*not my photographer... image from here
1. Their images needed to be timeless. Artistic poses mean nothing to me; I really want someone with the talent to capture moments and expressions.
2. Printing rights needed to be offered with each package at no additional cost.
3. They should have plenty of wedding experience including a wedding at my venue. This sounds really picky, but I do have a popular venue so most experienced photographers in my area would have been there before. I figured that this would mean that they would come with lighting and angle ideas.
Then, once the photographers matched up with the criteria above, I went with my "get less, pay less" strategy: After finding that a photographer had the talent and style that I wanted, I reached out to them to see what type of package they could offer me based on my minimal needs. I did not need:
*a 7+ hour package
*any prints or albums included
*an engagement or bridal session
*any special extras like "save the date" magnets or thank you cards
The photographers who would not/ could not lose the package add-ons were simply dropped from the short list. Why pay for something that I didn't want or need? Luckily, there was a highly recommended (by a close friend) and talented photographer out there that could offer me everything above! As of now, I'm receiving a custom package including two shooters for five hours at the one-photographer price of $1,950 ($2,111 after tax). With that, I'll have a disc with printing rights and an online gallery for my family members to order from at their hearts' content.
I am wondering if I'll end up wanting to bump up to six hours for an additional $200, but I'm just not sure if I'll need that many hours. For a brunch wedding (without a large bridal party/ tons of formal shots), do you think five hours will be okay?
*Oh, and as a bonus, my photographer heads the page with the package fees as "pricing" rather than the standard photographer "investment." For some reason, seeing "investment" written on those websites really irks me.
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6 comments:
Good for you! It seems like five hours will be plenty. That's funny that "investment" bugs you. :) But I can see why.
I'm starting to stress about a photographer- it's the last "big" item we need to book.
That "investment" thing kinda bugs me too. Yes, it is an investment, I know. I don't need to be reminded. But it's funny how so many of them use that word now. It's like they teach it in a photography business class or something. "Use the word 'investment' instead of pricing to drive home your point." Sigh. I just like things straight-forward and simple. Costs, fees, pricing... Fine with me. :)
My top choice photographer has "full wedding day coverage" as the first line of each of her packages. When I asked her how many hours that was, she said "I was an English major and I feel strongly about 'complete' meaning complete!" She then told me that she would show up as early as I wanted and stay as late as I wanted.
Almost everyone else had a set number of hours and a charge to go beyond it. Since I was booking the photog first (it's the priority for me), I wasn't sure what I wanted.
I splurged, but I wanted a certain style and knew who I wanted about a year ago for the job.
It's a big "check" to have off the list! The Knot and it's 472 checklist would be proud! ;)
@Kristi W.~ Straight-forward all the way!
@Jeannine~ It sounds like an "all day" package can end up being a better deal per hour. For me, a longer package wouldn't make too much sense because I'll finish up by 3pm. I can't wait to see how your pictures turn out!
Don't let your family order from the website. A lot of times that can cost up to $8.25 per 4x6. Crazy expensive.
I actually feel the opposite. I feel as though photography is an investment, and this is coming from someone who is incredibly unhappy with her wedding day pictures. I picked a "budget photographer" because I was trying to save money, and in the end I really wish I had put out the extra $1,000 for the person I really wanted.
You won't remember the food. The flowers will die. The pictures, however, you'll have forever. And to me, that is worth an "investment".
LB
@LizzieBeth~ I'm spending more on pictures than I could have so in a way, it is an investment... but I do think it's sort of silly to call photography prices "the investment" when they're just, well, prices! Can you imagine if every house listing had "Investment: $225,000" instead of "Asking Price?" Obviously, a house is an investment, but we don't change the wording because of it.
Also, the high priced photography prints are the reason why I wanted printing right, but I'm glad I can send my family somewhere if they start bothering me because I don't have enough prints or an album made ;).
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