I know a lot of you have already booked photographers, so I was wondering if you have any suggestions about questions to ask them when meeting with them. We have our first two photographer meetings next week and are hoping to choose between one of them. I know when I met with venues I had a whole bunch of questions to ask but not really sure about what to ask photographers.
Also did you try to negotiate pricing for their packages? Did any of you get them to decrease the price a little bit or throw in something extra? I'm all about negotiating to get the most for my money, so I'm planning on trying for something.
msj288
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Questions for Photographers
We haggled a little bit, and although he wouldn't bring the price down, he offered not to charge tax, which would've been about $500. Def ask if they would accept an all cash payment, and see if they will do anything for you if end up going that route. I've gotten several of our vendors down this way.
Also, I know most photographers are insured these days, but its always good to ask if they are . Depending on where you take your pics, they might not let you take them if your photog/videographer aren't insured. I know Old Westbury Gardens asked us for our vendor's insurance.
The main thing when choosing a photographer is to make sure they fit you're personality, or help bring it out. My FH is kind of shy, so it helps that our photographer is outgoing and helps FH relax a little.
rcotter90
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Re: Questions for Photographers
We just started looking for photographers as well we made sure we got the follow info (based on what we want in our package):
-Price (obvs lol) -How many hours included? -2nd photographer? -Online gallery? -Printed proofs? -High resolution DVD or Flash drive? -How many proofs? -Engagement shoot? -Album included? Parent albums? -Copyrights? -Timeline after wedding is over for proofs/albums/prints?
I found this google doc in a search that I used to compare photographers.. you need a google or gmail account to open the template, so if you want to FM me your e-mail, I can e-mail you the excel version.
When we met with our photographer they had a whole book that we looked through with their packages written out in detail. So most of my questions where answered right away ( how many photographers, online gallery, rights to our photos, how many hours, etc. ) I did ask if we can give a list of 'must have' shots.
We weren't able to negotiate down the price of our photography package, but we were able to get things thrown in. They gave us our engagement session for free (normally $500), If we paid in all cash NO tax (saved us over $500), and they threw in an acrylic photo cover for our photo album (normally $120). They also took $100 off our Cinematography package as well.
DebOst
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Questions for Photographers
Which photographers are you all using?
KellieAnne2015
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Questions for Photographers
We are booked with Jaylim
Kristen6615
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Questions for Photographers
I booked with JayLim. I think we got them down $300 and they threw in Save the Dates, Thank you cards, & acrylic cover for album.
Sarahg9
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Questions for Photographers
I'm meeting with Lighthouse and Jaylim next Friday
mab30
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Questions for Photographers
Lighthouse covered basically everything, I had a few questions for Jaylim that naturally came up while speaking to Cliff when we met. I didn't try to haggle because I'm too shy, but Jaylim did ask us how we felt about the price, and they offered to add in a couple of things. Just be open with them about what you like and they'll probably see if they can work something out. Wait til you see Lighthouse's albums! I loved them so much and I know you will too!!! I'm so excited for you and can't wait to hear how it goes!!!!
mab30
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Re: Questions for Photographers
Posted by DebOst
Which photographers are you all using?
Lighthouse! Have you met with them yet?
rcotter90
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Re: Questions for Photographers
Posted by Sarahg9
I'm meeting with Lighthouse and Jaylim next Friday
We met lighthouse last Saturday and are meeting JayLim this Saturday. I loved loved loved lighthouse... Their albums are amazing and suit every style imaginable. She knew we were newbies and really worked with us to find our style. Only thing was that with parent albums and engagement shoot add-ons they were a bit over budget for us, so FH wants to keep looking. I can't wait to see Jaylim and see what they have to offer. Good luck!
Also, does anyone know if lighthouse is flexible with pricing? They offered us no tax, but it's still pushing it for us by about $600.
Djswedding
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Questions for Photographers
This is amazing.... Every question under the sun!!
I'm meeting with Lighthouse and Jaylim next Friday
We met lighthouse last Saturday and are meeting JayLim this Saturday. I loved loved loved lighthouse... Their albums are amazing and suit every style imaginable. She knew we were newbies and really worked with us to find our style. Only thing was that with parent albums and engagement shoot add-ons they were a bit over budget for us, so FH wants to keep looking. I can't wait to see Jaylim and see what they have to offer. Good luck!
Also, does anyone know if lighthouse is flexible with pricing? They offered us no tax, but it's still pushing it for us by about $600.
Not sure if Lighthouse is flexible, but Jaylim was more expensive than Lighthouse and didn't include engagement or parent albums in the package we were looking at (which was comparable to Lighthouse's pearl package, except their albums aren't as custom as Lighthouse).
Sarahg9
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Questions for Photographers
Thanks everyone can't wait to meet with them next week! We are hoping to book then too based on what we decide because I probably won't be back in NY til after my graduation in May!
katiephoto
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Re: Questions for Photographers
Posted by rcotter90
We just started looking for photographers as well we made sure we got the follow info (based on what we want in our package):
-Price (obvs lol) -How many hours included? -2nd photographer? -Online gallery? -Printed proofs? -High resolution DVD or Flash drive? -How many proofs? -Engagement shoot? -Album included? Parent albums? -Copyrights? -Timeline after wedding is over for proofs/albums/prints?
I found this google doc in a search that I used to compare photographers.. you need a google or gmail account to open the template, so if you want to FM me your e-mail, I can e-mail you the excel version.
All of the above! It's so important to know what you are paying for. In my opinion, getting hi-res CD or flash drive is a must. Otherwise you might be required to pay the photographer per image and/or get all your photos printed through them at a higher price.
I was able to negotiate with our photographer on price a little bit. We loved them right off the bat but they were slightly above our budget and more expensive than another photographer we were considering.
haw4
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Questions for Photographers
Make sure you get all rights to your photos. I spoke with a lot of photographers who were going to charge me for the rights. They said they would put the photos on a cd for me, but if printed, they would be watermarked unless I paid an extra fee. I found a photographer that doesn't charge for that, but that was one thing I learned as I was looking.
Kris724
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Questions for Photographers
When you are looking at examples of their work, ask to see photos shot by the photographer who will actually be shooting your wedding. Some places will showcase work by their most senior photographer, which might not be the same person shooting your wedding.
Percz2418
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Questions for Photographers
2014 crashing. We are booked with Lighthouse and LOVE LOVE LOVE them. If you want to see our e-pics FM me. Also ask to see albums of the photographer's work at your venue if available, and I would say owning the rights is a MUST. I suggest trying to bargain where you can by doing Thank Yous and Save the Dates on your own. In our opinion, we were able to personalize them and make them for less money. We had them make an extra Blu-Ray in lieu of that.
summerbridejen2015
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Questions for Photographers
Believe it or not that is the one thing we are going cheaper with. I wanted to focus more on a DJ. We are going to start making appointments next week.
Michelle0
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Questions for Photographers
We booked Lennon Photography and I am most excited about that! We felt such a connection with john and while he was over budget he really worked with us by throwing in an engagement shoot, lowering the price of our custom photobooth and helping out with the payment structure. Make sure you meet with who is shooting your wedding also we started asking photographers if it rained on our day would they be willing to go back on an off day to take pics outside. I know it sounds a little crazy but a lot of the reason we picked Flowerfield was because of the grounds so if it rains hes willing to take us back to get some pics outside.
