photography packages

bridetobeee

Hi girls,

I need some help with photgraphy packages. I want to get an idea of pricing and packages for photos. There are so many photographers with so many price ranges, and I am not sure what would consist of a good deal. One photographer is offering about 12 hours, two photographers, CD with images and online gallery for about $4000. Another is offering 10 hours, online gallery, CD images, and album for $2200. Of course the difference is vastly different in quality. The first one takes very good pics and the second one is so so. What are all of your thoughts on this? Is the first photographer overcharging? What were some of your deals and prices? and packages? Thanks so much!

Pandya Photography

Hi there,

I am not one of the girls, but would like to chime in to help you out a bit!
I am a professional photographer (getting married March 12th!).

Pricing will vary by area, skill set, and final products.

I don't know where you are from, but if you are on the east coast most photographers have packages from about $3,500 - $10,000. There are a few way below $1,000 and few well above $10k, depending on what their package consists of.

Skill set is super important. Some photographers are really amazing and have been doing weddings for quite a while. Others may be new and still working on developing their style. Try to interview as many as you can and really get to know their personality. Your photographer will be with you from morning til night, and they will be in your personal space, if they have a nice personality you will be more comfortable with them. A wedding is super emotional, get to know a few photographers and decide by photo style, personality and price.

The deliverables will be a huge factor in a package price. There are albums that cost us (professional trade prices) starting at $100 all the way up and above $5,000+ per album (crazy ostrich leather, swarovski crystals etc) . This is not including any design time, retouching, going back and editing etc.

For example, one photographer may offer a very high end album (flushmount, photographic paper, modern cover) with their package, and another may offer a simple (press print, large gutter). I urge you to visit some photographers and see the physical albums, touch them see what you like and then go back and figure things out.

Also, the size of the album, number of pages, types of paper and cover type will dramatically change the cost of an album.

I hope that helped a little!

Best of luck,
Abhi

bridetobeee

Thanks! That does help. And yes, I am in the east coast which is probably why it is so pricey around here

SimRoy

Hi...

I've also noticed the varying range of prices...

I think it also depends on the quality of work and what is offered in the packages.
For example I'm looking at those whom offer packages w/ the engagement shoot, the photos, and the albums for my hubby and myself as well as 2 additional family albums for the parents. 

What are you looking for?  Traditional pictures or a bit more modern and artsy?

I agree w/ pandya interview a few photographers.  Personality is key and professionalism as well.  We will be spending a lot of time w/ our vendors!

Sim

Pandya Photography

Price is not only based on quality of photos and products, it is also the type of service offered.

Some companies are wedding factories, they shoot 40-60+ weddings a year. They will offer a better price, but you may not get one on one service. It is very difficult to provide a high quality service when shooting so many events. Heck you may not even get the same photographer on your wedding date.

For example, we limit ourselves to 15 weddings a year and hand hold our clients from the beginning to end. Our service is more like a boutique. We don't do wedding expos and just go by word of mouth or website traffic. We don' t just show up to the wedding, we have multiple meetings with our clients, phone calls, even dinners to get to know another. Heck, we have met clients at lounges just to get really comfortable and hang out. If we don' t know "who" our clients are, how are we to capture "who they really are" in pictures?

This same mentality is followed by many indian wedding photographers the girls mention on this board, just ask the photographer and they will share their business model with you. You really cannot go wrong with the photographers the girls mention on this board, they are really great at what they do.

Sometimes I get my hair cut at Supercuts, other times I go to a salon. If I want something a certain way, I go to the salon, if I just need it done I go to the local shop

 For my wedding, my photographer is the biggest expense next to food. We cut back on everything else. He is a friend, so I could have asked for a discount, but I didn't want to offend him. I love his work and respect him as an artist.

If budget is restricting, go with the best photographer you can afford. Do not buy albums now, and just a disc with photos. Get an album made when you get that big promotion at work, or have a little extra spending money.

Don't go with somebody because they give you everything for a crazy price, what good are a ton of prints and albums if your photos are not amazing? Ask the girls here for who shot their weddings, and ask them about the experience they had, you will be good to go!