We still haven't booked our photographer. I am really discusted with the photo prices. I just want some nice pictures. I originally wanted traditional and photo J, but it seems like we can only afford the traditional. Plus, I'm sick of all these photo people telling me that I should DEFINETLY see my FI before the ceremony b/c it's more convient for THEM! It's my day and I'm gonna do it MY way...not some snobby photographers!!! So, does anyone know a decent photo guy/gal that would do it all for about $1,000? Keyword here is BUDGET. There is NO WAY I'm paying $4,000 for photos I'm going to look at once a year. I don't know how some of the girls can say they got a 'bargin' on their photos and pay $4,000! Are you MAD!? Sorry to vent, but even though we live on Long Island, I do have a small budget, and bills to pay.
Any comments...suggestions? I don't mean to ruffle feathers. I just wanted to get out some rage.
June
Eireann
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Re: Still haven't booked Photo..am I crazy!?!?
We are going with Patken. They include traditional poses as well as photojournalistic stuff. All of their albums were amazing. I had been to two other places whose work was not that great and their prices were much higher. We are not paying anywhere near $4000; in fact, it's less than $2500 (we're not doing parent albums, etc.). I hope this helps some.
Finally16
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Re: Still haven't booked Photo..am I crazy!?!?
I haven't booked my photographer yet nor have I had any consultations. However, everyone I've spoke to has paid more than a grand. The best price I've heard so far is $2400 with 2 parents albums, your album, all the proofs, negatives and some larger photos to frame.
I don't think you're crazy- keep looking and doing research and maybe you'll find what you want for the price. I'm sure you'll have to make some sacrifices though.
Good Luck!
Jordan
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Re: Still haven't booked Photo..am I crazy!?!?
We're not doing a videographer so photos were important to us - that's why we're spending what we are...not cause we're MAD
julybride444 used a photojournalist and had a custom package - i haven't seen her post on here since she got married so i don't know how they came out - but if you do a search, you'll find a link or three. i believe someone else booked with this person as well.
juju
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Re: Still haven't booked Photo..am I crazy!?!?
Don't worry. I am getting married before you and I still don't have the videographer/photographer. I don't want to pay an arm and a leg either. It is next on my list.
Could anyone tell me after you place a deposit, when do you pay the balance? Is after you get the photos? At the wedding? thanks
butterfly20
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Re: Still haven't booked Photo..am I crazy!?!?
juju, each photographer varies, patken took like $400, then 2/3rds 1 month before the wedding, and 1/3 when proofs are picked up..
Vivid Photo in suffolk- for like $2,200 has a package with your album and 2 parents albums, and extras.... it would cost less if you dont get the parents albums..
WithThisRing
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Re: Still haven't booked Photo..am I crazy!?!?
I love love love Patken
They will work with you.
We went in with a set amount of what we wanted and they customized a package to fit our needs. if we want to upgrade we can do it after the wedding.
i would definatly check them out. They are wonderful and are definatly willing to work with you
if you have any questions please feel free to FM me.
wenndypoo
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Re: Still haven't booked Photo..am I crazy!?!?
You might have more luck within your budget with photographers who are not 'wedding' photographers. Someone here used a photographer who actually worked for newsday, and was very happy with their work. Maybe find someone who is just starting out, would like to build their business and charges a little less. Some photographers will charge by the hour, which may be cheaper. Do you really need them there all night? I'm not mad, BTW. The one thing I will have forever is my pictures, so it was not something I was willing to cheap out on. We all have different priorities.
Good luck in your search!
aliciahelene
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Re: Still haven't booked Photo..am I crazy!?!?
We are using Patken too. they worked with us ..with exactly what we wanted..our package is 2,400, but we are getting ALOT..if you wnated to spend 1,000 Im sure they will set you up with what you want....you can negotiate even to get then negatives..so then you can make up yoru own albums. They do traditionala nd photojournalistic and they do very nice work!!! Also..I am NOT seeing my fiance before hand..no way..they didnt make me feel bad for that at all. Steve will come at 330 and take pictures of me and my family, etc. then he'll take my fiances pictures. After the ceremony, we will have our own little private cocktail hour while we get our together pictures taken and then the reception will start. It will all work out..call Patke.,.like I said..we got ALOT with our package..probably more than we need..if you wnat the basics..tell them that and Im sure they can work with you!!Good luck!!!
