photographers

ok so i am getting ready to start seeing photographers,but ihave no idea what to expect. like i have no idea how much a photographer goes for, and what kind of questions to even ask. can someone please help??



TIA

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Posted by RitasEngaged

well what are you looking for in a package?

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i dont know what usually comes in a package? i have no idea what i am doing with photographers. i am so lost. all i know is that we do not want a videographer. thanks for your help!

well do you want more of a traditional photographer or photojournalistic style? if you dont know what photojournalistic style is i can show you pics of this. After searching photographers, which is the best way to find out what you want, i realized i wanted a photojournalistic style, didnt really want traditional just a few here and there if anything. After seraching many photographers that so many ppl recommended i saw one photographer whose pictures I LOOOVED. She does photojournalistic, when i met with her she was so great and knew we had to have her.

Most photographers do a free e-pic session. You might want to ask photographers about how many proofs they guarantee. If you get your pics on high resolution disk and if you will get the rights to them. Most photographers give you the rights so this way you can do what you want with your pics, enlarge them yourself, print them out or whatever. SOME however have the rights and you cant do this, so first question i would ask a photographer is this. Ask about prices for albums.

On average, based on what ive seen most girls post on here, the price for a photographer usually ranges between $3-5k BUT many have gotten it for $2k a few for less and then some for even more

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Posted by RitasEngaged

Do you want 2 photogs, an album, just a disc with some pics, you got to give me something lol!!!

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i would love to give you something, but that is my problem, i dont know... sorry

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Posted by Dazzlin217

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Posted by RitasEngaged

Do you want 2 photogs, an album, just a disc with some pics, you got to give me something lol!!!

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i would love to give you something, but that is my problem, i dont know... sorry

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It is ok lol

how much are you looking to spend?

do you want a photographer to capture each of you getting ready?

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Posted by RitasEngaged

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Posted by Dazzlin217

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Posted by RitasEngaged

Do you want 2 photogs, an album, just a disc with some pics, you got to give me something lol!!!

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i would love to give you something, but that is my problem, i dont know... sorry

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It is ok lol

how much are you looking to spend?

do you want a photographer to capture each of you getting ready?

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i would like if they could capture that.. i am sorry that i do not know anything. i have no idea what to do with a photographer.

and as far as spending. i would like not to spend ALOT i guess around $3-4k. is that even reasonable?


thanks for all your help!

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Posted by Dazzlin217

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Posted by RitasEngaged

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Posted by Dazzlin217

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Posted by RitasEngaged

Do you want 2 photogs, an album, just a disc with some pics, you got to give me something lol!!!

---

i would love to give you something, but that is my problem, i dont know... sorry

---

It is ok lol

how much are you looking to spend?

do you want a photographer to capture each of you getting ready?

---

i would like if they could capture that.. i am sorry that i do not know anything. i have no idea what to do with a photographer.

and as far as spending. i would like not to spend ALOT i guess around $3-4k. is that even reasonable?


thanks for all your help!

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yes 3-4k is reasonable. And yes most photographers will come to you the day of to take pictures of you getting ready. If you have 1 photographer then obviously they can only capture you getting ready. But if you want to also get pics of your FH getting ready then you can add a 2nd photographer and most photographers have this option and can add a 2nd photographer to your package.

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Posted by Dazzlin217

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Posted by RitasEngaged

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Posted by Dazzlin217

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Posted by RitasEngaged

Do you want 2 photogs, an album, just a disc with some pics, you got to give me something lol!!!

---

i would love to give you something, but that is my problem, i dont know... sorry

---

It is ok lol

how much are you looking to spend?

do you want a photographer to capture each of you getting ready?

---

i would like if they could capture that.. i am sorry that i do not know anything. i have no idea what to do with a photographer.

and as far as spending. i would like not to spend ALOT i guess around $3-4k. is that even reasonable?


thanks for all your help!

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It definately is reasonable for 2 I am meeting with duet and their package with video - which you said you didn't want - and 2 photogs and a bunch of other stuff is $3999. also contact Nick G. He works out of his house so things are really cheap he starts off at $1200 - I am meeting with him too. He can add a 2nd photog even though he doesn't normally work with one.

try thomas Paul - he gives you 2 photogs and a lot of stuff and I believe he was $3300

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Posted by RitasEngaged

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Posted by Dazzlin217

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Posted by RitasEngaged

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Posted by Dazzlin217

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Posted by RitasEngaged

Do you want 2 photogs, an album, just a disc with some pics, you got to give me something lol!!!

---

i would love to give you something, but that is my problem, i dont know... sorry

---

It is ok lol

how much are you looking to spend?

do you want a photographer to capture each of you getting ready?

---

i would like if they could capture that.. i am sorry that i do not know anything. i have no idea what to do with a photographer.

and as far as spending. i would like not to spend ALOT i guess around $3-4k. is that even reasonable?


thanks for all your help!

