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| | | For many couples, photography ranks high in importance because pictures are tangible keepsakes that are intended to last. A photographer should be selected only after careful consideration of cost, professionalism and personality. | | |
| Typical costs: | - Wedding photography can be broken down into four basic categories: budget, moderate, upscale and luxury. Budget photographers run from under $1,000; moderate photographers average between $1,000 and $3,000; and upscale photographers between $3,000 and $5,000. Luxury weddings photographers average between $5,000 and upwards of $10,000.
- For those on a very limited budget, consider asking a friend or relative to take ceremony photos with a digital camera. Don't rely on someone who is participating in the ceremony, such as a sister or father.
- BridalTips suggests placing disposable cameras on each table so guests can take candid shots.
What should be included: | - Basic wedding photograph packages under $500 may include 1-4 hours of coverage by one photographer, proofs in an online or hard cover album, and a limited number of prints or printable images on a CD or DVD.
- Package prices in the $500-$1,000 range may include more hours by one photographer and an assistant, and additional prints or special albums.
- Packages between $1,000-$3,000 may include an additional photographer and up to 8 hours of coverage, plus special albums, parents albums or photo books, though for some photographers, the fee will cover only the photography.
- Packages that cost upwards of $3,000 may include unlimited coverage, up to three photographers, multiple shoot locations, or albums or photo books.
Additional costs: | - Extras can include more hours of coverage, additional photographers, special albums or photo books, parent albums, or additional shoots (such as an engagement session).
Discounts: | - Packages are typically the most cost-effective way to purchase wedding photography services. Don't be afraid to negotiate or haggle with the photographer.
- Some photographers encourage pre-wedding installment payment plans at a discount. However, pre-paying for services can be risky. Consider negotiating payment installments.
- Weddings are often scheduled on weekends, and some photographers may offer discounts on off-days.
- According to TheKnot, you can trim costs by hiring a professional just for the ceremony, or a limited amount of time at the reception. Avoid photo "add-ons," such as sepia tones, multiple exposures, or split frames. If selecting digital photography with copyright release, cut down on your print order, since you can easily do your own prints later at substantially lower prices. You can share a virtual album with family and friends, so they can order prints themselves. Check out reviews by CNET of popular sites.
Shopping for a wedding photographer: | |
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Article updated March 2007 |
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Recent Posts |
| Amount: $2,588.00 |
Still waiting for photo books...
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| Posted by: Summer Wedding in Cupertino, CA. | Purchased: 2007 |
| Photographer: | Firm: Sophia Wedding |
| Number of Hours: 10 | Number of Photographers: 1+1 assistant |
| Other Sessions: none |
| My wife and I aren't very good about printing photos, arranging them, and creating albums so we bought a package that includes photography and 3 printed books. The photography itself was about $1,000. They took pictures all day (preparations, family photos, ceremony + reception, about 10 hours) and we got the photos on a CD when we got back from our honeymoon. The studio is now supposed to touch up the photos, professionally lay out the books, and print 1 big one for us and 2 smaller ones for our parents, and the books + layout adds the other $1,588, which in hindsight is pretty pricey. So far, we were pretty happy with everything, but we're waiting for the books. We wish we started our search a little earlier -- the studio's head photographer was already booked on our wedding day -- but we started our search a little late. |
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| Amount: $11,000.00 |
Cruise wedding
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| Posted by: javier in Madison, NJ. | Purchased: June, 2007 |
| Photographer: James connington | Firm: Connington Inc. |
| Number of Hours: 36 | Number of Photographers: 8 + assistants |
| Other Sessions: after party |
| we have never really been fans of photography...but my domestic partner and i really enjoyed what we got out of this experience. it was like nothing we ever did before. we had a private photoshoot before the reception and afterwards they continued to take photos all day into the next. we were very happy with the results. we would refer Connington Inc. to anyone! |
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| Amount: $11,000.00 |
Great Experience
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| Posted by: gbwilson1@yahoo.com in Phoenix, AZ. | Purchased: June, 2007 |
| Photographer: Glen B. Wilson | Firm: www.wilsonfoto.com |
| Number of Hours: 8 | Number of Photographers: 1 |
| Other Sessions: none |
| We got married in November of 2007 and we couldn\'t be happier with our photographer. He was awesome, had great ideas for shots, easy going and the best part was we got the originals with our package. We got a full set of 4x6 prints, the original files on disc (including a copyright release), a photo dvd set to music and 8 hours of photography coverage. He also included a bunch of B&W, Sepia, and even colorization where just the flowers are in color. Amazing work. Since we have the originals, we have made our own books for ourselves and both sets of parents. Saved us a ton! We got a steel! |
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| Amount: $5,000.00 |
Cost for a wedding photographer? Are you kidding?
