Photography Pricing

[budgetjamaicabride]

I happen to know that some of our BDW photographers are awesome and willing to work with the budget you have. Especially two lovely ladies from up north.

[Nic Dragomire]

there's an echo in here

[Jacilynda]

WOW I have to admit this thread is kind of enlightening! A bit tense at moments, but enlightening. Honestly I had NO idea the cost of photography! I have never had pro photos done so I really didn't realize what to even budget for. Our budget is already SO low and photography is the most important part to me. I actually started looking for photographers that i love that haven't had the opportunity to do destination weddings. i found many. There aren't many great photographers here so i started looking around the country. I asked if they may be will to shoot our wedding and TTD if we paid airfare, food, and accomodation but had photography for free or very minimal amount. We didn't want books or prints. Just a disc w/ the photos on it and rights to print.

 

We had quite a few respond and one of them I am absolutely in love w/ their work. Their airfare is so cheap, and we have a free room from the hotel. We are really wanting them to do work, but also have a "vacation" so to speak. The cost of airfare is the same whether they stay 2 weeks or 3 days. And they can have the free room for 2 weeks. We are working out a time frame for them so they can come down and have at least a week to themselves to enjoy the riviera. they are even considering doing our wedding and then going somewhere else in RM to have vacation, but we're paying for their airfare. oh we have 2 photogs, they are a married couple. I have to admit I was very excited about this and have been smiling all day to have this opportunity, but this thread really shot that down! Like they can't be that good or professional to do this, or they aren't vacationing and I really want them to feel like they can vacation a bit. I don't need them photographing EVERYTHING! I have my own brand new slr to photograph everything! Maybe some of you pros can give me some more insight on whether i'm jipping them on work and if they can really enjoy themselves at all?

[Jacilynda]

WOW I have to admit this thread is kind of enlightening! A bit tense at moments, but enlightening. Honestly I had NO idea the cost of photography! I have never had pro photos done so I really didn't realize what to even budget for. Our budget is already SO low and photography is the most important part to me. I actually started looking for photographers that i love that haven't had the opportunity to do destination weddings. i found many. There aren't many great photographers here so i started looking around the country. I asked if they may be will to shoot our wedding and TTD if we paid airfare, food, and accomodation but had photography for free or very minimal amount. We didn't want books or prints. Just a disc w/ the photos on it and rights to print.

 

We had quite a few respond and one of them I am absolutely in love w/ their work. Their airfare is so cheap, and we have a free room from the hotel. We are really wanting them to do work, but also have a "vacation" so to speak. The cost of airfare is the same whether they stay 2 weeks or 3 days. And they can have the free room for 2 weeks. We are working out a time frame for them so they can come down and have at least a week to themselves to enjoy the riviera. they are even considering doing our wedding and then going somewhere else in RM to have vacation, but we're paying for their airfare. oh we have 2 photogs, they are a married couple. I have to admit I was very excited about this and have been smiling all day to have this opportunity, but this thread really shot that down! Like they can't be that good or professional to do this, or they aren't vacationing and I really want them to feel like they can vacation a bit. I don't need them photographing EVERYTHING! I have my own brand new slr to photograph everything! Maybe some of you pros can give me some more insight on whether i'm jipping them on work and if they can really enjoy themselves at all?

[nylaphoto]

Although I am new here, I will reply. I don't think anyone was saying your photographer can't have a good time, just that it is work.

 

You said photography is the important thing to you, and you don't need them photographing everything.

 

If photography was the most important thing I would want everything shot, all the details and amazing portraits. Even shooting details is an art, factors include, what lens you are using, camera settings, light source etc.

 

You also said you have your own slr, I think there is a big misconception that any slr will take great photos. The camera is about 5% of the equation, lenses are a big factor, knowing light, skill, I could go on and on, and I am not sure you want to have to shoot your own wedding?

 

Again these are just my thoughts, I am sure you may have found someone who is giving you a great deal. But photography is a profession and most photographers expenses require them to charge a decent fee to shoot overseas. Shooting beach weddings is much different than a church wedding, as every situation requires the knowledge to deal with what is thrown at you.

 

I have only been here a few days but from what I have seen, there are indeed some great photographers on the boards.

[Jacilynda]

Now i think I know why this thread is so tense! There is so much miscommunication on here

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by nylaphoto You said photography is the important thing to you, and you don't need them photographing everything.If photography was the most important thing I would want everything shot, all the details and amazing portraits. Even shooting details is an art, factors include, what lens you are using, camera settings, light source etc.

By everything I meant the entire time they are there. The wedding day is unlimited, and the only time i don't want pictures being taken is while one of them stops to eat their dinner, but the other is still working

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by nylaphoto You also said you have your own slr, I think there is a big misconception that any slr will take great photos. The camera is about 5% of the equation, lenses are a big factor, knowing light, skill, I could go on and on, and I am not sure you want to have to shoot your own wedding?

I realize there is a lot that goes into it. I am talking about using my own slr for the things we do during the week not wedding day. I definitely wouldn't be shooting my own wedding, cmon!

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by nylaphoto Again these are just my thoughts, I am sure you may have found someone who is giving you a great deal. But photography is a profession and most photographers expenses require them to charge a decent fee to shoot overseas. Shooting beach weddings is much different than a church wedding, as every situation requires the knowledge to deal with what is thrown at you.

I agree w/ this, but no one even knows who I'm using. I LOVE their work! They are actually out of florida so they do lots of beach weddings.

[jennwo]

I appreciate all of the info. We are debating on going with a local photographer or flying a friend of a friend down to shoot our wedding. We still can't decide... He shot a couple of pics that are our absolute favorite wedding pics ever, but are concerned about all of them meeting our style/expectations. Is it rude or taboo to pass on another photographers work to show him what we like and want?

[Jacilynda]

I don't think you should ask them to do a different style than what they normally do. What is it that you want? Certain pictures or a certain style? For us of course we want all the bridal party pics, but we really love the moments that are staged or set up, they just happen. I think the have more meaning then staged photos

[jennwo]

We are looking for certain pics and a certain style. We definitely prefer the candid shots as well. I guess there is a "look" we like and aren't sure if its taboo to show another photographers work to set a benchmark. It doesn't have to match 100% of course, just want to set expectations and make sure he feels comfortable with them. Is that wrong?

[Jacilynda]

If there are certain things you want and have a photog you love i don't think its wrong to ask!