Whats too much??

[lizloveskar]

Okay so i have been looking for a photographer for our engagements and my bridals. I am looking at prices and they all seem so much. I have found a couple photographers i really like but when i showed my FH he told me he only expected to pay 500 on pictures. I explained that it was more than that and i knew that. I have found one i have been talking to and its 1870 for 2 hours of wedding day engagement and bridals. Also 200 extra for him to travel 2 hours to get here on the wedding. These are not including the price of the pictures. I don't know what is a good price.

[Moon.Dust.]

I think the best thing to do is call around A LOT. ask tons and tons of questions. I have a photographer questionnaire I put together if you're interested in seeing it. That way you can see what's available in your area.
I knew there were certain things i was looking for in a photographer as far as style and just the packages they were offering, so I had them answer as many of the questions as possible and I also used that time to see if we had personalities that meshed.

I LOVED my photographer. We paid $2250 ($250 more for travel) for 4 hours of service. she basically set the day aside for us so we didn't have to worry about her being rushed and worrying about getting to another gig. we own the proofs, get a coffee table book, as well as 100 prints. not too bad.

[MrsDM]

I agree, calling around and meeting with photographers to find out what will work. IMHO - 2 hours doesn't seem like much for that price. Do you have any bridal shows coming up? That is usually a great place to get some ideas as far as photographers go. Also, ask some of your vendors if they have any recomendations.

We paid $2750 for the wedding package including two photographers which was full-day coverage ending at 9:30 a.m. It also includes an hour prior to the ceremony for getting ready pics and all the copyrights and pictures on a CD. We paid an extra $450 for engagements and the copyrights and pictures on that CD.

[momentsthatmatter]

You got the right advice already! Call around and get a bunch of prices and package information.
Some photographers also offer you ALL the pictures from your day while they are there. This allows them to capture a lot of candid images and can really capture the feelings of the day.
Best of luck.
ps - if you send me an email... I can forward you our prices that we offer to Mayan brides. It can give you more information and what some photographers are offering. I consider our packages in the middle of the pack.... but we feel our product is the best of course! haha What else would I say about it!?!?
Talk to you soon.

[SkippyNXC]

I'm paying like around 3K for my photographer and we're getting engagement pics, and FULL DAY service of two photographers... she'll show up at my parents house take my getting ready pics while he's either w/FH or setting up @ the church. they don't leave until the last guest has left the reception b/c as he put it "sometimes some amazing moments happen after the DJ is packed up n I want to capture that for you"

i get a CD w/all hi-res images that are edited... a bridal album, 2 parents albums, a large mounted print and the engagement photos... i think there's more too but i really can't remember ahahaha

[lizloveskar]

I'm paying like around 3K for my photographer and we're getting engagement pics, and FULL DAY service of two photographers... she'll show up at my parents house take my getting ready pics while he's either w/FH or setting up @ the church. they don't leave until the last guest has left the reception b/c as he put it "sometimes some amazing moments happen after the DJ is packed up n I want to capture that for you"

i get a CD w/all hi-res images that are edited... a bridal album, 2 parents albums, a large mounted print and the engagement photos... i think there's more too but i really can't remember ahahaha

Wow you still have eleven months and you have a photographer i feel really behind now lol.

[Jacklynn]

I think it really depends on your location, and the photographer. We only paid $750 (we locked in prices before she raised it to $950) for ceremony and reception coverage - We received a book with about 500 4X6 pictures in it.

In some areas it would be less than that for the same photographer, and in other areas it would be much higher.

[Moon.Dust.]

I think one of the more important things to looks for is making sure they will give you the rights to the images. nothing sticks more than paying all that money and not even owning the rights to your photos.

[MrsDM]

I think one of the more important things to looks for is making sure they will give you the rights to the images. nothing sticks more than paying all that money and not even owning the rights to your photos.

I agree.

I also wanted to add, IMHO - you get what you pay for. This is a once in a lifetime event, I know of several people who didn't want to spend a ton of money on pictures, which is fine, but some of them didn't turn out right. You can't go back and take pictures. So moral of the story...research, research, research!!!!

[f77g4]

I think prices range greatly depending on your area and even within your area. Definately call around, etc. And a lesson for you that I learned - when you find a photographer you want, book them as soon as you can. I couldn't get the photographer I wanted even 14 months out from the wedding.

The photographer that I'm using is $1895 for full-day coverage (from hair salon to reception), an album of 200 of the best pics, an album of 20 8*10, a DVD of the best pics in high res, a DVD of the rest of the pics in low res, 2 parent albums, 2 11*14's ready for framing and a 16*20 ready for framing plus an engagement shoot. May be a small amount for travel but not a lot.

Now I met with another photographer that was over $3000 for less coverage and no prints. So it all depends.

[lizloveskar]

Yeah. My cousin is going to take some of our pictures so we have some variety. We are researching A LOT just don't know what is basic for around our area. I really like a couple but don't know which one to go with. Next time we get out of town we are going to go talk to a guy we are looking at going to and see his prices!!