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| Posted by: Daniel Casey Photography in Miami, FL. | Purchased: January, 2008 |
| Photographer: Daniel Casey Photography | Firm: pixcasey.com |
| Number of Hours: 6 | Number of Photographers: 1-2 |
| Other Sessions: Engagement |
| The article written is obviously authored by an out of touch has no idea what they are talking about Blabber mouth with little to no respect for the real photographers or photography as a whole! I'm insulted the he/she would say that there are ''Budget photographers'' when if you meet one they are either desperate for a gig or a drink, but to say that there are real photographers starting at a hundred is VERY NIEVE... & insulting! Remember it's true, you get what you pay for. Try printing nice prints from disposable cameras! Ha what an idiot! 11,000 is a bit ridiculous as well for what these other people are saying! Geez where are you people from? I want to cover a wedding for 11K one photog.... Ha ha ha! Get your prices right and stop short selling a professional! I wouldn't expect you have written anything much either... you must be a budget writer. |
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| Amount: $0.00 |
Wedding Photography
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| Posted by: M.M. in Santa Maria, CA. | Purchased: September, 2004 |
| Photographer: None | Firm: |
| Number of Hours: 0 | Number of Photographers: 0 |
| Other Sessions: Engagement Portrait Session on Location |
| At my own wedding, my husband and I decided we would budget out the photographer, asking, as is suggested in the article above, friends and family to take photos instead of hiring a professional. The results were horrendous. Most of the photos are out of focus, or bleached out, people have their eyes closed. There are no pictures of me with my parents or other family members. There are no photos of me and my husband together. I regret the money I spent on the dress, the flowers, the cake; but I wish I had spent something on a photographer. I have nothing but my own memories, and I can't share that with people. Even if you only spend $400.00 to hire the photographer for two hours after the wedding to do portraits, it is definitely worth it. You can never live that day again. |
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| Posted by: Nikki B in Philadelphia, PA. | Purchased: 2008 |
| Photographer: N/A | Firm: N/A |
| Number of Hours: 5-unlimited | Number of Photographers: 1 + assistant |
Being a professional photographer, I think I can safely say that there is no professional photographer out there who is doing weddings at $100 a pop - that\'s almost insanity. Even people just learning to do weddings don\'t charge so little. On my first wedding, I charged $500. And that alone was being very generous for full-day coverage.
REAL THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER:
Make sure they have a good portfolio; look at their portfolio with your partner or maybe a parent (whoever is paying, I suppose!) and everyone should agree to the quality of the photographer you\'re looking at.
Don\'t be sucked in by small prices: if you find a photog who is inexpensive but has no portfolio, be wary! You might pay little in dollars, but if the photographer ends up butchering your wedding, you\'ll pay greatly in missed memories.
You truly do get what you pay for. |
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| Amount: $1,800.00 |
Prepayment
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| Posted by: Manny & Belki in Shawnee on Delaware, PA. | Purchased: July, 2008 |
| Number of Hours: 7 | Number of Photographers: 1 |
| Our photographer required that the amount be paid in full 2 weeks prior to the wedding. We did such. Responses to our emails, phone calls and any inquiries go unanswered. I suggest that any prospective client of a photgrapher give them the financial incentive to respond to you by making payments as the products / serivces are delivered. We're crossing our fingers hoping that the wedding pictures and books contracted for will some day be delivered. |
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| Amount: $1,500.00 |
Get what you pay for
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| Posted by: Pro Photog in NE, PA. | Purchased: January, 2008 |
| Photographer: Me! | Firm: |
| Number of Hours: 5 | Number of Photographers: 1+1 |
I have been a pro photographer for 14 years.
