$500 to bring in my own photographer!

Let me add that the Gran Bahia Principe and the Gran Palladium are two AI resorts here that have never given us a problem. They welcome us (outside photo/video vendors) because they understand the true value of happy, satisfied clients.

Here's the thing--- even if you're not flying someone in, you still are stuck with the fees or putting them up in a room at the resort. If you choose someone local, they still want you to pay $350-380 to put them into a room for at least one night (if not more). Either way, they get your money unless you can negotiate the fees/stay out of the costs and get it from them in writing.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and upfront make an assumption that the individual who was confronted with the $500 penalty has already decided that the photographer "provided" is NOT up to snuff.

You will totally get what you pay for by contracting photographers "provided" vs that as they have done everything in their power to provide a team of a TON of photographers to the resort so they can generate a factory money making situation (for the resort) that pays very little for the actual photographer that is doing that "provided" work.

This system is NOT set up to provide top quality folks.

I would like this sentence to be the KEY factor in this argument. If they offered an alternative that was pleasing and not the $500 fee, we wouldn't have a problem. BUT, they dont. its a Gestapo thing and that sucks!

Also, in this specific case, I know for sure that the original poster was contracting a LOCAL photographer (not our studio).

In this case, the client is choosing to already save money by not paying for travel expenses and hiring the local talent (THANK YOU ORIGINAL POSTER). This perpetuates the local economy!

Ok, my 2 cents on this...


Cheers,
matt

I wish I had an option of local photographers, there is nothing (that I can find) in the DR, I think the resort photographers suck! I am seriously bummed.

 

Hey Matt, I don't suppose you know of any photographers in the Dominican Republic?

 

Kelly~

Kelly, unfortunately I do not have any contacts in the DR. As much as I like to support the local talent, I too haven't heard of any amazing photographers there.

Sol & I have been commissioned to shoot our first DR wedding on Dec 17. I know a handful of top photojournalists from the US that have been there...

Good luck with your search!
Cheers,
matt

whoa! I just read some of the responses to my post and i didn't realize how easy it is to make photographers upset. sorry guys.

 

i was just trying to offer some advice.

Paul, did you have any problems with RUI Palace Riviera Maya?

Add another bride-to-be at EDR onto the list of very upset brides about this fee. I e-mailed one of the WCs at Lomas and she verified the $500 fee, but said that if the photographer is part of your wedding party and stays for at least TWO nights, then the $500 fee would be waived. Woo....so gracious - $500 equals a two night stay in the basic suite. I'm really burned up about this, too. I'm still in the negotiating process, but I (and especially my FI) are about to choose another AI in Riviera Maya. Does anyone know of any other 5 star AI resorts there?

i have decided simply to put my photographer as guest on the guest list and pay the day pass fee only. I mean, how do they know the photographer isnt a family friend from the area or something like that? I didnt realize that the photographer had to stay 2 nights. The email I received said:

 

The hotel have the "not outside" providers policy, the only exceptions are when the provider stay as guest at the hotel or paying the $500 usd fee

 

So I interpret that as the person can stay one night. Why oh why must the EDR be such assholes?

That's a good idea, but if they "find out" do you think they can kick the photographer out? I'd be scared to have them do that and then be stuck without a professional photographer!! But if they did that on a bride's wedding day, that would be REALLY, REALLY wrong! But I might try the same thing. When are you getting married there?