Sick and Tired of Getting Ripped OFF!

I agree, the lowest quote I received was $2500, but that didn't include much. I was shocked at the prices also, and I thought I had seen everything after almost 15 years of living in NYC.

The prices of photographers in this area are ridiculous though, and well over national averages. For my wedding, we'll be spending almost as much on photography as the reception (granted we're having a small wedding, only 50-60 people, but still)! My cousin who got married in rural upstate New York a couple years ago spent $750 and got tons of pictures.

Mine had a basic package that was under $2000. Check out TimeXposures

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Posted by am470

Honestly, I think it is going to be hard to find a photographer not over $2000.

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Honestly, I have to agree. My photos are something I won't mess with, but I don't want to spend $7000 either. $2000 sounds pretty reasonable, and if it's a matter of a few hundred bucks, that's where I would spend the extra $$$$.

Really, for this area of the country, you are not going to find a wedding photographer for much less. $2,000 is actually pretty good. I wouldn't call it a 'rip off.'

If you are sick of being ripped off when the word wedding is mentioned - why not just get a regular photographer and pay him to shoot your day?

Or check out craigslist.org for amateurs looking to break intot he business.

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Posted by rosaria

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Posted by am470

Honestly, I think it is going to be hard to find a photographer not over $2000.

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I agree...

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I'm with these ladies. We paid way more than that but photos will be the memories you have to look at for many years to come.

Why is it that we can sit here and actually accept that 2,000 and above is acceptable for a wedding photographer?

I appreciate the art form and the time and heart that is applied to making it a special day and memorable, but honestly now!

We're working on a very strict budget, and it's important for us to cut corners wherever we can.

The minute the word 'wedding' is mentioned, boom, increase the regular rate to over 400%. Mention a bat/bar mitzvah, Sweet 16, anything else, and it's $500 for the same package. I refuse to accept it.

Thanks to all the ladies out there that gave me SUPERB recm'ds for photographers under $1,500! I will make sure to include all their packages and prices for those of us that don't feel like getting 'hustled' into a price we just don't want to pay.

well to be honest....im paying 2,100 but im paying for 2 photogs to shoot from 1 pm to 1 am.....thats an entire day...plus they wil have travel expenses, and need to pay for their office space and the time he will take to edit and crop and get out red eyes and make the dvd's and add the music.....do you see what I'm getting at???????


Its not that their ripping you off....its not like a guy holding a polaroid who wil take the pics and give them to you and go.....theres alot involved


and if you think youre going to find something much much cheaper, then i do honestly believe that will show in your photos

I for one, want wonderful pictures since thats all that wil physically remain of my wedding day

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Posted by ChristineAEid

Queens Bridal - anyone have add'l info? Email/website/tele?

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www.queensbridalcenter.com

I used Lyndenhurst location.. Glen

my photographer was Joey.. HE WAS AWESOME!

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Posted by ChristineAEid

Why is it that we can sit here and actually accept that 2,000 and above is acceptable for a wedding photographer?

I appreciate the art form and the time and heart that is applied to making it a special day and memorable, but honestly now!

We're working on a very strict budget, and it's important for us to cut corners wherever we can.

The minute the word 'wedding' is mentioned, boom, increase the regular rate to over 400%. Mention a bat/bar mitzvah, Sweet 16, anything else, and it's $500 for the same package. I refuse to accept it.

Thanks to all the ladies out there that gave me SUPERB recm'ds for photographers under $1,500! I will make sure to include all their packages and prices for those of us that don't feel like getting 'hustled' into a price we just don't want to pay.

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Wait until you get to DJ's and bands. I know tons of DJ's and they don't make $1500 - 2K and up for parties - just weddings.

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Posted by ChristineAEid

Queens Bridal - anyone have add'l info? Email/website/tele?

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www.queensbridalcenter.com
Location #1 60-16 Fresh Pond Road | Maspeth, New York 11378 | (718) 821-5864
Location #2 153 Jericho Turnpike | Mineola, New York 11501 | (516) 741-1555
Location #3 234 East Montauk Hwy | Lindenhurst, New York 11757 | (631) 957-7700

Didn't care for their video, but they had really nice albums and they gave me a great quote.