I have a certificate in photography and a degree in the same.
3 years of school (about $40,000 in the early 1990's).
I shoot weddings with one assistant (usually pay them a flat fee of
$250 per day and $50-$100 for rehearsals).
We bring three DSLR cameras, one medium format with digital back, about a half dozen lenses and a flash for each camera. This is about $20,000-$23,000 in equipment.
We won't shoot a wedding without attending at least one rehearsal.
This means a minimum of 2.5 - 3 days per wedding; One or one half day for rehearsal, one day to shoot, and one day to create albums, put together media packages, etc.
Any MORON who thinks any REAL photographer will shoot a wedding for a "$100" is an IDIOT.
$100 will not even pay for one battery in our flash units. Our primary flash unit runs $1100 without it's slave unit and extra battery. Our primary lens runs $2600. Our medium format with digital back was $11,000.
HEY, IDIOT, WHO SAYS IT IS $100; WHAT KIND OF EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION, PORTFOLIO, AND INVESTMENT IN GEAR DOES YOUR "$100" PHOTOG GUY HAVE?
KODAK DISPOSABLE AND A BUDLIGHT???
BTW, if you like small claims court then hire some monkey (not a photographer) to shoot
your wedding for a $100 (or even $500). These types are the kind who end up getting sued more than all other persons who CLAIM, and who are, photographers COMBINED. |
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| Amount: $5,000.00 |
After having posted my "Vicious" response I wanted to share again...
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| Posted by: a user in Boynton Beach, FL. | Purchased: January, 2008 |
| Photographer: Daniel | Firm: Daniel Casey Photography |
My response to an obviously distraught individual over my comment made over 10 months ago...who by the way left no real way to respond and lied about her real information. Anyway, I need to say I was upset at the misleading of brides to shop for a budget photographer they can hire a professional for what? Anyway, I have no more time for this. Rebecca please read my response to you.
What Rebecca wrote to me:
Just wanted to drop a note to say that I saw the comment you left on the Cost Helper article. I was surprised to see someone actually post their company's name with such a vicious comment. You may be a very talented photographer, but personality goes a long way too. That comment was not a good advertisement for your business. (http://www.costhelper.com/cost/wedding/wedding-phographer.html) |
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| Amount: $2,500.00 |
Wedding photography costs
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| Posted by: JohnThePhotographer in Sacramento, CA. | Purchased: September, 2008 |
| Photographer: JohnThePhotographer | Firm: JohnThePhotographer.com |
| Number of Hours: 8 | Number of Photographers: 2000+ |
| Other Sessions: Engagement session |
Rates for wedding photography vary greatly by geographic location. If you live in a major metro area where the cost of doing anything is more than average then you should expect to pay more for your photography.
My wedding photo services at JohnThePhotographer.com currently start at $300 and hour with a three hour minimum (photos on CD and a few proofs). Brides and grooms should realize that for every hour that a photographer spends actually taking photos he or she has to spend about two hours doing photo editing and digital processing.
So when I charge $300 and hour for a wedding it is really dropping to $100/hr when digital lab work is taken into account. Add to that the time spent marketing the business and consulting with clients and prospective clients and that hourly rate declines dramatically. |
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| Amount: $2,500.00 |
Wedding photography costs Part II)
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| Posted by: JohnThePhotographer in Sacramento, CA. | Purchased: September, 2008 |
| Photographer: JohnThePhotographer | Firm: JohnThePhotographer.com |
| Number of Hours: 8 | Number of Photographers: 2000+ |
| Other Sessions: Engagement session |
I would also echo what another photographer mentioned... the cost of equipment. I use state of the art Canon digital cameras and lenses. I spend on average $10,000-$15,000 a year upgrading camera equipment - Oh and then there is computers and software - add another $3-4,000 to my overhead... Add to that the cost of office space, cell phone, internet access, web hosting, health insurance, business insurance, car insurance and marketing expenses...
