Illinois-Chicago

Photographer?

Ok, I'm searching for a photographer and didn't know prices were so expensive. The cheapest deal I have found is from Eivan's for $649. You get ceremony and reception covarage. A Deluxe size album with 30 pages that includes 12 wallets, 2-8x10s, and 1 12x18. Is this a good deal? $649 is still expensive for my budget, can anyone refer anyone cheaper, or is that just about the cheapest I can get?

Re: Photographer?

  • ladybug7485ladybug7485 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    You could try craigslist, some newer photogs post ads there and also photogs right out of school. I know people who have had luck with that in the past. Do you need an album included in your package? That may make the cost go down and you can always get that made later if you get the rights to the prints. HTH!
  • edited December 2011
    $649 is a STEAL for what photographers are charging these days.  I agree with ladybud, get the pictures later if that will make it cheaper for you! 
  • sharonda1981sharonda1981 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I really don't need the album. Heck I can get the pictures and go buy an album and put my own pictures in there. I mean what's the big deal in having the photographers create you album? And I just want my wedding covered not the reception so maybe I should try to find a freelance photographer.
  • kag0215kag0215 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Jolie Images is great and will work with your budget.
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  • AubsAndSeanAubsAndSean member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    My friend, Angie, is a photographer near DeKalb. Her prices are super reasonable and she does great work! You can email her jna2001@comcast.net
    But just a heads up, she's out of town this week with her family so she probably won't get back to you until next week.
    Good luck!
  • edited December 2011
    Does the $650 deal include digital copies of the prints. Be careful and make sure who ever you decide to use that you have rights to the digital copies. Otherwise the only way you can get the prints is to order them through the company which can be pretty expensive. My friend does photography and she is doing my wedding. She charges $650 but that includes the whole day as well as all digital copies of the prints. I decided to go with this option because I can have the prints made where ever I like or print from home and it gives the option for friends and family to do the same. I can give you her info if you would like. She is in the burbs.

    Otherwise $649 is a great price. Most other places charge over $1,000.
  • edited December 2011
    I would recommend not cheaping out on the photographer.  Those pictures are with you for a lifetime.  I originally thought the same thing, but we eventually went with a pro and an art-quality book.  My credit cards aren't happy, but that book will be on my coffee table until I die.

    You can get a decent book and good coverage for $1500 or so.  If you go cheap and get a professional, you will probably not get your digital negatives, no album, and limited coverage (6 or 8 hours seem to be the norm).
  • sharonda1981sharonda1981 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Thanks. But it's not about being cheap. It's about working something out that's within our budget. We are not a middle class couple so we have to do what we have to do.
  • edited December 2011
    I have to agree with Sharonda's above post.

    In an ideal world, everyone would be able to afford a $40,000 wedding, not cheap out on a photographer. But the reality is, we are in a tough economy and while we can't redo weddings, not everyone has a spare $1000 or wants to go into credit card debt in order to stay with the norm. The wedding industry is blown out of proportion as it is with $100 plates of food. We saved money by having a wedding in the offseson but chose what was important to US for where we were spending our money. To some people its photography, but to other people it is nice food, or the prettiest earrings.
  • edited December 2011
    Couldn't agree more!  My total budget is about $12K, so I'm familiar with planning on the cheap.  But we splurged on photography, instead of a dress or the menu.  That's what we decided was important, and I recommend you consider it as well.
  • edited December 2011

    A very talented up-and-coming photographer is James Currie. Check out some pics he took of my husband and I last weekend: www.jamescurriephotography.com/2010/07/nancy-justin-bridal-portrait-session-evanston-wedding-photography/">http://www.jamescurriephotography.com/2010/07/nancy-justin-bridal-portrait-session-evanston-wedding-photography/ 

    He might be willing to negotiate - I would at least give it a shot!

    Good luck with your planning!

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