ROR Photographer Help

[carrieandjoe]

Hi everyone!

 

I reserved the Head Photographer (Michael) at Riu Ocho Rios for my March 23rd wedding date. After talking to other people, I'm thinking he's a bit expensive for what he's offering.

 

Pictures - $870 for 2 hours and 45 minutes (includes 6 prints and 70 pics on CD).

 

DVD/Videographer - $435 for 2 hours

 

I've been told that $1,305 is a bit much for only having someone taking pictures or taping for only 2-3 hours and that these are more typical to prices of someone there all day.

 

Any thoughts on this? Has anyone used other photographers in town that would be better? I appreciate any help on this!!!

[Ellipse22]

I would guess that it does seem a bit pricy..I used Michael and spent approx. $700....but I got all the pics I wanted too.

 

Not sure what to tell you. My hubby and I thought about having a photographer come with us to Jamaica. We were willing to pay for 1 person to go and they in exchange would give us all the pics on a cd (high res) and printing rights. We ended up changing our minds as it was too last minute.

 

It may seem like a lot of money and I had a hard time justifying it as well but my pics turned out great so..it was worth it!

[carrieandjoe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ellipse22 I would guess that it does seem a bit pricy..I used Michael and spent approx. $700....but I got all the pics I wanted too. Not sure what to tell you. My hubby and I thought about having a photographer come with us to Jamaica. We were willing to pay for 1 person to go and they in exchange would give us all the pics on a cd (high res) and printing rights. We ended up changing our minds as it was too last minute. It may seem like a lot of money and I had a hard time justifying it as well but my pics turned out great so..it was worth it!

Thanks for your reply! If the pics turn out great, than that's all that matters. Can I ask how long you had him for? Did he do the wedding, then come back and forth at the dinner/reception? Also, how many pics did you end up with. My package includes 70, but perhaps that's more than we need. The next cheapest is only 30 pics....

[J&M]

Hi

 

We used Micheal ( well Christopher his assistant) as well. Cost us about 700.00 (video..and 50 pics on CD) We had the Royal pkg. so we only purchased an extra hour as the pkg. included the 45 min. ( I think it was 45)

 

He was great

[Spazz]

We used Michael and I was not thrilled with his work. I probably spent a little over $1000 for 100 pictures and to have him for extra time (3:30-7:30). He shipped me the "edited" CD of pics after I returned home and I wasn't very happy with the quality (didn't seem like he edited them at all). I had my cousin who is a graphic design artist re-touch most of them. To me, pictures weren't very important so that's why I didn't hire an outside photographer, but to pay over $1000 for mediocre work was aggravating. If you have the option of bringing someone else in, I think you should consider it. But then again, there are many brides here who are very happy with Michael's pictures, so I could have just had him on an off day or something.

[carrieandjoe]

Thanks for the info!

Did Christopher come back and forth between wedding and reception?

Did someone else to the Video then?

[J&M]

Quote:

Originally Posted by carrieandjoe Thanks for the info! Did Christopher come back and forth between wedding and reception? Did someone else to the Video then?

We didn't really have a "reception" as there was only 10 of us. Just dinner at Mamee There was always a Photoshop guy wandering around at the dinner place so we just got him to take a cake cutting pic.

And yes someone else does the video..you just tell Micheal and he sets it up

[Ellipse22]

I had Michael & Christopher. I had the Royal Package so my ceremony was already covered. I booked an additional 2 hours with him. Michael came to my room and Christopher was at my hubby's room before the ceremony.

 

Both Michael & Christopher took pics through out the ceremony and when we made our way to the beach Christopher was gone to shoot another wedding.

 

We also had someone come back after dinner for when we were cutting the cake. There are always photoshop guys walking around taking pics.

 

I initially paid for the extra time (which I know we went over on but were never charged) and 50 pics on a CD. We ended up getting 91 pics on a cd and paid a bit extra for those but we got a good deal.

 

Also, we were able to view our pics w/laptop before we left the resort and came home with our CD.

 

I'm of the opinion that Michael is getting better with his photography because I too was a little concerned..but they turned out great!

[m_willis22]

pics are very important to me. i did not like the reviews i was receiving about michael and the photoshop, so i am hiring an outside photographer. as long as you have the person as a guest they cannot stop them from being at the wedding. i did see pics from michael on a ttd session and i was impressed. the quality was a lot better than what he had previously emailed me. if you like what you get the price does not matter, but if you don't like it you can never get that day back.

[Jill]

Pictures are important to me and I felt that Micheal was expensive for what you got so I started researching outside photographers and I hired an outside one, she told me I would get around 800-1300 pictures for 8 hours worth of coverage.. and the price is $1900, so I think that is much better for the time and that she is there all day and the number of photos you get. If you want her name PM me!