Donna
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Re: Still haven't booked Photo..am I crazy!?!?
maybe you can check at your local college for photography students? Or on craigslist.com? There are probably really good amatuers trying to build up their portfolios.
jenny2penny
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Re: Still haven't booked Photo..am I crazy!?!?
pictures are my bigest splurge. I see it this way I love phots, FH & I have few GREAT photos, with all the OTHER $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ spent, at least with this I can look back and remember the day and how we all looked. I do plan on framing them and hanging them up.
Maybe you don't want an album?
I first went to Queens Bridal?? in Lindenhurst on montalk Hwy, VERY INEXPENSIVE!!!! Check them out.
meganNbobby
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Re: Still haven't booked Photo..am I crazy!?!?
DUET DUET DUET... great package for photo/video with everything for only $3000 and they have beautiful albums... they do great work definitly check then out
chris605
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Re: Still haven't booked Photo..am I crazy!?!?
I spent alot of my photographer - I went with Patken and they worked with us - they gave us a package we customized - I would call steve from ther lindenhurst location - hes the owner - set up an appointment with him -
As for queens bridal - I didnt care for them at all....
GOOD LUCK
Carey
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Re: Still haven't booked Photo..am I crazy!?!?
VIP in Port Jeff Station has a package for 1699. It includes an album , parent albums enlargements, thank yous and 400-600 proofs.
They are also great to deal with they will remove things to lower the price if you need it. Their photos are awesome too. FM me if you want more info or a number.
LIPrincess00
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Re: Still haven't booked Photo..am I crazy!?!?
I agree with you regarding prices. I have to tell you honestly that I went to Patken and they seemed a little arrogant when I was talking to them. They told me a 'middle of the road price' of around 2500.00 then when I told them I wanted a something a little less there answer was I could take out the parent albums. I finally got it lower when I came up with ideas to lower it. I met with Queens Bridal and to tell you the truth I couldnt believe what they are giving me for about 1500.00 (and they do have lower prices). I am still going to go talk to a couple more but my FI really liked Queens Bridal. I have to tell you that these prices were only for Photo not Video. I am not having a professional video done, my brother-in-law will probably do it. Hope this helps.
EvenEdan
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Re: Still haven't booked Photo..am I crazy!?!?
I'm spending over 4K on photo and last time I checked I wasn't MAD! Pictures are extremely important to us, so we were willing to spend the money to get a quality photographer. If your budget is only 1K I would forget albums and just try to hire somone to shoot the event and then give you the pics so you can make your own album. Sorry I don't have any suggestions of places to go, but nobody I visited had prices anywhere close to that.
acp1101
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Re: Still haven't booked Photo..am I crazy!?!?
I haven't signed the contract yet, but Silverfox gave us a price list ala cart. You pick what you want. You don't have to get a package for a bunch of stuff you don't need.
I spoke with John and he seemed very nice...not pushy at all.They also give you the option to upgrade at at time.
I was never once told by any photographer to take pic's with FI before ceremony.
JillMaxim
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Re: Still haven't booked Photo..am I crazy!?!?
My fiance and I just signed with Gary Kane over at A Fshionable Event in Manhattan. He worked with us on our budget and gave us a wonderful digital package with our own site for us as well as guest to view over a period of time. It's wonderful because we coudl actually pick the ones we want and pay for those...and what's even better, it's that journalistic style of work...very discret and unobtrusive...then again, Gary is very (and I mean VERY) funny....he'll definitely bring out the smiles in us on our wedding day. CAN'T WAIT til 2004
He has a site...afashionableevent.com
nylisa
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Re: Still haven't booked Photo..am I crazy!?!?
I am using Marcy Studio in Brooklyn. Chuck (the owner) is wonderful to work with and he is doing whatever we want, however we want it. We also got a free e-shot with him and they came out great.
goldilocks
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Re: Still haven't booked Photo..am I crazy!?!?
I think the less expensive photography packages are the ones who do packages with invitations, flowers and stuff. Try Wedding Center in Commack.
