. Everything else to do with the wedding only lasts for a day. The pictures last forever.

As for your predicament Kimberly, I''m not sure what good advice to give you. I would say if I was in that situation I would just simply explain to the other photographer that you would like her to only do the engagement and bridal shoot. If she asks why, just nicely tell her that you have an alternative for the actual ceremony/reception shoot. Another alternative is you could tell her that your dad only gave you confirmation for the engagement and bridal shoot? I''m pretty sure that if you''re not getting rid of her altogether and are still using her for something, she won''t be hurt. After all, she''s still going to make SOME money off you. It''s all about what YOU want. You shouldn''t worry too much about the vendors'' feelings because they know that this is business. It''s nothing personal really. After all, you should save as much money as you can, it''s YOUR wedding!

As for who''s paying for the bridal and engagement shoot, I think he''d find someone of his caliber and recommend them to you and you might end up paying for it. But I''m not absolutely sure on that one. Just make sure you ask him about that and have it clarified and stated in your contract.

 

[aphisiglovessae]

Well, I''m off to Starbuck''s to meet with my photographer. I''m going to put down my deposit... So there''s no turning back..

 

[Strawdermangrl]

Do it.

Really. You have a great deal. YOUR PICTURES RELIVE YOUR DAY.

My album makes me laugh everytime I see it- it takes me back-


DO IT!!

 

[aphisiglovessae]

Why do they make you laugh?

I put down the deposit today and signed the contract. There''s no backing out now! I really can''t wait though. I think it''ll be fun to play model for a few shoots.

 

[hearts set]

That is such a reasonable price

I''d shed tears of joy to find a good photographer in that price range.

Around here they are not less than around $3500 and usually more around $4500.

Of course, that''s for awesome candid photojounalism. i have a photography hobby and a wicked love of the artform so our photography will probably cost more than anything else!!

I''m happy for you!! What a great find!

 

[aphisiglovessae]

The photographer I picked does some great photojournalistic work and I wanted him SO bad. 4500 dollars in your area? Where would that be? There''s one photographer here that I love more than the one I picked, but he was 6000 dollars. Yikes!