12th NIght

how are you possible getting your dress, limos, and flowers all for 400 combined?

doesnt seem possible to me

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Posted by ChristineAEid

Why is it that we can sit here and actually accept that 2,000 and above is acceptable for a wedding photographer?

I appreciate the art form and the time and heart that is applied to making it a special day and memorable, but honestly now!

We're working on a very strict budget, and it's important for us to cut corners wherever we can.

The minute the word 'wedding' is mentioned, boom, increase the regular rate to over 400%. Mention a bat/bar mitzvah, Sweet 16, anything else, and it's $500 for the same package. I refuse to accept it.

Thanks to all the ladies out there that gave me SUPERB recm'ds for photographers under $1,500! I will make sure to include all their packages and prices for those of us that don't feel like getting 'hustled' into a price we just don't want to pay.

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i totally hear what you're saying... the prices for wedding vendors ( especially halls) is completely out of control... and ithink its partly our fault becasue we go to these halls and just accept their prices of $100 or more per person because its our 'special day', when the same food at a regular restaurant would be about $30 a person. i understand for weddings, the need more staff and stuff... but it can't be enough to triple their prices!! about 2 year ago, i had an anniversary party for my mom and dad, and got quotes from a couple places. called one of the places last year to get quotes for my wedding, and it was triple what they had told me it would be for the anniversary party... for the same food and service!!
i just think its crazy that some of us have to have budgets of $40,000 for ONE DAY!!
anyway... jsut wanted to say i totally hear ya!

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Posted by ML110

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Posted by ChristineAEid

Why is it that we can sit here and actually accept that 2,000 and above is acceptable for a wedding photographer?

I appreciate the art form and the time and heart that is applied to making it a special day and memorable, but honestly now!

We're working on a very strict budget, and it's important for us to cut corners wherever we can.

The minute the word 'wedding' is mentioned, boom, increase the regular rate to over 400%. Mention a bat/bar mitzvah, Sweet 16, anything else, and it's $500 for the same package. I refuse to accept it.

Thanks to all the ladies out there that gave me SUPERB recm'ds for photographers under $1,500! I will make sure to include all their packages and prices for those of us that don't feel like getting 'hustled' into a price we just don't want to pay.

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i totally hear what you're saying... the prices for wedding vendors ( especially halls) is completely out of control... and ithink its partly our fault becasue we go to these halls and just accept their prices of $100 or more per person because its our 'special day', when the same food at a regular restaurant would be about $30 a person. i understand for weddings, the need more staff and stuff... but it can't be enough to triple their prices!! about 2 year ago, i had an anniversary party for my mom and dad, and got quotes from a couple places. called one of the places last year to get quotes for my wedding, and it was triple what they had told me it would be for the anniversary party... for the same food and service!!
i just think its crazy that some of us have to have budgets of $40,000 for ONE DAY!!
anyway... jsut wanted to say i totally hear ya!

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THANK YOU GIRLIE! AMEN SISTER!

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Posted by jcdesignz

how are you possible getting your dress, limos, and flowers all for 400 combined?

doesnt seem possible to me

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I was wondering the same thing...

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Posted by Bunnymonkey

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Posted by jcdesignz

how are you possible getting your dress, limos, and flowers all for 400 combined?

doesnt seem possible to me

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I was wondering the same thing...

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It was an exaggeration ladies! Not to be taken literally. I was fuming mad when I wrote that originally. I apologize. But here's a breakdown of what I paid.

Limo's - $300, RR, (2) 14 passenger limos - I know the owner.
Flowers - $600 - it's my father's close friend
Dress - $300 - excluding alterations which my grandmother will be doing.

The prices are outrageous, but I agree with some of the others--it shows in the quality of the work. The less expensive photographers aren't necessarily giving you a better deal, they will cut corners where necessary. So you may get a lower price, but the quality of the photographs (either the set up or the printing), or the binding will be lower. Basically, something is likely to be off.

The equipment is very expensive, so is film if it is used. And the developers charge more than your neighborhood Walgreens will. Rents are exorbitant here too. Bascially, everything involved is costly.

Of course, this is all a matter of priorities for you. If you aren't very particular about photos, you may not need to spend the extra money. I know this isn't a priority for everyone, though it was for us. We're skimping on the music instead to balance things out.