Photographer

[LCBride2007]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jthrasherphoto.com truer words have never been spoken. why can't all brides be like you?

be careful what you wish for! btw - can you tell my FI that, please? to hear him talk, you'd think i was bridezilla! ok, not that bad, but i think i am pretty reasonable!

[LCBride2007]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jen Hahaha! I think we might have the same parents!!!! Actually my parents are cool about everything, they gave us a set price for what they will contribute and then basically said the rest was up to us! Its the rest of my family that is driving me crazy with their insane ideas of what a wedding costs.....my aunt even suggested that we have the reception at the "Elks lodge" or American legion where they can cater it (out of aluminum trays!!!) Oh lord help us all But then again, this is the Aunt that thinks its rude to have a DW, because SHE can't afford it (she's one of the ones thats pissed about missing out on free food and an open bar )

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soon to be Mrs. Hull Jen I feel you on that, my grandma asked me if I wanted paper plates because she needed to tell the caterer!!! PAPER PLATES, can you believe it. Well I made my dad do some googling and he understands a little better now, but when I first got engaged they were being ridiculous.

OMG, ladies! i guess i should thank you for making me realize one good thing about paying for the wedding ourselves. yikes.

[*JillD*]

Wow, you guys have been busy on this thread today! Now I'm going to put my two cents in. When I was contacting photographers, one of the first things I did ask was what their prices were because if a photographer was totally out of my price range I didn't want to waste their time. Now, I work in sales, so I understand the photographers perspective of wanting to be able to show their potential client the quality of their work, and be able to establish a relationship with them, but I still think it's important to let someone know up front at least the minimum price you're willing to work for. I had contacted a photographer that is about an hour and a half away from me and he didn't want to give me pricing without me coming in to see his work. I can understand that, but for me to drive an hour and a half to see someones work and then find out that they are way over my budget would be a waste of both of our time, because no matter how much you may love someones work, if you're working on a budget there is not usually much you can do.

 

Also, rather than asking if people are flexible on their rates, I asked if they had hourly rates and if you could create your own package. I know some people have mentioned that they were able to get hourly rates for their photographers, but I really wasn't able to find any that did that. I wasn't necessarily trying to get a discount by asking this, I think everyone deserves a fair price for their services, but just merely trying to work within a budget.

 

Jonathan, would you find this offensive? please be honest, I never want to offend anyone.

[jthrasher]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jilly76 Wow, you guys have been busy on this thread today! Now I'm going to put my two cents in. When I was contacting photographers, one of the first things I did ask was what their prices were because if a photographer was totally out of my price range I didn't want to waste their time. Now, I work in sales, so I understand the photographers perspective of wanting to be able to show their potential client the quality of their work, and be able to establish a relationship with them, but I still think it's important to let someone know up front at least the minimum price you're willing to work for. I had contacted a photographer that is about an hour and a half away from me and he didn't want to give me pricing without me coming in to see his work. I can understand that, but for me to drive an hour and a half to see someones work and then find out that they are way over my budget would be a waste of both of our time, because no matter how much you may love someones work, if you're working on a budget there is not usually much you can do. Also, rather than asking if people are flexible on their rates, I asked if they had hourly rates and if you could create your own package. I know some people have mentioned that they were able to get hourly rates for their photographers, but I really wasn't able to find any that did that. I wasn't necessarily trying to get a discount by asking this, I think everyone deserves a fair price for their services, but just merely trying to work within a budget. Jonathan, would you find this offensive? please be honest, I never want to offend anyone.

no... not at all. I think you handled it very well.

This is why I put my prices on my website. So I don't waste anyone's time. Unfortunately, there are some who like to waste my time as well as theirs. I don't get why some photographers insist on leaving their prices off their site. At least put a starting point.

I'm all about custom building a package for someone too but of course there has to be a minimum.

[*JillD*]

I agree, I think you can eliminate some of the unwanted emails if you post your prices up front. Thanks for the feedback, Jonathan!