I need the good and bad on photog and video

I'm looking for photo and video. I don't have a ton of money, but I still want good service. can you please tell me who is good, bad , expensive, good price for what you get. I'm willing to pull money from another area to cover ph and vid if it's worth it. I don't want to skimp on quality, I also don't want to overpay (no one does!!) What are some tricks when ordering?

Message edited 10/17/2005 1:00:20 PM.

Re: I need the good and bad on photog and video

Which Studios are you looking at?
Ahh, didn't see the edit before I posted.

Good for not a lot of money:

I've heard a lot of good things about Duet, Silverfox, 12th Night, and Patken, and I'm pretty sure they're all fairly reasonable.

Message edited 10/17/2005 12:07:47 PM.

Re: I need the good and bad on photog and video

I haven't really looked at any studios yet. I am just starting out, and know nothing about where to go or what to use. I have some brochures that they send in the mail. I don't know what's important in a package and what is not. I don't know what a good price is for amounts of photos and quality. I don't know where to start!!!!! I don't even know how much actual dollar amount to budget. $100? 10,000???? Can you give me a range to look for? what do I start with? I'm new to this!!!!!!! thank you for your help.

Re: I need the good and bad on photog and video

My video and photos are costing $5000... that includes the digital album... That's about average...

Re: I need the good and bad on photog and video

video - jpi videography; he's a liweddings vendor
photography - kevin lysaght (www.klphotography.net)

Re: I need the good and bad on photog and video

OK, I was in your position once.

I found that what worked best for me was taking a look at my total budget for the WHOLE WEDDING and plugging it into the budgeting tool on one of the planning websites (Wedding Channel.com has my favorite budgeter, but TheKnot's is certainly Serviceable) to get an idea of about how much everything costs. And then you play around with things. For example, I knew that I wasn't having a Band, so my entertainment costs were lower than they suggested. I knew that I didn't need flowers for the ceremony (besides bouquets and boutonniers), so I lowered the amount I'd need for that. I knew I wasn't going to spend more than $1000 on my dress, so that money was also reallocated. Then you can at least have a Ballpark figure to work with.

Then think about what you want out of your photography package - do you want an album, how big? What styles of photography do you like? What *don't* you want?

A lot of photographers have samples of their work on their websites, you can use that to discern if you want to meet with them. Also, take a look at the Bride's Review board - most girls post their proofs. LOOK AT THE PROOFS. Then read the review of the photography studio. Also, don't be afraid to send brides Forum Mails about their proofs/photographers. I think it's best to ask past brides about their wedding day experiences, as valuable as B2Bs' experiences are. LIW is a GREAT resource. You can search for posts other brides have written about various photographers, or post a new thread asking about a specific studio.

You'll be just fine. Breathe. We're all here for you.

Re: I need the good and bad on photog and video

princess rose, you give GREAT advise, at least I know where to start for now. I know I want a lot of photos, but I don't want to go overboard, don't want unneccessary. Do I tell the photog what styles and photo finishes I want or do some just offer what they offer? Are you able to hash out prices with them? I havent' a wedding date set yet, nor a catering hall. I'm starting with nada, but the ring!!! (and the love in my heart )thanks again. whatever you are able to suggest will be helpful.

Re: I need the good and bad on photog and video

Ahhh, wow, okay.

Get your hall (and ceremony location) booked and squared away first. That will REALLY help. That way you know what day you're hiring this photographer for!

Welcome to LIW - FM me if you have any more questions.

Oh, and also, Thanks, I try to be helpful.

Message edited 10/17/2005 2:29:14 PM.

Re: I need the good and bad on photog and video

In addition to Princess Rose's thoughts, search through the Newlyweds board, too, for some insight into photo/video items after the wedding. Photo/video are the only vendors you'll deal with before and after the wedding.

Re: I need the good and bad on photog and video

for photo and video, i think your range is 3,000-10,000.

you also need to ask yourself, what style do you like? photojournalistic? traditional? a mixture of both?

Re: I need the good and bad on photog and video

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Posted by lilacwine

In addition to Princess Rose's thoughts, search through the Newlyweds board, too, for some insight into photo/video items after the wedding. Photo/video are the only vendors you'll deal with before and after the wedding.

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Re: I need the good and bad on photog and video

The first thing I did was make a huge list of potential photographers, and check each of them out on the Better Business Bureau website...That cut the list down a TON. It's absolutely shocking to see how many unresolved complaints some photographers have. I would strongly advise against going with any photographer that has more than one unresesolved complaint or has a huge number of complaints overall.

HTH!