photographers.......(LONG!!)

photographers.......(LONG!!)

Okay, I am planning my wedding from upstate NY (near Rochester) and I am back on LI this week to find a photographer. I saw three so far...

1. Gray Studios: LOVED them, very professional, extremely nice, gorgeous photos...a bit more expensive than I expected. I didn''t meet with any of the actual photographers yet but I was told I would have Stephen...any comments on him?

2. Fine Art: Ugh, I was NOT impressed at all. I felt rushed to look through albums, the woman helping us was also helping three other people in different rooms...plus it was expensive and I felt that you didn''t get enough for the price.

3. Karen Marie, Photographic Storyteller: (located in Sayville) This place was down the street from my fiancee''s home, so we just decided to check it out although I had never heard of it. The actual photographer was not there (just had a baby) but we met with her assistant. The albums and pictures we looked through were absolutely beautiful, each told a story (hence the name of the store). I was extremely impressed. I thought her style was similar to Gray Studios. I asked for a price and the assistant told me that everything was done ala carte, which I did not like. I think the starting price is over $4000, which is out of my price range, but if you can afford it, I definitely recommend checking her out.

Okay, now here''s my dilemma. Both my fiancee and I loved Gray Studios. We felt extremely comfortable with them and loved their work. Would it be stupid to book them so quickly? Or should we still look around??? I am so confused at this point. And let''s say we book them...they want $500 to secure the date...but I wouldn''t be able to meet with a phtotgrapher until November (when I am home again) to make a contract and choose a package. Is that bad? I mean, is it dumb to give them $500 without signing anything?

Okay, one more thing: We are struggling to pay for this wedding by ourselves, so we are trying to cut back whenever possible. I was thinking of not having a videographer...two friends of ours have nice video cameras and are willing to videotape our wedding. We would then have the tapes edited and combined. My question to you is will I regret not having a professional video made? I feel like they are so cheesy and just not my style. HELPPPPPPPPP!!!!!! Thank you in advance everyone!

Melissa

photographers.......(LONG!!)

If your gut instinct tells you to go with Gray go with it! I only looked @ two photographers and knew when i met mine(the first one i saw) that going to the second was just to see the price differences. I wasn't going to get a videographer either but just decided to get the bare minimum just for prosperity. I would just use your friends because all i really wanted was to remember the fun, not all the extra graphics. see if you could take some things out of the package with gray studios, maybe that will lower the prices a little. good luck

photographers.......(LONG!!)

I think Gray is a great choice. I actually chose Fine Art because they seemed to offer more for the money than Gray. I'm surprised you had a bad experience with them. Gray was my second choice. I just went to a wedding last week were they used Gray.

As far as the video if you have friends that are willing to tape the whole day for you then go for it. The most important part of a video is to see the parts that you miss. Good Luck.

photographers and videos

I will pass on the advice to you that someone in the business gave to me-
If you must cut back never do it in the following areas: reception location, entertainment, and pictures/video.
Why? Because you will always look back on your pictures for years and years to come, and your video will allow you to see all of those 'missed moments'. If a professional video is not for you, go for it with your friends! One warning though- my cousin just did this and it was not really the best move. The friends took a lot of shots of people they knew, and they did not film the whole night becuase they too wanted to enjoy the party.
If Gray Studios feels right see if you can meet the photographer first. Explain your situation of living out of town, they may be able to accommodate you.
I too am planning upstate and a few photographers quoted me over the phone. Maybe you could at least talk to him/her over the phone to get a feel for their personality.I also did this with bands. I could not make showcases during the week, so many places sent me tapes(they don't usually do this).
My motto is if you don't ask you'll never know! Good luck.
Continued success to all

Video....

We were not a big fan of wedding videos either - we figured it was a lot of money for something we`d only watch a few times.

However, not getting it is one of the few things we regret. Our priest got raves for his homily and I wish I had the ceremony on tape. Also, we had a feeling like we missed the reception, because so much was going on. In retrospect, we wish that we had a video to watch.

Having friends tape it may work, but at my brother`s wedding, the brides sister was supposed to do that and she was so preoccupied by other stuff that she missed half the key moments. Thank goodness my Dad`s best friend realized it and grabbed the camera to catch the moments.

