Brides Helping Brides ™ - How do i narrow down photographers

tarakinspa Posted: May 19, 2002 10:20 PM

How do i narrow down photographers

After looking around this site I have a list of like 20 phtotgraphers and Im sure there are some i am missing which seems like alot!

I want to eliminate the really expensive ones which from this site steered me away from mark kaufman, and Verdi.

I am definetly gonna meet with VIP, Duvall, Laurie and Imagine.

I am looking for a mix of color and b&W, candids and posed with a little personality,

I have been putting off starting this search because I knew how much I need to learn before i could make an educated decision but now i am getting nervous and overwhelmed, any advice is really appreciated.

Thanks

Sonicstef Posted: May 19, 2002 10:50 PM

Re: How do i narrow down photographers

1. Figure out what you want in terms of style, # of proofs, albums, etc..

2. Figure out what you can afford.

3. Call each one and tell them what you want and find out if they can work with your budget. Cross off all those who can't and those who didn't treat you well on the phone.

4. Visit the remaining ones and spend a good deal of time examing the photos and interviewing the owner/photographer.

5. After you have visited a bunch (at least 5 if not more), check references.

6. Go with your gut.

This is not a decision to make lightly. You will regret making the wrong one forever. HOWEVER - there isn't just ONE photographer out there for you- there are lots of great ones - you just have to find one that delivers what you want for what you can afford.

tarakinspa Posted: May 20, 2002 12:49 PM

Re: How do i narrow down photographers

thanks stef, but how do i determine my style? I kind of love it all. I like black and white but i also love color, you know first hand what a big fan of the color red i am and i want to see that in my pictures.

Should I bring printed out photos of what I like with me to see the photographers?

Lastly, what is a reasonable budget, i was thinking 2-3k

Thanks again

Sonicstef Posted: May 20, 2002 01:13 PM

Re: How do i narrow down photographers

Do you like posed photos? Psedo photojournalism (posed photos that look like they were not posed) or True Photojournalism (real emotion and action is captured but photos are not perfect every time - and that is their charm)? One photographer can't do all of these very well so you are better choosing one that does the type you like best.

If you want good B&W and good Color all night you need two photographers. Most photographers will tell you different but there is no way a photographer can be working in B&W and Color simultaneously equally well. Some photographers will convert color to B&W but the quality isn't as good. So one way to get both is to decide when you want what and when. For example - mostly B&W for ceremony, mostly color for reception - or however you prefer.

Have you made a list of what you want? How many albums? Prints, proofs etc...

If you're budget is 2K you might want to find a photographer that will do the photography only and you can always choose your albums after the wedding (when you will have more cash to throw around). I know my photographer does this a lot but Im sure there are others that do it too.

cw0904 Posted: May 20, 2002 02:07 PM

Re: How do i narrow down photographers-Sonicstef

Just curious on what you mentioned on your photographer and how he would work on the pictures first then work on the album later. My budget is too 2K and I am trying to be as cost effective as possible and am even considering doing my own album but definitely doing the parents. Do you know what would be part of the 2K? I prefer color pictures over black & white and love psedo photojournalism (thanks for the definition, I didn't know this ) and traditional posed.
I noticed in your profile that you have Mark Kaufmann and because of this board's comments and opinions, I want to visit him but I don't want to waste our time and his if he is not within my budget. Any comments on MK would help.
Thanks in advance.

Sonicstef Posted: May 20, 2002 02:18 PM

Re: How do i narrow down photographers-Sonicstef

I would suggest you email Mark directly and tell him exactly what you need and what your budget it and see what he suggests. I bought everything upfront so I don't remember what his photography only costs were but Mark is quick to respond to any email.

On another point - I think if you prefer color photos and psuedo journalism, Mark might not be your best bet. I have total confidence that his photographers would do a great job but his albums are B&W heavy and more true photojournalism than psedo - so you may not like his samples. But then again, I gravitate towards those so I could be wrong.

