Can't Decide on Photographer! Pls HELP!

u_anoi_me · October 2012

Hi.

I am very picky about our photographer but I also don't want to over spend.

I found 2 that I really like:

1st photographer

Pros:

-very good and crisp pictures

-very professional and has been featured in countless magazines

-went to a prestigous school for photography

-knows our venue and was a preferred vendor by our venue

-retouches pictures which I am absolutely for

-pretty much can't go wrong with his pictures

Cons:

-$$$- $5000 for the most basic package then the next package jumps to $6000 which isn't that much different. The package includes a digital layout album instead of the hand crafted one but I'm really not sure what the difference is. Our budget for the photographer is $4300 but I'm willing to stretch it out

-That's the only downside

2nd Photographer

Pros:

-photos are pretty good but not as crisp and doesn't have as much 'wow factor' as the first but good enough

-cheaper ($4300) and the package doesn't need add ons and includes everything I would want

Cons:

-isn't referred by our venue and it would be her first time seeing our venue so she wouldn't know where to take pictures

-her deposit is pretty steep (50%) which is going to be around $2000 upfront

-has less (but enough) experience from the other photographer

HELP! I've been on this photographer check list for 3 weeks and I still don't know what to do!

tonyadombrowski · October 2012

Do you think your second photograper would take the time out of her schedule to meet and you can giver her a tour of the venue? Im sure she/he would be fine with that, just explain to them maybe a month (or whatever preference you have) before the wedding you would like them to have a tour of the venue that way they are not thrown in. Your first photographer you mention you cant go wrong, so it pretty much shows that this is who you want, you didnt mention a budget so that is your next step, if you can afford this photographer (1st one), and you already state cant go wrong with it, then by all means its your wedding day, you get married once and I would get the one you want!!

tonyadombrowski · October 2012

Just reread your budget, sorry... You are even willing to stretch it, so I'd do it, sounds like you already feel comfortable with it.

[Deleted User] · October 2012

On your wedding day, the pictures will be what's left behind and they should be fantastic. I would vote for the Photographer #1. My FI and I met only one photographer. His pricing was pretty steep but no one else's work came close so we budgeted for it. Good luck!

MrsKathyC · October 2012

Take it from someone who learned the hard way, do not skimp on your wedding photos! Go with #1.

MoonlightSilver · October 2012

IF you can rearrange your budget, go with photographer 1. Look into where you can reduce your budget in other areas- maybe get rid of favors, don't have an aisle runner, cheaper invitations, etc. Or maybe you can stop going out to dinner or buying a coffee, and put that money towards the photographer.