If you can afford to budget for the professional I`d suggest you do so - cut back on favors, flowers, cost of invites, the accessories, the limo etc.

I used Gray...here's what I think...(long)

Melissa, I agree with Karen H. If you have a budget, than cut back on the cost of things like flowers, cake, invites and favors. Go for it with your pictures b/c that's all you will have when the day is gone. I was also planning long distance, so I completely understand your dilemma. I booked in the spring (w/o my FI) and we did not meet with our photographer until Nov. when we had our engagement photos taken.

We used Gray and we were very pleased with mostly everything. I suggest that you be very specific with them about what you want. I have heard nothing but great things about Stephen (he was not our photographer). Their packages are very flexible and they WILL work with you on customizing, so don't worry. Just ask for what you want and you will get it. Make sure you make a list of all the important photos you want taken on your special day. Have the best man or MOH own the list, and help the photographer check off every shot.

Regarding video, take the lowest end package if that's all you can afford. I suggest using the professional b/c your friend's offer is wonderful, but their camera is not the same quality, not the same lighting (which is important) and it won't come out the same. Our video by Gray is amazing. I think it came out better than some of our still photos! You will not be sorry, and they do NOT use any cheesy graphics or transitions. It is a very elegant and wonderful memory of our wedding day, and we are so happy to have it!

If you want to speak directly, pls feel free to email me [email protected].
Best of luck to you!

Melissa, do not look for a photographer that is too cheap...

Unfortunately if the price is too good, it most likely is. you will definitely get what you pay for. So like all of the brides that posted here tell you, cut corners on flowers, invites, favors , even a gown. The total price of my gown is $936, with an xtra 3 ft. on my train. But never try to cut corners on the most important things that you'll remember always! Good luck with your decision and all your planning! ~*~HEIDI~*~

THANK YOU ALL!!!! *NM* *NM*

I agree

I agree with the other brides. I know planning is really hard to do from far away. One of my best friends did it from San Francisco. I, too, booked an expensive photographer and videographer. I just think it is important to have the memories. I would thank your friends for the offer but without good sound equipment and lighting your video will not really help you to remember the day. Also, I bet having the tapes editted will be expensive. Cut back on invites (most people throw them away anyway after a while), do small favors and don't spend a ton of flowers (they die so quickly).

One way I found to help with photographer expensenses is to only do small parent albums. I need (3) and did only 12 pictures each, with (1) 8x10. If any of the parents want more photos then they have to pay the difference. I think that is very fair. Also negotiate with the photographer. I did with mine and got a lot more for my money. Very often the photographer will throw in extras to get the business. I asked for an 11x14, 5x7s for the bridal party, things like that. I am also not doing many photo thank yous. I am only giving the wallet photos to close family and friends. So, I got some extra englarements instead.
Good Luck.

Mini bride I used Gray...here`s what I think...(long)

If you don't mind, how much was Grays video?

Thx

For Kate/Melissa...Gary video prices for 2000

Remember that these are last year's prices, so it might be different now:
Standard - starts at $1595.
five levels to choose from, and they go all the way up to -
Video Prestige package - $2595.

Stephen at Gray Studios

When we went for the initial interview with Gray, we got to meet Stephen. He was very friendly and had beautiful pictures. He just got married about 10 months ago so he knows exactly what you are going through from a personal view as well as professional. I would definitly ask to at least talk with him on the phone.

Another idea

We didn't get a pro video. My cousin taped the ceremony, which was a good thing, since we didn't remember much of it. We had a small wedding, so we didn't feel like we missed that much, except the cocktail hour!
If you're on a tight budget, get a pro to do your ceremony only.

Another idea

I got married on May 12 Stephen (Gray) was my photographer and he truly was amazing, he was so creative and I never even knew he was there, I also have a huge family and he worked well with everyone to squeeze us all in. My video was also excellent very elegent (I didnt want the cartoons and stuff in my video)
Stephen's asistant is his wife and she was very nice.

Stephen at Gray Studios

I just booked Stephen at Gray through many recommendations. I am sooo excited, and have heard wonderful things about him!

Stephen at Gray Studios

You will have Amazing pictures, I got so many complaimanets on just my proofs,and you'll have them 2 weeks after the wedding which is great, he truly is worth the money, you wont be disappointed!
Good Luck!