Photographer.....is this is a good deal?

GinaBean3

Hi SoCal knotties... I need your expertise. I've been shopping around for photographers and I just can't tell what a "good deal" is. I'm not looking for something that's bottom of the barrel cheap....but I also don't want to be ripped off. I found a photog I really like. Her work is amazing. Here is what she is offering...let me know if this is in the right "ballpark" and worth it! Thanks in advance! $4000 (not including tax) - One hr. engagement session - 50 professional 4x6 proof prints - online proofing gallery + $20 print credit - 7 hrs wedding day coverage - 2 photographers on wedding day - 500 professional 4x6 proof prints - online proofing gallery + $20 print credit - small CD for both engagement and wedding pictures (prints up to 5x7)

nikojamm

In my opinion.....  that's pretty high.  I can't tell if the "proof prints" are actually proofs like they used to do where they actually print them or if they mean the digital ones.  However, either way, I think it is way too much.  For instance, my package is half your amount and almost double all the info.  My engagement shoot did not have alloted time, they will be with us for as long as we need them, 1,000 pro pics touched up.  We already have our e-pics on CD and it includes the pics in 2 different files, small (for email and such) and large (for prints up to 8x7 or larger) plus a slideshow of the pics they put together.  They will do the same for the wedding pics. Oh, and there's tax yet!  I don't know, let's see what the other girls say, but I think you should keep looking.  My couple is not bottom of the barrel and they have great packages.  Good Luck!

GinaBean3

Thanks Nikojamm. Do you mind me asking who your photog is? :-)

SBgirl228

I agree, that is really high.  We spent about that on a high end photographer (who was amazing) but that included our entire album which is the most expensive part usually.

GinaBean3

SBgirl...who did you use? Thanks! :-)

SBgirl228

We used Adam Charles George from Embrace Life Photography.  We loved him!  We actually just saw our pictures for the first time yesterday and we are so happy!  He is so talented.

GinaBean3

Thank you! I just checked out his website and you are right, it is GREAT! :-)

JenFridrich

That does seem pretty high. My photographer was not much more but I got everything you stated above except all images (1200 pics from wedding and 500 from engagement shoot) on a DVD and printed for me to keep as well as 8 hours and an album with 50 pictures. Also, we got $100 print credit on both e-pics and wedding pics. Either keep looking or ask her to add more to your package. HTH!

GinaBean3

Hi Jen, thanks for your reply. May I ask who you used? Thanks! :-)

JenFridrich

Bella Rosa - her name is Jennifer Carrillo and she's amazing. I have a vendor review in my bio. Also, I posted my wedding pics in a post a couple of days ago so you can see what her work is like. Here is her website: http://www.bellarosaphoto.com/wedding/index2.php

nikojamm

Gina, we are using Noel and Ali from Peace4artphoto.com  our engagement shoot is on their blog, it is Nicole & Scott.  They really are an amazing couple to work with!  GL!

MissIntentional

are you IN LOVE with her work? if not it's way too high. i'm paying in that range, but would not have anyone else shoot our wedding.

verdes

Without knowing who your photographer is, I really can't say if it's high or not. When I looked at photographers that I liked the lowest one was $1,800 and that was for 2 photogs,  8 hours & a CD, yes there were photographers that were less than that and offered more but I did not like them. Most of the photographers I liked cost about $3K, some even cost 10K. Photographers like Jasmine Star would cost way over 4K easily but she is amazing. What is important is that you like their work and compare their prices to photographers in their category & expertise, you can't really go by what other people are paying unless you think your photographer's style is similar to theres. Like MissIntententional asked, do you LOVE their work? Have you found others that are similar?Hope this helps.

phiaska

I agree with all of the above. That seems high. The thing I like about my photographer is that there's no time limit. He's there from as early as I want him there and he doesn't leave until the party is over.

GinaBean3

Hi everyone. Thanks so much for your valuable input. Well, to answer some of your questions, I do really like her work....but I haven't really looked elsewhere either. So I'm sure if I open my horizons and give other photographers a chance I can find someone who does a great job at a more reasonable price. :-) Hi Phiaska...do you mind me asking who your photographer is? Thanks again everyone! All your input is awesome! I'm so glad I posted. :-)

[Deleted User]

First of all no matter how expensive or how cheap the photographer is, I would CATEGORICALLY AVOID any photographer that did not offer all my pictures in a digital format that was in sufficiently high enough resolution to be blown up in any size I wanted. Its the equivalent of asking for negatives(and if you are working with photographer that doesn't do digital you should ask for them). You do not want them charging you for reprints unless you decide you want to go with them as printers. I also agree the cost is a bit high. A good place to look for photographers in Southern California is www.projectwedding.com.There are tons of photographers listed there. Mine are peace4artphoto.com. Aileen Secord is also very popular on the knot and she does a very good job.Just look around, check out reviews, look at their websites and their pics and if they don't list their rates send an inquiry e-mail. The great thing about LA is that it's such a big city, you really can find a great photographer without totally blowing your budget.

crystalangel79

I would say that's high too. I paid my photographer $1100 for 300 images on a CD (that I can print myself), a full day coverage (when I ended up having 2 photographers that I didn't even expect) as well as a free engagement session in Laguna Beach. I won't end up with any prints but I can print those on my own for cheap. The only problem is I think he kind of rushed the group shots but did amazing hubby and I shots and I waited 2 months after my wedding day to see any of them.... I think you could find a better deal... maybe not as cheap as mine but less than 4k

blondie1390

Hi Gina,Yes, $4000 is on the 'high-end', but if you really love this photographer I might recommend seeing if she would be willing to negotiate with you (i.e, maybe engagement photos isn't as important to you, in which case you could ask her for a reduced final fee). Good luck!