Photographer recommendations please

I'm ready to look at photographers - please pass along your recommendations (price ranges would be great too) Thanks!

avidon

We used Avidon -- he is located in Port Washington -- and is excellant ! We had our engagement pics done -- and they came out wonderful. His prices range from like $4,000 and up -- but he is worth it !

VIP - John

There was a posting on it last week. He has 2 photographers (color and b/w candids - photojournalistic) and prices range from 1600-3000

photographer

I used Gray Studios, Stephen was AMAZIng!! I get nothing but rave reviews about my proofs, I had them back in two weeks, they did my video as well and that was just as great. They have all different packages we spent about $4500.00

photographer

did you have one or two photographers with gray??

photographers

I am using Fine Art. I would say most of their packages are between $3000 - $4000. Gray is also very good but I found I got more with Fine Art.

Karen I met w/ Chuck last night

I was just going to drop my picture off for my thank-you's - so while we were there Chuck came in - you are really going to be happy w/ him he has a great personality and he sat down w/ us and showed me which pictures would look best in blk and white. They are a real pleasure to deal w/ even after the wedding and even though they have all the money. You hear a lot of stories - I called them yesterday and told them we picked our picture they said bring it in tonight. I will keep you posted. Good Luck.

photographer

I had one photographer w/Gray, I think you can request more but I didnt need more then that. I wish you could see my proofs, he was so creative I had 4 flower girls and the things he did were so different.

JuneBride - Thanks for the info. It is good to hear.

I was a little nervous with not using Jimmy but I really liked Chuck's personality and I got to see some of his work. Thanks for thinking of me.

Karen

I'm not sure if you know but 1/2 of my pictures are taken by Chuck - you can tell that he learned everything from Jimmy b/c a lot of this things Chuck does are exactly like him. I spent the first half of the day w/ Jimmy and the other with Chuck - I am very happy w/ Chucks pictues - they are very candid which I love - he got so many great shots of people dancing (my father in the air) every funny move of anyone dancing is captured. Every dip and Kiss that Jim and I did that day Chuck got a picture of.

To LisaT...

We`re using Michael O`Neill. We checked a lot of places on the internet before calling anyone, and we really liked his work better than anything else we saw. I forget what the package prices are, because we added to ours, upgrading to 60 pictures in a higher quality album, plus a few other things as well. They are also doing our video. If I recall correctly, the price is about $4000 for the combined package. Kathi has been super nice to deal with and they`ve been very flexible and accomodating. Our engagement photos came out great - they`ve been done for a while, and we just don`t know exactly which to go with! Michael O`Neill really got us to relax for the camera and made it fun. http://www.monphoto.com

Photographer recommendations please

We are using Creative Compositions, and so far they have been great! Our photographer spent over an hour and a hlaf with us just talking to us and getting to know what we like. We felt really comfortable with him and really liked his style of photography. The price range varies, of course, but it is about 2-4K. Good luck. Neda

Gray studios

Just a quick comment on Gray. One of my best friends used them. She is not very happy with the work at all. The photographer missed many key shots. If you are using them make sure you tell them to get things like when the brides get out of the limo at the church and when the bride and groom go through the flowers after being announced. She does not have those photos.

Any other comments on Gray studios? *NM*

LisaT~

I got married 2 weeks ago, and we used Laurie Studio, which we loved! They don't advertise, because they get so much word of mouth business. Ken, the photographer is extremely creative and FUN. He was hanging out with my friends before cocktail hour, laughing, chatting and snapping candid and informal pictures, which came out great!! They are located in St. James, and their price range starts at $2000. What I like best is that there are no packages. You pay for the amount of photo coverage you want, and don't make any decisions about your album until AFTER you see your proofs. Out of 407 proofs, I have 83 MUST haves for my album, 68 wants, and numerous shots that I want enlarged for framing... good thing I'm not locked in to a specific number of pictures! Give them a look! www.lauriestudio.cim

waiting until after the wedding to decide on albums

Just a comment on waiting until after the wedding to make photo decisions. I was playing on doing that until someone mentioned something to me, 'Once you sign a contract the vendor has all the power. If you do not negoiate before signing the vendor will not be very likely to upgrade you or throw extras into your contract.' I thought about it and it is true. Photographers own their photos. If you wait until after to decide on a 'package' they can charge you top dollar. You will have no choice but to give them the business. On the other hand if you negoiate a package before signing and after the wedding want to upgrade your album or add photos they can always do that for you. Just something to think about.

waiting until after the wedding to decide on albums

Michele31 My photographer quoted me my price per picture in my album, for all sizes and possibilities, panoramic to 4x5, 1 year in advance of my wedding, and since my wedding, his prices keep going down. At this point I have already chosen over 100 pictures for my album, and the more I choose, the more he throws in. I don't think I'm going to be sorry for waiting to choose my album after the wedding. : ) Just as a side note, I think the scene you have laid out probably happens often at high volume photography studios, but I used a single independant photographer, who I deal with one on one. I think it's a little different from working with a company.

waiting until after the wedding to decide on albums

That is good to know. The comment was not really directed just to you. I hope you did not take offense. It was just a concern I have and have heard from a few others. It is nice to know that your photographer is being so helpful to you.

No offense taken at all! : ) *NM*