---

It definately is reasonable for 2 I am meeting with duet and their package with video - which you said you didn't want - and 2 photogs and a bunch of other stuff is $3999. also contact Nick G. He works out of his house so things are really cheap he starts off at $1200 - I am meeting with him too. He can add a 2nd photog even though he doesn't normally work with one.

try thomas Paul - he gives you 2 photogs and a lot of stuff and I believe he was $3300

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thanks girls i really appreciate all your help! now at least i have some clue of whats going on.

Here were my questions:


Are you a full-time photographer?

How long have you been a wedding photographer?

What is your philosophy about shooting weddings?

What kind of equipment/film do you use?

Is there backup equipment?

Who will shoot?

Photojournalist photographer?

What if s/he is sick?

What time do you arrive to setup your equipment?

How many hours they will be with you?

# of weddings/day:

What are your criteria for choosing what you would photograph at my wedding?

Why did you choose wedding photography as a career?

Are you open to a list of must-take photos (pictures you definitely want shot)?

Proofs:

How MANY proofs do you guarantee(it should read something like a MINIMUM of XXX amount of proofs). Be wary if they won't guarantee a specific number - everyone we saw said minimum of X amount but you could get as many as Y amount. Just make sure you have a minimum in there. You would hate to go in thinking you are getting 500 proofs then to only get 300.

Whether you get your proofs to keep - do they come in an album or box?

Do I get a high res dvd/cd of all my photos which are printable in addition to your proofs?

Are there water marks on the pictures?

Will I need a letter from you authorizing me to make prints?


Engagement Shoot:

a) WHEN it has to be done by

b) WHO will shoot them

c) WHERE you can take them


Album:

What kind of album do I get? (slip in or what type)

How many photos will I get in the album?
a) is it number of photos or pages of photos
b) how many per page do you get - (some places say 50 pages but it is ONLY one PER page)
c) what size can you get in the album

Will I be able to see a preliminary layout?

Who will print the album?

Photos:

Percentage of black and white?

Do you use black and white film when photographing in black and white?

Percentage Photoshopped?

Do I get to pick which ones to Photoshop?

Touch ups - Are they included? Make sure that is in your contract!!!

Cost to print extra photos?

Video:

What format is video shot in? ****hd******

Who is doing video?

Video (DVD) and raw footage

Montage???


Miscellaneous:

Attire?

For purposes of doing pictures, we will see each other before the ceremony. How would you capture that first meeting on film?

What are your policies regarding delivery times?

What are the refunds/cancellation terms?

Do you have insurance?

How do you keep yourself organized? [Note: Ask this question and then keep quiet - - you'll want to hear a rock solid, confident answer here.

Photographers are artists, and artists are often disorganized. To shoot a wedding properly, you absolutely, positively must be organized.


Pricing:

Payment schedule:

Is gratuity included in the price?

Are there any additional charges not mentioned? (i.e. travel)

Thank yous? Amount

What TYPE of thank you that you will receive (slip in, photo printed on card)?

i got a great package of information in the mail recently for a company that does photo/video & music. i wish i remembered the name right now but i don't. their package offered so much info that you can comparison shop with. when i go home i will FM you the name just so you have an idea of what others offer

we went with Duet, and for just under 5k with tax we are getting

Engagement Shoot
Sign board for the wedding
2 photographers, one 10 hours, one 8 hours
couple album
2 parent albums
1 11x14
2 8x10
3 5x7
all proofs on DVD
500 of the best on a slideshow

Videographer for 10 hours
3 DVDs with 5 chapters

all editing for photos and video, music overlays on the video, special effects, etc


I have seen other places where Photos are around 1800 and you make your own albums, or where photo alone would have cost 4000, so there is a varied range.

If you dont mind making your own albums, the cost will be reduced, and you can make albums through Picaboo, my publisher, Kodak, etc.

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Posted by eternitybride

we went with Duet, and for just under 5k with tax we are getting

Engagement Shoot
Sign board for the wedding
2 photographers, one 10 hours, one 8 hours
couple album
2 parent albums
1 11x14
2 8x10
3 5x7
all proofs on DVD
500 of the best on a slideshow

Videographer for 10 hours
3 DVDs with 5 chapters

all editing for photos and video, music overlays on the video, special effects, etc


I have seen other places where Photos are around 1800 and you make your own albums, or where photo alone would have cost 4000, so there is a varied range.

If you dont mind making your own albums, the cost will be reduced, and you can make albums through Picaboo, my publisher, Kodak, etc.

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that seems great. i actually just e-mailed Duet i am waiting to hear back from them

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Posted by christine2010

i got a great package of information in the mail recently for a company that does photo/video & music. i wish i remembered the name right now but i don't. their package offered so much info that you can comparison shop with. when i go home i will FM you the name just so you have an idea of what others offer

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that would be great. thanks!