Have you ever heard of this?

DecBride04 Posted: Feb 17, 2004 06:29 PM

Have you ever heard of this?

We had meet with Proline Photography a few weeks back. We were happy with what they could do for us. They custumized a package for us in our price range. The one thing we didn't like, was that they were going to assign us a photographer out of the 9 that work there. We said, before we leave a deposit, we want to meet with him and see his work. Well, a great friend of our is using Proline for thier July wedding coming up. They told us to request this guy 'Danny'. So today, FH called Proline and told them we want to meet with Danny and if all goes well, we will book. So get this: He goes, well 'Danny is our most requested Photographer, so the smallest package he would work for is $2800 or higher' It isn't like he is going to take any more or less pics, I just didn't get it. So now that of course is more $$ than what we had wanted to spend. Do you think this is a scam just to make more $$ for the company...Has anyone heard of such a thing? It isn't like December is a booming month for weddings.... I am confused and don't know what to do.... HELP!

luvsun27 Posted: Feb 17, 2004 06:33 PM

Re: Have you ever heard of this?

Did they mention that different photographers would be different amounts of $$$? Perhaps a more seasoned photographer gets more than a new-comer. However...if you are not comfortable...I would look elsewhere. There are so many photographers...and many in your price range that I would do some comparrison shopping. Photos is a VERY important part of the day...because you will have them forever...you don't want to have any worries. Good luck.

september2004 Posted: Feb 17, 2004 06:51 PM

Re: Have you ever heard of this?

i was 'assigned' a photographer at a studio and then looked elsewhere...

yes, different photographers will charge different rates based on talent and experience. you can get lucky and find a newbie with a great eye within a price range you find acceptable, however you need to make that determination yourself. i was turned off from studios when they started pulling the 'assignment' cr@p with me.

IMO, there are definitely pros and cons to working with a studio.

pro: if there is a last minute cancellation the studio can send someone to cover the selected photographer without a hiccup

con: you pay tons in overhead costs

i'm 'taking a risk' and using a freelance photographer, however i believe a good photographer is networked and can provide backups if need be...

LIJuneBride Posted: Feb 17, 2004 08:00 PM

Re: Have you ever heard of this?

I think that certain studios will do that - I know Patken charges more for Doug.

shamma Posted: Feb 17, 2004 08:26 PM

Re: Have you ever heard of this?

i don't know anything about Proline, but I have seen other companies do this, if you use the owner, if you use a well known photographer they will charge more etc, etc.

ChristineC68 Posted: Feb 17, 2004 08:33 PM

Re: Have you ever heard of this?

It kind of makes sense - like if you go to a hair salon there are different prices for different stylists.

Ask to see the photographers in your price range and see what you think. If you are uncomfortable with it, look elsewhere.

pbandtim Posted: Feb 17, 2004 10:15 PM

Re: Have you ever heard of this?

We are using Dave because my friend used him for her wedding two years ago. When we requested Dave, they didn't mention anything about price differences between photographers. We just had to pick which package we wanted. Who did you meet with? One of the owners?

marymoon Posted: Feb 18, 2004 01:37 PM

Re: Have you ever heard of this?

I've ehard this a lot in relatives' weddings. The higher price your package, genrally the better photographer you get. it's just the wya it works. It may sound awful, but they are right to want to make more $$ for thier more experienced photographers. it's not a scam. it may be ****ty, but it's the wya it is, and it's quite common, whether they tell you it's happenning or not.

Sweetie2004 Posted: Feb 18, 2004 01:53 PM

Re: Have you ever heard of this?

everyone requests danny! They told me the same thing when I requested him!

DecBride04 Posted: Feb 18, 2004 02:45 PM

Re: Have you ever heard of this?

Thanks for all your advice girls, it helped me see outside the box. I guess a more experienced photographer would get more $. Fh and I talked about it and are still going with ProLine. We are going there on Sat to leave a deposit and see Danny's work. Even though we are paying a little more than we wanted, we got a deal for doing CASH. Like FH always says 'Cash is KING!'
Thanks again

tourist Posted: Feb 18, 2004 02:54 PM

Re: Have you ever heard of this?

Posted by ChristineC68

It kind of makes sense - like if you go to a hair salon there are different prices for different stylists.

That's exactly what I was going to say!Think of it from his point of view. It's liuek gettign a raise, when you've been there longer than eveyone lese, or are more experienced or better.
They only give you the big money jobs. It sounds like they aren't cahrign you more for your package to use him, but that he only does the packaages that cost more, but I'm not sure.

It's not a complete, scam, but if it bothers you look elsewhere. But you never know, one of the other people may do great work as well.

ask hear- (put proline in the subject- or do a search.)
Maybe other people can reccommend someone on their staff.

butterfly20 Posted: Feb 18, 2004 04:20 PM

Re: Have you ever heard of this?

Posted by LIJuneBride

I think that certain studios will do that - I know Patken charges more for Doug.

... patken charges more for doug because he is the owner... steve is most popular and they dont charge extra for him...

is this guy your requesting the owner?

kathleenmarie Posted: Feb 18, 2004 05:40 PM

Re: Have you ever heard of this?

I dont believe in charging different prices for different hair stylists either. You either know your job or you dont. When you get, 'seasoned,' or experienced, you get a good large following, to make more money not more $ its a rip off.