When I look at all of this I really do not make a ton of money off of each wedding and the $300/hr is quickly eaten up by expenses.
I will also echo what one of the other posters mentioned about getting what you pay for... If you want a cheap photographer look on Craig's list - there you can find a photographer willing to shoot your wedding for $500 - just remember that when the wedding is over and the photographs you get are a disappointment there is no remedy... you can't do a re-shoot, there are no do overs - weddings happen once, so be sure to hire someone who you feel has the experience to get the type of photos you expect... if you want snap shots, that guy from Craig's list will probably suit you fine, if you want photos you will treasure for a lifetime then be sure to hire someone who can deliver the goods.
Just like you wouldn't want the cheapest doctor doing important surgery on you or a loved one, you won't want the cheapest photographer - unless you really don't care about the results... |
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| Amount: $0.00 |
Wedding photographer cost
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| Posted by: pro photographer in Hawaii in Honolulu, HI. | Purchased: September, 2008 |
| Photographer: me and my assistant | Firm: Oahu Wedding Photo |
| Number of Hours: 2 to 8 | Number of Photographers: 2 |
| Other Sessions: engagement and family portraits |
| I'm a professional wedding and portrait photographer and I have to agree that when it comes to wedding photography, you get what you pay for. There are so many AWACs (amateurs with a camera) in Hawaii who are willing to shoot a wedding for a few hundred dollars. But chances are that if you go by price alone and book an AWAC, you will be disappointed with the quality. Is it worth taking a chance on your wedding photography? My advice is to do your homework, and then book an engagement portrait session with your top pick. Yes, this may add a couple of hundred to your photography budget, but there is no better way to check the work of a photographer. He or she may even waive the fee for the e-session if you book them to shoot your wedding. I offer my e-session clients a complimentary or deeply discounted fee (based on the package they select) if they book me as their wedding photographer after seeing the engagement portraits. |
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| Amount: $0.00 |
Wedding photography costs
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| Posted by: Working Pro in Vancouver, Other. | Purchased: December, 2008 |
| Photographer: Canadian | Firm: |
| Number of Hours: 40 | Number of Photographers: 1-2 |
| When working with clients and photographing weddings, if you take into consideration the amount of time the photographer actually may spend with some clients for a wedding package that may be $2500-$3000 with services and product. The photographer may be working up to 30 hours. Phone call, consultation, booking, engagement session planning, shooting, viewing, Print prep, wedding planning session, rehearsal, 4 hours of shooting on a wedding day, which usually means 5-6 hours of time set aside for this event. Add onto this design, archiving, printing, etc. Wedding services should be more expensive! But will our clients pay? |
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| Amount: $0.00 |
QUIT YOUR BITCHING PHOTOGRAPHERS!
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| Posted by: Airing my greivances in MPLS, MN. | Purchased: 2008 |
| This is supposed to be a site to help people guage the cost of hiring a wedding photographer! Not a site for a bunch of overpaid camera humpers to come on here and bitch about how much their equipment costs, and how much time is spent on their work. If you don't make enough, CHARGE MORE! Every business has overhead costs, every business has to advertise and woo clients, and every business has to buy expensive specialty equipment. You are all using these excuses to justify your cost for time spent, but you forget to mention that you also charge absurd amounts PER SHEET of photos. Lets remember that a sheet is 8x10 and the average cost of one of these is $20 - $50! You all have about as much right to bitch about your poor underpaid selves as the gluttonous CEO's who are running this country to the ground. You all make me sick. |
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| Amount: $0.00 |
I AGREE WITH "Airing my greivances in MPLS, MN"!!!!!
