The photo hunt begins!!! HELP :( (LONG)

After 7 months of engagement, my FH and I have finally booked the chapel, hall and dj. We are now on to what I consider to be the most important thing at the wedding (besides the vows of course) - the photos. A little background - my FH and I are paying for everything. We are on a very tight budget, but realize that photos will be somewhat expensive. We have had a couple of 'discussions' regarding money, especially when I told him what photographers could possibly run us in terms of expenses. What I need from anyone willing to share is: Your photography company name, what you got in your package (or what package you created), and approximately how much you spent on it. If you know your photographer is very expensive, please share that too so I don't bother contacting them!I already asked many of you questions when I saw your posts, but I figured a list like this could not only help me soooo much, but could help others in the future. I would appreciate as much information as you're willing to share (I know talking about money can be a personal thing). If you'd rather email me direct: [email protected] Thanks sooooo much! I appreciate it!!!! :) Good luck to all!!!

The photo hunt begins!!! HELP :( (LONG)

I''m using Marco located in Holbrook. His website is marcophoto.com. I don;t remember my exact package but he has many packages. Mine was approximately $2,700 which is one of his more expensive packages. His work is great and he does a lot of fun shots besides the traditional ones. Good luck.

The photo hunt begins!!! HELP :( (LONG)

We`re using Visual Concepts. From reading other posts, I would say they are a little on the expensive side. Our package includes: 40 page 10x10 album (4 pages w/multiple pictures) 1-14 pose parent album 3 -8x10 portraits 50 -photo thank you cards -proofs -second camera coverage (BW candids) with proofs Total: $3525 We were very comfortable working with Bob, who is the owner, and we like that there aren`t additonal charges for extras (i.e. each BW, digital enhancement). They are also very flexible with the packages. Good Luck- Jen

Marnles - What worked for us

I think you will find that like florists, photographers will tell you what they can do within your budget. Also like florists the range of packages and prices is limitless. We decided what we wanted as far as approx # of pages in our album, # of 8x10's etc. Then we went to see various photographers to find someone with a style we liked and a photographer that we wouldnt mind haveing around us all day. Once we narrowed our choices down to two we gave them 'our package' to bid on. We went with Imagine Studios and we are more than pleased with the service quality and price we received.

Glenmar Studios, Roslyn

Hi Marni We are using Glenmar Studios in Roslyn (516-484-4646, we dealt with Rob Sheridan, although he won't be our photographer). We chose them for many reasons, with one of the biggest being their price. We felt they offered an exceptional package created to our needs for what we were willing to pay. I don't have the contract in front of me, but here's what I can remember: app. 400 proofs, in both B&W and color 1 11x14 2 8x10 1 leather album of our choice (reversible, flush, etc.) with 40 pictures that can be either 8x10 or 10x10 2 parent albums in 5x7 size, each with 18 pictures 50 wallets for thank-you free engagment shoot with an 8x10 portrait option to buy negatives after 4 years for $55 Their prices for additional prints were cheapest of all the photographers we looked at. They do color and B&W and also take panoramic shots. I know I am forgetting something. But for what I have listed above, our package that we created came to $2,495. They were willing to work with us in terms of timing and they will give us a photographer and an assistant, which we were looking for. Plus, they have done so many weddings at our reception hall, and we loved the shots we looked at that they did there. Overall, we are happy and can't wait. They will work with you in terms of what ever it is you want. They do video as well, but we are not going with this option. They don't advertise or have a website, but have been in business for over 30 years with just word of mouth recommendations. That said a lot to me, so we booked. Good Luck.

VIP - Port Jeff

2 photographers 1 assistant all proofs (about 350-400) engagement session 40 picture album (10x10s and 5x7) 2 parent folios (neither mom wanted albums ...good for us) 9 8x10s 14 5x7s 100 wallets (for thank yous) $2000 incl tax we can also purchase the negatives after 6 months... Put it all on your contract!!!

The photo hunt begins!!! HELP - Timeless Impressions

We are using Timeless Impressions This is what it says on my contract: 1 50 page 10x10 album 2 Gift Albums 18 5x7 1 11 x 14 Wall Portrait 100 Thank Your Cards All Proofs 2 camera Coverage - BW/Candids Negatives Avail to purchase after 1 yr $2745.00 Her Packages start out at $1500. Pick a price you can live with, and find out who can give you what you want, for what you can afford. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Thank you all who took the time to help me...

I just wanted to thank you guys for helping me with this. I know this question is posed often, and you were so nice to write this stuff out probably for the millionth time!! Thanks also to those who wrote me privately to my email address. I really appreciate it so much. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with love and happiness...i'll let you know which photographer we go with...:)

Yabbobay

Hi- I was hoping you'd be able to answer some questions regarding your photographer. (I mean, you can't write such a wonderful, extensive list with that price and not expect questions from me!!! :) hehe) 1. When you said 350-400 proofs, are they color and b/w? 2. Is this photographer just traditional shots, or they showed you some 'different' types of poses and candids they use? 3. What is a parent folio? We have 3 sets of parents, so to save money we can't get albums for each and were wondering what to do...so I'm really curious what that is! :) Thanks sooo much!! :)Happy Turkey Day!!

