Booking a Photographer 101

Looking for some assistance:

FH and I are making appointments with Patken, Duet, and Twelfth night photography next week. We're both nervous. This is the most important vendor for both of us. Our budget is $3000-$3,200. Which vendor would you recommend? Who's great to talk to/work with? For Duet----Jay's team vs. Woo's team??? Would love suggestions, advice, tips, you name it...

In retrospect anything you wished you had added on, or vice versa?

Ok, I think my head is officially spinning!

Thank you

I haven't worked with any of those vendors personally. My friend is using 12th night and is very happy with them.

Here are something you should remember to ask any photographer you meet with:

photography style (photo journalistic vs. traditional)

do they shoot digital or film?

if film do you get the negatives?

how many proofs do you get?

how many photographers will be there on day of?

how many hrs of coverage?

be firm on your budget

good luck!

We booked with 12th night and Dom was wonderful to talk with but if you look at their packages they don't give you albums or 8x10's. He will go into detail with you. I t really depends on what you want. I heard Duet is great too. I tried to set up an appt. with them but they were already booked for my date.

I met with two of the three and booked someone else. Twelfth Night is just a photographer. NO albums etc. Some people really like that. FH hated the idea.

We really liked Duet but didn't like the fact that you cannot meet your actual photographer until the day of the wedding. They won't even guarantee that whoever does your e-pics will shoot your wedding.

When I called Patken I was told I couldn't meet with the actual photographer until after I booked and left a deposit, so I never bothered to meet with them.

IMHO, the photographer is someone that will be with you for sooooo long on your day, you have to be comfortable with them, so that you are comfortable in front of the camera. I just wouldn't book a photographer I couldn't meet.

i booked with Patken - I absolutely fell in love with their albums and video - i worked with a woman named Nadire in the Mineola office and she was AWESOME to work with - she made me feel really comfortable and did not try to push ANYTHING on us at all so we were able to stay UNDER budget!

while it IS true that you dont get to meet your photographer - what they do is you get an engagement shoot and if you like THAT photographer you can choose him. . . but if you don't then you can schedule another shoot with a different photographer. . .

she actually recommended a photographer for me ( i forget who but i think she wrote it down) bc i mentioned that FH HATED to take pictures and she thought of someone who would be excellent for us - like someone who would tease him and make us feel comfortable. . .

FM if you would like any details as to packages or anything!

GOOD LUCK!

I met and booked Duet

I already picked my Photographer and took my e-pics with him. I loved everything about them and the price was right

Patken I also met and did not get a good feeling, but I think that was because the person I met with. You don't actually sit down with a Photographer, I sat with a rep there and FH & I got turned off.

HTH

I met with Dom from 12th Night...they where not what FH & I where looking for. They are more for the DIY brides. We also met with Duet.. we booked them for video only, we would have booked photo, but we got a great deal with another photographer who was less cheaper than Duet. I would have to say Duet hands down for both, I really liked Eric and they are great to work with, plus they are passionate about their work which shows in all of their work. I never met with Patken, but I have heard some really good things about them too-

HTH

I'd love to meet with 12th Night myself - but their office hours are only Tues, Wed, Thurs and I'm planning from NJ!! Might have to make another weeknight trip if I'm not happy with the photogs I see this weekend.

This thread is so helpful! Thanks!

Ladies you are simply wonderful! Thank you, thank you very much. Anyone else wanna share?