Are we nuts to think we can find a photographer for 4 hours for $500 for the wedding day?

adawn1981

We have budgeted $500 for photos, our wedding is only 4 hours long and one photographer is fine, but we thought $500 would be enough.  I am seeing quotes from $1000-$5000 for this!  UGH  Where did you all find your photographers and were they crazy expensive?

Thanks

ChiGirl2013

They're all crazy expensive.  Thankfully, we're not getting married in Chicago because I'd have to rob a bank to afford a professional photographer here!

Since we're getting married in Ga, things are a lot cheaper.  But even then, the cheapest I found (that had decent samples, a good BBB rating, and was licensed/insured as a legitimate business) was $250/hour.  The thing that will kill you is the minimums - most of them want at least 8 hours to make it worth their wile.  They're not going to want to give up a prime spring Saturday for a 4 hour wedding when someone else would probably book them for the whole day.  I know.... it sux!

Do you have any art schools near you?  Some of the students may be interested in taking this on.  Just make sure you sign a contract with them (make up your own if you have to, and include that they will refund all your $$ in the event of a no-show and pay all court costs if you have to take them to court) and make sure they have a portfolio to look at.

You can also call some photographers and ask if they have any "second shooters" or "novices" working with them that would do it.  One photog we looked at wanted $5k for the day, but the apprentice-type photog was only $1500.  Good luck!

Christine9866

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_april-2013-weddings_are-we-nuts-to-think-we-can-find-a-photographer-for-4-hours-for-500-for-the-wedding-day?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20Club%20BoardsForum:820178d7-4f43-4671-bcab-c5c2c01eef1eDiscussion:2b7e6e65-8a6b-4cff-8559-aa124d31d052Post:cd17930d-d2d1-4a4c-97df-fecb897cadef">Re: Are we nuts to think we can find a photographer for 4 hours for $500 for the wedding day?</a>:
[QUOTE]They're all crazy expensive.  Thankfully, we're not getting married in Chicago because I'd have to rob a bank to afford a professional photographer here! Since we're getting married in Ga, things are a lot cheaper.  But even then, the cheapest I found (that had decent samples, a good BBB rating, and was licensed/insured as a legitimate business) was $250/hour.  The thing that will kill you is the minimums - most of them want at least 8 hours to make it worth their wile.  They're not going to want to give up a prime spring Saturday for a 4 hour wedding when someone else would probably book them for the whole day.  I know.... it sux! <strong>Do you have any art schools near you?  Some of the students may be interested in taking this on</strong>.  Just make sure you sign a contract with them (make up your own if you have to, and include that they will refund all your $$ in the event of a no-show and pay all court costs if you have to take them to court) and make sure they have a portfolio to look at. You can also call some photographers and ask if they have any "second shooters" or "novices" working with them that would do it.  One photog we looked at wanted $5k for the day, but the apprentice-type photog was only $1500.  Good luck!
Posted by ChiGirl2013[/QUOTE]


Photogs are sooo expensive! I agree with PP, look into an up and coming photographer. This is a huge way to cut costs, and it gives them expsure into the field. I did write in a post below yours about looking into "a la carte" services, and deciding what you want your photographer to capture on the day of the wedding i.e. bride prep, groom prep, ceremony, reception. HTH and good  luck!!

LesaAdams

I'm paying $800 but the photos will be all digital which I feel is probably going to be the problem when it comes time to have them printed out. But my budget wont allow for much more. I will have the photo booth however and that gives us photos to remember our guests by. 

My photog is at 

Camarie-photography.com

The package for $799 is 8 hours with an assistant and 500-800 edited images. Seems you would be able to negotiate something for $500.00 in your area.

vk2204

I agree, find a student. They would love to get the experience. But also you can go to a photog and say "hey this is my budget, what can I get for that?" And you never know, you might get something good out of it.