Today we checked out our first photographers. We went to Franklin Square Photo and Proline Studios. We chose them simply because they were local. Anyway, FS photo work was BEAUTIFUL, however they were a bit pricey. The least expensive package for photo and video was $7500!!
Proline was a bit more in our ballpark. The cheapest for photo and video was around $4000 total.
The big difference was at FS you automatically get a 2nd photojournalistic photographer and at Proline you had to pay extra for it. Also the style albums are different.
It's only the first day and my head is already spinning!!!
Any advice from girls who already booked how to narrow this stuff down, besides price?
enjft
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Re: Just got back from photographers.....
Price was a huge factor for me. Val I went with Duet because the price and work was very comparable.
If you want to make ur own albums you should check out 12th night. They work is also great!
weddingbunny
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Re: Just got back from photographers.....
well, you need to decide if you want film or digital, or if you don't care. That will narrow things down. then...
the first thing I did was to look at their sample photos on their websites. I was looking for a few things:
1. Just, generally whether or not I liked their shots. Every photographer has his or her own eye and style, and even if you don't know much about photo, you know which photos make you go 'ooooo!'
2. Did he/she really capture the moment? The expressions on people's faces? Do the formal posed pictures look stiff and posed, or do the people look happy and natural? I was looking for real, genine smiles.
Next things I looked at were pricing and what we got with those prices. We wanted a digital coffee table album, so we needed a place that wouldn't charge through the nose for that. Also, look for the little extras - do they throw in thank you cards? Extra prints? Picture cds? An engagement shoot? We refused to even consider a place that didn't give us either the negatives or all the pictures on a cd as well as printed proofs of all photos. Otherwise they will charge you through the nose for extra prints, whereas this way you can just get the prints made yourself for a fraction of the price.
Also, we insisted on a place where we would meet with the actual photographer who would be there, because it's so important to have somebody who you feel comfortable with, because you literally spend all day with him/her. We learned to ask when we made an appointment who we would be meeting with. IMO, it's a waste of time to just meet with some salesperson who really doesn't know much at all about photography. The first place we went, they left us with some woman who didn't even know what kind of camera they used!
and as a general rule of thumb for EVERY vendor you book, see if you can find recommendations and references of people who have used them (this site is awesome for that) and ALWAYS check with the Better Business Bureau to see if they have any complaints out against them.
hope that was helpful and not too long!
werock0709
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Re: Just got back from photographers.....
Posted by enjft
Price was a huge factor for me. Val I went with Duet because the price and work was very comparable.
If you want to make ur own albums you should check out 12th night. They work is also great!
Val, darren and I went with 12th Night because we're doing our alblums as a DIY project, and quite frankly because money wise we couldn't afford the 4k. We're happy with our decision though, and I'm happy you booked another vendor!!!
Ser29
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Re: Just got back from photographers.....
ADA is great.. 6000 for both photo and video and the package includes anythng you will need
ZuzusPetals
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Re: Just got back from photographers.....
Posted by werock0709
Posted by enjft
Price was a huge factor for me. Val I went with Duet because the price and work was very comparable.
If you want to make ur own albums you should check out 12th night. They work is also great!
Val, darren and I went with 12th Night because we're doing our alblums as a DIY project, and quite frankly because money wise we couldn't afford the 4k. We're happy with our decision though, and I'm happy you booked another vendor!!!
Melanie - how are you making your own album? Just curious - I woud love to make my own parent albums and maybe our own too
PegaLega
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Re: Just got back from photographers.....
Price is without a doubt my #1 factor in choice...then the next would be how you felt about the photog. personally. I really think if you dont feel comfortable with any vendor-even if it seems like the silliest thing its a valid reason to move on to the next.
Good LUck-I have barely started this process and it makes me sick to think about!
