Venting: photographer

jendawn80

Hope you girls don't mind if I vent for a sec. So I went to the bridal show this past weekend in St. Augustine with my fiance. He was a true sport...it also helped that they had beer there :-)  He really hasn't been too involved in the planning thus far and I thought it would be good to expose him just a little and have him meet the vendors that I've booked so far without him.  So anyways, as we were talking to our photographer I mentioned that I'm interested in doing an engagement session. He said it would be $175 and that is just for his time...no CD, no prints, nothing. I would get a "discount" on the prints.  Keep in mind that I've already committed to a $3200 wedding package so I was hoping he would be a little more flexible. I'm also a little disappointed because I thought it would be good for us to do a session with him prior to the wedding. On the bright side, I'm leaning towards doing an engagement session with a local photographer that actually contacted me and is looking to expand her portfolio and website. For $50, she will take 2 hours of photo, post the pics on a website so I can share them, and give me a CD with 40 of the best ones touched up.  Do you agree that $175 is high to not receive anything with it?? I thought people would be more flexible with the economy and everything... Thanks for listening (reading!)

janedoe1113a

I agree that he's being a little ridiculous.  I think all photography packages should include a CD personally.  Also, I think most photographers should automatically include an engagement session so you can work with that person before the wedding.That's awesome though that you found someone willing to do your pictures for you!

jendawn80

Yeah, I wish I would have negotiated to include an engagement session in the original contract, but even then I would have had to pay extra for it.  At that time I really didn't care about doing an engagement session and didn't think I needed to spend the extra money.  But now I've changed my mind and would like to do one (partly because I've seen all the ones on here).  It would also be nice to have some professional photos taken and I loved the idea of using them to make a guest book like you did on Shutterfly.  (I just made my first photobook a few weeks ago with the free coupon from David's Bridal and it came out amazing!). 

GatorD

That is crazy to charge you that much just for his time! Thank goodness you found a great deal through the other photographer looking to expand her portfolio.Of all the wedding vendors, the cost of photography was by far the most shocking to me.

KappaUCF20

That does sound ridiculous when you think about it but, having a friend that's a professional photographer, I know how expensive it is just to keep the business going.  It's crazy how much money they lose just in the taxes they have to pay and the licensing fees, etc. (at the end of the day, they only take home half that money... if that much).  Also, the best photogs have to invest a lot of money in good equipment.  So while their prices can seem high, when you think about it from their point of view, it's kind of understandable.  But I do agree that photographers should automatically include a CD of pictures.  I think that should be standard (my friend includes one with all of her packages).

KappaUCF20

I thought people would be more flexible with the economy and everything...I forget to mention that when you're a business owner, you can only be so flexible.  My friend has drastically reduced the prices on her packages to the point that she's not even really making a profit, and people still think it's too high.  Well she can't work for nothing!  lol  She has to charge at least enough to pay her taxes (remember, when you're self-employed, you basically have to pay double what normal employees do plus your other business fees that have to be paid to the state).  She feels bad that she can't lower her prices any further, but she needs to eat too lol. 

clseale13

I agree that a CD should definitely be included. That part is ridiculous. As far as the money for the shoot...that seems pretty fair. You have to remember that you're not just paying for the time it takes to take the pictures. Even though you're not getting a CD he will still be spending several hourse editing all of those images. I'm sorry though...that sucks! Yay for the other photog! You should definitely do them. We had so much fun doing ours.

duncanpowers

Unfortunately if it wasn't included in the original package, they will absolutely charge full price for the extra set. A photographer that charges 3200 for a wedding package probably charges 300-400 for a full engagement session including a CD or prints. I think it would be a great idea to use the local photog though! And just think, if you only like a few photos out of the bunch, you're only out $50 and can do a different set with someone else

brittjoy84

This is the reason why a CD included package was a requirement for me when searching for my photographer. I would use the cheaper option you found, but make sure that she has a clear understanding of the types of images you are looking to get.

DevonStiles

There is no rule that says your wedding photographer HAS to do your engagement pics too. Find someone with better packages. Who is your photog btw?

jendawn80

Thanks for the feedback! I do understand that they need to make money too, and that you do pay for quality, but I just thought that it was a little rediculous that I wouldn't get anything. And I thought he would want our business for the engagement sesion.  I'm happy to work with someone else and give them a try since I'm already spending a rediculous amount on this wedding.