Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Hello!!

Quick question:

On average how much did everyone spend on their photographer?

Everyone in my family has a different opinion on this and the range is quite large. My FI is unfortunetly on the cheap side and I'm having a hard time convincing him a great photographer is worth the money. He could spend the money on a nice camera and "stick a person behind it." blush2.gif

So now I don't know if I am being ridiculous and having my bridezilla moment or if I'm right in what I think we should spend on pictures.

 

Thanks ladies, your input would be greatly appreciated.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Quote:
Originally Posted by NaM View Post
He could spend the money on a nice camera and "stick a person behind it." blush2.gif
no camera is nice enough to make a great picture without the person behind it knowing what to do.

The more i learned about photography, the more i increased my budget.

I have never seen someone happy with their pictures if they went with an inexperienced photographer or tried to depend on family to get plenty of shots.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

plus you'd need to get a good editing program & learn how to use it.

 

DIY photography would be a ton of work

 

I completely understand how he is feeling. I know I was shocked at the cost of photography. But, once I learned how much work it is to shoot a wedding & process all the images I get it now.

 

I started off with a tiny photography budget. The more time I spent on BDW seeing all the amazing pictures & then seeing people dissapointed by bad pictures, the more I started to increase my budget. It was a good thing my wedding was in 08, because i'm sure my photography budget would be out of control by now.

 

I have had so much happiness from my wedding pics. I love them so much I want to take anniversary pics every year.

 

But, then I love photography. I suggest doing some research and figure out what works for you. Read the "what I wish I would have done thread" and see some places to cut back on the budget that don't really matter.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think that one thing that might be helpful to your cause is saving a few of your "favorite" photos that you come across, then comparing them to shots taken from friends, family/guests "Non-pro pics" that are posted even here on the forums. Men often (ok, ALWAYS) need a visual to get it.

 

What I did was save a few pics to my pc of resort photog photos I'd seen, as well as some from some of the really basic/no frills photogs (ok, cheaper) that I came across who were initially in the budget range I'd thought of. THEN, I saved some of my favorites I started seeing when I would go through this site as well as from the sites of some of the more expensive photographers. I sat Billy down and SHOWED him-and hell yea, I cheated and used the absolute coolest shots I could find to highlight the diffference. lol But it worked and he "gets it" now. To be fair, we aren't going with the most expensive--but we're definitely not going with the cheapest. Our photogrpahy choice is pretty much "upper middle class" if that makes sense. We're actually getting a great deal, so that helps because we aren't paying what we probably SHOULD be for work like this BUT it took a lot of research on my part to FIND this person and get a good deal.

 

I think mid range is where a lot of brides end up, and they are happy with their photos in the end if they can't afford the truly expensive pro's. Once you start researching the different styles, you'll see what I mean. Just don't cave and go with someone because they are cheap, and you'll be fine. You may not be able to afford to blow half your wedding budget on a GREAT photog, but I guarantee you if you move some stuff around in your budget you'll be able to find one that has the style you want at a price you can still work in.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I agree with the girls that DIY photography is risky. We have a few friends that are really good photographers. Here are some of the pictures taken by him.

Faces from a year on the road. - a set on Flickr

When we compared the quality of photographer's photos to his, that put us in the mid-price range. The problem was that, when we looked at a mid-range photographer we only found about 2 or 3 pictures per set that we really moved us. So we splurged and got a really good photographer. We spent most of our budget on him, but we didn't need to spend a lot because we had an amazing location. He was SO worth it. We ended up with 100 amazing pictures. And since the pictures are all you are left with after the dust settles, we are really happy with our decision.

Tulum, Mexico Wedding Photography: Malisa and Todd - Dreamtime Images

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think that this quote by John Ruskin sums up how I feel:

 

“It is unwise to pay too much but it’s unwise to pay too little.

When you pay too much you lose a little money that is all.

When you pay too little, you sometimes lose everything, because the thing you bought was not capable of doing the thing you bought it to do.

The common law of business prohibits paying a little and getting a lot.

It can’t be done.

If you deal with the lowest bidder it is well to add something for the risk you run.

And if you do that you will have enough to pay for something better!”

 

It is much better to cut in one or two other areas of your budget so that you can have really high quality images of your day, than it is to pay too little for your photographer, and then be disappointed in the end. Remember, these images will be passed on to your children and grandchildren.

 

Best wishes,

Tod

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.


  • Best Destination Wedding Sponsors



    Facebook Pinterest Google+ Twitter
  • Posts

    • Hi everyone! I have been doing lots of research on various wedding venues all around Mexico, my fiance wants a destination wedding and I am happy to have a wedding wherever so long as the vibe is right and guests are happy!  I have been seriously looking at Cabo Azul and was trying to find potential costs for them, but only found a page about their wedding costs from 2010. Does anyone have any updated information on costs / reviews they would like to share of this venue? Or advice in general, anything helps. Thanks so much, happy wedding planning to all!
    • Hello everyone, I am dreaming of a wedding in Costa Rica and was wondering if I could get any help with venues and wedding planners. I am thinking Tamarindo because a close friend of mine lives there and I've been in town more than a couple of times, she's being helpful but is at a loss when it comes to this subject really so I was wondering if anyone here had recommendations. I am not closed to other town suggestions either, if I happen to find a good place and staff somewhere else. These are the places I have so far, has anyone had any experience with any of them?  Stay In Tamarindo Luxury Villas in Costa Rica Luxury Villas Pinilla Tropical Homes of Costa Rica The Point Luxury Villa Thank you so much for your help!
    • Have you ever considered having a wedding inside a bubble? With the current global situation, many couples are looking for unique and creative ways to celebrate their special day while keeping their guests safe. A wedding inside a bubble could provide a whimsical and intimate setting for your ceremony and reception. Imagine saying your vows surrounded by a beautiful bubble filled with twinkling lights and flowers, creating a magical atmosphere for you and your loved ones to enjoy.
    • Adult only resort or not? Let's discuss the pros and cons of choosing an adult-only resort for your honeymoon. While some couples may appreciate the peace and quiet that comes with an adults-only environment, others may prefer a more family-friendly atmosphere. What are your thoughts on this? Have you had any experiences at adult-only resorts that you'd like to share? Let's hear your opinions and recommendations!
    • When it comes to planning a wedding, one of the most exciting parts is choosing the perfect wedding favours for your guests. These small tokens of appreciation are a great way to thank your loved ones for being a part of your special day and to make them feel appreciated.
  • Topics

×
×
  • Create New...