PS: I just made up that psuedo photojournalism term.

cw0904 Posted: May 20, 2002 02:21 PM

Re: How do i narrow down photographers-Sonicstef

LOL
Okay I won't use the term with anyone!!
I will take a look at MK's site first and take it from there.
Thanks for the suggestion.

Becky Posted: May 20, 2002 02:30 PM

Re: How do i narrow down photographers-Sonicstef

Wanda,

MK costs near 2K just for the photography, before purchasing any actual photos or albums. His albums are more spontaneous and B&W than posed and color, but he seems willing to take the kind of pictures that you want. I was going to get two photographers, one pro and one basic (I think) and it was about 2k to have them show up and take the pictures. I really liked their work, but in the end went with Laurie Studios for several reasons, they are less expensive, after seeing an album with more posed and color photos I realized that was more my style, and because Ken is THE photographer! I clicked with Ken and he is the person taking my photos. MK asks you questions and then 'matches you up' with a photographer he thinks you will click with. You can have MK, but he is crazy expensive!

The one good thing about him is that he will definitely let you do a payment plan so that you can go over your budget now but he will give you time to pay it after the wedding. I just didn't feel comfortable going that far over my budget. I don't want any debt when I come back from my honeymoon!

Good luck!

Becky

cw0904 Posted: May 20, 2002 02:43 PM

Re: How do i narrow down photographers-Becky

If you don't mind me asking approximately how much is Laurie Studios? I kind of have your taste! I am not into b&w really. If it was up to me I wouldn't have it at all. Do you guys recommend this?

Sonicstef Posted: May 20, 2002 03:06 PM

Re: How do i narrow down photographers-Becky

If you don't like B&W, then you are not going to like Mark's photos. By the way - MK's site is not at all representative of their work - their albums are sooo much better.

Becky Posted: May 20, 2002 03:20 PM

Re: How do i narrow down photographers-Becky

I have seen beautiful albums without any B&W photos, so I don't think you HAVE to have them. I want some, but mostly color.

Laurie has different levels that are hard to explain! You guarantee that you will spend a minimum and based on that minimum, there are other option thrown in. 5k is the highest level and that includes two photographers, proofs, engagement sitting, 250 pics on a website for you, etc.

The lowest is 2k and that is four hours of coverage, one photograher and an assistant, and uh, some other stuff!

I went for the 3k. That is eight hours (I added two more for $200) with Ken and his assistant. My package is whatever I want as long as I spend $3000 on photos. Like you I will not be purchasing parent albums.

By the way, Ken showed my an album that was done from the four hours of cpverage and I was shocked! He didn't tell me until after I looked at it and I totally would never have guessed!

Hope this helps.

Becky

cw0904 Posted: May 20, 2002 03:41 PM

Re: How do i narrow down photographers

Thanks all who helped narrow down my list! This really helps me out b/c I didn't know what to expect when I budgeted for photography. I just hope I can find someone who is able to work with my budget.

michele31 Posted: May 20, 2002 04:07 PM

Re: How do i narrow down photographers

Tara- I think something really important to consider is liking the photographer, his/her style and making sure that they fit your budget and needs. One way to reduce the cost is to offer your parents the smaller size albums (this is what I am doing) or a folio (a display folder with a few photos in it) along with (1) 8x10. If my parents want to upgrade and add more photos they have to pay the difference. I also cut down on the number of photo thank you (wallet size ones). I am only sending them to close family and friends. So many of them get throw into draws. I would rather save the $ and send non-photo thank you cards. Also, remember that most people do not need hundreds of photos in their album. The albums sit on shelves for years sometimes, even though right now we cannot imagine that. So do what you can, and don't go way over budget. You are better off getting the best photos you can and then putting only your favorites into the album. As long as proofs are included you can always do another album on your own later. Also, negoiate! I did and it makes a difference.

tarakinspa Posted: May 21, 2002 02:08 AM

very long

Thanks again guys,

I have been looking around alot online at pictures and i think i may really like the photojournalistic type, or the 'pseudophotojournalistic', ( i like that term hee hee) As far as number of proofs stef i really dont know i think 1200 or whatever ridiculous amount people are getting is kind of too much and I usually want the most for my money but that would be so tedious to go through, then again I think you need at least 300-500 but who knows, as far as albums and prints I dont know how to decide something like that!

