Photographers

I haven't done a lot of wedding stuff lately so to make up for it I went to see 4 photographers this past weekend.

Duet
Patken
Velvet Studios
ADA

If anyone needs info on the studios above FM me.

Up next:
12th Night
Artisan

True and they did.. but they most offered what they felt was appropriate (based on the size of the wedding). I explained what I wanted, once they were done with their pitch, and we focused after that. It was just funny to me since budget is the first thing every other vendor (non-photo) wanted to chat about.

No one asked me what my budget was - they just gave me the set prices they had and said that they would work with me if i needed

I booked Duet and then worked with me on the price

I was never asked about budget...Everything was laid on the line & then we discussed...

heatherfaith-Sorry you had a bad experience with ADA, but I am using them in March & have had nothing but a great experience with them! Plus you have to watch what you say, there are rules on LIW, where you can't say 'do not use'.

Kase-You have to go with whatever photographer suits your needs. Remember, there is always going to be someone out there that wasn't happy w/a vendor, so never base a decision on that...Research the company, that is the best thing

I hope you find who & what you are looking for....

why would they ask about your budget???

They are trying to sell you something. In the wedding business its all about seeing the work before the prices. Actually, thats how it is in all businesses.

We went with Ariana Studios and they gave us what we wanted in our price range. Andy was great. He didn't try to oversell. He was VERY honest and let us make a decision on our own. I'd say check them out. Doesn't hurt to try. Good luck!!!

Yup budget was the last thing we talked about when meeting with photographers... I never realized it but you're right! I guess since they showed us their package prices I didn't notice.

Anyway... we went with Velvet and love bob!

in answer to your post, I think I probably brought up budget first. I actually do that with all of my vendors b/c I am on a tight one, and as much as possible I'd like to stick to it. I hate to fall in love with something and have to debate about it. I only want to love what I can afford....

so I guess you could say I never gave them the chance to not bring it up

Now that you mention it, no photopgrapher I met with asked what my budget was either. Then again, I have met with 5 florists in the last 10 days, and not one of them asked me what my budget was either. They just asked if I knew what I wanted, then gave me a price based on what I described.

We decided on Velvet Studios for photography. Bob was absolutley wonderful when we met with him. He was enthusiastic about our ideas for our wedding, and showed a great love for his work. We felt really comfortable with him.

We never checked out Patken because when I called I was told you couldn't meet with the actual photographer. We met with Duet, and when we called to meet our choice of photographer we were told they didn't do that. IMHO, it is important to meet with the actual photographer who will be shooting the wedding. After all, besides the maitre d' you will be spending more time with that vendor than anyone else.

As for ADA, we liked the photographer we met with, but when I called the office to ask some questions they told me I had to ask 'my salesman'. Ummm, salesman? I thought he was a photographer. Turned me off quite a bit. We went and met with him again anyway, but he never got us the answers to our questions.