My photography deal!

SandalGirl

So ladies, this one is a bit weird.  Basically, before I got all your great recs, I e-mailed a bunch of photographers here in vancouver, to see if any of them would exchange air/all inclusive resort for a day of work (Which would be a SUPER deal, as most of them have packages around 3600 smackers).  Well, one that I REALLY love wrote me back and we've been e-mailing back and forth all week.  I LOVE his pictures - bright, simple, emotional, just very 'me'.  He'll ALREADY be in the Mayan from early March until April - cause he goes there regularly.  He LOVES the area, LOVES that we're getting married there, etc.  So after lots of discussion, he said he would do our pics for the price I wanted (1500), and I'm going to work with him promoting him on the internet (blogs, facebook, other things etc) to 'pay off' the difference. WHAT?  I already spend a crazy amount of time online on random wedding things, and now I get gorgeous pictures for it. But... is this too weird?  I'm super excited, and we're meeting next week to formalize everything.  WDYT?here is his link if you want to look:http://www.deansandersonweddings.com/

SteffyC

Ah, I love his work and I think it's an awesome deal!!  I may actually be interested (April 17, 2010 in the Riveria area at The Moon Palace Resort)

Shann816

That's great, but I don't like that he wants you to do free advertising for him on places like TK in exchange for his services. You should be doing that anyway just because you were happy with him. JMO.

LadyBird9

That is so awesome!! What a great deal!! I am going to go look at the photos now...

SandalGirl

Yeah, I've already decided that I wouldn't 'advertise' for him on this board, because it is my board, and i value these ladies and am not going to become a seller. (Unless of course, someone asks) I put that up here, cause you all have been part of my whole planning process and I was excited about it and wanted to know what you thought.  He was saying more like facebook pages, and monitoring pages where vendors actually pay to be active on and brides can ask questions of photographers etc.  Again, not sure exactly what its going to look like, as we're getting formal next week, but I'm crazy excited hes giving me a 50% discount and the opportunity to do something for him. I simply could not have afforded him otherwise. When I found out the price of photogs I was so disappointed, as I had thought they would be like 1000, and I never really researched it before.  Caused a little tiff with the FI, as that was the number I had quoted him....I really really hope this works out for both of us though!

Shann816

If he's good, he doesn't need someone to spy on websites for him. I don't want to rain on your parade, but there are photogs who will do it for the cost of travel without strings attached. I'd be curious how much promoting he wants you to do in exchange for the 50% discount.

rolleifly

I think it's a great deal. I'm sure the promotion he wants you to do is just recommend him, let people know if he does a good job. I can't imagine a photographer turning a client into an advertising rep. But that's not what this sounds like. Congrats and I hope everything works out great for you

IrisS

Robyn, i think it's great! It's a little iffy how he can really measure your promotion to "make up the difference", but if it's really just recommending him to other people, it would be easy peasy. I love the pictures, and i think it's a great price. Is that plus travel fees? Im surprised how expensive the photographers are in Vancouver. I found a bunch online, and it TO that were willing to do it for 1500-2000. Did you consider stduiodouglasweddings.net? Her style is a little bit more posey (but she comes highly recommended), but it's a great deal: $500 plus travel. Just a thought.As for the photographers that are willing to do it for just travel - it may be a good or bad thing. They are likely dooing that to build up their portfolio, and if they are starting out ( or have never done DW) they might not have the right eye/ equipment to do it. I say pay a little more, and get what you want. Just my 2 canadian pennies

SandalGirl

Thanks ladies - you are all so so wonderful! My sister reminded me that I've been talking about the pictures before I was talking about the dress.  When I went on to his site, I had a 'this is it' moment, which I didn't even really have with my dress!  I know there are a lot of cheaper photogs, but this is the one I fell in love with, and right now I just see him as being flexible enough to work with any budget.  If it doesn't work out I'll be more than ready to hear a few "I told you so's". I think for me, part of what I wanted is to be able to meet my photog in person, be comfortable with them and have discussions face to face.  Weird criteria, but again, important to me.  Thanks for all your support, you guys are so awesome, I wouldn't know what to do without you.  I'll keep you posted

IrisS

Robyn - good luck on your meeting! I hope he is just as nice in person, and clicks with you guys. Let us know how it goes