Marnies

I also meet with VIP. John is very good. He gives you alot for the money. He does both B/W and color photos. I booked Mark Kauffman (more expensive than VIP)but I also have 3 parents to get photos for and I did small albums for each and (1) 8x10. I am giving each the opition to pay for an upgraded album and/or more photos. Folios are also very nice ideas. You usually get 5-6 photos depending on each photos size. Another way I am saving some money is I am not getting thank you card photos for every guest. I am only getting about 30 of them. They will be sent to very close friends and immediate family only. Instead of the thank you photos I asked for more 5x7s. You can also negoiate with the photographers for extra photos. Since you have 3 parents make sure you ask for 3 parent 8x10s. Also ask for 5x7s for the bridal party. All of the photographers will work with you to fit what you need. here are some photographers that are pretty expensive so you might not want to meet with them: Verdi, Fine Arts, Ray O'Connor, JoVon I also put Mark Kauffman in their price ranges although he swears to me that he can work in any price range. also, for flowers try Burtons. I was shocked at how great the flowers are and the price I was quoted. You can do a search and find tons of great posts about them. Good Luck.

The photo hunt begins!!! HELP :( (LONG)

We are using Telmo from JoVon, they will do our video as well. They are expensive...we are spending around $6,000 for both. They do great work,and were exactly what we were looking for. If you have any questions please let me know.Continued success to all!

Marnles...

We're using Paul Marino for Photography, and Platinum Video. We're spending about $6,000 for both. We're getting for the photography: 1 10x10 Library Bound album with 50 prints, 2 5x5 Library bound parent albums with 24 prints, 1 11x14, 3 8x10's, Proofs, B&W's and 1 B&W colored. Oh, and he's throwing in our engagement pictures if we want to get them done for free. And for our video we're getting: Full coverage of the whole day, Short Form Edit (30-45 min. long) highlights (music recap), second camera for the whole wedding, 3 copies, Digital Master tape and DVD. To me it's very expensive, but after seeing a variety of work, we're getting excellent quality and talent and great prices. Good Luck!!!

Thanks again!! :) - One more question...

Thanks sooooo much everyone for helping me here...you are doing so much more for me than you know! I was wondering, when photographers sell you the negatives (I've heard anywhere from 6 months - 4 years), how much do they charge? Owning the negatives is important to me. Thanks again!! Happy and healthy Thanksgiving to all...xoxoxo

Get the negatives included with your package

Most photographers will let you have the negatives. Make that part of your package deal.

The photo hunt begins!!! HELP :( (LONG)

We are using Patken. They have several offices on LI. We are using the one in Smithtown (654-3371). I do not have the contract in front of me but I will tell you what I remeber. I know I chose one of the smaller packages (~$1900). They will even come early and shoot you getting ready. 30 mix (various sizes)pix for the album 1 20x20 (which we are trading in for 4 8X10) 1 11x14 2 8x10 ~200 proofs in an album and they are giving us the negatives after 6 months engagement portrait 1 picture for each of the bridal party 40 thank yous and a $100 gift certificate for extra pictures (I think it was a specially they had going) A piece of advice, book your photographer before next year. A lot of them told us that their prices go up on the 1st of the year. A couple of places we looked at showed us the difference and it was almost $600 for their cheapest packages.

Marnles - answers to your questions...

1. When you said 350-400 proofs, are they color and b/w? they are combined total 2. Is this photographer just traditional shots, or they showed you some 'different' types of poses and candids they use? John shoots whatever style you want...the color shots will be more traditional and the b/w photog does all candids 3. What is a parent folio? We have 3 sets of parents, so to save money we can't get albums for each and were wondering what to do...so I'm really curious what that is! :) there are many styles, the ones we are getting are three folded...the center section is an 8x10 and then the 2 sides have 4 smaller pictures... let me know if you have any more [email protected] john also has a site www.vipstuli.com he is also advertising on this site now.. good luck and happy planning

With sincere thanks....please read...

I just wanted to take a minute to thank you all again. I have to say that this board, and everyone who contributes, is like a little piece of heaven right here on earth!! You have all been so helpful to my FH and me - I can't express in words my appreciation. I know I'm sounding a little mushy, but I can't imagine trying to plan my wedding and working full-time without all of you and this helpful wedding board. Please accept my sincere thanks and know that if you ever need anything, I will try to help (although I always seem like the one asking for help here!). The best of luck to all of you now and always...:)