Photography Question??????

Ok, so I am finally getting my butt moving and going to make some appointments, but I have no idea what I'm doing. I wanted to know what seems to be typical of photography packages and if there is any advice anyone has. I've read a lot on here and you guys have already given me such good tips and ideas, so I need your help again! And for past brides - is there anything you wish you would have added or not had in your package? I've read about having something different than the insert thank you cards and something like that I would have never even known about.
I love all the proofs I've seen on here from Duet so I think I'm gonna call them first - I just don't want to go in there and be clueless!!!
Thanks in advance Ladies!

for us it went something like this:
one album 10x12 in size containing 75 pics for my FH and myself (that's our album)
two parent albums 6x8 in size w/ 30 pics in each
three 'brag books' which are mini versions of the albums either containing the exact same stuff or if you want to choose different stuff, you can do that too (one for me, one for my mom and one for my FMIL).
2 8x10 portraits
1 10x12 portrait
1 11x14 portrait
2 photographers all day unlimited coverage and one assistant
unlimited amount of pics taken (they don't limit themselves to 1000 pics or something so that way, they don't have to worry about not taking a pic 'here' to save for later)...
we get all our proofs afterwards which will be about 2,000+ and we get them on a CD also
150 thank you cards
-i think that's it, i hope i'm not forgetting anything

*then we have a seperate package for video but that's just photography* but that is our package, i met with a lot of people and we added things to this package (so this is not the standard) and it was pretty close to the top package with each person we met b/c photography is very important to me... so but at least that gives you an idea.

good luck, take care-- i'm using gary leli if that helps you at all, maybe you would like to meet with him-- i love his work and his personality

ETA: forgot about the engagement shoot, DUH he included that too!! i knew i would forget something!

My package includes:

1-50 page bridal album
2-24 page parent albums
1-16x20
2-11x14
2-8x10
6-5x7
100-Thank You Cards
All proofs
All day coverage (which will be 12 hours)

and an Engagement shot

-Ask if they shoot regular film and/or digital
-Ask if you get to keep the negatives and/or how much extra they would be...
-Ask about their experience
-Ask to see samples of their work
-Make sure the photographer's work that you see and like is THE one that shoots your wedding
-you can haggle in terms of packages... mine threw in extra thank you's and an extra 8 x10 and parent album
-Ask iff an engagement shoot is included, if not, how much?
I am paying $3400.00 for photo AND video (same company). I feel like I am getting a lot for my money and a good photo package.

Things to make sure you have in your contract:

1) Who your photographer will be

2) whether they will bring an assistant
how many photographers will be there

3) How many hours they will be with you

4) What time they will come to you

5) How MANY proofs they guarentee(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.

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

7) Your payment schedule

8) how much money is due at each payment

9) whether they will travel with you IF you leave the temple for photos for any
reason

10) Many companies give a free engagement shoot -if they do:
a) when it has to be done by

b) WHO will shoot them

c) WHERE you can take them (some places will let you go to a park others make
you take them in their studio (this is a great opportunity IF it is with your
photographer to get to know them as a practice shoot and get comfortable with
poses and being in front of the camera

11) HOW you can pay for your photographs. (some places will NOT let you pay
anything other than deposit on the credit card - some places it is ALL check or
cash no credit cards at all). Many wedding vendors only take cash or check. -
try to avoid those as you will have no recourse other than court if something
happens rather than dispute with credit card company.

12) If you get your negatives (if using film) will you get your negatives.
A) if no - are they available for purchase - if so at what point

13) if digital - do you get a cd of all your photos in addition to your proofs.

14) What kind of album will you get? (slip in or what type)

15) How many photos will you 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

16) What lose photos are included (make sure you include enough for family,
friends, or yourself - so think about what you might want for your home etc
before you sign your contract - photos after the wedding go up steeply in price
and it is NOT the price that they were when you booked but the price they are
when you want to order them)

17) What kind of photography - will is be film or digital

18) If you are doing this - How many thanks yous are included or you are paying
for
a) what TYPE of thank you that you will receive (slip in, photo printed on card

19) Percentage of black and white - etc - like 20% black and white 80% color -
or 50-50% whatever you both are looking for.

20) IF there are touch ups included make sure that is in your contract - many
places won't throw this in as it is your problem to pay unless the photographer
screwed up the photo and something needs to be removed.

21) Some contracts will specify that you have to feed them and how many you have
to feed - some don't - but you should feed them anyway - even if it is not the
hall food but sandwiches etc since they are with you all day long.

22) what will they be wearing

23)will there be watermarks on the photos?

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Posted by ds319

I'm using Gary too, you should definitely check him out!

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Me too

we used duval!
we are very happy w/ our proofs!

Great stuff here. Make your list of questions from this thread and see how many they answer up front without you having to ask. And make sure the most important points are going to be included in your contract (number of proofs, delivery of proofs after wedding, albums, etc.)

One aspect that proved to be a deciding factor with us was how they reacted to providing a Certificate of Insurance for our ceremony location and obtaining approval from them in the form of a photo permit.

Many of them scoffed at it. Ultimately, the photographer we chose told us that she does it all the time, it is a standard process that she went through numerous times previously, and it is by no means a complicated process. Knowing this, it gave us a bad taste in our mouths about the rest of them. Giving us flak for no reason whatsoever. Not a good first impression.

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Posted by evnme

13) if digital - do you get a cd of all your photos in addition to your proofs.

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YES a very good suggestion. Specifically ask them if the files will be 'the original RAW files' or 'compressed JPEG's'. The original RAW files are suitable for reprinting and elarging. Compressed JPEG's are not. Many of them don't want to give you the original files because then you can do all the reprints on your own (most likely for a reduced price).

And if they tell you they're not shooting in RAW, they're only shooting in JPEG, do yourself a favor and RUN AWAY. That's the mark of a probably-cheap but non-professional photographer.

We just went in with a list of questions, and compared each photographer on price, package contents, and personality. We figured a photographer who was forceful and aggressive would be the type to be in your face with the camera, bossing you around all day. That is not what we wanted. Also, style was important. We wanted a photo-journalistic, candid style. Not a posed, canned smiles, kind of style.

Our photographer is Lori Berkowitz, she's not a LIW vendor. Her office is in the city. Our wedding pictures are in my website's photo gallery. FM me with any questions, I'd love to recommend her.