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| Posted by: amber johnston in Marquette, MI. | Purchased: January, 2008 |
| Photographer: Amber Johnston | Firm: |
| Number of Hours: 24/7 | Number of Photographers: 1 |
ANYONE can pick up a camera, get a photography gig and call themself a "Photographer". But it's those FEW people who not only have an EYE for it, but a true, deep PASSION. I let my clients look at my portfolio but THEN I take them for a FREE shoot (small... almost like an "engagement shoot") and let them see how we would work together for themselves.
Photography (and ESPECIALLY wedding photography) should almost be like you're dancing with the photographer... any passion or chemistry between the two will be seen through the pictures- GUARANTEED! |
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| Amount: $500.00 |
Great Work, Right Price
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| Posted by: A.J. Miller in Brooklyn, NY. | Purchased: January, 2008 |
| Photographer: A.J. Miller | Firm: A.J. Miller Photography |
| Number of Hours: 4 | Number of Photographers: 1 |
| I've been a photographer/videographer for 17 years and I have to say that with the recession that we are in I had to lower my prices just in order to generate a healthy flow of business. Most of my packages went for well above 2 grand and now I'm offering packages as low as $500.00 with the same quality and a great price. I have to be upfront about this my gear is very expensive but I don't need to pass the cost of my camera on to my client unless they request I use a camera they will not live without and I don't have it. Less be real with ourselves if you could walk away with a 300.00 a day pay check for four hours of work would you be happy? I sure can and if I'm doing 10 gigs a week then that's 3 grand for me. With all the online processing sites I can make professional prints a fraction of the cost because most of the online labs are competing with one another and sometimes offer huge discounts, if you don't believe me look for yourself mpix is one site that offer great professional prints at a fraction of the cost. I own my own gear all up to date Canon DSLR's and if you want a great photographer. Call me, my name is Celeb Photographer A.J. Miller and I do great work for all the celebs in T.V., Radio, Music, and Movies. Check the better business and see for yourself. Don't get suckered in by a photographer with an 11 grand price tag. |
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| Amount: $595.00 |
Chicago, IL Wedding Photographer
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| Posted by: Ashley Taylor in Chicago, IL. | Purchased: August, 2008 |
| Photographer: Shanie | Firm: Jolie Images Photography |
| Number of Hours: 9 | Number of Photographers: 1 |
| I feel proud of myself because I found this company (Jolie Images). They took really beautiful photographs of my wedding ( me getting ready, my entire ceremony & my reception) and all for under $600.00! I told them I would refer them to my friends and spread the word. I guess they have really low overhead costs so they pass those savings on to brides & grooms with a tight budget (like me). If you visit their website: www.JolieImages.com you can see my pix up there & see for yourself what you think :-) |
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| Amount: $15,000.00 |
wedding photography
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| Posted by: Darci C. in Irwin, PA. | Purchased: December, 2008 |
| Photographer: Linda McDowell | Firm: Linda McDowell |
| Number of Hours: paid for full day, got 3.5 hours | Number of Photographers: 1 |
| Other Sessions: 0 |
| One thing I learned from the whole experience is to NEVER trust someone based on what they say and get everything in writing. Not only was our photographer very rude and unprofessional at the wedding, now she is refusing to give us what she promised in our discussions with her by phone. It has been almost 2 months since the wedding and all we have seen so far was a very poorly made "photo show" online. When we questioned why the photo show had pictures of myself looking like I had 3 arms, one with my eyes closed, none at all with me and my mom, none of the entire bridal party, one with my husband with his hair sticking straight up, and believe it or not, the best photo she took and included on the show was of a man from the banquet hall carving meat...anyhow we received her reply stating we paid for a "ford" not a Cadillac and that she did her best and maybe since I didn't touch up my makeup and hair, that is why the photo's were unflattering. Now she has deleted our photshow so we have no proof of what she sent. If you live in the Pittsburgh area and know of anyone considering Linda McDowell, please refer them to this email, or at least get what you expect in writing and possibly notarized from her. Good luck even getting her to call you back though once you have made your final payment which she requires two weeks prior to your wedding. |