I actually have an appointment with Laurie studio tommorrow too! The woman was an absolute pleasure on the phone and she told me that I can decide on a package and then add in the end which i liked, because if i find myself in love with a million proofs then I can add, also as far as parents michelle, my parents want me to save the money and said not to worry about them but when i spoke to the woman at Laurie she told me i could actually use some of the proofs and make them a proof book therby only cost is the book, which right away had a light bulb go off in my head that maybe i can buy my own books.

I realize that the mounted right onto the page look could not be done by myself if that is the style I love, but to me its more important to have the pictures not the book they stay in.

As far a Mk, im sure he does nice work but im just not at liberty to spend so much so im not even going to tempt myself by meeting with him and Laurie seemed to have a nice style that can fit any budget.

I do think the pictures i want need to be taken with two photographers but that is why I have an appointment with VIP also. Laurie said you can get a second photographer but i guess i will have to compare the prices and a million other things that i will know better after meeting with them,

i think this is way long enough but to the other poster cw i will let you know because i almost forgot I started this thread it seemed you wanted the same answers haha.

JennRenee Posted: May 21, 2002 07:27 AM

Re: How do i narrow down photographers

I used Laurie Studio and I was so unbelieveably pleased! I hope your meeting goes well, and I don't think you'll be disappointed with what you see!
One of the albums they use as a sample is from my wedding... It says October 2001 on the cover (even though my weding was in July). Let me know if you see it.

Becky Posted: May 21, 2002 08:10 AM

Re: very long - Tara

Good luck with Laurie today! They're awsome. I went to VIP also before booking Ken. If you want to compare notes let me know

Becky

Sonicstef Posted: May 21, 2002 09:00 AM

Re: very long - Tara

Tara - your right - if you can't afford a vendor its better to not even go!

Just so other points of information - a true photojournalist should be taking a MIN of 500 photos. Any photographer who tells you 300 is just not taking enough photos. If you do the math - 10 hours divided by 300 is only 30 photos an hour!! I know that 300 or even 500 may seem like a lot but there are going to be lots of photos you DON'T like - no matter how good the photographer is. And many of the photos are duplicates (like when the photographer takes a couple of shots of one thing to make sure it turns out well enough). So figure if you have 500, you are only ending up with 250 useable ones at most. I could go on and on about whittling the # down but the key is - its better to have too many than not enough.

cw0904 Posted: May 21, 2002 09:19 AM

Re: very long - Tara

Thanks Tara for the original post I forgot to add you in the thank you's.
Please let us know how your visit was with Laurie. That idea the woman you spoke w/ that mentioned placing the proofs in the album made me wonder too...
I plan on making the albums for the parents myself unless I get a good deal that includes them. I actually prefer more pictures than anything else. I know how I turn out in pictures so the more I can choose from is better for me! I always seem to be the one to blink as the flash goes off! Can this be touched up anyone know?

Good Luck in your planning and thanks again!

HappyEverAfter Posted: May 21, 2002 09:50 AM

Re: very long - Tara

Just to throw in another suggestion, I am using Glenmar Studios in Roslyn. They do not advertise, since all of their referrals come from word of mouth, and they have been around for 30 years. They have beautiful work, and are not that expensive. I was able to negotiate them down on the whole package, and saved a ton compared to other photographers I saw. Good luck!

abc7077 Posted: May 21, 2002 10:12 AM

Re: very long - Tara

Could you tell me an approx. dollar amount that you are spending with Glenmar and what is included in the package? Do they have video? How much does that cost? Thanks for the info!