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| Amount: $1,500.00 |
correction
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| Posted by: Darci C. in Irwin, PA. | Purchased: December, 2008 |
| Photographer: Linda McDowell | Firm: Linda McDowell |
| Number of Hours: paid for full day, got 5.5 hours | Number of Photographers: 1 |
| Other Sessions: 0 |
| Just wanted to correct my previous post, we didn't pay $15,000 for Linda McDowell. We paid $1,500.00...and I miscalculated the hours. She actually was there about 5.5 hours, not sure how long she was actually taking pictures though. |
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| Amount: $2,000.00 |
Wedding Photographer
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| Posted by: Dennis Morris in Placerville, CA. | Purchased: 2009 |
| Photographer: Dennis Morris | Firm: Dennis Morris Photography |
| Number of Hours: 3-12 | Number of Photographers: 1-3 |
| Other Sessions: Engagement / Post honeymoon |
| I read all of the above comments and I was shocked by some of my fellow professionals. I charge a floating scale based on the coverage each couple wants and can afford. I will never make reference to my costs, I will prove my professionalism and make no excuses for the cost. If what you desire cost $10,000 thats what it cost's if I do it. If what you want for your special day is $2000 then tha's what it costs. Being a professional means I charge what my work is worth and I must prove that every single time I work. As I go through my 20+ years as a professional I know what my work is worth. And believe me you often get just what you pay for, so choose carefully. |
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| Posted by: a user in Toronto, Other. | Purchased: 2009 |
Some of the customers and photographers here are a joke, there is no words that can describe all this so i wont start! I'm sure everyone who paid for a nice photographer and people who our photographers agree with me! Just really funny to read and lots of BS is all i gotta to say some cheap people...
P.S. anything at $500 should be no more than 4 hours coverage with unprocessed photos only! |
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| Amount: $2,650.00 |
take your time. find your style
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| Posted by: Kristen S. in Raleigh, NC. | Purchased: October, 2008 |
| Photographer: Craig Carpenter | Firm: Luster Studios |
| Number of Hours: 6 | Number of Photographers: 1 |
| Other Sessions: Engagement |
| I stumbled across this article a few months after receiving our photos and just wanted to share my experiences. We hired Craig at lusterstudios.com and were at first a little concerned that he was not a large studio with lots of shooters but it actually worked out better just working directly with him. We found that we barely noticed him at the wedding but the shots he caught were amazing and everyone looked so natural. We ended up having to stretch our budget a bit to get the collection we wanted but knew that "budget" photography was not the way to go. My sister hired someone off craiglist and it's been a year and she hasn't even received her all of her photos yet and the ones she did receive weren't very good. A few other things that helped us make our decision was that our photographer carried insurance, had back up equipment, and we just list his photojournalistic style a lot. We had a lot of guests comment at the wedding about how polite he was and where I found him. My advice is to find someone that you feel comfortable around and that has an overall good value for what you're looking for. If you like formals then look for someone that does that. We wanted unscripted "real moments" and saw that in his portfolio. Take your time choosing because there are a lot of photogs out there! |
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| Amount: $1,500.00 |
wedding photography on the pro level
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| Posted by: a user in merchantville, NJ. | Purchased: June, 2001 |
| Photographer: pro nj photog | Firm: |
| Number of Hours: 8 | Number of Photographers: 1 |
| Other Sessions: none |
| thank god that there are some people out there who can side with the true professionals! this stuff does cost tons of money to upgrade and maintain, recently i purchased a medium format 50 megapixel camera and body alone was $20,000, these no way im shooting a wedding for $100!somethings got to pay that bill and it certainly isnt a $100 wedding!i think $650 is a bargain! i believe that once you cross that threashold of bringing over $20,000 in eqiupment you should start charging first class $$ for your services.afterall you do get what you pay for!! |
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Post About Your Experience With a Wedding Photographer |
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